Appendices Building Information Modeling … Building Information Modeling Practice Development for the Smithsonian Institution Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014 [This

Appendices

Building Information Modeling

Practice Development

for the

Smithsonian Institution

Design + Construction Strategies

30 April 2014

[This page intentionally left blank]

Appendices - Table of Contents SI Building Information Management

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

IDIQ Contract #F10CC10036 Task Order #: 16-00 Page 2 of 62

Appendix A: SI Use Cases for BIM .............................................................................................................................4

Use Case 1: Project Support with Building Information Modeling (BIM) ................................................................................. 4

Use Case 2: OFEO Building Information Management (BIM Wiki) ............................................................................................. 5

Use Case 3: Campus BIM ............................................................................................................................................................................. 6

Use Case 4: Asset Management and Practice Development......................................................................................................... 7

Use Case 5: OFEO BIM standards and guidelines .............................................................................................................................. 8

Use Case 6: SI Landscape Management ................................................................................................................................................ 9

Use Case 7: Requirements Planning Visual Display and Analysis Tools .................................................................................. 10

Use Case 8: Security Management and Analysis BIM .................................................................................................................... 11

Use Case 9: Historic Preservation Building Information Management ................................................................................... 12

Appendix B: OFEO Stakeholder Interviews ........................................................................................................... 13

BIM for Design Execution ........................................................................................................................................................................... 13

BIM for Design Managers........................................................................................................................................................................... 14

BIM for Energy Management & Facilities Management ................................................................................................................ 14

BIM and Historic Preservation .................................................................................................................................................................. 15

BIM for Smithsonian Gardens (SG) ......................................................................................................................................................... 16

BIM for Security (OPS) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 17

BIM for Program Management and Cost Engineering ................................................................................................................... 17

Appendix C: Estimate for SI BIM Development Chart ........................................................................................ 19

Appendix D: Revit to SI Explorer Workflow Technical Guidance ..................................................................... 21

Existing CAD to Tririga to SI Explorer Workflow ................................................................................................................................ 21

Proposed Workflow 1: Revit to CAD + Tririga Plug-in to SI Explorer ........................................................................................ 23

Proposed Workflow 2: Revit TO FME Workbench to SI Explorer ................................................................................................ 28

Proposed Workflow 3: Revit + FME Revit Add-in to SI Explorer ................................................................................................. 30

Appendix E: NMAAHC Model Review ................................................................................................................... 33

NMAAHC Model Evaluation ...................................................................................................................................................................... 33

Recommendations for Revit Model Element Requirements by Discipline .............................................................................. 34

Appendix F: BIM Checklist for Completion .......................................................................................................... 37

Appendix G: Revit Model Checker Add-In Application ..................................................................................... 39

Appendix H: Revit Parameters for SI Data ............................................................................................................ 45

SI Spatial Parameters .................................................................................................................................................................................... 45

SI Asbestos Parameters ............................................................................................................................................................................... 46

SI Asset Parameters ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 47

Appendix I: BIM Guidelines and Standards .......................................................................................................... 49

Level of Development (LOD) ..................................................................................................................................................................... 49

Project BIM Requirements .......................................................................................................................................................................... 52

BIM Practice Guidance ................................................................................................................................................................................. 53

Reference List of Current Industry BIM Standards ............................................................................................................................ 54

Appendix J: Revit Energy Modeling Overview and Best Practices ................................................................. 57

Appendices - Table of Contents SI Building Information Management




SI Building Information Management



Appendix A: SI Use Cases for BIM

USE CASE 1: PROJECT SUPPORT WITH BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING

(BIM)

Value Proposition:

BIM is increasingly being adopted throughout the AEC industry, bringing increased efficiencies and accuracy to

project workflows and deliverables. The SI BIM inventory of FM building information models to leverage this

emerging technology will improve capital project execution, engage consultant teams and improve building

information management for the full facilities lifecycle.

Supporting Data Systems:

• CAD (Autodesk AutoCAD software based, Q drive repository): The SI has a robust inventory of

CAD as-built files to support the development of FM-BIM.

