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IMAGINE.RELIABLE INFORMATION

ON DEMAND

about us

ABOUT SOLIBRI

Solibri Model CheckerSolibri Model Checker is the QualityAssurance solution for BIM validation,compliance control, design review,

analysis and code checking.

Solibri Model ViewerSolibri Model Viewer is the free

software for viewing Solibri ModelChecker files and open standard

IFC files.

Solibri IFC OptimizerSolibri IFC Optimizer the free

software for optimizing open standardIFC files on your computer.

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Solibri UK Ltd Phone: +44 (0) 844 854 9250 [email protected] | Sales: +44 (0) 844 854 9250 [email protected]

> ADVANCED CLASH DETECTION &MANAGEMENT

Automatically analyze and group clashesaccording to severity. Find relevant problemsquickly and easily. Investigate the quality of yourBIM files.

> DEFICIENCY DETECTIONPrevent issues in advance. Use SMC and itslogical reasoning rules to search for componentsand materials missing from the model.

SOLIBRI MODEL CHECKER

> VERIFY MATCHING ELEMENTS INARCHITECTURAL & STRUCTURALDESIGNS

Use SMC to locate flaws and exceptions inmodels made by different design teams. Avoidexpensive rework by knowing both modelsmatch.

> MANAGING CHANGE ORDERS ORDESIGN VERSIONS

Manage and track changes between two designversions of the same model. Save time with easyvisualization and verification of model changes.

> INSTANT BIM DATA MININGBe assured on the quality of information in BIMdesigns. Then use SMC for easy and instantinformation takeoff. Use multiple report templatesthat best suit your user role or create one yourself.Measure spaces and materials on the fly andshare with others.

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Early steps towards validationIn early 2013 Bond Bryan Architects invested ina single network license of Solibri Model Checker.We had recognised that validation of informationwas going to be critical to the future of BuildingInformation Modelling (BIM) in both our ownbusiness and the industry.

We began by testing a few of our models andquickly realised that we needed to do more workimplementing standards within our models beforewe could develop a viable model checkingapproach.

So during the summer of 2013 we spent a lot oftime focussed on the integration of emergingindustry standards in our authoring tool. At the

same time the BIM overlay to the RIBA Plan ofWork became available (which was subsequentlypublished as the RIBA Plan of Work 2013).

So in September 2013 we introduced newauthoring tool templates to our staff for use on liveprojects. These templates focussed on greaterdata integration and moved away from creatingand exporting native data fields to using IndustryFoundation Classes (IFC) data, which is coveredby ISO 16739:2013. Moving to IFC also allowed usto align our data deliverables with COBie-UK-2012.COBie is a subset of IFC and is the non-graphicaldata deliverable for all UK Government projectsfrom April 6th 2016 and is at the core of SolibriModel Checker (and its free accompanyingviewer). So we knew that aligning with open

BIM MODEL VALIDATIONBOND BRYAN ARCHITECTS

case study – Bond Bryan Architects

international standards would provide us with thebest methodology for validating our data andsubsequently using it for other workflows.

Building validation workflowsSo six months after introducing our newworkflows we were starting to get better models.With this improvement in our authored models, itallowed us to return to Solibri and work ondeveloping a matching set of rules to theauthored model standards. Having spent a longtime understanding the data we were creatingbuilding a set of rules was more straightforward.Our whole approach has been built around theRIBA Plan of Work 2013, BS1192:2007 (andsubsequently PAS1192-2:2013) and COBie-UK-2012. As a practice we are keen to integrate as

much of COBie as possible, irrespective ofwhether we are asked for it. We have alwaysbelieved that standard BIM deliverables shouldbecome the ‘new norm’ over time rather thansomething that is additional to our services.

Whilst we were building our model validation rulesfor Solibri, a new version of our authoring tool,Graphisoft ArchiCAD was released. This versionallowed us to automate much of our data creationthrough mapping. Changes were also made tomake the workflows simpler for staff. Thisimmediately offered the opportunity to integratemore information as standard. This meant that thevalidation process could be more specific andtherefore more robust. So in September 2014 wefinally rolled out our company rulesets for Solibri


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Workflow at Bond Bryan Architects

Model Checker to be used in anger on our newlive projects.

The rulesetsBuilt to align with industry standards but coupledwith a clear understanding of what data weshould produce at each stage, the rulesets aresplit for each RIBA workstage. This means theuser can focus solely on the set of rules they arerequired to pass at each stage. As much isautomated, many of these rules will be passedwith very little effort. We actually split out a lot ofthe out-of-the-box rules to create a longer list.This meant that users would see that they hadpassed an awful lot and not be daunted by thefact that a rule had failed because one aspect hadfailed within a single rule. Splitting the rules alsoallowed us to make the descriptions simpler andclearer and add information about where to fix therules if they do fail. The advantage of this approachalso means that a clear report can be provided toothers about what has and hasn’t passed.

