Consulting-Specifying Engineer - November 2008 - (Page 16)

M/E Roundtable as “a 3-D database” rather than just geometry depicting what the building is going to look like. The database can contain various types of detailed information at both the component and overall building level, such as building geometry, spatial relationships, geographic information, and the quantities/ BIM offers to the design process what CAD brought to the “drawing” process, the ability to coordinate different parameters and resolve conflicts. properties of building components. This information can be sliced, diced, configured, formatted, and presented in a range of methods that can benefit the flow and use of information by different stakeholders. BIM is still maturing as an approach, but companies are starting to adopt BIM tools at an increasing rate. In my opinion, the primary obstacle for MEP firms seems to be that the key mechanism for production delivery to date has been 2-D drawings. In addition, the HVAC system designs can be a complex delivery network of piping and ductwork, with numerous variations in size of different components, which makes the ability to draw those in 3-D not a trivial task. The surprise is that the conversion to BIM is just occurring now versus a few years back. Brad Workman: Many MEP design firms have lagged behind their architectural and structural counterparts, but some of the MEP early adopters of BIM are beginning to see the advantages that it provides. Since MEP firms have long used computational tools for analysis, they initially may not have seen the many additional benefits of BIM. However, the recent integration of analysis and the BIM model is tipping the scale in favor of BIM adoption. This development and the value the integrated model provides in allowing interference detection and coordination are providing the impetus. In addition, behind the delay in BIM adoption by MEP design firms has been the lack of data from MEP manufacturers in a form readily usable by BIM applications. CSE: If a design firm is satisfied with its CAD software, why should it switch to BIM? Workman: Of course, firms should only switch to new technologies and new design methodologies when there are proven benefits to doing so. We have made this transition once when MEP designers moved from manual practices to CAD. However, the move to BIM has more consequences in terms of the adoption curve, but also in terms of the benefits. By integrating the MEP analysis into the BIM model, engineers will be able to work in that model, eliminating duplicate efforts. Modeling for analysis and drafting the resulting design become an inte- grated activity. BIM provides that advantage. The BIM model of MEP disciplines can be used as the basis for cost and materials takeoffs. Although this is usually the contractor’s responsibility, this capability provides the MEP designer with an early look at this important project constraint. Londenberg: It is generally not a good idea to fix something that is not broken. Any tool should be chosen because it fits the current and upcoming needs. However, there are a number of benefits: closer coordination and better communication with clients/owners; the potential for more streamlined engineering calculations, i.e. HVAC, electrical load, daylighting, etc.; and automated consistency between all the sheets of your construction documents. Settlemyre: Because the marketplace is already starting to demand it, and if they have not starting investigating/integrating the use of it in their process, they might find themselves not only “competitively behind,” but blocked from being able to respond to certain RFPs. For example, owners are now requesting—in some cases requiring—that design teams work with and use BIM technology, so the information circulates across the project team more effectively. Nagpal: BIM offers to the design process what CAD brought to the “drawing” process, the ability to coordinate different parameters and resolve conflicts. BIM offers the idea of a virtual construct of the building that develops through the design process. This has the ability to seamlessly integrate design updates by different agencies working simultaneously on the same model and automatically update all interrelated components to resolve any conflicts. It is a digital workflow process, which moves away from first drawing and then reviewing printed sheets, to ensure that all agencies are coordinated. It presents the potential of a highly efficient process that requires more initial effort, but considerably reduces the drawing and coordination time as the design progresses. Middlebrooks: Design and engineering firms who are satisfied with their CAD software should not view transitioning to BIM as a loss in investment. Many firms continue to use both AutoCAD and BIM solutions in their workflow, maintaining their investment in existing product and training. With BIM, there is an opportunity to improve efficiencies. Whether it be using the room enclosures for coordinated energy analysis, or clash detection of piping and ductwork, the ability to visually communicate and resolve issues early in the design process is critical. CSE : For both costs and benefits, what are the economic parameters that go into a decision on upgrading to BIM? What are some hard numbers for costs, savings, and revenue opportunities that could help convince software decision makers? 16 Consulting-Specifying Engineer • NOVEMBER 2008

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Consulting-Specifying Engineer - November 2008

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