CM-BIM Unit 1

Question 1

What does BIM stand for?

Answer 1

Building Information Modeling

Question 2

What does VDC stand for?

Answer 2

Virtual Design and Construction (synonymous with BIM)

Question 3

BIM as a Noun:

Answer 3

An electronic, virtual representation of a facility, which in many cases comprises of a 3D representation.

Question 4

BIM as a Verb:

Answer 4

The process of creating, managing, and using Building Information Models to design a facility, communicate and refine the design, and plan and optimize the construction effort.

Question 5

Augmented Reality

Answer 5

The ability to see where you are in the model while you physically walk the site.

Question 6

2D

Answer 6

Flat line images that show length and width of what is drawn.

Question 7

3D

Answer 7

The combination of height, width, and depth of a structure.

Question 8

4D

Answer 8

The integration of time (scheduling) into the 3D model.

Question 9

5D

Answer 9

The integration of cost (and quantities) into the 3D model.

Question 10

XD

Answer 10

The integration of other aspects into the model. Examples ma include: safety, energy, indoor air quality, lighting, etc.

Question 11

Parametric Modeling

Answer 11

Object-based rather than line based. Each object is backed by a database of information about its physical and functional characteristics allowing multiple views to be changed automatically.

Question 12

Spatial Coordination

Answer 12

The ability to coordinate trades digitally before installation takes place in the field. Used to limit the amount of rework necessary.

Question 13

3 Characteristics of Good Estimating Models

Answer 13

1) Cost Drivers: Systems that have highly variable cost.
2) Efficiency: Modeling Efficiency should be maximized to allow the team to create estimates on multiple design alternatives.
3) Balance Representation of systems

Question 14

In a model for establishing a conceptual estimate. What two general guidlines should be followed when determining what to model?

Answer 14

1) Identify geometry driven variables (e.g., # floors, # elevators, gross SF, exterior skin qty.)
2) Establish what items need to be modeled vs. what items can be established from a spreadsheet. (Ex.: The different materials of the exterior skin can be established using a spreadsheet. All you need to model is the total SF of the skin and base the components off typical configurations).

Question 15

In a model for establishing a conceptual estimate. What elements need to be modeled? (3 guidelines)

Answer 15

1) Elements that have a visual impact and need to be considered during decision making.
2) Elements that affect the business function of the building (# of classrooms, #operating rooms, SF rent able space etc.)
3) Elements of paramount importance to ensure constructability.

Question 16

In a model for establishing a conceptual estimate. What elements should NOT be modeled? (4 Guidelines)

Answer 16

1) Elements that have a known unit cost. These elements do not need to be detailed beyond the level of detailed required to establish the unit cost.
2) Elements for which a fixed cost is known and not variable.
3) Detail elements that are relatively insignificant and are factored into unit prices that do not have an affect on functionality or aesthetics.
4) Elements with small cost impact when different options are evaluated.

Question 17

What are the two main target criteria for determining the level of usefulness of estimates in the pre-construction process?

Answer 17

1) Level of accuracy of the estimate.

2) The frequency of the estimate.

Question 18

How does the Frequency of the Estimate affect its usefullness?

Answer 18

The more often the estimates are provided, the smaller and easier the adjustments are for the design team to keep the project within budget.

Question 19

Would it be sufficient for the design team to provide the contractor with quantity information in tabular form?

Answer 19

No, the contractor needs to see the building to establish the means and methods required to complete the project.

Question 20

Construction Planning or Scheduling?

Vehicle for work structure decisions

Answer 20

Scheduling

Question 21

Construction Planning or Scheduling?

Must always be generated first

Answer 21

Construction Plan

Question 22

Construction Planning or Scheduling?

DOes not have to be as complete as possible

Answer 22

Schedule

Question 23

Construction planning or scheduling?

All Project-Related activities are derived from this

Answer 23

Construction Plan

Question 24

There is no real discussion as to what should be included

Answer 24

Construction Plan

Question 25

The ___ is how the ___ is communicated to the GC and subcontractors.

Answer 25

The Schedule is how the construction plan is communicated to the GC and the Subcontractors.