• Building Information Models (Autodesk Revit): SI has a number of Revit models of varying detail

and levels of refinement

• SI Explorer (ESRI ArcInfo): Workflows delivering updated as-built (2D) plans from Revit-based

projects, replicating current AutoCAD to SI Explorer (via Tririga)

• Tririga Facility Center: System of record for space and asset data. SI and project BIMs will develop,

record and deliver a set of SI space data fields at project completion

Users: SI project stakeholders: DMs (as reviewers, coordinators); AEC contractors (project team)

Key Facets:

• An up-to-date BIM inventory will provide project contractors with accurate BIMs at project

initiation to jump start project development

• BIM provides a visual 3D medium for reviewing project design intent, investigating potential

conflicts and areas of concern, and invigorating progress reviews

• Requiring project deliverables in BIM will provide SI with:

- A project BIM “as-built” Revit file as the project record

- An updated master FM BIM

- 2D floor plans for incorporation into SI CAD repository and SI Explorer

- Room/space data for intake into the Tririga FC database (space system of record)

• A lightweight “viewing” application to facilitate BIM review for non-technical users is desirable.

• An SI BIM inventory will provide the framework for supporting additional use cases such as Asset

Management, Smithsonian Gardens, Historic Preservation, OPS.

Figure 1: 3D Section through NASM Revit model

Appendix A: SI Use Cases for BIM SI Building Information Management



USE CASE 2: OFEO BUILDING INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (BIM WIKI)

Value Proposition:

The multiple offices within SI OFEO employ many data systems and information tools in support of the wide range

of business processes they execute in support of the facilities life cycle. This wide landscape of applications can

make finding information challenging. A web-based portal (intranet) to aggregate key building information and

provide shortcuts to existing OFEO data systems (CAD plans, asset information, historical preservation data,

master plans, and other domains) could provide an easy-to-use, customizable resource for the many parties

needing building information within SI. Since most activities are based on an SI facility, wikis would be building-

based (e.g. the National Air & Space Museum wiki).

Supporting Data Systems: Microsoft SharePoint Leveraging SI’s existing enterprise application framework

and development experience.

Users: OFEO staff, SI building “clients”

Key Facets:

Potential to include collaboration features, such as calendars/scheduling, collaboration/social networking

capabilities (FAQs, announcements, discussion forums)

Quick links (shortcuts) to often used OFEO applications/data

sources for that building, such as:

• Document Locator (with pre-constructed queries for

commonly used searches)

• Building floor plans

• 3D (BIM) model view

• SI Explorer with the building view

• Asset or space data

• Facility Center data for the building

• Photos or videos

• Training resources

• Reports, guidance (master plans, historic preservation, 5

year capital plan)

• Other SI SharePoint sites (IFTs)

Web access and functionality for mobile devices (phone, tablet).

Figure 2: Mockup of SI SharePoint Wiki for

Building Information Management




USE CASE 3: CAMPUS BIM

Value Proposition:

In addition to containing the prominent and historic

museums located in downtown Washington, DC, SI’s real

property portfolio is challenged with managing several

geographically dispersed campuses, containing multiple

buildings, structures and land assets. The information

support strategies for managing these campuses will

inherently be more diverse than those directed at a

single building. thus presenting a use case for

integrating SI’s BIM, GIS and database applications in a

coordinated, visual and easy to use framework.

This data development approach could integrate

analytic capabilities for energy/water analysis, space and

asset management, security and safety reviews,

collections management, master planning, grounds and

roads management, among other information support

needs.


• SI Explorer (ESRI ArcInfo)

• Autodesk Revit

• Database (TBD)

• Analysis Applications (Green Building Studio/Energy analysis; blast and security; TBD)

Users: SI OFEO NZP personnel, OPS, OSHEM

Key Facets:

• Development of building information models for key facilities

• Other facilities to be built out at a simple level of detail to support key uses (space management,

energy analysis)

• Inclusion of standard data attributes (parameters) for all models (may include property data, such

as name, use, hours of operation, etc., room/space information, key asset data)

• The campus models would provide capabilities to analyze and benchmark water and energy use

and calibrate the analysis with the facility’s historical utility bills

• Potential to incorporate additional data overlays to analyze performance across the portfolio (e.g.

water use per square foot, project requirements per facility, per year, etc.), GIS analytics

• A prototype would test and establish the practical synergies between a working BIM inventory,

effective LODs and experiment with a cross-functional GIS implementation for analysis and

reporting.

