HVAC Systems - The Indispensable Needs Of Every Building

HVAC or Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning systems, which fall within the definition of mechanical building systems remain extremely crucial for all the residential and commercial buildings.

Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning form an important part of a unique technology which is meant for providing high level of indoor environmental comfort to people occupying the building. In other words, the reason behind developing mechanical building systems is to maintain thermal comfort  and to provide high-end indoor air quality to building occupiers.

This crucial sub-discipline of mechanical engineering, which remains accountable for developing advanced systems for the effective management of indoor air quality is based on the principles of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer.

Checkout below points for understanding the technicalities of HVAC systems

1.     Many a times, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning)  is also referred as HVAC&R, which clearly stands for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning & Refrigeration.

2.     Apart from being a necessary part of building systems, HVAC also remain significant for  providing thermal comfort in vehicular environment.

3.     When it come to the development of energy efficient buildings, design development of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems can have a huge impact on building performance.

4.     But with the assistance of advanced 3D modeling applications like Revit MEP and Autodesk Inventor, both CAD modelers and BIM modelers can generate highly amazing design for HVAC systems.

5.     With the assistance of Revit MEP,parametric  modelers can swiftly generate energy efficient design for HVAC systems.

6.     It is quite easy for mechanical modelers to develop energy analytical models for HVAC systems, which can further assist them with the execution of energy analysis.

7.     That means in order to develop high performing HVAC systems, execution of energy modeling and energy analysis services is highly important, and it can be easily performed by building professionals with the assistance of cutting-edge software products.

8.     A large number of mechanical engineers across the world, love to work with Autodesk Inventors as it comes with both CAD and BIM compatibilities.

9.     That means it can easily support any type of DWG file and modelers can conveniently work with building professionals.

10.  This makes it easy for mechanical engineers to make use of a large number of data during design development which ultimately helps them with developing innovative HVAC system.

AutoCAD or Revit – both are Equally Important for the AEC Professionals

All the design and construction professionals from architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industry are familiar with AutoCAD and Revit. AutoCAD has been in the AEC industry since 1980 and this software has a significant role in the evolution of the AEC industry. AutoCAD has notably become an integral part of day to day activities if the 2D and 3D design process.

Revit is a building modeling program and it has entered in the AEC industry after almost 20 years of the inception of AutoCAD. The adoption of Revit has increased sharply in recent years. Revit has many advantageous features that attract the design and construction professionals to use it in their construction projects. This blog will helps the professionals where to draw lines – AutoCAD, Revit or both?

Similarities

Both AutoCAD and Revit software helps its users to produce 2D drawings such as sections, floor plan drawings, elevations, detail drawings, construction drawings, etc. effectively. There may be little differences in the graphical presentations of the AutoCAD 2D drawings and Revit 2D drawings, but essentially the end outcome is same.

Thought AutoCAD and Revit both are also used for developing 3D models but Using Revit, users can only develop 3D models for buildings while using AutoCAD, users can develop 3D models for their architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, aeronautical, and other types of engineering projects.

Both of these software’s help users to make a 2D flat image or 3D model photorealistic by adding color, shade, texture, lighting effect, shadow effect, fixture, etc.

Differences

Though both AutoCAD and Revit helps the design and construction professionals to do similar types of works effectively, but Revit is specially Building Information Modeling (BIM) software that only helps in carrying out different types of BIM modeling process. Using AutoCAD, users only can create lines to develop basic geometry that represents the projected object.

Within a 3D Revit model, users can include real life information while AutoCAD does not allow users to add any type of information. In Revit, while users work on one particular view such as floor plan, other views such as elevation are also automatically generated at that time. If users make any change within the Revit design, the design automatically adjusts itself according to the change but AutoCAD does not have such facilities.

AutoCAD is very useful for creating 2D drawings where only accurate work in needed, for example elevation detail drawing. Revit is very useful for Architectural 3D Modeling that also helps its users to prepare construction schedule, generate cost schedule, perform collaboration and manage all types of changes efficiently.

In the AEC industry, AutoCAD and Revit both are significantly used for developing 2D and 3D designs for AEC projects. Both of these software’s have become right and left hand of the AEC industry professionals.

Standard Loadable Families: Contribution of Family Editor in Their Development

What are loadable families? 

Why are they required? And what makes them so significant for design and construction professionals are some of the questions which I would like to address in this article. Well standard loadable families can be defined as those building components which remain the integral part of the design of different building disciplines such as windows, doors, column and beams etc.

Revit has a very dynamic or sophisticated tool for developing standard component families which is Revit Family Creation and Editor. In Revit family editor two different types of families can be developed which are standard loadable families and in-place families.

Same procedure is implemented by Revit technicians for developing both loadable and in-place families, wherein first of all they have to choose a family template, after which they have to define family subcategories and then create family types.