We now have a number of projects that haveimplemented our rules. Instantly users are

surprised at the power of the issues Solibri picksup. Things they thought were thoroughly checkedmanually throw up issues. It becomes a positivechallenge to resolve these issues rather than achore. As we have used the rules more we haverealised that further rules need to be added orexisting ones tweaked.

The benefitsClearly model checking has obvious benefits tothe quality of traditional outputs. Ensuring thatspaces don’t have duplicate numbers meansthere is no chance of duplicated Room DataSheets and it’s a similar story for duplicatedwindow and door numbers. The benefit of thisbecomes more pronounced on bigger or morecomplex projects. So our outputs are morereliable compared to manual processes.

We are also using Solibri to check our 3-dimensional models against others models suchas Structure and Building Services. These modelsare being used in coordination meetings todiscuss the resolution of issues. This is allowingissues to be resolved faster and removing the

case study – Bond Bryan Architects

Validating building services

need to resolve these issues on site. This reductionin risk has an obvious cost benefit to contractorsand ultimately to clients.

However the benefits of integrating data and beingable to validate it is that our information is morereliable for others to use. It can be used for COBiebut it can also be used to produce InformationTake-off. Our project models have becomebusiness development tools in their own right tosome sceptical contractors. Many are amazedabout the quality of the information we are nowstarting to output and they are realising what ourapproach can bring to make their lives easier.

Next stepsSo now in 2015 we have 3 licenses (with moreplanned) and are now only a year away from ‘BIMLevel 2’ becoming required on all publiclyprocured projects. As a practice we are alreadyseeing projects requiring COBie and we started

our first projects, which formally required COBiein January 2015. Our model rulesets and Solibri’sCOBie functionality are making this processrelatively straightforward. Live projects areproviding more valuable learning experiences andour processes will continue to evolve.

2015 will also see the publication of the DigitalPlan of Work and updated Uniclass classificationsystem. Both these will need us to develop ourapproach further and we also plan to introducemore checking for the extended requirements ofBS1192-4:2014, NRM1 and the NBS BIM ObjectStandard. So over the summer we plan to furtherdevelop both our authoring approach and ourmatching validation process. September 2015 willbe another step forward and the opportunity tofurther improve our offering.


www.solibri.com

by Rob Jackson of Bond Bryan Architects

Producing COBie output showing data and visualisation

How did you first become aware of theGovernment BIM and COBie requirements? ‘We had been working in a BIM environment fora number of years and as one of our key clientgroups is government, in particular justice anddefence, we were aware of the new COBierequirement as a government directive from theoutset. To help improve our knowledge, we’veattended numerous conferences and seminarsand disseminated the information internally toraise our overall company awareness. We knewthis was going to be important and that it wouldinvolve developing new working practices, so wewanted to be properly informed.’

When/how were you first involved in aCOBie project? ‘In 2012 we were appointed to deliver one of HMGovernment’s Early Adopter projects. Ourappointment was as the technical deliveryarchitect, initially to deliver the scheme to COBiedata exchange stage 3 (representing the technicaldesign solution). This changed however and we wereeventually became tasked with fully coordinating

case study – Stride Treglown

In 2012, architects Stride Treglown wereappointed to deliver a UK Governmentearly adopter BIM project. As ‘pathfinders’working with newly defined processes anddelivering COBie outputs, Stride Treglownfaced a number of challenges. To find outhow Stride Treglown successfullyimplemented the project, Solibri UKManaging Director David Jellings, chattedwith Anthony Walsh, Senior Associate andSector Lead for Public & CommunityProjects and Dean Hunt, BIM Co-ordinatorfor Stride Treglown.

Stride Treglown is an international architecturalpractice with overseas offices in Dubai and AbuDhabi and eight offices in the UK includingLondon, Cardiff and Bristol, making them the10th largest architectural practice in the UK.

Sustainability influences the way Stride Treglownruns its practice and since 2009 they havereduced their carbon footprint by 40%. Theirexpertise covers most sectors and they applycommercial awareness to balance the sometimesconflicting aspects of time, cost and quality toachieve the best outcome for our clients.

Stride Treglown have always invested intechnology and are at the forefront of BIMimplementation.

COBIE – UK CASE STUDYSTRIDE TREGLOWN

the BIM process and COBie data requirement(with the lead contractor, other consultants andthe supply chain) to stage 6 – i.e. practicalcompletion.’