Figure 3: National Zoological Park’s DC Campus, GIS view




USE CASE 4: ASSET MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT

Value Proposition:

BIM’s capabilities to incorporate a wealth of data for building components is incentivizing facilities owners to

require as-built BIM deliverables from the AEC team at project completion. The capability to harvest structured

asset information from BIM offers FM organizations a means to quickly populate their CAFM/IWMS databases

with detailed data on building components installed in the project.

Each client organization is unique in their asset management requirements. To support the specific practice goals

of SI and guide the project team, a clear specification of the asset data required at project completion is essential.

The scope of the data to be contained in the model will benefit from being realistically right-sized to be data that

will be actively utilized for ongoing lifecycle management for the building.


• Autodesk Revit: BIM authoring application

• TBD: COBie framework, Revit add-ins

• MS Excel: Autodesk Revit to Tririga FC exchange format

• Tririga Facility Center: Asset data system of record

Users: OPDC project team, OFMR asset managers (potential OPS use)

Key Facets:

• Specification for BIM asset data development (practice guidelines)

• Revit asset template and user guide

• Asset frameworks for BIM (COBie alignment review and use guidelines, alternatives)

Figure 4: Required data collection for SI assets

Figure 5: Building Information Model and asset data (displayed in

Navisworks, image by Autodesk)




USE CASE 5: OFEO BIM STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES

Value Proposition:

Building information modeling and management is both a technology and a practice, offering to foster better

information support and increased efficiency for project planning, execution and facilities management.

To fully support the adoption of BIM, enhancements and additions to current documents and practice standards,

and guidance for BIM use for project support and as a part of ongoing management of the building lifecycle will

facilitate implementations and foster consistency. As a developing and rapidly evolving practice, BIM guidance

documents might best be developed in a web-based document format, such as SharePoint.

Users: OPDC project participants (DMs), AEC project contractors. OFMR, OPS BIM users [TBD]

Key Facets:

• BIM project execution plan (PxP) master and guidance for project customization

• BIM contract language revisions (OPDC docs)

• SI BIM Guidelines

• SI BIM Standards (naming conventions, file management and location of subject matter)

Prerequisites:

• Green lighting OEDC document revisions, business process change

Drivers:

• Increased project efficiency, currency with AEC practice developments

• Enhanced data delivery for ongoing facilities lifecycle management

Figure 6: BIM Guidelines, PxP templates Figure 7: Contract document updates for

BIM




USE CASE 6: SI LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT

Value Proposition:

A key component of SI real property portfolio are the landscaped grounds surrounding its many facilities. Effective

management of landscape areas relies on data support for utility management, irrigation systems, planting area

design and maintenance, tree management, project staging area control and greenhouse operations. Grounds

management dovetails with the Campus Management use case, with an enhanced focus on mapping exterior

systems, vegetative assets and data to inform operations and maintenance in these focus areas. The greenhouse

operations offer a special opportunity to manage practices and assets within these buildings with BIM.


• SI Explorer (ESRI ArcInfo GIS with a landscape/horticulture template)

• Autodesk Revit

Users: Smithsonian Gardens, OFEO capital project teams

Key Facets:

• Build-out GIS layers for landscape assets, utilities

• Greenhouse BIM for asset management (building components), space use, vegetative

components, energy management

Drivers:

• Motivated SG power users

• Visual data management capabilities

Figure 9: Ground management - GIS + BIM

(Haupt Gardens, SI BIM)

Figure 8: BIM for greenhouse management




USE CASE 7: REQUIREMENTS PLANNING VISUAL DISPLAY AND ANALYSIS

TOOLS

Value Proposition:

The Smithsonian’s project planning process focuses on prioritizing requirements for all of the agency’s facilities.

The endeavor is intrinsically location-based -- project requirements have definable building locations affiliated

with them. This data could provide for a location-based analysis of upcoming project requirements. A visual

layout of upcoming project loads, scope and cost, within a geospatial application such as SI Explorer could

provide a powerful means for understanding upcoming project activities across SI portfolio.


• Max.gov for requirements collection

• Visual Data Tool: CAD/BIM/GIS application (TBD)

Users: FICE, requirements users, IFTs, PMs

Key Facets:

• Providing a utility for individuals developing project requirements to easily input the location

graphically. This will be dependent on tools and technologies that are currently difficult to find

within commercial software marketplace. The requirements database also is still in its initial

development stages.