For creating family types Revit technicians have to determine various parameters. Before creating family types it is mandatory for them to develop family skeleton. Family skeleton is nothing but the family framework, which is developed by Revit technicians by defining family origin, then laying out reference plane and reference lines.

Both reference plane and reference line are genuinely very crucial for technicians when they have to develop family geometry. When family framework is created Revit technicians have to level the dimensions so that they end up developing effective parameters for the family in question. For checking whether the framework created by them is effective or not, they have to flex the framework.

The visibility of the family can be easily managed by Revit users with the support of the tools contained in Revit Family Editor. So if the above mentioned procedure is followed with due care, high quality loadable families can be developed by Revit users.

Architectural Services: What kids of architectural solutions are provided through them?

With the emergence of CAD and Building Information Modeling in Architecture Engineering and Construction industry, the demand for architectural services is growing with a steady speed. Toady building owners have huge expectations from architects when it comes to the esthetic aspect of the design. Today be it the construction of commercial or residential buildings, design and construction of architecture remains at the heart of building construction. And that’s the reason demands for architectural CAD services and architectural BIM services are growing with an exponential rate.

Hence general contractors make it very sure that they hire architectural services from a highly reliable and distinguished architectural and engineering outsourcing company which can deliver them with extremely precise or error-free architectural CAD drafting services and BIM modeling services. All kinds of technical drawings are provided by outsourcing company to the clients with the help of the specifications or basic sketches which are given to them by contractors or architects.  Information rich site plans, floor plans, elevations and sections etc are delivered to the clients by the service providing company, which are developed by the CAD drafters on AutoCAD.  Apart from that high end 3D architectural design is developed by modelers with the help of Revit Architecture which is delivered to clients in the shape of 3D model. The 3D architectural model developed in the digital environment of Revit Architecture, provides all the intricate details about architectural elements which prove to be highly significant for architects.

With the assistance of detailed architectural model, design and construction professionals can perform clash detection by comparing its elements with structural and MEP elements in Navisworks Manage. Countless element collisions or overlapping conditions are identified by design and construction professionals when they perform clash detection in 3D project review software Navisworks Manage.

Apart from that 3D architectural model can be used in Architecture Engineering and Construction industry for performing 3D rendering services. When 3D rendering services are executed by AEC professionals they can generate high quality photorealistic images and models for representing interior and exterior part of the building. 

Impeccable 3D parametric models can be developed from point clouds

Over the last decade  point cloud modeling got enormous attention from design and construction professionals as it assists architects, multidiscipline engineers and BIM modelers to create outstanding 3D parametric models for renovation and retrofit etc. Point cloud modeling is adopted by design and construction professionals because 3D laser scanned data (point cloud data) provides extensive existing building information to them which makes it easy for them to develop 3D parametric Building Information Models.  Building Information Models are created by Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry professionals in 3D building design software Revit, which is launched by Autodesk the original developer of AutoCAD.

If architects and engineers do not have the accessibility of construction documents and drawings of the existing building which currently requires renovation then they are bound to generate drawings and models for it for the proper accomplishment of the project. And measuring an existing building is truly an uphill task, which demands high level of physical efforts if manual surveying is carried out by architects and engineers, and on top of that its accurate measurement is seriously doubtable. Architects and engineers cannot claim to provide accurate dimensions to BIM modelers as they have to face high level of complications during manual survey process.

Hence 3D laser scanning process is believed to be highly feasible when it comes to the measurement of dimensions and spatial relations between elements of an existing building. If highly potential 3D laser scanners are available to professionals performing the survey process, they can correctly measure the dimensions and geometry of the as-built building. Laser beams which reach out to every possible section of the building bring accurate building information with them and that information is captured into point clouds. When these point clouds are provide to architects, engineers and modelers they can execute point cloud modeling services from them and can develop immaculate 3D parametric BIM models for performing renovation. Parametric models can be developed for architecture, structure and MEP since point clouds contain adequate information about all these building disciplines which is necessary for developing 3D models.c

Role of Revit models in increasing the productivity of AEC professionals

Revit models which are created for various disciplines are very important for architects, engineers, contractors and fabricators when it comes to the effective construction of buildings. The 3D models which are created by highly expert teams are largely utilized by key building professionals such as architects, engineers and fabricators etc for showing and accomplishing their outputs.

Generally when a building project is carried out, architects play highly important roles as they have to start with the development of architectural design based on which designs for other building trades are developed. Architects are liable for releasing the initial sketches for the building which are utilized by the designers or engineers of other building trades for developing their own design. For example the initial sketches produced by architects are generally sent for the reference of structural engineers and MEP engineers so that they can have some idea about the architectural design of the building and which can help them in developing their own design.

