B4 - Term Project - Arthur McCloskey

In my term project, I will be working with Egla Qori to create a comprehensive set of structural families for use in Revit.  In particular, we will be focusing our effort on creating families of typical components of Reinforced Concrete Building Design, including beams, columns, caissons, slabs, drop panels, and varying types of each.

The reason we selected this project was so that we may use the families we create in our Senior Design Project.  Our Senior Design Project is the structural design of a 40-story hotel in Chicago, IL, for which we have the actual architectural plan set.  It was determined in fall term that we would pursue a reinforced concrete frame structural system.  While Revit has a preexisting collection of structural families, including almost all of the above components, we hope to include the possibility of reinforcement detailing within the families, as well as including any post-tensioning that may be required.  As of right now, it appears Revit only has the ability to specify reinforcement spacing and bar size. [1]  We hope to be able to include these in the model, and just export to a schedule.

The idea of “Intelligent Buildings” has a lot to do with Revit and streamlining the modeling process.  The most challenging part of reinforced concrete design is the placement and sizing of reinforcement and post-tensioning.  Revit has been attempting to make modeling more object oriented, but still has to rely on geometric and tabulation to handle certain components.  We believe that creating these families will make the modeling process easier for our Senior Design Project, and the structural plans will be easily generated from the whole model.

The biggest challenges we will face are in the creation of the families themselves.  After the first assignment, we have some experience in creating families, but that was a very simple example, with only geometric constraints.  We plan to be able to assign structural properties and detailing within the objects themselves, which poses a challenge when considering how many permutations of reinforcement spacing and post-tensioning stress.  Also, considering how large the building we are designing is, there are likely going to be many types per family, so it is a challenge just to design that many types and making sure they are all correctly created.

Comments on Others

Andy Dinh – Your project seems similar to mine, since you are also creating families in Revit and Bentley to compare the two software.  I think it will be interesting to see which program is easier for this, and I would be interested to see if there are any advantages to using Bentley for different system families (structures, HVAC, etc.).

Kerieanne Vogler – Your project seems really interesting because I feel like the life cycle analysis of buildings is not something that we like to think of as designers.  I’m actually taking a LCA class next term and would be interested in seeing how BIM could help make that easier, because from what I remember from other classes, LCA is really difficult.

Nick Pawlikowski – This project is really interesting because it seems to combine all the major themes we are studying in this class: databases, BIM, programming.  I think the idea for programmatically generating Revit families would be such a great functionality, and I’m excited to see if it works out!

References

[1]  Wikispaces.  “Introduction to Revit Structure Families.”  Web.  Available: http://bim.wikispaces.com/file/view/Introduction+to+Revit+Structure+Families.pdf

Sarah Maminski - A Team - B2 Blog Post

All aspect of building design have been made simpler with Building Information Modeling (BIM). Architects, engineers, and constructions workers can benefit from BIM. The first BIM platforms originated in the 1960's and 70's [1]. At first BIM was in two platforms; B-rep, which stored operations and arguments, and CSG, which stored algebraic information about shape [1]. Bridging those two platforms is what makes BIM what it is today. BIM is a faster, less expensive, more accurate way to design and build structures.

Throughout chapter 2, the BIM handbook discusses the BIM design tools and parametric modeling. I found it interesting that BIM uses families in their software. This is like a network connecting similar objects in the design. So if you change one wall, all the other walls in that family change simultaneously [1]. This is particularly useful when working with large buildings. In other programs it could take extra time to change each individual wall and if you miss one or two then the building will not be built accurately. The way these objects fit together is defined by the parameters of the software. Parametric modeling is the drafting of the future in my opinion.

At my previous coop we worked with CAD, which is not primarily object based modeling. However, my office used a set of pre-drawn objects that the could pick and place on drawings such as different anchors or beam sizes, all of which were customizable. I even helped them draft up a few new ones. It was much easier and faster to draw this way. Then whenever the code would change or the architect would change his or her mind, a simple edit was all that was needed to correct the draft.

Revit is one of the up and coming BIM tools in the engineering world. More and more employers are asking about my Revit experience than they did just a few years ago. According to the author Revit contains components for architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, environmental, and facilities management [1]. This not only makes things easier, but it streamlines all aspects of a building to one program and one standard instead of having multiple different file types to open on multiple different programs. Although Revit is a very powerful tool, it is still on the newer side and has its bugs. Revit, like any drafting program, tends to get slow when the files require large storage; also Revit does not have the capability to draw complex surfaces [1]. However I think that as Revit gains more supporters in the field, those bugs can be fixed and Revit will be the leading program for our industry. Revit is not the only BIM tool used today, but from experience and after reading this article I believe that BIM tools will be the design program of the future.