Prerequisites:

• Technology tools to integrate building location graphics and selection with the requirements data

base




USE CASE 8: SECURITY MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS BIM

Value Proposition:

An SI FM BIM inventory would offer the Office of Protection Services capabilities to analyze the location and

positioning of security assets prior to installation, and also provide a means to simulate building performance in

response to a critical event. As with all building components, detailed data for security assets could be developed

and delivered with project BIMs for intake into OPS asset management database applications.


• Autodesk Revit

• OPS Asset Management Database

Users: OPS, Project AEC team/security consultants

Key Facets:

• SI BIM to support building performance analyses such as blast, collapse, seismic, wind structural

vulnerability assessment, impact, glazing system, infiltration/CFD

• Deliver component data at project delivery for security assets

• Evaluate device positioning, coverage in the 3D model for device detection patterns, camera

coverage

• Incorporate security zones within SI BIMs

Prerequisites:

• Developed SI Building Information Models

Camera view modeling

Blast

analysis

modeling

Figure 10: Camera asset tracking and 3D view

within BIM

Figure 11: BIM analysis for blast




USE CASE 9: HISTORIC PRESERVATION BUILDING INFORMATION

MANAGEMENT

Value Proposition:

To support OFEO’s Historic Preservation (HP) efforts to identify key areas of historic value throughout SI facilities,

SI BIM inventory could be enhanced with additional parameters to record historic attributes.

Information currently residing in the Historic Structures reports/iManage application could achieve better visibility

by their inclusion (links) in the proposed BIM wiki. The information tracked in these reports could be the basis for

detailing the HP data attributes to include in the FM BIM models.


• Autodesk Revit

• BIM Wiki (SharePoint)

• iManage or database application

Users: Historic Preservation; DMs and OPDC project teams; project AEC team/security consultants; OFMR

Key Facets:

• BIM wiki section referencing Historic Preservation data for a building

• BIM overlay for Historic Preservation zones locations and attributes (TBD)

• Inclusion of HP data fields within the standard SI Revit template to support easier access

development and viewing of HP information incorporated within SI Revit BIM models

Prerequisites:

• Developed SI FM Building Information Model

Figure 12: Historic building attributes and areas of interest

within BIM models (Freer Museum, SI BIM)

Figure 13: Historic building details for ‘BIM Wiki’

(similar to GSA Historic Buildings Database shown

here)




Appendix B: OFEO Stakeholder Interviews

BIM FOR DESIGN EXECUTION

Thursday January 9, 2014: Sylvia Kendra, Brenda Sanchez, Kelan Dyer, Kristen Winters, Anna Gryskevich, Lee

Robertson, Louise Sabol/DCStrategies

NMAAHC is the first new construction project executed with BIM at SI. As such, there was a lot of discussion,

during the early stages of the project about utilizing building information modeling. .

The goal of SI, as regards to BIM, was to get the most that they could on the project. BIM on this project is

primarily a design tool. (Note: Revit is being used as a 2D/3D design tool, but it can also be used solely in a 2D

format as an equal to AutoCAD, in combination with 3D including a model (BIM) or can be expanded to provide

other information usable for asset management, scheduling and pricing).

The final delivery of the design BIM will be in the spring of 2014. A project ‘as-built’ BIM (model) will not be

delivered to SI. The contractor, Clark, will be delivering marked up CAD files for turnover to SI at project

completion. SI will in turn give it to the A/E who will produce 2-D “As Built” documents. (These mark-ups will be

picked up/issued through the Revit documents, exported to an AutoCAD format and delivered to SI.) The model

does include SI space naming.

Uses for the NMAAHC BIM include the coordination of the work of the major disciplines (MEP/FP, Structural and

Architecture) and clash detection. It also facilitates review of design issues, certain areas of interest, client reviews

and determination of paths for equipment. Using BIM instead of CAD has allowed the design team to

accommodate changes more expeditiously. BIM is utilized as a management tool in the on-site project trailer. It is

not utilized for design.

The architect of record is providing a BIM to the contractor, as a courtesy, although it is not required in their

contract. The contractor, Clark/Smoot/Russell, is using BIM for their own internal project work processes, including

clash detection.

