BIM for Design Coordination

Chapter 3Model Quality

3.0 Executive Summary

Although building information models are limited in specific areas, potential benefits of utilizing them have been widely investigated. However, there have not been many research studies on the level of development (LOD) requirements for the design coordination function. This chapter describes how model quality and LOD can impact successful building information modeling (BIM) design coordination. Results from prior research experiments done in relation to mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection (MEPF) design coordination found that 3D BIM-based design coordination had consistently higher recall rates and resulted in more complete identification of clashes, at the cost of false positives (Leite et al. 2011). The same study showed that there was an increase in total modeling time ranging from twice the effort to 11-fold when going from one LOD to another. Comparing modeling time per object, from one LOD to another, rates ranged from 0.2 (decreased modeling time) to 1.56 (increased modeling time). Hence, it is important to establish early on in the design coordination process what LOD will be used by each trade, so as to catch as many clashes as possible while minimizing false positives. Such an effort can lead to more comprehensive analyses and better decision support during design and construction.

Much of this chapter ...