Question 26

What does CPM Schedule Stand for?

Answer 26

Critical Path Method (Actual)

Construction Project Management (Per BIM book for test)

Question 27

Fundamental 4D Concepts:

Spatial Element

Answer 27

A representation of a building element, such as a door, or a conceptual element such as a room.

Question 28

Fundamental 4D Concepts:

Activity

Answer 28

A task or event in a construction schedule

Question 29

Fundamental 4D Concepts:

Selection Set

Answer 29

A grouping of spatial elements that are associated with a distinct name and can be addressed by that distinct name. Example: A user selects all first floor columns and groups them into a selection set named “COLUMNS_FLOOR_L02”

Question 30

Fundamental 4D Concepts:

Links

Answer 30

Associations between spatial elements and activities.

Question 31

What level of detail is appropriate for the model and the schedule?

Answer 31

Linking a detailed model and schedule can be laborious. The required spatial elements that need to be included in the model and the schedule should be determined before starting the process.

Question 32

Should I like the construction schedule to the model or should I make a separate schedule to link to the model?

Answer 32

The construction schedule contains many activities that do not correspond to spatial elements in the model (i.e., Notice to Proceed, Submittals, Steel Detailing…etc.). Therefore, it is typically better to create a separate model to link to the model.

Question 33

Should the schedule or the model be created first?

Answer 33

The schedule should either be created concurrently with the model or from the model. This will ensure that the logic of the construction process is followed in the schedule. Using 4D tools to create a schedule will make the scheduling and planning process more efficient.

Question 34

What types of activities should be represented in the model and how should they be color coded?

Answer 34

Activities that have clear relationships to spatial elements (easily seen during animation such as columns and slabs). Color coding should be established early one and followed consistently.

Question 35

Horizontal BIM?

Answer 35

Use of BIM in heavy civil construction

Question 36

What are some benefits of adding the BIM process to mobile and wireless solutions:

Answer 36

Real-Time Information Retrieval
Improved coordination of construction documents.
Increased speed of delivery
Improved productivity
Increased revenue
Reduced operating costs

Question 37

What are some challenges to BIM in mobile and wireless solutions:

Answer 37

Very large file sizes for models.
Slow internet connections in the field.
Graphics required for models.

Question 38

What is Cloud Computing?

Answer 38

Cloud computing is an approach to providing computational solutions to a client by a service provider where significant aspects of storing and processing information are handled by the service provider. Example being where the client can store data and information on a server at an off-site location that can be downloaded from any device with an internet connection.

Question 39

Cloud Computing Definition:

Answer 39

The use of computer resources (hardware and software) that are delivered as a service over a network.

Question 40

Software as a Services (SaaS)

Answer 40

Vendors sell software and services on a subscription basis rather than a one-time transaction.

Question 41

What is something to be wary of when working with a vendor on an SaaS basis?

Answer 41

The vendor can easily monopolize the rights to the project software, project data, and limit the clients ability to interface with other applications and software for collaborating and creating federated models. Always be sure to read the fine print in the agreement to make sure you are getting what you want out of the service.

Question 42

3 Benefits of BIM in the Cloud

Answer 42

1) All participants have constant access to current models.
2) Ability to track user actions because users are required to sign in to access the data.
3) Computationally intense tasks can be performed in the cloud where the software & hardware better set up for large data usage.

Question 43

3 Challenges of BIM in the Cloud

Answer 43

1) BIM has high computational requirements for graphics-related tasks which typically have to be performed on the client computer.
2) Permanent online connectivitiy is required, this can be challenge in the field depending on conditions.
3) In the case of Web browsers as user interfaces, the ability to create rich and expressive user interaction is challenging (such as right-click function.)

Question 44

Questions that need to be understood and clarified when using cloud computing

Answer 44

Who owns the data stored and managed in the Cloud?
What happens in case of data loss in the Cloud?
How can the data and information stored and manged in the cloud be used by the Client and Vendor?
What happens to the data in the Cloud if the subscription for the services is ended?
Can the service provider modify its services?
Can prices for SaaS be changed in the future?