Building Products in BIM
Online Configurators and Content Generators for BIM
The recent launch of several online building product configurators that generate BIM content on demand as opposed to using pre-built objects represents an important evolution in BIM content creation, especially for multi-component systems and assemblies. Several BPMs have developed sites that allow BIM users to automatically replace the generic BIM objects in a project with custom-generated objects or complete assemblies of objects, like door/frame/hardware combinations, or multi-layer exterior roofs and walls. These services are free to users and do not require expertise in the use of BIM software, a great benefit to the industry as more stakeholders need to work with a model, but don't have the skills of experienced BIM software users.
One manufacturer's free online BIM configurator allows users to create and test exterior wall assemblies, then have the BIM content built on-demand and inserted in the user's BIM project, including details and specs. It also provides specific vapor barrier and building wrap products for more flexibility. Image courtesy of Georgia-Pacific Gypsum |
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Operating as a toolbar plug-in, the configurator reads the BIM model, identifies the elements to be developed, then takes the user through a structured set of product attribute selections to filter out inappropriate product alternatives and identify one or more that meet the specific needs of that project.
The objects or complete assemblies are then custom-built on demand and inserted in the BIM, replacing any generics that were placeholders.
Steve Jones researches, writes and speaks globally about the impact of economic, technological, business and environmental changes on the future of the design and construction industry. He also leads McGraw-Hill Construction's initiatives in developing alliance relationships with major companies for technology and content.
Some online configurators also conduct analysis to help architects determine performance of products or assemblies. For example, some BIM configurators incorporate ENERGY STAR data to simulate annualized energy performance and calculate dew point for configured exterior wall assemblies based on project location, so performance of alternatives can be tested before content is generated for the model.
Several BPMs are allowing information and services from their configurator to be used by other, non-competing configurators. For instance, users of online BIM configurator tools on one BPM's website have access to BIM objects from the other manufacturers' sites, enabling more comprehensive building envelope configuration. Each can also take advantage of the others' building performance evaluation tools.
Georgia-Pacific's Warren Barber particularly likes that the fact that the configurator "removes obstacles to getting the benefit from BIM." He notes, "I would think having to search through a large library to find a pre-built model of an assembly you want would be very frustrating." Barber's belief is that "it's easier for architects to design their own models in a configurator than modify an existing generic one. You avoid having to have expertise in building BIM content. Instead you can get a tool to build the content for you."
Challenges Related To Building Product Content for BIM
As the industry continues to adopt BIM and demand more content, a number of challenges have arisen, including:
- Interoperability of BIM content
- Quality of BIM content
- Incorporating business rules into BIM content
- Integrating BIM content with traditional specifications
- Evaluating return on investment (ROI) for the BPM on its investment in BIM content.
The Challenge of Interoperability
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) defines interoperability as "the ability of two or more systems or components to exchange information and to use the information that has been exchanged." Overall, the lack of interoperability between software tools is very costly for the U.S. construction industry.
- NIST (The National Institute for Standards and Testing) conducted a study of the unnecessary costs associated with transferring information manually between construction industry software tools to be $15.6B annually.
- Respondents to a McGraw-Hill Construction research study on Interoperability reported an average of three percent of an average project cost that could be saved by improved interoperability.
Since each BIM software application has a unique technical architecture, BIM tools typically have limited interoperability. Each one requires that objects be created in its particular file format.
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www.greenscreen.com
www.gpgypsum.com
www.nanawall.com
www.nystrom.com/Nystrom-BIM-Library
www.pellacommercial.com
www.ppgideascapes.com
www.bim.construction.com