B3 - Group B: Kai Waechter

               With ever increasing processing power of computers and a high demand for the integration of technology in the architectural, structural, and construction fields, it is no surprise that the use of BIM has become an essential part of most current engineering firms. While BIM seems like a clearly superior alternative to hand drawn drafting it is not without its problems.

               Likely the largest problem with any BIM software is that it required extensive training in order to use. This is also a problem that can’t be fixed by a simple software upgrade. Bringing in new employees or switching to a new software means one thing for a company, and that training its workers how to use BIM. Training means time, and time means money.  I noticed this on multiple occasions working for my second co-op. They primarily used AutoCAD but the standards they used were completely different than those of my previous co-op so I had to be trained in them. They gave me about two weeks to learn everything necessary to work with their system and even then there was more that I had to learn simply by working with their drawings. Right before I had left they had begun the switch to using Revit for some of the designs. If two weeks were devoted to learning new standards for a program I was already familiar with, imagine how much time would be wasted training everyone in the office to use a new program. The cost alone seems daunting. But this is the age we live in where BIM stands supreme. If you’re not using the newest shiny software to design your structures, then you’re behind in an industry that can be quite competitive.

               In 2011 the British Government made a mandate that the use of BIM was required for all future projects and at the time only 10% of AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) companies used BIM. This forced an essential change in the industry, the cost of which was rather substantial [1]. But things should be better now that everyone uses these smart, sleek programs to design today's skyscrapers, and in many regards they are. Things are done more efficiently, everything is stored online, and the sharing of information between the user and the program has never been better.

               Another prevalent issue with BIM is that it fails to keep up with what some consider the “essential five areas” of architectural design. In his article, Paul Coates breaks down how BIM handles each of these area which include the following in regards to the project; thinking, collecting, creating, correcting and connecting data [2]. Based on his views it seems to stand up admirable in some areas yet fails to meet his expectations in others. The article is worth a read and a link to it is found in the sources below as he further discusses his analysis of BIM and its place in the architectural world.

The technology is constantly advancing and maybe someday it will live up to expectations of those who see BIM as a flawed system. But until that day it will continue to have its limitations, and these need to be accounted for when using such programs in engineering.

Sources:

[1] http://aecmag.com/technology-mainmenu-35/450-the-trouble-with-bim

[2] The Limitations of BIM in the Architectural Process http://usir.salford.ac.uk/12898/2/PaulCoatesLimitationsofBIMICSU.pdf

Comments: 

[1] http://ae-510-ay15-16.blogspot.com/2016/01/b3-group-b-current-problems-with-revit.html?showComment=1453770384243#c2977510582230645231

[2] http://ae-510-ay15-16.blogspot.com/2016/01/b3-group-b-schroeder.html?showComment=1453772404873#c4269257014327400074

B3 - Group E: Adrian Kuzniarowicz

In today’s construction design process, there are many different CAD and BIM software technologies being utilized. Two of the most commonly used programs include AutoCAD and Revit, both of which are programmed and designed by a company called Autodesk. By initially releasing AutoCAD in December of 1982, Autodesk provided its users with the capability of creating, saving, and editing two-dimensional and three-dimensional CAD drawings which were drawn using a single line tool. Autodesk took it one step further when in 2000, they released their first version of REVIT software. The REVIT software allowed users to create a new type of file that consisted of a digital, 3-dimensional model that implemented the design of a building’s infrastructure, architectural plans, and utility design. New advances in REVIT software has allowed for the integration of construction schedules and budgets into its BIM modeling software to allow for more efficient building planning and budgeting.

As technology has advanced over the last decade, the ways which it is applied and the amount of different professionals that use it has grown tremendously. In the past, architects and engineers were the main professions which utilized software such as AutoCAD. Since then, professionals in trades such as Fire Protection or HVAC, and even Construction Managers, have begun utilizing AutoCAD software as well as BIM modeling technologies, like REVIT, to creating and analyze highly integrated and organized construction projects. The advancements in the development of REVIT software has even allowed for users to plan and track various stages in the building’s life-cycle, from the planning of the design to the post-life demolition of the structure.

Unlike AutoCAD, which limits it’s users capabilities to drawing extensively detailed two-dimensional plans using a single “line” tool, REVIT allows its users to simply create floor plans using “Wall”, “Door”, and “Window” tools. The program allows the user to specify material types, thicknesses, and other material properties, which are preloaded into the program, much more simply than AutoCAD, in order to create a highly integrated 3-D model of a building.

In addition to these programs, Autodesk has created a number of drafting programs to assist professionals in drawing of discipline-specific plans or drawings. AutoCAD Architecture, formerly known as Architectural Desktop, was initially released by Autodesk in 1998. Similarly to REVIT, the program allowed for architects to create 2-D and 3-D CAD drawings using architectural tools such as “Wall” and “Window” tools. Unlike REVIT, the AutoCAD Architecture software does not allow for the life-cycle analysis of a building, but it does allow for simpler drawing capabilities than AutoCAD.

