BIM Application and Integrated Design

Quang Nguyen, S0527077 Xu, Jiqianzhi, S0527096

Abstract
Time lag occurs between different phases of construction design and lacking of interoperability is two of the major issues which cause the low productivity in design works in traditional design phase. Now we have an effective solution to this problem that is Integrated Design by using BIM tools. We will introduce the Integrated Design and BIM briefly and discuss how the actual effect is like base on our own experience and cases we collected. Moreover we will discuss about the business impacts brought by the Integrated Design.

Keywords: Integrated design, BIM application, Building process,

Background
Industrial Context
Controlling a building process properly is the best way to save time, money and get an efficient building project.

Problem
The fragmentation problem in the traditional building process is a biggest problem in the building industry. It causes of the time lag, low efficiency or unbeneficial projects. Recently, adopting integrated design approach in order to solve this problem seems to be the best way; however, practical methods and affordable tools to perform integrated design in building project developments are still difficult to find. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is one of the most important supporting factors for a successful integrated design. BIM makes it possible to integrated design information from project participants of different disciplines which traditional work in different phrases of the building process. Why can BIM be used efficiently? What are advantages of BIM application in integrated design within the building process? We will mention more clearly in this study.

Learning Objectives: Advantages of BIM application for integrated design

The use of BIM in real life and the necessary of BIM in the building industry

Approach
We used to work as architect and civil engineer, so we could find many problems in traditional building process. When we start to study BIM in this course, we can see clearly advantages of

BIM in the building industry. Especially, focusing on this topic, we also gain more useful knowledge about BIM application, and we will show some case studies to mention more clearly about BIM application for integrated design. Some information sources from websites in the internet related is also used to support our topic.

Analysis
Part I 1. Whats Integrated Design?
Problems

When we work as an architect and civil engineer in our country, almost projects which we were participated in have some problems especially the fragmentation problem in the traditional design process. As we know, in the traditional design process architecture starts the conceptual design firstly, and later the structural engineer and HVAC engineer join in the process with their own tasks in a framework which is provided by architecture. We can know this procedure clearly from the figure1-1 below

Figure 1-1 Traditional Design Phase 1

The drawbacks in the Traditional Design Phase are lack of interoperability and the Time Lag exit between different steps. For instance, if the architecture uses less windows and skylights in the building, lighting engineer has to add more light indoors and HVAC engineer should add more ventilation equipment to adjust the indoor air quality. In other words, if HVAC engineer and lighting engineer can involve the design in the early stage of the design phase, it will save the expenditure in ventilation and lighting. Moreover, because the drawbacks of the design related to a certain field can be found
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Niels Treldal- <Integrated Data and Process Control During BIM Design> links
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by the specialist or engineer who responses for this early, architect dont have to work again to optimize the plan especially when the design is in a late stage. Besides, the time lag is another problem. Structure engineer must wait until architecture submits the framework of design to him. It is not just a problem of wasting time to wait, but also if the structure engineer can take part in the design earlier, he will have enough time to optimize the plan and even finish the structure design before the deadline to save the money and increase the productivity. In some actual projects we used to take part in, there were some problems during design process such as client changes his mind, contractor suppose that architects should redesign some parts because of component manufacturers can not supply necessary components with the construction, there are other problems with fire protection, ventilation, lighting design and so on. It is clearly seen that when the redesign is changed, almost other parts of the construction process will be changed. This problem will take the time, money and sometime it causes stress and pressure. Solving this problem by integrated design seems to be the best solution, especially, when we use BIM application for integrated design. Is there any new tools or techniques for all the participant within the design phase included architecture, HVAC, lighting, interior design, acoustic, landscape design, structure and construction need a new tool to overcome the time lag and lacking interoperability? The answer is Integrated Design.
The Literature study of Integrated Design

The definition of Integrated Design is a working method to integrate information from all project participants of different disciplines since the design and engineering phase. By obtaining and integrating information from different disciplines, it is expected that the decisions during the design phase are made with the knowledge of the implications for the constructability, use and maintenance of the building in its life-cycle.2

