Modeling methods can produce an improved collaboration effort

By James G. Jacobi, P.E.

As our industry continues to move toward employing a Building Information Modeling (BIM) approach on projects, there is immediate value to be gained from using a technologybased collaboration process. Such a technique can be employed even when the project's consultants are using different BIM platforms. In a project setting where the architect and primary consultants are creating 3-D models for their discipline, the success of the modeling methods can be enhanced significantly using a comprehensive and managed approach to 3-D model sharing. Such a process, in turn, can yield a greatly improved collaboration effort.

The challenge In today's environment, it is typical to find multiple, BIM technology platforms being used among various consultants. Increasingly, we see project settings where the consultants and contractors may be leveraging 3-D modeling techniques within their organization.

However, each is using a different platform. In some instances, the parties to a project may not even be aware of the fact that 3-D models of the various disciplines exist within the various consultant's organizations.The challenge to collaboration in this environment is one of how to produce effectively and economically a single multi-discipline model where relationships between individual models can be both analyzed and visualized. This is particularly challenging when the models are developed using different technology platforms. Given the limitations of data interoperability among today's leading technology vendors, the ability to combine 3-D models created with different systems is paramount to increasing the effectiveness of multidiscipline collaboration.

The solution

A solution to this challenge can be achieved using a robust, technologybased collaboration process that supports the overall design by leveraging the geometry information packaged in the individual 3-D models. Working with Navisworks, Inc., of Phoenix, we have developed a solution to the challenge by using the Navisworks Technology framework coupled with a comprehensive and managed approach to design review, interference detection, and change control. This approach provides a suitable framework for clash detection and subsequent management of the interference resolution issues.

However, the approach requires that the parties participating in the collaboration effort use a modeling technology that is compatible with the NavisWorks system. Fortunately, many of today's systems used for 3-D modeling of architectural, structural, and mechanical equipment are compatible with the Navisworks system.

Since effective collaboration relies on both technology and process, this new approach may well require that the traditional project structure be modified to include a new role - that of the project collaboration administrator (PCA).

Working under the direction of the project manager, the PCA can collect and process 3-D models from the various participants involved in the collaboration process. This process can provide an improved level of coordination, as well as comprehensive model management. In this type of an organization, the project manager retains responsibility for deciding the final path to resolution for detected interferences. The PCA's role is to facilitate and support the project manager's decision process.

The ability to create a single, virtual model of all disciplines can permit a much more effective design review process as well, since all modeled discipline components can be visualized by the project team. In addition to providing for a greatly improved level of visualization and understanding, the technology framework provides the means to detect and manage interferences both within and among these discipline components.

In the modified project structure, the PCA collects and processes the various 3-D discipline models provided by the collaboration partners. In our office, these models are provided in a format compatible with the NavisWorks system. The model processing is designed to identify clashes between the various discipline models using the product's clash detective system. The process entails cataloging the models to track accurately the model status, model owner, version, date, and other pertinent information to support the changecontrol process. Once interferences are detected and classified, this information can be used by the project manager and other team members to identify the appropriate path to resolution. The discipline model owner can then modify their design as required, and the new version can be checked once again to verify an interference-free condition.

The required design changes can be communicated back to the discipline model owner who retains ownership and responsibility for their design.

The Navisworks system has a robust functionality for managing this process, and it supports distribution of graphical reports on the virtual model and interference reports through a simple, intuitive, and free viewer. This promotes the ability of team members to take full advantage of the virtual model. And, since the platform is relatively “agnostic” with respect to various 3-D modeling platforms, the benefits associated with this process can be made available to the project without necessarily requiring that all parties involved use the same 3-D modeling technology.

Conclusion

While there is much benefit to be gained from the ability to detect, manage, and resolve interferences, the ability to create multi-discipline models also enables a new level of design review to be achieved. The traditional drawing-based process of review has many shortfalls. Chief among these is the difficulty in assembling and processing a comprehensive view and understanding of the relationship between the various discipline components. Internally, we have found this visualization component to provide significant assistance in reviewing concepts as well as design details. The ability to quickly merge structural and architectural components provides a powerful set of options for evaluating concepts.

From detecting and managing interferences to visualization of design, the ability to assemble a single, virtual multi-discipline model can provide immediate benefits to projects developing 3-D models, even if different technologies are in play.

This new type of collaboration process can yield meaningful results and should be given strong consideration for implementation on projects meeting the 3-D modeling test.

James G. (Jim) Jacobi, P.E., is a principal and chief information officer for Houston-based Walter P. Moore, a national structural engineering consulting firm.He can be reached at 800-364-7300 or jjacobi@walterpmoore.com.