3) Interoperability and Data Exchange

Question 1

What is interoperability?

Answer 1

The ability of computer systems or software to exchange and make use of information.

Question 2

Why is interoperability important?

Answer 2

Key requirement is to have effective and good interoperability of info between systems used by different people on a project.
In a project, lots of people involved from different domains/areas using different softwares - design decisions can be made independently but effect everyone. New info must be exchanged to update all parties.

Question 3

How is interoperability enabled?

Answer 3

Interoperability = Data exchange
Need product model that communicates with everyone, common data format for design, structural and construction management.
Software that communicates.

Question 4

What is Open BIM?

Answer 4

Software from different vendor (companies) that can communicate with each other.
Software has standard formats - can be used by lots of other software - however some info can be lost in the translation to a different software.

Question 5

What is Closed BIM?

Answer 5

All software created by the same vendor (e.g. Autodesk) - all models will be interconnected, with easy exchange of data - however all companies must use the same files or convert them.

Question 6

What is IFC?

Answer 6

Industry Foundation Classes - IFC is a global standard that provides rules to determine what information is exchanged between applications while maintaining meaning.

Question 7

What does IFC enable to happen in relation to interoperability?

Answer 7

IFC enables Open BIM / interoperabililty

It is a global standard used to describe, share and exchange construction and facilities management information.

Question 8

Why is IFC crucial for interoperability?

How many applications support IFC?

Answer 8

IFC is neutral and non proprietary - so professionals can use software of their choosing (Open BIM).

IFC is supported by 150 applications - which make it crucial for interoperability.

Question 9

What are the limitations of the IFC?

example in terms of Softwares

Answer 9

It is difficult to maintain - too many ways of defining dimensions - not all types implemented correctly.

e.g. - floors in Revit may shift to incorrect place in ArchiCAD

Question 10

How many levels of BIM maturity are there, and what are they called?

Answer 10

5 Levels of BIM Maturity. Levels 0 - 4 BIM.

Question 11

Describe level 0 BIM

Answer 11

not true BIM - before 2005
No collaboration
2D CAD drafting only - distribution via paper/electronic prints

Question 12

Describe level 1 BIM

Answer 12

lonely BIM - 2007-2013
3D Cads for concept and 2D drawings for drafting documentation
exchange of data managed to British Standard
Data shared via CDE - Everyone makes own separate 3D models, share only the 2D drawings.

Question 13

Describe level 2 BIM

Answer 13

todays level BIM
All parties use their own 3D CAD model to create Federated Model
Information shared through common file format (IFC)

Question 14

Describe level 3 BIM

Answer 14

Near future of BIM
Full collaboration between all disciplines by one single, shared project model.
All parties can access model and it removes risk of conflicting information

Question 15

Describe level 4 BIM

Answer 15

Far future of BIM - 20 years time
Rapid - semiautomated - everything interconnected
Should recognise and resolve clashes automatically

Question 16

What is a Federated Model?

Answer 16

A model that is a combined BIM - combination of several models into one, with separate models shared through the CDE.
Cannot edit other models just view them in correlation to the active model – shows clashes easier as volume cannot overlap in the models.

Question 17

What are the advantages of a Federated Model (BIM Level 2)?

Answer 17

Earlier design developments - everyone has up to date version
Enhanced clash detection
Better design decisions can be made
Easier to predict costs

Question 18

What are the disadvantages/limitations of a Federated Model (BIM Level 2)?

Answer 18

Individual models do not interact with each other

Everyone still has to independently develop each model - each model at the liability of the company who created it.

Question 19

What is the definition of a hard clash?

Answer 19

When 2 components occupy the same space - e.g. pipework through a steel beam

Question 20

What is the definition of a soft clash?

Answer 20

When an element is not given the spatial requirements - buffer zone is breached.

Question 21

What are the benefits of clash detection?

Answer 21

Saves lots of money
Not spotting a clash is a failure of the design, BIM makes these easier to detect.
Some clashes can be said to be acceptable, with rules created to ensure these do not flag up.
Remember - we can run clash detection in REvit but not visualise it - use Navisworks for that.

Question 22

Why is it important to have interoperability in Structural analysis of a project?

Answer 22

Bi-directional interoperability - Revit and Robot - means information can be shared both ways.
Speeds up the process, avoids potential errors from miscommunication of manual coordination between results and documentation.

Question 23

What does COBie stand for?

Answer 23

Construction Operations Building information exchange

Question 24

What is COBie?

Answer 24

COBie is a specification for facility management data within the IFC data model - which makes the handover to the facilities manager for operating/maintaining the project easier - as takes the CMMS out of the BIM Federated model.

Question 25

What is CMMS?

Answer 25

CMMS = Computer Maintenance Management Systems - allows facilities manager to maintain/operate the project after completion.
CMMS might not be compatible with BIM software, so need to use COBie to extract the data out of the BIM model.