References:
[1] Eastman, C., Teicholz, P., Sacks, R., & Liston, K. (2008). BIM Handbook. Pages 65-91. Hoboken,       NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Retrieved January 24, 2017.

Comments:
Nick Pawlikwski: I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. I think that the connections between programs is something we don't really think about in a school setting. The communication between the engineer, the architect, and the contractor is essential to get the job done, but that is very difficult when programs do not carry over well. I know I had many issues with this over coop when dealign with clients. I think you gave a great description about how each program interacts with the others. POST: https://ae-410-510-ay16-17.blogspot.com/2017/01/nick-pawlikowski-interoperability.html

Ronaldo Herazo: I found your post to be very interesting and informative. In my chapter I also read about how long ago BIM was created, but it did not go into much detail. I was interested to read about the use of 3D modeling in movies and games back in the 60's. I am very interested to read more into that topic and see the history behind BIM. Thanks for the interesting read!
POST: https://ae-410-510-ay16-17.blogspot.com/2017/01/assignment-b2-group-ronald-herazo.html

Peter Dannemann: Your post made an excellent point about the powers of BIM software. Having the ability to get more information about your design while it is still in the design phase is so important to engineers of the world today. With the ability of BIM to give the designer information about risk management and economic analysis the use of BIM is almost necessary for all projects in my mind. To be abel to have the information and make better decisions about a design would save time and lives.
POST: https://ae-410-510-ay16-17.blogspot.com/2017/01/b2-group-c-peter-dannemann.html

B2 - Group A - BIM Tools and Parametric Modeling - Arthur McCloskey

      Perhaps the greatest advantage to Building Information Modeling is the use of object oriented modeling and parametric modeling.  Until the development of this type of modeling, computer aided drafting programs relied exclusively on geometric based modeling, where the user would input direct geometry and properties.  The disadvantage to this is quite clear when considering drawing edits, alternate views, etc.  With non-parametric modeling, each view or drawing or object must be individually constructed, and interactions between all model components are more difficult to convey.  Chapter 2 of the BIM Handbook (BIM Tools and Parametric Modeling), cites these reasons for the push for BIM in the building industry.  Since the advancement of BIM from simple 3-D modeling in the 80's to some of the first BIM programs (TriCAD, Calma, GDS), and finally to this new age dominated by Revit, BIM's unique form of modeling has created a smarter way to design that moves beyond simple drawings to the modeling of actual objects in tandem.  [1]

      The theme of this class is the streamlining of technology to create a better industry.  We seem to continually discuss what makes technology "smart," and I think BIM is an excellent example of that.  Or Shani with wrote an interesting article that highlights the trends in technology, with special emphasis on artificial intelligence.  [2]  To call BIM a form of artificial intelligence is a stretch, but I think the history of AI and BIM are strikingly parallel.  The minds that conceived the idea of AI are the inspiration behind BIM, that our modeling software is not just a program meant to portray, but one to construct and interact, developing an "intelligent model" that is not just a collection of lines and shapes, but a system of fully integrated components.  In a way, it is no different from AI, but instead of large collections of data from sensors, BIM uses parametric objects to constitute its thinking.

      To understand the real benefits of parametric modeling, I think its best to take an example.  Professor Ramesh Krishnamurti at Carnegie Mellon University describes a pretty basic one.  With BIM, objects can be immediately exported to schedules and quantity takeoffs.  This is particularly useful for project managers and contractors, who no longer have to manually compute takeoffs for sheetmetal, structural wood, etc.  Parametric modeling creates a fully integrated design and construction process.  The point of modeling, Krishnamurti argues, is to reasonably recreate a proposed or existing construction.  BIM creates a way to look at a virtual model for what it is, a compilation of objects, not a agglomeration of shapes. [3]

Responses to Others:

Hayley Selden - I really enjoyed reading your blog post this week.  I am going to work for a GC after graduation, so the effects BIM has on contractors is of utmost importance to me.  I think that BIM has such a benefit to contractors.  Instead of just having a collection of 2-D plans, contractors can have the whole model, which helps them fully realize the design and make conscientious choices on procurement, labor, etc.

Kerianne Vogler - As I said above in Hayley's post, the effect on contractors that BIM has is really profound.  It is particularly useful, as you said, when creating quantity take-offs, but, like you said, still requires the use of estimators.  I don't think BIM will ever replace humans in this particular aspect, but it will definitely cut down on human error.

