Blog Post #2 – Group B - Brandon Mengel

Our required read was Chapter 3 of the BIM Handbook by Charles M Eastman, “Interoperability”.  Interoperability in terms of BIM is the terminology that describes the ability to transfer files between different applications to allow for smoother workflow and automation.  This is basically the term that describes the ability to transfer CAD files to Revit or various other applications, which is vital in the modern day construction office when designing any structure or object.  Primarily, this chapter documented the historical details and all the different iterations used and current developments being used to allow the sharing of files, starting from the very first days of CAD up until now.  Although we haven’t developed the perfect transfer programs for every application we have come a long way. 

Interoperability is a key for any modern day design.  Not just for buildings but also for any project that uses multiple presences or needs more than one application for design.  Specifically the design of a building is a team effort that requires the cohesiveness of multiple types of engineers such as MEP engineers, structural, and civil engineers as well as designers.  The ability to cohesively merge different pieces of engineering and design together from separate applications and then unmerge them to test in other applications is paramount.  This greatly encourages iterating during design, alleviating many errors, and quite possibly creates the best design possible all while saving money in the long run.

“It has been learned that most applications rely on fixed (non-editable) geometry and only a few need to create or edit geometry data.”  Thus far they observed many things one of them being that only a few qualified people should be editing the objects at hand.  The realization has allowed for viewing programs to be straightforward so that owners and other unqualified individuals do not try to meddle with things that are there for a reason although that reason may be hidden to the unqualified eye.   All the ideas and data gained from numerous companies and construction sectors have created huge growth and advancement in BIM and the interoperability.  Currently “various XML schemas are being used for a growing number of businesses and some analysis exchanges, and these are also expanding into design-type exchanges.”

Eastman, C. M. (2011). BIM handbook: a guide to building information modeling for

owners, managers, designers, engineers and contractors. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

-Drew Hovey

Parametric modeling is a great tool for designing and has very much simplified the time frame and ease of construction and design.  I think its stupendous how many different programs there are to use for every different aspect of designing a building from the CFD airflow simulation as you mentioned to the multiple variations of Revit.  Then the interoperability of all these applications has dramatically affected the way designing is done today for the better.  The combination of parametric modeling and then the interoperability of the systems has allowed us to create incredibly sustainable and structurally safe designs all while maintaining the architects vision.

- Peter Dannemann

I think BIM is a great tool for an intrigued owner.  I never really thought of an owner every using it but the program BIMstorm as you mentioned is a great tool to better understand all the costs involved.  This also helps them to know if they are getting ripped off.  Still I am sure it uses estimates but I still am not too sure how I feel about an owner using the program.  Often there are items that an owner might not think of/ know of or circumstances that occur, that the program couldn’t predict or plainly failed to estimate.  I think if an owner got a low estimate from the program they might get attached to that number and fail to see the bigger picture when circumstances occur.

- Chris Sager

I too believe that all the facilitations that have occurred have brought around a positive result for repositories.  And their growth is exceptional.  I believe the next step in sharing data is for real time data sharing between all companies on one program.  This would allow quicker file sharing and more productivity between different parties.  Of course, all the kinks in this idea would have to be worked out but I believe it is the next step in further eliminating  errors and improving design.