So based on the preliminary sketches developed by architects, structural engineers and mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers, Building Information Models are developed by design and construction professionals in Revit. The entire design development phase is mostly dominated by Revit Architecture, Revit Structure and Revit MEP apart from Navisworks and 3ds Max etc. Highly error-free and immaculate building design is developed by architects, engineers and modelers in Revit, since the software effectively helps in facilitating cooperation between modelers. All the crucial design information can be smoothly passed among the modelers during the design development process in Revit, which reinforces the development of immaculate models.

On top of that, clash detection services can also be performed for the sake of identifying design errors. The kind of design errors which cannot be directly identified by design and construction professionals are easily pointed out during clash detection by Clash Detective tool of Navisworks Manage. Design errors pointed out by Clash Detective tool, are properly sorted out by modelers after implementing changes in the design. Since any kind of alterations can be effectively done in BIM models, implementation of changes for resolving clashes becomes too easy for AEC professionals. Last but not least Revit models are highly important for developing high quality buildings. 

Benefits of architectural rendering for building stakeholders

In construction industry architectural rendering services are gaining popularity drastically since they have equal benefits for all the building stakeholders.  Though architectural renderings are predominantly utilized by AEC professionals for marketing and sales activities which generally carried out after post design phase, but they are also utilized for understanding the design of the building.  Building stakeholders of residential projects optimize a variety of architectural visualization tools such as interior and exterior renderings, and architectural animation videos for fulfilling a variety of construction requirements. For example, builders can utilize rendered bird-eye views of the building to analyze how it looks once it is finally constructed in the real world. On the other hand they can optimize detailed rendered images of building interiors as well as exteriors to communicate its design to building owners.

Similarly high end photorealistic architectural images wherein colors, textures, lighting effects, shadow effects and furniture etc. is effectively applied in controlled form by rendering artists are utilized in marketing presentations. Similarly high end architectural walkthrough videos and flythrough videos can be provided to potential customers for having an understanding of the project.

That means potential customers are largely benefitted by 3D architectural renderings since they obtain an in-depth perspective about the building in question which can never be obtained through plain 2D drawings and 2D floor plans. On the other hand when it comes to visualizing and analyzing esthetics of a building it can be effectively done by utilizing architectural walkthroughs and flythrough videos by clients as well as AEC professionals. In this case photorealistic images are also helpful which provide detailed description of a particular part of the building. If in case owners find that the building design doesn’t look that attractive, efforts can be made to alter it since the actual construction hasn’t kicked of yet.

Last but not least, architectural renderings and architectural animation videos are the best tools for contractors and homebuilders to communicate, promote and market or advertise design ideas to potential buyers who can take quick decisions on buying the property.  

What is the importance of as-built drawings and as-built models?

When it comes to design build projects, one of the most paramount thing is the development of as-built drawings and models which can be used for multiple purposes in future. In other words, today it has become important and necessary for contractors to supply effective as-built drawings and models to owners which can assist them in enriching their knowledge about the whole process. Both as-built CAD drawing Services and models contain detailed information on construction process and the kind of modifications that have been made in the design from time to time.

Generally what happens, when the construction contract is signed between contractors and building owners it’s clarified that in the end when the final product will be delivered to owners it will be accompanied with as built drawings and models.

So wherever a modification is done in the design it is effectively included in as-built drawings that means not even single information is left unrecorded by AEC professionals concerning the project in question. These crucial construction assets which are provided by contractors to owners are utilized by facility managers and AEC professionals during building’s maintenance.

When it comes to renovation and refurbishment of a building, these as-built drawings and models become the biggest source of information to AEC firms. Information that is highly important for renovation of the building can be effectively extracted by architects, engineers and contractors from these final construction assets. That means architects and engineers can get the information on materials, design and resources that were utilized during building’s construction which can help them in understanding the technicalities of renovation process effectively. Information related to dimensions, sizing, and fabrication etc. is clearly included in as-built drawings hence maintenance and renovation of a building can be effectively carried out by AEC professionals with their assistance.

Hence for cost effective renovation, refurbishment and redevelopment of a building both as-built drawings and models are necessary. Apart from that these critical as-built construction assets can be utilized for claiming insurance if the building disintegrates or collapses because of natural calamities. 

Point cloud modeling is an important aspect of BIM services

A few decades back design and construction professionals had no choice but to execute all types of construction projects only with the assistance of their own skills and efforts, as the use of technology was absolutely impractical at that time. Forget about having the accessibility of high end software at that point of time, the truth is that such things were out of their understanding and imagination. But as change is constant, construction scenarios started to change fast,  as in the case of other industries, AEC industry also started to adopt technology which resulted into the acceptance of ‘Computer aided design technology’ and Building Information Modeling.