R. SEBASTIAN - <BIM Application for Integrated Design and Engineering in Small-Scale Housing Development: A Pilot Project in The Netherlands> links
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]Figure 1-2 Traditional Design Phase 3 We can see that from the Figure 1-2, all the sub-deign tasks start together at the beginning of the procedure. The design team can carry on the design work with effective co-operation with the will of customers. Besides the lighting and HVAC case we mention in the previously paragraph, the contractor and prefab-manufacturer can dedicate their knowledge and experience to the project. The more architecture and contractor, prefab-manufacturer they co-operate and information Also facility manager can devote their suggestions based on his point of view on the life cycle management of the building.
Integrated Design consist two components: the Integrated Design Process (IDP) and the Integrated Design Approach. We define IDP as IDP is the entire, multidisciplinary processing of a design task for which a competent design team continuously pursues durabilityoriented targets from the beginning and optimizes them in terms of ensuring quality through the application of modern methods and tools throughout each individual phase.4 As for the Integrated Design Approach, people used to host Charrette (meeting of specialists or experts) periodically or bring all the design plans earlier to make achieve Integrated Design in the age of using 2D CAD systems. Nowadays as the age of BIM tools is coming, Architectures, Engineers and Contractors grip a new and powerful tool to achieve Integrated Design. 2. BIM applications for Integrated Design The Literature study of BIM

BIM application is the newest trend of the world. BIM (Building Information Modeling) is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle.
Typically it uses three-dimensional, real-time, dynamic building modeling software to increase
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Niels Treldal- <Integrated Data and Process Control During BIM Design> links R. SEBASTIAN - <BIM Application for Integrated Design and Engineering in Small-Scale Housing Development: A Pilot Project in The Netherlands> links
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productivity in building design and construction.5 BIM tools dedicate a platform for all the participants of the design team to exchange all the information and data of the building which included dimension, materials information, structure, pipes layout etc. It is the integration of the information of constructional objects.

Figure 1-3 Norwegian Building Research Institute, Olof Granlund, NBLN

University of California, Stanford University6

And the achievement of data exchange between different applications and systems by following an international open standard- for example Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) or gbXML7 and CIS/28. IFC format is the most widely used format in BIM applications.

Why BIM tools can support and improve Integrated Design?

The character of BIM makes it has a close relationship to the Integrated Design. The method of exchange information by using IFC format and the multiple usage of the central model make it possible to carry on the design task all in one model. And the intelligent way to sharing the information (all the participant can obtain the newest information by update the model if something change.) Sharing, timeliness, interoperability and flexibility makes BIM become Integrated BIM, which, is a proper tool to achieve Integrated Design. Reasons for this show in the following subjects: - BIM tools provide a suitable platform for Integrated Design. We mentioned it before, because it is the integration of all information of construction subjects and all of them are stored as IFC format which make all the participants can access this information easily and dedicate their own design without obstacle in information exchange. Besides that BIM tools make it easy to management all the information and work flows because of the highly degree of unity. - BIM tools offer solutions to all the aspects of the design phase e.g. the architectural design, structure, construction etc plus some new things which included sun study, seismic study, indoor environment simulation and 4D simulations - The design tasks carried on in the BIM application are in 3D dimension. It is totally different Wikipedia links Janne Salin Presentation <Steps to Product Modeling> links 7 Wikipedia links 8 Wikipedia links
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from traditional 2D design phase. BIM tools support engineers to solve the problems which is seems hard to handle in the past and give architectures chances to explore more in the design. The model can be built in one time and used for multiple usages. It can effectively avoid duplication of design and labor.

BIM technologies enable a fundamental change in the relationship between the owner, architect and contractor. Instead of the contractor simply reacting to the architecture design, these tools enable a much closer collaborative relationship between them, with cost more integral to the design process. For the contractor, cost estimates can be justified through design visualization and assumption validation. And the ability to show owners and developers in real time, the cost and the constructability impact of design changes puts the builder in a position where

conceptual estimate can be quickly produced and lead to negotiated bid.

It can be seen clearly that BIM will help integrated design so efficiently. We are going to discuss something more in the Case study part later.

Part II Case 1: Shanghai Fengxian Electrical Converter Center Introduction:

This case is a typical one to describe how Integrated Design and BIM applications work together to solve the problems in the conventional design process. The picture shown below is the a view of this Electrical Converter Center. It is a key point of the biggest HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) project in 2007.

Figure 2-1 Birds view of Fengxian Electric Converter Center The Challenge This building is an exclusive construction for certain electric installation. The design procedure of this kind of industrial architecture is different from civil architecture. The difference shown in the

below two figures.

