The Year in Infrastructure 2007 - (Page 8) Bim fOr architecture This category applies to creative and effective uses of information-based approaches in the architectural design and documentation processes. Of particular interest are projects in which the use of BIM solutions enabled exceptional design or other aspects of the project. winner The Leadenhall Building rogers stirk harbour + partners ltd The Leadenhall Building is a 48-story tower that rises 224.5 meters (802 feet) opposite Lloyd’s of London. Its slender form creates its own distinctive profile within an emerging cluster of tall buildings in London. Construction challenges included the close proximity of other occupied buildings, access to the site, and underground transportation lines. A 3D approach to its design was essential due to the structural elements and node connections, which were frequently revised. The building’s steelwork is designed as an integrated structural/architectural frame, similar to those favored by Gustave Eiffel. Instead of a traditional central core to provide structural stability, a full perimeter-braced tube defines the perimeter of the office floor plates and creates stability under wind loads. The major nodes that connected the members stood more than eight meters tall, but had to weigh less than 30 tons in order to be lifted into place. The project team found that traditional construction drawings did not define the nodes completely, so the 3D model became the basis for all design documentation, including drawings, details, geometry statements, and fabrication data. The team estimates this approach is 70 percent faster than past methods, saving months of documentation time (time that was redirected to optimizing the building design). For example, the team uses a VBA tool to extract geometric data and real-world coordinate points into a fabrication-ready spreadsheet. In some cases, frame component data is exported directly to rapid prototyping devices that create small-scale physical mockups. Bentley’s BIM solutions allowed these elements to be manipulated quickly and easily, often during discussions with the structural engineer. BIM also allowed the project team to concentrate on the design and constructability of the project rather than on documentation. With the project only partially completed, the software has already paid for itself many times over. 8 ThE YEAR IN INFRASTRUCTURE 2007
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