Once CAD and BIM is optimized by design and construction professionals a phenomenon called seamless construction started to become prevalent in Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry. Building Information Modeling broke all the barriers when it comes to developing flawless design as high end building design software Revit became a part of design development process. In its earlier stages uses of BIM were only applicable on fresh building projects but slowly and gradually its area of application widened and it started to be utilized in renovation and retrofit projects. This is how scan to BIM process came into picture, wherein point cloud modeling remains at the heart of this process.

That means BIM modelers started to utilize point cloud data which is achieved after scanning the as-built building by using laser scanners for developing 3D models. Now these 3D models can be gradually updated and elevated by adding new dimensions to them such as 4D, 5D and 6D etc which can provide huge information about renovation projects.  

Point cloud modeling is a highly successful method of developing accurate BIM models for renovation and refurbishment projects etc. as scanned data comprises of correct information. The output of point cloud modeling results into saving huge money and time, as AEC professionals can extract information on construction, design and materials etc from BIM models. In short point cloud modeling makes the entire renovation process effective and efficient and largely saves project cost. 

Important BIM services that are executed for developing MEP systems of a building

When it comes to design and development of MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing) systems of a building, a variety of BIM services are performed for maintaining their high accuracy. With the close cooperation of MEP engineers, modeling services are executed for developing effective design for multiple systems such as HVAC, power distribution and plumbing system of the building.

Digital 3D models are created for each system and they thoroughly represent their design. Inclusive information is required by modelers for executing MEP modeling services, which is acquired from CAD drawings, which are generated at the time of drafting process and specifications sent by architect and engineers. Be it mechanical, electrical or plumbing engineer they all use Revit MEP for developing BIM models for their respective systems. As per my knowledge, it is the best software for developing MEP design since it facilitates effective coordination between modelers who are ultimately answerable for generating building information models. That means data related to design and development of MEP systems can be effectively circulated among team members which helps in elevating design quality.

Apart from this clash detection services are performed for identifying design errors between different MEP systems. For discovering design clashes between elements of HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems design and construction professionals have to compare them for clashes in Navisworks Manage. Several clashes are identified by AEC professionals, which can be distinguished as hard clashes and soft clashes. When one MEP element overlaps another MEP element the clash can be identified as hard clash on the other hand when any two elements belonging to different systems come increasingly close to each other it is regarded as soft clash. Modelers do not go ahead with the process until and unless they sort out all the clashes.

After this MEP coordination services are executed by design and construction professionals wherein models belonging to mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems are coordinated into single MEP model in Revit. When MEP systems are developed after referring this model engineering hardly come across any problem. 

For streamlining construction process get all the information from BIM models

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the paramount reason behind the steady growth of Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industry in the last few decades. Before BIM, entire industry was undergoing a tough time in terms of project execution as no concrete tools were available to design and construction professionals which could help them in planning, design and construction.

But suddenly BIM came into picture and started to provide support in all the crucial phases of construction. The main function of BIM’s application in construction is to develop high end design for multiple building disciplines such as architecture, structure and MEP which is most important for constructing a building. Can you ever imagine developing a building without having an effective design? I am sure no one can do that, not even the best architect in the whole world. Hence it is important that AEC professionals such are architects and engineers have effective building design with them before commencing final construction. And this requirement or necessity is effectively accomplished by Building Information Modeling, which successfully focuses on the developing the design for each trade. Revit which is used in modeling has its different flavors for each discipline such as Revit Architecture, Revit Structure and Revit MEP. Since, for every building discipline there is an individual software product, design and construction professionals can develop highly functional models for them. BIM models are developed by modelers after collecting inputs from various sources such as architects, engineers and contractors etc. for acquiring inclusive information. For each discipline 3D, 4D, 5D and 6D models can be developed and a variety of information can be obtained by AEC professionals from them. Information accommodated in these BIM models is effectively discussed by key building professionals during preconstruction for finding out project complications.

BIM models produce information such as material take offs, construction schedules and bill of materials etc apart from giving details on building design. With this all-inclusive information AEC professionals can effectively anticipate all the major challenges of the project. And all these challenges can be successfully evaluated and addressed by them before final construction.  

Use BIM for developing high performing architectural, structural and MEP design!

The overall building design comprises of the design of its main trades which include architecture, structure and MPE. That means for achieving effective building design it is crucial that flawless design is created for different building disciplines. And Building Information Modeling becomes indispensable for design and construction professionals in this case which empowers them in creating error free 3D modeling Services for multiple trades.

Autodesk has develop software products specially for executing BIM services such as Revit, Navisworks and 3ds Max, all of which are utilized during preconstruction for elevating the quality of building design. Revit is optimized for executing architectural, structural and MEP modeling services for a building project wherein highly factual 3D models are created by BIM modelers.