Architectural design Structural design Installation design

Figure 2-2 the design process of civil architecture

Installation design Architectural design Structural design

Figure 2-3 the design process of industrial architecture The challenge exit in this design task of Electric Converter Center is that, all the installations within this site have an enormous volume. It is really passive for architectures to design the layout of the interior arrangement and the pipeline, e.g. the holes for the pipes on the wall. If electric engineers change theirs design of some certain equipment. Architectures have to change the layout or diameter of the holes on the wall. In this case, structural engineers follow architectures to modify their plan passively, and it would be even make the process as slow as hell if the change affects the main component of the structure. As we can see numerous of data, blue prints and plans are involved in this case, if some low class mistakes happen, we might discover some empty holes on the walls for rates just because architectures forgot to renew their design plan. To conclude the problem, it is that lacking of coordination and cooperation (or interoperability) between different types of design. To solve these problems, the design team adopt the Integrated design by using BIM applications Solutions

Figure 2-4 The model of Fengxian Electric Converter Center

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The design team used Revit ArchitectureRevit StructureRevit MEP series software to proceed the design and integrate all the pieces of information together in a platform. Electrical engineers finished the pipeline coordination layout by using Revit MEP and then submitted models to architectures. Architectures can start their design directly in this model. If electrical engineers modify some details or key layouts, architecture can get the first hand information by update the model.

Picture 2-5 Pipelines shown in the Revit MEP Case Conclusion: Besides solving the coordination and cooperation problem which exit in the conventional design phase, avoiding duplication of labor and design is another achievement. It is obviously that all the design of electric installation and architecture done by Revit software is integration. Just like we mention in the beginning of this article that all the sub design within the design phrase are synchronous.

Picture 2-6 Integrated Design Process9

Niels Treldal- <Integrated Data and Process Control During BIM Design> links
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Picture 2-7 Electric engineers use Navisworks to implement a 3D roaming in the model

Case 2 Super projects which adopt BIM and Integrated Design. Introduction:
In recent years there are a lot of new super projects establish in China because of the blossom economic and the act of government. I have to highlight that most of this monster project adopt wholly or partly Integrated Design and BIM method in the design phase. For example, several important pavilions in Shanghai Expo 2010 are pioneers of implementing Integrated Design and BIM method.

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Picture 2-1 The Pavilion of Finland in Shanghai Expo 2010 Kirnu The Finish pavilion Kirnu is a preventative of how Integrated Design Process and BIM method is implemented in this super size project. It is design by JKMM Architects in Helsinki. Architectures and contractors use ArchiCAD, Telka Structures and Telka Structures Construction Management. The German pavilion and the performing art center also embrace the Integrated and BIM methods besides the Finish Pavilion.

Picture 2-2 The Art Performing Center and the German pavilion and in Shanghai Expo 2010

The Challenge
Here is an excellent case: The Shanghai Tower which is built in CBD of Shanghai now is under construction. And it is design by the American architectural firm Gensler .The completion date is 2014.

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Picture 2-3 The Shanghai Tower In the very beginning of the project, Integrated Design Process by using BIM application plays an leading part. Moreover, the coordination of the faade design and the structural design and choosing proper plans to match each other is a shinning point in the design phase. For instance: the height of the whole structure is 632 meters. Structural engineers have to consider the wind load as a significant factor in the structural design. In this case, architecture should optimize the faade design plan to reduce the affection of wind load. According to the computation, the construction cost will decrease 1200 million dollar as the wind low reduce 5%.

Solution:
The design unit Gensler built a model of outer faade by using the Bentely GC parameterize tools, and did a series of structural wind tune trial on the premise of aesthetic and functional factors and analysis base on it. Finally Gensler cut the wind loads by 24%. According to the data, there is a estimated of saving of $57,000,000 Besides the results in other design fields is evident: Its twisting shape facilitates the collection of rain water for the A/C and heating units. Its doubleskin facade insulates to reduce energy consumption. Fifty-four wind turbines in the parapet of the building help create electricity. The footprint of the tower is two-thirds green spaces.10

Case Conclusion:
Shanghai Tower is just one of the examples of how Integrated Design and BIM applications work. in large projects. Integrated Design by using BIM applications is not only the solution to the design of complicated and super-size buildings, but also it can meet the need of the trend of using abnormity geometrical body in the architectural design.

