Project Coventina: Part 3

Editors note: Chris is a Architectural designer at the UK based Architectural practice of Ellis Belk Associates ltd. and has over seen the BIM process of many large projects over his years as a professional in the AEC industry. He takes personal interest in the direction of BIM and is passionate about education and training in BIM to equip the future of our industry with valuable and desirable skills. You can connect with him on twitter where he often shares his thoughts on BIM as well as those around him.

Welcome to part three of the Coventina Project. In part two, I explained the BIM delivery phases and a summary of actions explored in stage one tender. I also touched on some of the difficulties that happened in these early stages. During part three I take you through Clash detection, tender stage two and consultant methodology.

In this episode you will notice some clear benefits to BIM and clash detection. The benefit of seeing where elements physically touch or intersect before construction commences is huge. The process of clash detection is managed by Ramboll and coordinated with each discipline. This is where we can see the efficiency of a combined federated model.

When the federated model is run through the clash detection process, different categories are compared. In this case study I am documenting the architectural model vs. structural model (See below).

At this moment within the project we were working towards stage two tender document issue phase. Two-stage tendering allows the contractor to become more involved and therefore they can further investigate pricing for the scheme. When reaching stage two, contractor prices may well increase. This is due to the possible availability of extra drawings and specifications.

For this deadline extra detailing was required for all aspects of the project; extra time was not available. This meant all forms of detailing had to be 2D or hybrid 2.5D. Hybrid 2.5D means 2D detailing overlaid on top of 3D modeling.

An advantage at this phase is the possibility to combine consultant models, providing they have been issued. We had recently received an up-to date M&E Revit model. We were now able to see ductwork, service risers and mechanical equipment (See below).

When discipline models are combined, its good practice to ensure clash detection meetings happen at regular intervals. These protocols should already be defined within the BIM Execution plan (BIMEX), which is created before modeling has commenced. One should take precautions to define the best possible practice to upload building information models. These model files can be extremely large and can take hours to upload depending on Internet connection.

Efficient communication and project action dates are the key to success of any project and the BIMEX will help towards this.

In the final episode of this series I will explain where we stand with the project and what lessons have been learnt. I will also discuss what I would change if I would start the project all over again. For further information about this project follow the link.

Until next time.
Chris