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BIM Model Development
BIM object
Types of BIM model
Definition
IFC, BFC and MDV
Open and Closed BIM
BIM Model
Interoperability
AEC (Architectural,
Engineering, Construction)
Structural
MEP (Mechanical, Electrical,
Plumbing)
BIM Modelling Platforms
References
Modelling software
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BIM model
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ISO 19650:2019 defines BIM as:
Use of a shared digital representation of a built asset
to facilitate design, construction and operation
processes to form a reliable basis for decisions.
In other words - BIM is a digital file that contains 3D
models (graphical data), non-graphical data and other
linked data such as electronic documents in a
collaborative environment- it is also known as a “
building information model”
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BIM model development-PIM and AIM
Project information model (PIM)is the information model developed during design and construction phase of the
project.
Asset Information model (AIM) is a model that has the data and information that is required for the operation and/or
maintenance of the assest. It is developed from the Project information model once the construction is complete.
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Source The B1M
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BIM model development-PIM and AIM
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Source The B1M
l
BIM PIM Model
It provides all the
construction and
management information
for decision making:
budgets, purchases, costs,..
It includes the design model
+ final model
implementation
In this Model the operations
and maintenance phase of
the building is addressed
It contains all the
modifications suffered
during the implementation
of the project and the result
is the final product
BIM AIM Model
As-built model
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BIM object
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Source NBS BIM library
Non-graphical information (parametric) also referred to as
attributes
Contains the information in a form of product data sheets/ technical
information that allows the BIM object to identify, define its traceability,
filter, measure, quantify, qualify, etc., the different data:
• Locate the object within the model (e.g., 1st floor, basement -2).
• Know what function the object fulfils within a system (e.g., whether
it is a beam or a bronchial beam).
• Know what type of element it is.
• Identify what materials it is made of.
• Any other information relevant to the work to be done
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BIM object
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Source NBS BIM library
Dimensions and product geometry:
Visualisation gives the object a recognisable
appearance and it behaves like a real life
object.
Graphical data could be 2D or 3D. The
advantage of a 3D “object” in the virtual
building model is that it provides a visual
reference, location and context, establishing
relationships with rooms, spaces and other
components in the virtual building model
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BIM object-types
BIM Objects
At the design stage generic (library) objects are placed to
stand in until the actual product/ material has been
specified, this allows for the digital model to be built
without detailing the actual product/ material
Specific – fully specified objects as available from
manufacturers
BIM object can be
Components – building products such as windows, doors,
sanitary fittings.
Layered (material)objects - building products that do not
have fixed shape and size such as ceiling, roofing, carpets
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BIM objects and LOD
In unit 3B we discussed Level of development and we should remind ourselves of it in the context of BIM object
LoD 100 - the elements are represented as a symbol, without specific geometric representation. Their size, or specific
location is not known.
LoD 200 - generic graphical and non-graphical representation of elements: approximate dimensions, shape, location
and orientation.
LoD 300 - specifically depicted elements, with actual dimensions, shapes, location and orientations. May contain
specific non-graphical information associated with the element.
LoD 350 - following the requirements of level 300, the element includes information regarding its relationship to other
elements included in the model.
LoD 400 - the elements contain sufficient graphical and non-graphical information to be able to be put on site,
manufactured and/or installed.
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Types of BIM model
A federated model is a combined
model of the building that has been
compiled by combining several
different models into one, during
design, construction and use.
Source:BIMcorner
During the design pre-construction phase of the project are
separate distinct models are created that originate from a
range of construction disciplines - architects, structural
engineers, building service engineers, contractors, sub
contractors and suppliers. These individual models are
uploaded to the Common Data Environment.
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Architectural, engineering and construction modelling (AEC)
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Architectural model is the referencing model for all
other models and basis for the successive phases of
the project.
BIM offers a platform for the hosting of 3D
modelling and structural assessments. Architects are
able to experiment with designs and materials,
efficiently input that data into structural physical
simulators and test the viability of plans or the
impact of an earthquake, etc. Most importantly, all
of this information can be cross-checked by
structural engineers and any inputs made are
automatically distributed across all files.