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Scott Sheppard- <The Shanghai Tower Exhibit at the Gallery at One Market> links
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Picture 2-4 The 3rd Terminal of Capital Airport in Beijing Just like the 3rd terminal of capital airport in Beijing, it is another super project and designed in 2D with conventional design phase at first. Contractor of the integrated wiring and pipe installing found that it is hard to handle the pipe laying because the abnormity geometrical spatial layout of the building and lacking of interoperability of different type of work and design. And the design team and contractor used BIM tools to fix this problem. We can see that Integrated Design by using the BIM applications is one of the effective way to support super-size projects and allow architecture to explore more possibility in architectural design in the future. It is not only a useful tools to change the situation of low productivity in AEC industry, but also it will probably promote the revolution in this field.

Results and Business Impacts

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Key Findings
Potentials for using BIM in integrated design: - All the participants of the design team can be involved in the constructions process sooner as long as the design process is started. Instead of waiting for the designs and reacting it - It is an effective way to solve the problems exit in the conventional design phase.

- The simulation can rapidly test sustainability ideas, which cant be done with 2-D drafting. You can measure energy consumption and water consumption, see how it will behave in weather, whether it will stand up or fall down, see how the air and temperature will work, says Phil Bernstein, vice president for building industry strategy and relations for Autodesk and a part-time instructor at the Yale University School of Architecture in New Haven.11
- Integrated Design by using the BIM tools enable architectures to explore more in the filed of design, such as abnormity geometrical bodies in the architecture and super-size projects. In a word, it is a revolutionize tool to AEC industry. And some arguments: BIM application for integrated design requires the cooperation between all the participants in construction process much earlier than traditional design. However, this requirement is not easy solved nowadays. With BIM, participants need higher requirements for being able to participate in design process. This may be difficult for people who were previous 2D users in AutoCAD... when they have to learn how to use BIM tools and so on. There are many BIM software providers, each software has many available versions and the IFC is still undergoingare rising questions about the compatibility.

Business Impacts
With BIM, integrated design is performed efficiently in the construction process. Using BIM for integrated design brings many profits for the building industry, it helps to save

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time for the project development because of reducing conflict problems in almost constructional phrases, so the time lag problem is solved efficiently. This is of course the good way to save money. In case, there are some changes of the prices in construction market such as escalation of the material price, BIM application with its special tools will help to add new price for the estimation efficiently, it helps the owner, the contractor and others having good decisions in time without influencing the design process so much. The finance for building project will be solved by a good estimation with the most economical solution. BIM also helps to design and develop super-size buildings and complicated buildings. This means BIM Application supports the development not only in architecture design but also in construction technologies obviously. Whereas there are some obstacles to BIM adoption: - The cost of software and hardware for using BIM application is still very expensive - It is quite hard to train BIM users. - Many people in the building industry do not want to change their mind for using BIM as the new technology. We, young people in new generation should be confident to use new technologies for the development of the building industry.

Conclusions
Communication is one of major important advantages of BIM. It helps connecting all participants within building process, getting strong relationship between project members, especially in design process. BIM supports integrated design to achieve the interoperability in the building process. Using BIM application for integrated design is seems to be the best solution to develop the efficient building project in the near future. Practical Tips and Key Lessons: Saving time, saving money.

Construction participants can work together better when working with BIM

Acknowledgements
In the end of this thesis, we would like to thank you, Mrs. Jvj. This course brings us the basis knowledge of product modeling and BIM which is quite brand new for us. Now we develop an

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strong intention to learn more about that in the following course. We hope can adopt these new technologies for our professions in the future. Thanks for your patient to direct us and the splendid lessons again! And we would like to Mr. Salin for the discussions he hosts and presentations he presents which are really helpful and remarkable. We hope that we can make more progress in this field when we study in Helsinki.

References
[1] Niels Treldal- <Integrated Data and Process Control During BIM Design> [2] R. SEBASTIAN - <BIM Application for Integrated Design and Engineering in Small-Scale Housing Development: A Pilot Project in The Netherlands> [3] Janne Salin Presentation <Steps to Product Modeling> [4] Scott Sheppard- <The Shanghai Tower Exhibit at the Gallery at One Market>

[5] Cai Meng- <a study on Integrated Design of Industrial architecture > links [6] Don Prowler, FAIA- <Whole Building Design> links [7] Sina.com - <BIM, the DNA of Commercial Real Estate> links [8] Wikipedia

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