Today AEC professionals have the accessibility of different Revit flavors which include Revit Architecture, Revit Structure and Revit MEP which are used specifically for developing the design of individual building trades. Suppose architectural design is developed by a team with the assistance of Revit architecture its design information can be effectively coordinated to other disciplines. Each Revit discipline incorporates the tools for file linking which allow them to link other Revit models into them. This means modelers working on Revit architecture can successfully link Revit structure and Revit MEP models into architectural model for acquiring comprehensive information. This clears the doubts of architectural design team about structural and MEP design. Architectural design team can take necessary steps for avoiding errors in their design and can ultimately prevent the clashes of its elements along with the elements of other two disciplines.  

Similar steps can be taken by structural and MEP design teams they can also link the models of other two disciplines for obtaining greater clarity on building design. In this way design clashes can be reduced or minimized to a great extent by multidiscipline design teams accountable for developing architectural, structural and MPE design.

For further minimizing design clashes between multiple trades clash detection process is executed by design and construction professionals with the support of Navisworks Manage during design phase. This improves the quality of 3D models wherein errors are completely eliminated from them. 

Revit modeling services for renovation projects cannot be executed without point cloud files

Developing 3D models for renovation projects is not that simple as it is for fresh construction projects. Even though same 3D modeling software is used by design and construction professionals for developing building information models for renovation projects problem arises due to insufficient and chaotic information about the existing building. In other words for developing 3D BIM models for renovation projects availability of correct building information of the existing structure is a must.

Prior to the application of laser scanning technology in renovation projects, design and construction professionals used to involve in the tedious and strenuous task of surveying the structure manually. The process of surveying as-built structure used to take a lot of human efforts and time and there used to be no surety of the calculations being accurate. That is why earlier architects and engineers used to find it difficult to execute renovation projects.

The complications faced by architects and engineers in the manual survey process raised alarms which ultimately resulted in the adoption and application of laser scanning technology for the execution of refurbishment, retrofit and renovation projects. Application of laser scanning for surveying the building derived extraordinary results. That is why laser scanning technology has been adopted by AEC industry globally for the quick and seamless execution of renovation projects.

Laser beams emitted from high end laser scanners which are placed near the as-built structure easily insert inside it and when they reflect back they come along with point cloud data. Millions of point clouds are acquired by survey team liable for surveying the structure by scanning the building form different sides. Point cloud data that is collected with the support of laser beams contain the complete information about different disciplines of the as-built structure such as architecture, structure and MEP.

But what is required from AEC professionals is to stitch the multiple scans together for availing comprehensive information. Now the survey company handovers the point cloud data to the clients who then deliver it to a service providing company. The service providing company makes use of point cloud data in Revit modeling services. Building details can be viewed by modelers when a point cloud file is opened by them in Revit and based on that information they create BIM models for renovation project.

Is engineering outsourcing industry growing because of BIM’s adoption?

In the last few decades engineering outsourcing industry has witnessed drastic growth and it has now evolved as an important source for construction companies to hire engineering services. Outsourcing industry plays a major role in providing engineering consulting services to construction giants, contractors and AEC firms etc who are largely involved in building design and construction.

One of the major reasons for the growth of engineering outsourcing industry is the rapid industrialization that is experienced by most of the nations today. Another important reason is that Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industry is now making use of Building Information Modeling services for executing construction projects which can be easily hired by contractors from outsourcing companies. The growing use of BIM modeling services in construction industry is indirectly accountable for the growth of engineering outsourcing companies. Because of increasing use of BIM in construction industry, outsourcing companies are also getting piled up with the orders of architectural, structural and MEP modeling services and this is ultimately leading to the productivity of engineering companies.

The more orders for the execution of BIM services are received by an engineering firm the more it grows. Since drafting and modeling is completely digitalized now, any type of complicated designs and models can be created by the modelers of architectural and engineering companies and they can be delivered to clients on the required time. Due to the digitalization of preconstruction engineering services distance between the clients and the service providing company hardly matters. This ultimately means that one can hire engineering services from any part of the world and can go ahead with the construction of building projects.

Design created in the form of 3D models can be communicated or transferred swiftly to any part of the world due to its digital attributes. How much ever far the company may be but it can deliver the services to clients within seconds once their execution is completed.

Apart from BIM modeling services, clients can also hire clash detection and coordination services along with 3D architectural rendering services from an engineering outsourcing company on highly cost effective prices.

            

Get rid of all the design errors by hiring clash detection and coordination services!

Because of their potential benefits to the clients Building Information Modeling services are in high demand in the industry. Be it modeling, coordination or clash detection services all of them are truly important for clients when it comes to attaining effective building design for the building in making. BIM is now used in each and every step in construction process be it planning, designing and construction it is implemented everywhere and has been successful in providing effective outcomes.

Building construction is one of the most intricate and complex process wherein AEC professionals are accountable for design and construction of different building disciplines. In the preconstruction phase individual architects and engineers are accountable for design development of different building disciplines which include architecture, structure and MEP. The architectural framework of the building cannot be designed by anyone else apart from an architect as he/she is the only competent person who can perform this task. Again for designing structural framework of the building a competent person is required and that person is structural engineer. Similarly for designing MEP systems MEP engineers are necessary. And since different types of technical experts are needed for the design development of various building disciplines it becomes the inevitable reason for the occurrence or existence of clashes between the model elements of different models.   

