B2: Core Technologies and Software

              3D modeling and BIM are both recent technologies that were invented in the ’90s, that’s what I thought, but according to BIM Handbook, the idea was there since 1960. The 3D application is not limited to modeling buildings, however, it is a numerous concept. It almost contributed to every field including the media field in movies, engineering fields like mechanical, and more. The BIM gives better views of a project from different angles, and from this privilege, one could study the model and know the errors. The BIM had gone through many editions and engineers will not stop updating these programs for better editions and better future. A model is formed by parameters that are the properties of the model’s elements. These parameters were difficult to be edited in the earlier modeling programs like B-rip. Today, editing and making changes in a model is the challenging part between companies. The better the properties of a BIM, the better is the software. Parameters are being detailed in every new edition of the CAD tool. Revit is a well-known software that engineers love, especially architects, but the sudden fact that it was first developed as a mechanical system. 

         BIM also provides features that can illustrate the environmental conditions in a specific location. For example, what effects the shadows of the surrounding buildings would have on the designed building, in addition to solar orientation. These features can reduce construction failures by providing accurate numbers, angels, plans, and elevations. Also weather conditions regarding a selected location as outdoor and indoor temperature. This helps engineers to determine the best HVAC system, construction materials, and glazing. Many previous failures were because of scaling. One could distinguish that when comparing and contracting a new building with an old one. The old buildings are not symmetrical and not creatively designed. These were all designed and scaled on papers. The manual sale could be right, but not as specific as on computers. One inch matters and a pencil's thickness would also affect. I had two of my AE studio classes that I preferred the class to be taken in a computer lab, and the designs were made using one of the modeling programs. The class was designing class using scaling tools, and papers. I like to learn the basics first, but two classes using the same technique is pointless. I was having a hard time with the scaling because if there was one mistake, you have to erase and do it again by your hand. It prevented me from being creative in my own design because my time and efforts were wasted on doing scaled sections, elevations and plans, whereas, there were much better software to use for designing a building.   

            

Although we have these programs available, I do believe that the start of every idea which then becomes a project is a sketch using a pen and paper. We all do our designs and plans on a paper then transfer it to an electronic copy; so the technology can take our traditional way of doing something, but it can’t erase it because we have to understand the basics first to know how things work. 

Citation:

Eastman, Chuck, et al. BIM Handbook : A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Designers, Engineers, Contractors, and Facility Managers, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2018. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/lib/drexel-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5447327.

Comments:

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Dane,
I can’t imagine how there is an engineering firm that doesn’t support 3D modeling. BIM isn’t a new tool, but the only thing that I can think about that prevent them from using these programs is money. Some small firms don’t want to pay more for better tools which gives the employees a hard time. However, these programs help all parties that are involved to have the best presentation of the project including the stakeholders. These 3D views can be edited using the IPAD as you mentioned. This could be handy while the contractor and the engineers are at the worksite. It gives perfect results in designing which means better projects and that counts toward the firm’s reputation.

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/dane-bell-blog-2.html

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Ina,
You started your post with a clear definition of Interoperability. Exporting a BIM file or changing its format is not easy as exporting PDF to JPEG. Although, also between these formats, the file could lose its quality. Regarding converting 3D models from one program to another, every number and information has to be converted including parameters. These files carry a large amount of data that reflects the design, so any small missing code could cause a large failure that could change the whole design, the scale, for example. Personally, I'm still experiencing that while using some software. This issue is still occurring and not solved yet because every software has its own settings. Therefore, there isn’t one solution for all. However, IGES would be a perfect invention.

Thank you for mentioning IGES in your post because it might help me with my senior design project. I was using AutoCAD, and now I’m switching to Revit. This technique will save me time where I just convert files without redoing the design all over again on Revit.

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/b2-interoperability.html

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Pritesh,

You brought up a good point when you related BIM to financial risks. The precision of these programs can really reduce the financial risks that occur due to design failures which leads to delays that affect the project’s budget. Every delay has a cost. The stakeholders or the owner of the project will ask for payback from the contractor. These are all statements that were agreed upon by all parties in the contract. Therefore, BIM is really important, and companies won’t stop improving their software to be better than other companies. Regarding the project’s schedule and timeline, RSMeans software and MS project software are both excellent programs to use to know the total cost, early start, early finish dates for your projects.  

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/blog-2.html