I believe that REVIT software is one of the most valuable BIM technologies available on the market today. It is capable of creating simple 2-D and 3-D drawings while also being capable of much more. I feel that in order to create a fully functional and efficient REVIT model for a building project, it is up to all parties, including the construction managers, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers to be highly collaborative throughout the entire planning and construction process.

Comments:

Danielle Schroeder

Danielle,

I strongly agree with you when you say that for a civil engineering firm to adopt REVIT software, it would be very time consuming and costly. During one of my co-ops, although I had already known how to draft using AutoCAD and REVIT, I had to learn how to use Microstation well. It took me nearly 4 straight, 8-hour-days of watching online tutorial videos to simply get the basics down. Consider this: if it took me, who is fairly good with computers, that long to learn the basics of Microstation, imagine the time and money it would take an entire firm to be trained to become proficient with the program.

Allison Lock

Allison,

I like that you chose to write about Google’s Sketchup software as another form of drawing software. I have had limited experience with the program but I found it quite challenging to try to accurately model a building’s systems. I found it fairly useless for practical uses, unless one is trying to present a rendering of a proposed building. Although it is fairly simple to use, the capabilities of Sketchup are far inferior to those of AutoCAD, and especially those of REVIT.

Sources:

http://www.autodesk.com/solutions/building-information-modeling/overview

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoCAD

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autodesk_Revit

B2: Group C - Alexis

Like Professor Mitchell wrote in his post on intelligent building, the term intelligence refers to adaptive computer technologies used to enhance any system or process throughout the building life cycle. These adaptive technologies have been applied to every phase of the industry, from coordination in design to facilities management. Applying 3D modeling to building design has streamlined aspects of the construction and maintenance phases through 3D visualization. BIM provides coordination models for clash detection, scheduling, quantity takeoffs, and estimating. Projects modeled with BIM software can be adapted throughout the construction phase to provide the owner and facilities maintenance with an As-Built model. Many owners now require this deliverable for more efficient and cost-effective building operation. Pumps, fans, and valves can be tagged with specific parameters such as material, size, and location for future maintenance.

BIM reduces the number of iterations throughout the design development phase. The use of adaptive computer technologies minimizes clashes between systems and the need for major rework late into the design of the project. There are significant cost benefits for owners on projects using BIM processes, since the software streamlines collaboration between designers of different disciplines. BIM is used to design high performance buildings with accurate cost estimates from the 3D model throughout the design. This gives owners more feedback early on in the project when client criteria has the greatest impact. Facility managers see reduced operational costs from as-built equipment specifications used for testing and balancing. Facility managers are given a say in the design of building systems through an integrated design method and shared perspective.

BIM can be used to provide the owner with energy analysis, building system simulation, and cost estimation at every stage of the design configuration. This helps the owner, developer, and building operators meet their goals of increased efficiency and sustainability for complex spaces and building systems [Table 4-1]. BIM may be most advantageous as a modeling tool for owners to visualize plans and ensure project parameters are met.

Another advantage is integrated project delivery (IPD) through building information modeling. Designers from multiple disciplines can work in the model at the same time, which increases the value of the project information in each phase for each member of the design team. The central model is a tool that supports collaboration instead of a piece-by-piece approach to design development [153]. Since the BIM-based integrated design process also allows more designers and engineers to refer to the same model throughout the project development, errors are resolved quickly and more reliable estimates are provided to the owner early on in the design development phase.

1. Hardin, Brad and Dave McCool. BIM and Construction Management: Proven Tools, Methods, and Workflows, 2nd edition. Indianapolis: Wiley, 2015. Print.

2. Chapter 4, BIM for Owners and Facility Managers - http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzM2NDIzOV9fQU41?sid=765df376-0982-4740-ab82-fefeb0ac7526@sessionmgr120&vid=0&format=EB&lpid=lp_151&rid=0

Comments:

Danielle,
I agree that the most valuable applications of building information modeling are the conceptual design and analysis phases of the project. Revit and other BIM software are most useful for 3D visualization of complex coordination between systems. Like you said in your post, this software can be used for system integration and analysis. Having a simulation and 3D model leads to increased energy efficiency, reduced costs, and better design practice. It especially improves collaboration between architects and engineers, since each designer has a better understanding of the other’s building system from a central 3D model.

Alex,
Your post did a great job of explaining ProjectWise and its benefits to the building design industry. I used Revit MEP during my past co-op and one of the most useful features is the central model that everyone can access. Each designer works in a local copy of the file but can sync their changes to the central model throughout the day, similar to GoogleDocs. I agree that a key component is file format, since design firms so often transfer models between software to analyze different aspects of the project. If the model is unreadable to common CAD programs, it cannot be imported and adds time to the overall design process.