What were your individual roles in theproject?Anthony Walsh: ‘I am a Senior Associate andStride Treglown’s Sector Lead for Public &Community, which incorporates this particularwork stream.’

Dean Hunt: ‘I am Stride Treglown’s BIM Co-ordinator responsible for directing the project teamin a collaborative BIM environment to ensure that thegeometric coordination and data requirementswere achieved and fully coordinated. I needed todevelop new workflows and strategies to achievethe COBie data requirements for the project.’

How did this project change the way youworked? ‘We were already familiar with current BIMprocesses, such as coordinating geometry andclash detection. However, the new processrequired us to output intelligent data in a format thatcould be easily accessible to all. This necessitatedimplementing new working practices andprotocols to ensure that these outputs could be

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“Early engagement of the whole project teamis essential to ensure productive output. The management and collaborative culture ofthe team is just as important as the technicalmanipulation of the data.”

Anthony Walsh, Senior Associate, Stride Treglown


incorporated into the COBie schema. Technically,we had to invest in additional add-ins forauthoring tools to enable a more efficientworkflow. We also had to invest time working withother project partners to help them deliver thedata requirements.’

What was the main initial challenge? ‘This was a new way of working, not just for us,but everyone from the client down. The biggestchallenge at the start of the process was the initiallack of understanding by the project team. Theinformation requirements and formats were atfirst ambiguous, but after research into therequirements of COBie, the required levels of databecame clearer and more understandable to us all.’

And the wider challenges? ‘The whole team were fully committed todelivering the project, but not having previouslyworked with COBie, it was a steep learning curvefor everyone involved, including the mechanical &electrical engineers, civil & structural engineers,catering suppliers and key supply chain partners.All were very enthusiastic about working in acollaborative environment. We believe our leadrole was instrumental in ensuring that all partieswere fully integrated into the process.’

How did Solibri become involved? ‘We were aware of the options available to outputCOBie data, including directly from the authoringsoftware itself. Initially this seemed like theobvious and easiest option but unfortunately it didnot satisfy the requirements. It was important tous that we found a way of automating what wasessentially a very manual process, in order to

develop a repeatable workflow for our futureCOBie requirements. We originally became awareof Solibri Model Checker from our attendance atthe ICE BIM Conference in 2012 and it seemedto provide the solution to many of our problems.’

How was Solibri Model Checker (SMC)applied in the project? ‘One of the main problems we faced was how toensure that the model contained the completeand correct COBie data. It is very inefficient tospend time validating, and checking COBieoutputs only to have to correct them further downthe line. Using SMC rule sets, we were able tovalidate the completeness of the COBie outputbefore exporting to the data sheets. Using theclassification tables to coordinate all consultantmodels is a particularly powerful feature of SMC,furthermore, SMCs infinitely configurable userinterface makes coordinating data straightforward and particularly excels when using IFCmodels prepared by varying authoring software.Within SMC we were able to federate all disciplinemodels using IFC, which is the industry standardexchange format and also a requirement of theCOBie deliverable. At every stage, the Solibri UKteam worked with us closely to optimise thesesolutions.’

How successful was the application of SMC? ‘We believe we successfully implemented theworkflow that we initially set out to achieve. Westrongly believe that COBie should be an outputprovided by data in the authoring software whichis then federated, coordinated, validated, andchecked by SMC, which then automates theexport to the completed COBie sheets. By

case study – Stride Treglown

eliminating any manual data entry in the finalCOBie sheets we not only save a huge amountof time, but more importantly eliminate user errorfrom the process. Large projects that require dataoutput from many maintainable assets becomesalmost impossible to achieve without usingautomation software such as SMC.’

How do you see the future for COBie andSolbri’s role in its implementation? ‘Being championed by government, COBie will bebusiness as usual from 2016 and we are alreadyseeing elements of COBie being requested bysome private clients. We feel ultimately that Excelas the output will gradually disappear; however,COBie data will remain and become the universaldelivery method across all projects. StrideTreglown has now adopted SMC software toundertake internal coordination so that as apractice we can deliver fully co-ordinatedbuildings. We feel confident that SMCscommunication method is far superior to itscompetitors and will be an essential componentof future project deliveries.’

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“It was important to us that we found a way ofautomating the process, creating a workflowthat was repeatable. It was imperative to generatethe data requirement via industry standardIFC format as COBie data is a subset of IFC.We strongly believe COBie data should residein the authoring software which can then befederated, coordinated, validated, and checkedby Solibri Model Checker”.

Dean Hunt, BIM Co-ordinator, Stride Treglown

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