Delivery of the updated model to SI was fraught with problems early in the project. Difficulties encountered by SI

in the process included transmission of the BIM model because its size exceeded the capacity of SI system, as well

as not having the current version of BIM software. Versions are updated yearly by the vendor, Autodesk.

[DCStrategies can see how packaging and distributing a multi-office, multi-component BIM to a third party (the

trailer) could be loaded with difficulties]

BIM’s utility in minimizing RFIs during project development did not happen. This was mostly due to the project,

not the technology. The fast-track project delivery method chosen for NMAAHC added to the challenges of

construction and required many more RFIs than a Design-Bid-Build delivery.

The project team involves 32 consultants - not all of them were utilizing BIM. The major participants (AEs) have

used BIM for NMAAHC’s design and preparation of construction documents, including the mechanical consultant .

Many smaller subs, however, are utilizing CAD. Contract documents are 2-D. For this project, BIM is not a contract

document.

The AE team is utilizing a shared central file that resides with one of the firms. In this case, the project BIM is

composed of the central file (model) and a model from each discipline. Each discipline’s model is incorporated into

the central file (model) regularly. The SI (trailer) does not have real time access to the current model but does

receive an updated version from the AE with each scheduled major submission.

In the past, The BIM mechanical component has lagged in development to some extent, but the project was

fortunate to have a large firm on the team that was able to deliver a BIM model for the MEP/FP disciplines.

Appendix B: Stakeholder Interviews SI Building Information Management



Note: Although BIM has the capability to support asset management, NMAAHC decided not to utilize BIM for

additional purposes beyond design since SI didn’t have the capabilities at the time to leverage those capabilities.

BIM FOR DESIGN MANAGERS

Wed. Dec 11 2013: Mike Carrancho, Sylvia Kendra, Rebecca Kokinda, Raminder Bindra, Mike Henry, Tim Brown,

Louise Sabol/DCStrategies

• One of the biggest problems DMs deal with is finding information about buildings within Document

Locator. Lack of good metadata attached to files, particularly those archived between the aperture card

era and the current system. (Resolution of problem not in BIM scope). BIM Wiki concept can imbed links

(SQL queries) to quickly retrieve files of a facility.

• BIM design reviews could be useful and DMs would be amenable to model reviews, but these would not

obviate current, detailed reviews of standard progress sets.

• BIM for NASM will be very timely for supporting the upcoming renovation project for the building

(approx. 5 years in duration).

• Project deliverables :

• SI is not getting complete CAD (BIM) as-builts currently. This is a matter of policy/practice not

cost/technology. Some project CAD deliverables are exported from consultant’s project BIMs

• SI would be willing to accept higher project costs in return for accurate as-built BIMs, in order to seed

development of their BIM inventory; provide new projects with more accurate information for

upcoming projects; and improve SI information base and increase efficiencies

• (Question - Are AEC practitioners seeing a reduction in RFI’s by utilizing BIM?) Yes, one example:

http://www.mortenson.com/page_gp_vdc_leadership_measuringimpact.aspx

• Accurate/findable shop drawings would be a valuable resource for the DMs. Material and finish

samples are not - once a building is closed out they are no longer useful. (Potentially review COBie

capabilities for this at SI)

• BIM would be valuable in the planning stages of a project, in order to study “what-ifs” and conduct early

cost estimates, energy studies, design alternatives.

BIM FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT & FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

Thurs. 12/12/13: Sylvia Kendra/OBATS, Dan Davies/OFMR - NZP, Tom Serra/OFMR - Energy Management,

Louise Sabol/DCStrategies

• The Zoo manages a lot of small buildings (including 26 public buildings). Zoo buildings are particularly

challenging to manage energy-wise. The organization’s mandate and priority is first and foremost to the

animals. The buildings are some of the most energy inefficient at SI and have significant humidification

needs, involve security, unique design conditions (Sea Lion pools)

• Water use is a significant cost and a source of inefficiency at the zoo. Energy use is important as well. (For

most SI facilities, energy use is the greater cost). Mechanical and lighting systems are also key contributors

to energy use (supporting the collections)

• Asset data is a significant information resource to OFMR - data about components is tracked in SI Tririga

Facility Center system

• Asset data is affiliated with their (building and) room locations, and if they reside in a large room, they are

also located by noting proximity to the nearest column grid (location code)