Egla Qori - Your post was particularly interesting, as interoperability really wasn't something I've every heard of.   This concept is so important as we go forward, because the better buildings can be in exchanging information, the better we can understand the needs.  I think the Main Building here is a particularly bad example, as we never seem to know the source of a problem.  Perhaps if this was a design consideration at the time, we would be able to maintain and sustain better.

[1]  Eastman, Charles.  BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Contractors.  2nd Edition.  2011.  Web. Available: http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzM2NDIzOV9fQU41?sid=4b36a05f-c301-4337-95c1-7ab9e4e9a765@sessionmgr120&vid=0&format=EB&rid=1

[2]  Shani, Or.  From Science Fiction to Reality: The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence.  Wired.com.  Web. Available: https://www.wired.com/insights/2015/01/the-evolution-of-artificial-intelligence/

[3]  Krishnamurti, Ramesh.  Parametric Modeling with Building Information Models.  Special Topics in Computational Design.  Web. Available: http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/ramesh/teaching/course/48-749/

Maissoun Ksara - B2: Chapter 2 - BIM Tools and Parametric Modeling

Object-based parametric modeling is the ability to define an object based on geometric and non-geometric principles, which can be automatically changed when a dimension, value, or property of that geometry is modified. It also allows modeling of objects with relative rules such as “parallel to, attached to, and distance from”, as stated in Chapter 2. For example, DesignTech illustrates this by saying in order to “modify a 3D solid, the designer had to change the length, the breadth and the height. However, with parametric modeling, the designer need only alter one parameter; the other two parameters get adjusted automatically” [1]. This is accomplished through a hierarchy of parameters at different levels. According to the BIM Handbook, this gives the possibility of introducing highly complex geometries into modeling very simply. BIM tools such as Revit, Bentley Architecture, and more use  object-based parametric modeling tools for design. 

Companies like Boeing have incorporated parametric modeling in the design of their products. The interior of the 777 airplane is defined by rules set by Boeing, and the outside shape uses Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). About $1 billion dollars was spent to develop the parametric modeling system for the 777 airplanes (so expensive!). 

PTC provides a helpful pro/con list for parametric vs. direct modeling that I found helpful [2]. Ultimately, it was concluded that a combination of both parametric and direct modeling is the most beneficial for producing new designs.

[2] Parametric Modeling

(+) Pros

• Automatic model updates when changes are made to design
• Creation of families of different parts automatically
• Quicker production time due to good integration with manufacturing procedures

(-) Cons

• Takes a long time to update after changes are made

[2] Direct (just-do-it) Modeling

(+) Pros

• Quickly create new 3D models
• Quickly edit geometry

(-) Cons

• Dimensional editing is weaker
• Design automation is very weak

According to the BIM Handbook (Chapter 2), the best known software that uses BIM for architectural design is Revit (structure, architecture, and MEP). This is due to Revit’s simple and easy to learn interface with an open library. However, it is noted that the software can get slow for projects bigger than 220 MB since it is an in-memory system. It is important to distinguish that object-based parametric modeling does not equal BIM tools. It is a component of BIM that plays an important role. 

In conclusion, object-based parametric modeling has changed the way the building industry designs its structures. It provides a simple, and easier method of developing highly complicated building models. 

References

[1] https://www.designtechsys.com/articles/parametric-modelling.php

[2] http://www.ptc.com/cad-software-blog/parametric-vs-direct-modeling-which-side-are-you-on

Comments:

Ronald Herazo: The use of boolean operations has definitely changed the game in terms of design. It allows for a much more streamlined process for creating complex shapes in a quicker way. Boolean operations are important to learn, and are tools I’m looking to develop for my own skill set. It is funny that you say BIM has existed since the 70’s, since it is just recently becoming a craze. It took a while for companies to start actually using BIM. I wonder what caused this sudden popularity.

Nick Pawlikowski: Reading your post really helped me understand interoperability and its uses. I can see the benefit of interoperability, as it allows for the exchange of data between different applications. This allows for the more efficiency on completing a single task. This removes the necessity of creating translators, as you mentioned in the case for NASA. The use of EXPRESS language relates to my post on object-based parametric modeling. The figure showing the common formats in the AEC industry is helpful and shows which formats are most readily used in what industries. 

Taryn Francishetti: In my post, I also talked about how Revit slows down once the file size becomes too large. This is unfortunate since Revit is the most common BIM design tool used today. I wonder if the Revit suite is undergoing updates or if it is possibly being redesigned to be able to handle more in memory space. I don’t really know much about Digital Project, but I’m thinking of reading about it to see its benefits. I think your post defines BIM and explains it really nicely in a way that is very simple and straightforward.