Source: Archlovers
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AEC modelling tools
• One of the most used BIM modeling
software in the industry.
• Made for architectural design, MEP,
structural design, detailing, engineering, and
construction.
• Available alone or as part of the AEC
Collection.
• Compatible with Microsoft Windows only.
https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/revit/overview?term=1-YEAR ps
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Source: Autodesk
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AEC modelling tools
• Developed by Graphisoft and owned by Nemetschek
(owners of Allplan).
• The oldest of the BIM modellers.
• Software for Windows and Mac
• Widely used and excellent for the creation of
complex geometries.
• Maintains CAD features layered organisation of its
objects and individualised definition of the
properties of those objects.
• Advantage incorporates object properties in
IFC format and assigns building materials to them.
https://graphisoft.com/solutions/products/archicad
Source: Graphisoft
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Structural modelling
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Structural engineers have a role across the entire lifecycle of an
asset and can contribute to the BIM process in collaboration
with other disciplines (architecture, construction works and
safety, plant engineering and maintenance, etc.), thus
supporting multi-disciplinary decision-making activities.
With regard to the field of structural engineering, data that are
part of the BIM model are generally in the form of:
• Structural geometric model integrated in more complex
models
• Object modelling,
• Calculation and Finished elements analysis
• Technical descriptions and other documentation.
Source: BibLus
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Structural modelling tools
Some software companies offer tolls for specific civil engineering purposes:
• able to model structures that incorporate different kinds of building materials, including
steel, concrete, timber and glass.
• allows structural drafters and engineers to design a building structure and its components
using 3D modelling generate 2D drawings and access building information
• Finite Element Analysis software developed by Midas IT, used for bridge structural
analysis and design
Tekla Structures
https://www.midasoft.com/bridge-library/civil/products/midascivil
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Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) modelling
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MEP modelling is about coordination and synchronising all the building services with other disciplines that form the
building fabric, structure and external envelope (steel, concrete etc) Mostly the professional conducting the coordination
process focus on highly congested spaces within the structural systems to prevent building services systems interference.
Source: Archidrawoutsocurcing
MEP contribution:
• Improved coordination capacity between
disciplines.
• Powerful analysis and simulation tool to
improve the design of the installation
and optimise energy consumption
throughout the life cycle of the building.
• Added value for users and maintenance
of facilities
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MEP modelling tools
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AEC modelling tools also have a specific MEP modelling tools so Revit and ArchiCad but there are some specific BIM
software for Energy efficiency studies;
• energy evaluation tool– an add-on software for ArchiCAD and Graphisoft’s BIM
application
• aims to provide information about a building's energy performance at the early design
phases
• fast feedback on the energy efficiency and sustainability of certain design alternatives
https://graphisoft.com/downloads/ecodesigner
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MEP modelling tools
• flexible cloud-based service that can be used as a standalone
• allows running of building performance simulations to optimize energy
efficiency and to work toward carbon neutrality earlier in the design process
• It powers Autodesk® Revit’s® whole building energy analysis tools
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Interoperability – Industry foundation Classes (IFC)
• Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) were developed by
buildingSMART in order to exchange data between different
software tools.
• Construction is a fragmented sector with many specialists that
need to collaborate and coordinate projects.
• Data needs to be exchanged. But: Software built for e.g.
architects looks different from software built for e.g. steel
engineers. Thousands of software tools use different internal
data schemes.
• Therefore the created data differs from one software to the
other.
• By using IFC, data can be exchanged safely and read by the
involved project partners. Changes to the data can not be
made.
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Interoperability – Industry foundation Classes (IFC)
IFC enable the exchange of information from one party to another.
This open file format facilitates the interoperability in the
architecture, engineering and construction sector.
All project members can read IFC files regardless of the fact that they
were created by different BIM software.
The data can not be edited, therefore another file format (BCF) was
developed, in order to allow communication between all project
members.
