American Society of Civil Engineers - Maine Section Structural Engineers Association of Maine

3D BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING LESSONS LEARNED

Presented By: Mark Tracy, P.E. Manager of Structural Engineering Dan Levesque Senior Structural Technologist

Presentation Objective
To educate entry level and newcomer firms of lessons learned related to 3D structural building information modeling. What is BIM? Building Information Modeling (BIM) - a software technology for designing that enables multiple disciplines to collaborate and coordinate design work within a 3D model. Stantec Examples:
3D Models/Parametric 2D Drawings Bill of Materials Design Walk-Thrus Interference Checking Downstream Integration: Disciplines, Owners, Fabricators, Constructors

3D Building Information Modeling - Lessons Learned

Agenda Stantec Introduction Stantec Software Evaluation and Selection Lessons Learned Revit Structure Modeling 3D Modeling and Structural Analysis Integration Multi-Discipline Model Integration Fabricator/Detailer Model Integration 3D File Integration Project Examples Final Thoughts Questions/Answers Revit/Robot Integration Example

Stantec - Scarborough, Maine Office

Multi-Discipline Engineering Industrial Sector Power Pulp & Paper Oil & Gas Manufacturing Structural Engineering New and retrofit structures Steel, braced frame structures Elevated concrete slabs and grated floors Ductwork and process vessels Deep and shallow concrete foundations Masonry and Slabs on grade Geotechnical Investigation and engineering

Stantec Structural Software

3D Structural Analysis StaadPro Robot Structural Analysis 3D Modeling Revit Structure Revit Extensions SI Exchange Inventor Navisworks Roamer/Publisher Clash Detection/Freedom Tekla Structures ProSteel AutoCAD 3D

In the BeginningWhere Do We Start?

Experience with 3D modeling with ProSteel & AutoCAD 3D (2000 to present)

Initial Assessment (2005) Current and future client software In house software and maturity level Select software for evaluation

Software Evaluation and Selection (2006)

Software Implementation (2006)

Stantec Software Evaluation and Selection

Import/Export Capabilities Document Management CAD Standards CAD and Drafting Data 2D/3D parametric model Common insertion point 2D flat drawings Schedules/BOM Foundations/Piles/Concrete/Rebar Analytical Software Integration Collision Detection Viewing Programming Cost

Why Revit Structure?

Already owned AutoDesk products; Revit was a free add-on Backup to AutoCAD 2D dwg if the 3D model did not work Client deliverable was predominately AutoCAD 2D dwg 2D flat drawings; no Z component Bill of materials & schedules Analysis integration Bidirectional Assoc. & Seamless coordination Parametric components Revit Demo/Viewer mode for general viewing

In the BeginningStart Small

Select a champion Take small steps Test often Use pilot projects Establish budget for training and downtime Expect things not to work Remain flexible and open to new ideas Maintain a living document of procedures Talk to people with experience
Bob! Do I have a job for you

3D Modeling Revit Structure

Lessons Learned Geometry & Analytical must be accurate Application warnings must be addressed Develop standard work guidelines for application and discipline usage What are the other team members using for software? Does it integrate with your software? Do you have to swap files?
Mech Coordination

Electrical Client

Structure

Architectural

3D Modeling Revit Structure

Lessons Learned
What is your geometry control? Lock down the project grid system Allow change access and deny access Plans and Elevations in Revit Typical details in CAD
Master Project

Copy/Monitor Real-time coordination Divide the project into manageable models Organization Computer Performance Review computer and hardware resources before undertaking a Revit project Minimum requirements do not always relate well to efficient operation
Project A Project B Project C

3D Modeling Revit Structure

Lessons Learned Upfront customization is required to Revit families and templates to reflect current drafting standards. Additional Reference: Critical Issues for Best Business Practices in BIM Technology, by Marcello Sgambelluri, SE of John A. Martin & Associates; 2008 Structural Engineers Buildings Conference

3D Modeling & Analysis Software Integration

What is Round Tripping?

3D Modeling & Analysis Are You Round Tripping?

Lessons Learned Designer: All geometry & analytical (wireframe) data Axis and grid generation Member creation, modification, and deletion Beta angles & offsets Simple end releases applied Revit Analytical tools Organize project model to control BIM data: Discipline Analytical Coordination

3D Modeling & Analysis Are You Round Tripping?