That is why when models for different building disciplines are entirely completed the implementation of clash detection and coordination services become imperative and necessary for them. During clash detection services the entire models are examined by design and construction professionals for determining clashes. When clash tests are organized by Navisworks users they make use of clash detective tool and check the elements of one model against the elements of another model for determining clashes between them. For example an element of structural model such as column is checked against the elements of architectural model such as floor for identifying clashes between them.

Countless clashes are determined during the process and constructive solutions are provided for them by applying modifications on the models. This step is followed by coordinating all the multidiscipline models as one single model.  In this manner all the design errors are eradicated between model elements which ultimately assist in flawless construction.

  

Overriding factors behind BIM’s adoption by AEC professionals?

BIM which is frequently called as Virtual Design and Construction is great technology or process as you may call it. There are countless advantages of adopting such a process or technology which makes use of distinguished methods for the execution of construction projects. We no more exist in such a world where construction projects require only human efforts and labor since technology has overtaken or replaced all the hardships faced by human beings during construction.  Currently AEC professionals are making massive use of effective tools and software technology in construction and this have been proved tremendously fruitful for them in terms of flawless execution of the project.

Building Information Modeling is accountable for taking design and construction of building projects to an entirely new level considering the fact that fewer or no rework occurs when a project is executed by implementing this.

BIM helps architects and engineers to achieve an intelligent design for the building in making whit the assistance of effective software like Revit. BIM supports design development team members to evolve an idea into an intelligent building design which has enough strength and potential to perform better. Unlike the 2D images which were quite prevalent in the past when it comes to refereeing them for building construction, 3D models remain at the heart of BIM led construction.  By utilizing Revit architects and engineers create sophisticated 3D, 4D and 5D BIM models which solve all the difficulties of design and construction professionals arise during execution of construction projects.

As changes are accepted quickly by Revit models, this provides a distinctive platform for AEC professionals to search new design ideas and quickly implement them in the model for experiencing their practicality. So in this way unique design ideas are discovered and implemented in the project during design development process.

Apart from procuring productive design, BIM assists in the creation of construction schedules and simulations videos and both of them give more clarity to AEC professionals in terms of understanding all the aspects of construction process. General contractors are the greatest benefiters of construction schedules as it helps them in supplying significant equipments and materials on the construction site.

Cost estimates that provide clarity on construction budgets helps general contractors in utilizing the same budget for obtaining better results in terms of obtaining effective services and materials. 

What makes BIM coordination so important for architects and engineers?

BIM coordination is an important step in project execution as it assures design and construction professionals that the multidiscipline 3D models created by them can exist in harmony with each other. But coordination process comes in the later stages of preconstruction phase as in the beginning focus is directed towards the development of 3D models. In the initial stages of project lifecycle design and construction professionals fully concentrate on developing effective design for architecture, structure and MEP and this is achieved by them with the assistance of Revit. Revit is unique software that allows AEC professionals to create a design in 3D which can be effectively analyzed by any team member and can be communicated to anyone since it is in digital form.

Revit reinforces the development of explicit building design since effective tools are integrated in it. Multidiscipline models are created in close cooperation of interdisciplinary design development teams for maintaining accuracy in the models. Accuracy in the models can only be maintained if design members have the accessibility of correct information that is necessary for generating models. So in this way with the close cooperation of design development teams’ remarkable 3D models are developed which largely contain precise information in them that is used in actual construction.

Though Revit models are known for their accuracy but since they are developed by different teams there always exists a chance of errors in them.  To fully secure that model elements of multidiscipline models can coexist together execution of BIM coordination is compulsory. So before coordinating the models it is important that errors in them should be identified and resolved. That is how clash detection process comes into picture and resolves half of the problems of architects and engineers. Cashes are detected through clash detective tool of Navisworks which is also a Building Information Modeling software. Model elements of one model are compared to the model elements of another model for determining clashes between them during clash test. Countless clashes are identified during this process and they are effectively sorted out by AEC professionals. For sorting out the clashes they are required to make alterations in the position or location of the elements so that they can coexist with each other. Clash detection process is followed by coordination process which is performed by using Revit.

After clash detection no problems are faced by AEC professionals in coordinating multidiscipline models.  BIM coordination model is the outcome of coordination process and it is exceptionally accurate as it is developed after resolving all the clashes. 

Significance of 3D BIM coordination services in construction

BIM coordination services are carried out largely in Revit which is highly indispensable building design software. Design is developed separately for different building trades in the preconstruction phase and hence it becomes truly significant to coordinate multidiscipline models for realizing the validity and authenticity of the models. As more and more sophisticated buildings are constructed now days, it’s sort of important for design and construction professionals to perform a quality control check on drawings as well as on models before they are coordinated.