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Video source BIM secrets
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Interoperability – BIM Collaboration Format (BCF)
•BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) is a file format developed by
buildingSMART.
•BCF tracks issues as they are identified, reported on and
resolved during the BIM process.
•BCF allows to send model mark-ups, clash reports, and general
comments between all project members.
•Each BCF issue is registered with a unique ID, to track open
issues, responsibilities and see, when issues are resolved.
•When a project member opens a BCF issue in their modelling
software, they are directed to the exact same view in their
model without needing to locate it in the model
•When the issue is solved in the modeling software, the BCF is
updated and this is communicated back to the project
manager.
Image and video source BIMconnect
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Interoperability – Model View Definition (MVD)
Image and video source BIMconnect
A Model View Definition (MVD) is a filtered view of information
of the IFC. Instead of sending the whole data model, a predefined
IFC export can be chosen and transmitted.
Example
If an architect needs to deliver a project model for an energy
analysis, they can select the predefined IFC export called “energy
efficiency”.
For more detailed information:
https://technical.buildingsmart.org/standards/ifc/mvd/
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Interoperability – COBie
• COBie stands for the Construction Operations Building Information
Exchange, COBie is a subset of ICF
• it is an international standard that relates to the exchange of building
information.
• It is most commonly used in the product data handover from the
construction team to the operations team
• used to capture essential project data for facilities and asset
management
• can exist in multiple formats t is most likely to be encounterd as an Excel
spreadsheet.
• Should provide answers to 3 questions
• What rooms and equipment are delivered in a building?
• Where does a technician go to work on that equipment?
• How is the equipment operated and maintained?
Source :NBS
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Open BIM
Open BIM is defined as an universal approach to the collaborative design,
realisation and operation of buildings based on open standards and workflows.
It allows project team members to participate in BIM regardless of the software
tools they use. It promotes a transparent and collaborative open workflow,
creates a common language, and provides project data for use throughout the
assets life-cycle.
Open BIM allows BIM to focus on workflow compatibility rather than the data
compatibility, and means that the project team members can be selected based
on their capability rather than their use of a particular brand of software. As a
result, team member can use the software that best suits their needs, and are
better able to retain control over their own design data while still being able
to collaborate with others. It also means that smaller software vendors are
better able to compete with larger vendors.
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Closed BIM
Closed BIM is a BIM environment where all the construction
professionals use the same software and the same version of a BIM
application is used.
• It includes numerous exchanges using the BIM applications of the
same vendor
• No file conversion is needed.
• All file information is preserved, avoiding the losses that can result
from conversion.
• Less model review
Disadvantages
• Only users with the same software can use file – limiting the choice
of project partners
• One vendor’s software may not have wide choice of tools
• Lesser interoperability
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References
What is a”BIM Model”, July 2015; https://www.theb1m.com/video/what-is-a-bim-model
BIM Wiki; https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/BIM_Wiki
What is a BIM object? N.d; https://www.nationalbimlibrary.com/en-gb/about-bim-objects/
Level of Development Specification, December 2020; https://bimforum.org/LOD/
Different types of Building Information Modeling [BIM] used in construction, July 2020;
https://www.constrofacilitator.com/different-types-of-building-information-modeling-bim-used-in-construction/
How architects can use BIM in 2020, May 2020; https://info.vercator.com/blog/how-architects-can-use-bim-in-2019
4 great advantages of BIM for structural engineering, n.d.; https://biblus.accasoftware.com/en/4-great-advantages-of-bim-
for-structural-engineering/
Building Information Modelling and interoperability, Stephen Hamil, April 2012;
https://www.thenbs.com/knowledge/building-information-modelling-and-interoperability
www.sibim.eu
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References
The BIM Collaboration Format (BFC), April 2018, Mark Baldwin; https://bimconnect.org/en/software/the-bim-
collaboration-format-bcf/
What is IFC?, April 2018, Mark Baldwin: https://bimconnect.org/en/software/what-is-ifc/
What is COBie and how does it relate to BIM?, 2017; https://www.thecadroom.com/cobie-relate-bim/
www.sibim.eu
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