Lessons Learned Engineer: All analysis changes Loads and load combinations Member end releases Member design parameters Analysis, design and optimization of member sizes Member size changes only Top of steel versus steel centroid affects working points

3D Multi Discipline
Lessons Learned Understand the 3D modeling maturity level of clients and team members What are the other disciplines/client using for software? One AutoCad master grid for all disciplines Adhere to common software product families Produce more predictable BIM data Reduce transfer errors Facilitate team meetings to discuss output Develop a test issue Can software be imported into a common file (i.e. Navisworks)

3D Fabricator/Detailer
Stantec: Revit Structure Tekla CIS/2 Electronic Data Interchange of Structural Data IFC Geometry Neutral File/Checking and Verification Shop drawing review Michael Gustafsons PDH series article in Structural Engineer Magazine (August 2008); Structural Steel Shop Drawing Review: The Present the Future

3D Fabricator/Detailer
Lessons Learned Understand fabricators software importing/exporting requirements and software maturity AISC 9th & 13th edition shape differences Revit exports AISC shapes in CIS/2, STEP and SDNF Geometry can be exported in SAT (Acis Solids) or IFC (Smart) reference Revit Extension required for CIS/2 export Autodesk subscription enrollment required

3D File Integration
CIS/2 Computer Integrated Manufacturing for Construction Steelwork IFC Industry Foundation Classes STEP Standard for the Exchange of Product SDNF Steel Detailing Neutral File

For more information on file exchange and formats see: http://cic.nist.gov/vrml/cis2.html

3D File Integration
Lessons Learned Software may or may not have the import or export capabilities you need In most cases you will not get all the information transfer you expect Garbage in Garbage out still applies

Project Examples

Waste to Energy Facility

Scope 1 Revit Project file Approx 2000 elements Phased New & Exist Autocad Typ. details Export (Dwg) Export (Excel) Advancement Revit Development Standards Templates Work Guidelines Custom Families

Coal Fired Boiler Facility

Scope Multi Revit files (not linked) Approx 14,000 elements Phased New Client Model ref Autocad Typ. details Export (Dwg) Export (Excel) Advancement Master 2D grid Revit details Staad DXF ref IFC translations

Industrial Facility
Scope 1 Revit Project file Approx 500 elements Phased New & Exist Client model ref Revit details Export (Dwg, SAT) Advancement Revit 3D connections Robot integration test Foundations (simple) Revit Customization

Coal Fired Boiler Air Pollution Control Upgrade

Scope Master 2D Grid Multi Revit files Approx 5,000 elements Phased New & Exist Full Revit Package Client 3D Model ref Export (Dwg, SAT) Export (Excel) Advancement Revit foundations (complex)

Coal Fired Boiler Air Pollution Control Upgrade

Scope Master 2D Grid Multi Revit files (Linked) Approx 700 elements Phased New & Exist Full Revit Package Client 3D Model ref Export (Dwg, SAT) Export (Excel) Advancement Mech Duct design test Revit linking

Coal Fired Boiler Air Pollution Control Upgrade

Scope Master 2D Grid 1 Revit Project file Approx 600 elements Phased New Export (Dwg) Export (Excel) Advancement Import Staad data Copy/Monitor tool Architectural elements Renderings

Coal Fired Boiler Air Pollution Control Upgrade

Scope Master 2D grid Copy/Monitor Multi Revit files (8) Approx 16,000+ elements Phased New & Existing Client model ref Import (Dxf, IFC) Export (Dwg, SAT, PDF) Export (Excel) Advancement Staad import test Export CIS2, SDNF Steel erection sequencing

Final Thoughts
Appoint a Champion; a person with experience and initiative. Expect your champion to be non-billable at times. Start small and slow with a pilot project; preferably a non/billable project or a project where full profit is not the ultimate goal. Test, Test and Test again. Train using what you can afford; videos/online/vendor training/seminars.

Final Thoughts
Contact your software reseller for help. Forge relationships with your software vendors and technical staff. Nobody has all the answers. Dont believe everything your software vendor is selling. 3D building modeling will not increase your fee; it will allow you to remain competitive in your marketplace. 3D modeling will shorten your time to project completion, but you will see the biggest improvement in quality.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

One Team. Infinite Solutions.