B2 -Interoperability- Paulina Gawor

Interoperability

Interoperability is the need to share data between multiple software types. In the building industry, this data include the geometry of a project, but also structural and energy calculations, fabrication information and more. Ensuring some standards of interoperability ensures that several different groups of specialists will be able to work on a project without having to recreate work that has already been done. It increases speed of delivery of a project, provides more reliable information over a project lifecycle, and decreases supply chain communication costs. BIM has been placed as a center of data mapping and project integration in the construction industry. It helps automate a great deal of the design process, can help in customizing workflows, and makes project data easily available.

Poor Interoperability Costs

There can be a significant cost to developers and engineers when the exchange of electronic data is not fluid. Based on results of a 2002 study[2], the highest cost of interoperability issues, about two thirds, were borne by owners and operators. Poor communication of as-built data, lack of standardization, and lack of information about project life cycle calculations resulted in greater costs for O&M staff. It was found that interoperability issues stemmed not from a lack of available technologies, but lack of incentives to improve operating standards that contribute to redundancy in the design and engineering processes.

Challenges in Achieving Interoperability

BIM is an increasingly popular alternative to complex file management systems. Building Models allow more efficient queries, updates, and project management methods. There are issues of data ownership. Engineers will not release open plan sets to construction management teams. CM teams are often working with flat PDFs, making frequent RFIs necessary. There are concerns over proprietary ownership of engineering designs being made completely transparent.

Resources

[1] C.  Eastman, BIM handbook, 1st ed. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley, 2008, pp. 65-92.

[2] http://fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build04/PDF/b04022.pdf

Comments

Ronald Park

https://ae-410-510-ay16-17.blogspot.com/2017/01/b2-group-d-bim-for-architects-and.html

Ronald’s post addresses the benefits of BIM for designers. Concept designs can be quickly generated and edited, plans can hold several sets (structural, mechanical, architectural, energy) of information and calculations, and can help model the construction process. Keeping this type of information easily available in the building plans helps inform design decisions of other trades. In my experience, it has been really evident how improved BIM technology helps in the project design process. It allows different trades of my MEP consulting firm to see in Revit, in three dimensions how portions of a duct layout can interfere with the plumbing design, for instance.

Andy Dinh

https://ae-410-510-ay16-17.blogspot.com/2017/01/b2-group-d-andy-dinh-bim-for-owners-and.html

Andy’s entry reviews the benefits of BIM for owners and building engineers. This is a category I have had minimal real life experience with. The main benefit of BIM seems to be planning for better energy models and performance in buildings. It also seems that BIM can provide more informed and accurate budget information. BIM can help owners make decisions on construction based on lifecycles of materials and products they choose to invest in.

Maissoun Ksara https://ae-410-510-ay16-17.blogspot.com/2017/01/maissoun-ksara-b2-chapter-2-bim-tools.html

Maissoun’s post reviews parametric modelling. This means objects modelled have geometric and non geometric properties that can be easily updated. It also means that objects are modelled in relation to each other. This allows models to be quickly updated, and families can be adjusted. This type of modelling is found in Revit, and is useful because a change in an object’s model can be propagated throughout the entire design.