AECOO-1 Testbed WebcastArchitects, Engineers, Construction, Owners & Operators Testbed 1

A Preliminary Overview by Michael Bordenaro

BIM Education Co-op, Co-founder mbordenar@cs.com

The buildingSMART alliance and the Open Geospatial Consortium conducted another demonstration of software and processes that are based on open standards.

While arcane to most people, open standards are the foundation of productivity and profitability that can occur with coordinated application of advanced technology.

Open standards are the underlying “rules of the road” that allow the ever increasing BIM software tools to transfer data back and forth in a seamless way.

If the volunteers who assemble the open standards get the support of the building industry, data transfer is smooth and few people ever really worry about open standards.

If open standards are not supported and the industry is bogged down, productivity will continue to decline, energy is wasted and the promise of advanced technology helping solve problems will turn into the creation of more problems.

Many companies and individuals contributed to the AECOO Testbed - 1 and they will be listed on websites and in a final presentation.

This draft presentation is to show how a simple, follow-the-bouncing-ball overview can be created for people new to BIM when the final presentation is available.

The presentation included four sections with five speakers in each section.

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2

3

4

1 2 3 4 5

This presentation will show slides from a few presenters.

A brief description will attempt to illicit interest in more details

The need for integrated Open Standards was clearly stated

Many people participated in this demonstration of benefits

More than 11 software programs successfully exchanged data

The data was for a significant GSA project that is reality based

Industry Foundation Class data structures were validated

Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs) are the foundation of BIM

The IFC data structure aids information sharing detailed in IFDs

The IFC data structure allows common Model View Definitions

The creation of Open Standards follows a defined process

Participation from many is needed to assure quality

Each data exchange process is carefully mapped

This Quantity Takeoff (QTO) map is key to cost estimating

A software program to assist standards creation was used

Using technology to assist the use of technology is a good thing

The Sofi System software helps map business relationships

Mapping business relationships can improve Open Standards

Maps of relationships can guide important decision points

Improved understanding of decisions improve Open Standards

Energy Model is one of the most important aspects of BIM

Buildings waste a lot of energy. Fixing this fixes many issues.

Proper transfer of data to energy modelers is crucial

Successful energy data transfer was proven in the testbed

Bentley’s participation assisted in a few ways

First, data transfer from Graphisoft to Bentley was validated

Use of the Graphisoft data in Bentley was effective

Bentley was able to use the data as if it originated internally

Typical Bentley reports and processes functioned normally

The IFC compliant data was shown to be seamlessly transfered

Bentley was able to transfer IFC data out to a Model Checker

Solibri Model Checker was able to use IFC rules on the data

Using IFC rules validated that the data was in place properly

While much more complex than described here. . . It worked.

Validated data was shared with a new web-based BIM program

Construction cost estimating was accurately conducted

Tokmo provides BIM cost estimating and scheduling features

It also support use of the data by facility managers after construction

The IFC compliant data contributed to many cost models

Project decisions can be made based on validated data

Many levels of cost analysis can be assessed by executives

Web-based capabilities allows many people to participate

Accurate information provided early saves significant costs

Costs can be analyzed in many ways - such as energy savings

Mapping decision making contributes on multiple levels

Both building makers and standards makers benefit

Good decisions can be repeated if mapped properly

Building proffessional increase productivity and profitability

Standards makers understand what standard processes to use

Properly mapped standards processes improve the next class

Complex energy analysis provides valuable decision data

Having many programs provide analysis on valid data is the goal

With valid IFC compliant data transfered, analysis is also valid

Many types of detailed analysis can occur from Day 1

Many software programs saved significant decision making time

This level of demonstration will accelerate BIM adaption

Accelerating BIM adaption will save significant costs

Quality will also be improved and waste will be reduced

Steve Hagan, FAIA represented the General Services Adminstration

The demonstration provided “real, positive outcomes.”

AECOO-1 Testbed WebcastArchitects, Engineers, Construction, Owners & Operators Testbed 1

This Preliminary Overview by Michael Bordenaro, BIM Education Co-op, Co-founder, is in no way intended to represent the full impact of the work conducted for the AECOO-1 Testbed. It is a draft summary of some issues and is not endorsed nor approved by the buildingSMART alliance, the Open Geospatial Consortium or any of the participants.

But it is hoped that it made a couple connections for you and maybe clarified an issue or two.

Contact Michael Bordenaro at mbordenaro@cs.com (773) 252 5888