B2 - Group B - Hatim Amiji

Interoperability simply means the  capability of a product or system to be interpreted by other products or systems without any limitations. In software, is the ability to pass data between applications, and for multiple applications to jointly contribute to the work at hand. It eliminates the need to manually copy data already generated in another application hence saves time/money and improves efficiency. Unlike geometry exchanges between applications, building model exchanges are much more complex this is because BIM represents multiple kinds of geometry, relations, attribute and properties for a specific building structure. The model created using BIM carries more information and detail than a standard CAD file. BIM's ability of producing more than just drawings creates different problems in exchange of data i.e. analysis tools such as structural, thermal, scheduling and procurement applications are translated differently. The Industry Foundation Class (IFC) is a data model intended to describe building and construction industry data, it is a neutral platform which allows open file format specification that is not controlled by a single or a group of software companies. This unified schema was developed to facilitate interoperability in architecture, engineering and construction industry based on official International Standard (ISO 16739:2013). IFC incorporates a wide range building design, engineering and production information which can be exchanged in this unified platform i.e. wide range of geometry of varying complexity, numerous relations between objects as well as different  properties of structural material and shapes. A BIM software allows engineers, architects and construction managers to communicate on the same platform, this eliminates problems resulting due to file sharing restrictions and thus increases efficiency. During my first co-op, part of my job was to survey hole patterns in fabricated steel girders and then use that data to detect eccentricities with actual hole locations in CAD drawings done using MicroStation. The data obtained from the surveying instrument was not compatible in MicroStation hence those data were manually plotted and compared with actual CAD drawing which was time consuming and unnecessary repetitive work. During my second co-op, I did a similar surveying job however this time a software called PC-DMIS was used to import data from the surveying equipment which was compatible with MicroStation hence saving time and money. Approximately $15.8 billion dollars is spent on interoperability costs on an annual basis, therefore platforms such IFC which allows open sharing of technical data reduces unnecessary additional cost of construction which arises from interoperability limitations.  

References:

Eastman, C. "Chapter 3: Interoperability." BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Engineers and Contractors.

http://www.ncoic.org/what-is-interoperability

http://fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build04/PDF/b04022.pdf