Traditionally, when effective building design software wasn’t available to design and construction professionals, whether it’s the identifications of clashes or the coordination of different trades everything used to be carried out manually which involved large chances of human errors.

But Building Information Modeling which is considered as an effective visualization tool helps architects and engineers in visualizing the potential conflicts that exist between the design elements of different building trades. This is because multidiscipline models are created by architects and engineers in 3D by using BIM tools and these models can be observed by its users from every feasible angle.

When BIM coordination services are hired by clients they achieve effective outcomes by them. In the beginning clash detection is performed by the competent staff of the company wherein in innumerable clashes between design elements are identified. Identification of clashes is followed by providing effective solutions for them which is normally done by implementing changes in the location of the model elements. When all the destructive and dangerous clashes are fully rectified by design and construction professionals then comes the point when their coordination is required. Now the staff of service providing company needs to switch from Navisworks to Revit for performing BIM coordination. All the models which have recently been checked for the potential clashes should now be coordinated with each other in Revit. This time around no hardships are faced by AEC professionals in terms of conflicts between model elements when it comes to their coexistence.

This is way a composite BIM model is created by design and construction professionals which indicates flawless construction ahead. 

Progress noticed in BIM’s implementation over the last few decades

The last few decades have been really instrumental for Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry as BIM’s implementation has grown multiple times when it comes to using it in construction projects. The realization of the fact that BIM can decisively handle construction complications by design and construction professionals has increased its implementation in construction. Today irrespective of the work that they do, all the building stakeholders completely rely on Building Information Modeling for the accomplishment of their task in effective manner.

Countless researches have been conducted by industry honchos over the years which evidently describe the growth of BIM’s implementation in construction projects across the world. Today every nation in the world makes use of BIM for quickly developing or growing their infrastructure in a seamless manner.

Everyone in the construction industry such as architects, engineers, design consultants, modelers, contractors and owners make use of Building Information Modeling for increasing their productivity. Today more than 70% of design and construction professionals all over the world are utilizing BIM on building projects and a large number from the remaining are thing of using it in upcoming projects. If we tackle the facts specifically, it’s the contractors who use BIM maximum. According to research data revealed by industry experts more than 74% of contractors are currently using Building Information Modeling in the construction projects undertaken by them. And the fact remains that they are truly benefited by its use as it helps them in developing the building in a seamless manner which is then delivered to clients within fixed deadlines. Apart from contractors BIM is then used extensively by architects wherein more than 70% of them are presently using this technology for developing effective architectural design.

It is revealed that by the year 2007 only 17% of Architecture, Engineering and Construction firms were optimizing BIM for project execution but its implementation was multiplied manifolds by the year 2012, when nearly 71% of firms began using it on building construction.

So in this way the use of BIM uniformly kept on increasing with the passage of time and today the entire AEC industry is making use of it. 

Hire rendering services and examine the entire building design before its construction

I cannot imagine that in the last few decades Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry have advanced so much that without even constructing a building we can see its images effectively. This have become possible only because of Building Information Modeling which focuses on developing effective models for representing physical and functional characteristics of a building. 3D architectural models that are developed during preconstruction stage can be made realistic by executing rendering services for them.

Virtual Design and Construction or BIM allow design and construction professionals to create the building design in 3D so that it can be viewed from any angle as it can be easily rotated. Whether its architecture, structure and MEP, 3D models are created for all of them and this makes it easier for design and construction professionals to focus on the design of individual building discipline.

Once building design is completed rendering services are then executed for architectural model by the rendering artists. Rendering services are executed for interior segment of the building as well as for its exterior segment. In interior rendering the entire interiors are provided with photorealistic appeal by applying right color, texture, lighting effects and shadow effects etc. Different kinds of materials are developed by rendering artists for applying in the scene to make it photorealistic such as furniture, important home accessories such as curtain, door mat and flower vases etc.  Images of every room can be rendered by rendering artists such as living room, bed room, dining room and kitchen etc by creating important furniture and relevant home accessories.

Similarly the exterior segment of the building can also be provided with photorealistic feel by showing necessary elements in the image such as greenery; path that connects to the road, fencing that separates it from other buildings, and sky etc.

Photorealistic building images are really important for customers who are willing to purchase a flat or apartment as they can see the entire design of the building through these images.  Clients’ property buying decisions are largely influenced by such realistic images. Apart from this photorealistic images are used for government approvals and for marketing purposes. 

Building Information Modeling: It’s effectiveness for modelers!

Building Information Modeling is the process of exhibiting physical as well as functional characteristics of a building in virtual world. For representing physical and functional characteristics of the building in making design development team members develop effective 3D models which can be communicated with building stakeholders quite conveniently.

Revit which is substantially used by BIM modelers for developing multidiscipline models is available in three different disciplines such as Revit architecture, Revit structure and Revit MEP. Design development teams pick pertinent Revit discipline for accomplishing Revit modeling services, which are highly quintessential for every construction project that is executed in modern time.

Multidiscipline models developed in Revit environment are of totally digital nature and hence it becomes easy for design and construction professionals to suitably circulate these models to countless people at any point of time. Thus making them the best source for disseminating project information to every single person associated with the construction project. The distance of building stakeholders never become a concern for design and construction professionals as 3D models can be communicated electronically to any part of the world within fraction of seconds.

Effective cooperation is facilitated by Revit between interdisciplinary design members for strengthening their productivity as well as for reinforcing overall project productivity. As design data remains sufficiently available to everyone associated with the project there stands no question of incorporating false information in the models. The authenticity of design data is maintained in Revit by making it available to everyone through central model which is placed in an effective location so that design members can access it suitably. Whereas design development members make a copy of this model and start working on it. Though design members work independently in Revit on the models that are saved by them in their local workstations, they stay connected with each other through Revit server. All of them are also connected to central model again with the aid of Revit server and this allows them to share authentic information among each other.

In this way different Revit disciplines help their users with developing high end building design for an upcoming building. Building Information Modeling applications govern the entire design development phase in preconstruction. 

How is BIM useful in Renovation?

Though Building Information Modeling has largely been used in the execution of new construction projects so far, but now it is also used in renovation, refurbishment and retrofit projects by design and construction professionals. For years now, BIM has provided desired results when it comes to the design and construction of building projects and it is believed that it is equally helpful in renovation and restoration projects as well. When it comes to renovation projects BIM is implemented along with laser scanning technology for obtaining better project outcomes. It will not be incorrect to say that laser scanning technology is optimized by BIM users for producing better project outcomes.

In every renovation project surveying the existing building remains the first and most important  step but the fact remains that prior to the existence of  scan to  BIM process, it used to be the most difficult phase of a renovation project. Manual surveying was difficult because too many efforts were required from architects and engineers in terms of measuring the dimensions of the building correctly. Getting exact dimensions used to be really difficult for architect and engineers as human errors used to occur frequently and this used to create huge obstacles for them. Rework after rework used to be quite obvious in renovation process.

But the optimization of laser scanning and BIM technology by AEC professionals in renovation projects has proved to be really beneficial for them. Scanning the existing building has now become just a matter of few hours which once used to take days and weeks. The data obtained with the assistance of effective laser scanners is used by the BIM experts of a service providing company. The point cloud data provided to them is first indexed by them and then used in the project. The entire existing conditions are trapped in point cloud data which help BIM modelers in developing effectual as-built models. As-built BIM models eliminate all the doubts of design and construction professionals concerning the geometrical composition of the building. This allows them to understand the location of the elements of different building disciplines and this helps them greatly in execution the project.

Accurate construction drawings can also be obtained by AEC professionals from BIM models and are referred during renovation of the building. In short renovation process becomes largely uncomplicated because of  scan to BIM services.

  

Why is it important to perform steel detailing?

For the effective design and construction of any building that involves steel as its major ingredient steel detailing process is highly significant. That means for design and development of any steel structure it is paramount for design and construction professionals to execute steel detailing process wherein a variety of important drawings and documents are created. All those drawings, documents and reports that are created during steel detailing process are extremely important in the construction of steel structure.

Steel detailing is indispensable for any kind of structure that is developed by using steel parts. That means steel detailing process is executed by the construction team while constructing residential and commercial buildings, hospitals, resorts and institutional projects etc. Steel detailing is required not only for building construction but also for the construction of variety of other structures wherein steel is used.

All sort of detailed drawings, plans and estimates etc that are created by steel detailers at the time of steel detailing are either used by fabricators or by steel erectors. Before developing these drawings inputs are required from various sources such as architects, structural engineers, fabricators and building contractors. Specifications delivered by architects and structural engineers are indispensable for steel detailers as basic instructions which are necessary for developing drawings are provided through them.

Drawing which are used by fabricators are called structural steel shop drawings and they are significant for them due to their detailed nature. Information related to steel parts is incorporated in a detailed fashion in shop drawings. Drawings are incorporated with notes and instructions that provide clarity to fabricators or steel fabrication firms. All kind of information related to braces, truces, columns, handrail and joist etc is provided in shop drawings such as their size, dimensions, material specifications and other details. With the help of this information it becomes very easy for fabricators to manufacture steel parts as per project requirements.

On the other hand erection drawings are specifically created by steel detailers for providing assistance to erectors in terms of guiding them with the appropriate method of placing steel members while erecting the structure.

The above description of detailing process indicates that it is truly important for the construction of effective structure.