• The Tririga FC system is difficult to upgrade since it has been so highly customized over the years for

particular SI requirements (some current, some legacy). Access to the system is highly siloed by OCIO

http://www.mortenson.com/page_gp_vdc_leadership_measuringimpact.aspx




requirements - access to FC databases is very restricted (getting data from FC to external applications thus

will be difficult). Any upgrades to the FC system, such as those affecting external systems like SI Explorer in

particular (with approx. 20000 links to FC) are particularly onerous

• BIM could be useful in tracking asset data for M&R. Being able to visualize the location of assets would be

a useful capability - a tech may know the location of assets, but if others need to access/ inspect/service a

component, its location won’t be readily intuited

• OFMR is moving to a “Reliability Centered Maintenance” model (vs. reactive). In this practice, a PM

(preventative maintenance task) may include perhaps a dozen different components. The work order will

attach information on each of these - having graphic and detailed component data from BIM would be

very useful.

• Tririga FC does track photos for assets. These are useful (potential wiki content?)

• “Lock out/Tag out” is one O&M work process that could benefit from better data support. OFMR will need

to service sensitive areas, involving processes/check-off for security, control of access, safety. Example

areas: Lion area (have to make sure the Lion is not there); Art Collection Storage areas (need permissions

to enter; safeguard objects if maintenance needs to be performed)

• Energy management within OFMR needs to track where its utility meters and sub-meters are located, and

where shut offs for power are. Would be extremely useful to have this data in an emergency situation

(fire). Not all of the NZP buildings are metered

• BIM at a simplified Level of Detail may assist SI campus locations in tracking data such as energy/water

user, meter/shutoff locations, square footage data in a geospatial platform

• BIM could be useful for vetting mechanical, electrical and other component designs that involve tight

installations in existing facilities - avoiding costly mistakes and bad installations. Example of the Reynolds

Center.

• There have been a couple of BIMs developed for NZP projects (Sea Lion, xyz)

• Does BIM support BAS data? BIM prototypes for ingesting and displaying are being researched and

developed but are not publically available at this time (See Autodesk Research Project Dasher,

http://www.autodeskresearch.com/projects/dasher )

• There is a judgment area about how much data/detail to develop. If data is not used, accessed regularly,

the data currency suffers. Any data resource with invalid, inaccurate, or outdated information becomes

suspect and will not be used. Have to implement a LOD that can be kept active, updated

• A means to perform a predictive analysis of seasonal control changes for building systems with BIM would

be useful. Currently, OFMR does analysis with spreadsheets and some eQuest modeling. The SI BIM

requirements will include development of 3D rooms and spaces in the model

BIM AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Thursday 12/12/2013: Sharon Park, Sylvia Kendra, Louise Sabol/DCStrategies

• OFEO Historic Preservation (HP) is working with OFMR in identifying key areas in the facilities that have

historic value and require special consideration - and coordination in project execution

• HP utilizes a GSA developed zone standard for classifying the historic nature of building features into

three zones (a breakdown into more zones would be more effective)

• As an example of how HP is involved in projects can be seen in the current Cooper Hewitt Garden Design

Projects - where several reviews of the proposed design highlighted renovations that would adversely

affect key elements in the facility and did not adhere to SI standards

• HP is active in monitoring and reviewing about 20 ongoing projects per FY

http://www.autodeskresearch.com/projects/dasher




• Historic Preservation produces the Historic Structures reports, noting materials of significance and

conditions in the facilities. Their narratives are recorded in the iManage system. (Potential wiki content?)

• The SI are moving to a more methodical process in enforcing a decision framework supporting historic

preservations. In the past, any issues/conflicts arising during renovations had been up to the OFEO

director to decide. Aim is to provide a more criteria-based framework to for decision making

• HP collaborates with the OFEO master planning group. There are many occasions in which documents are

retrieved to support the planning and review process (NCPC reviews, etc.)

• A visual means to display significant historic building element, and an overlay of historic zone on a

building model would be very useful

BIM FOR SMITHSONIAN GARDENS (SG)

Friday 12/13/13: Jonathan Kavalier, Vickie Dibella, Brett McNish, William Donnelly, Barbara Faust [SG], Sylvia

Kendra, Louise Sabol/DCStrategies

Information & Practice

• They SG maintains a tree database and a tree layer in the GIS system (using the ESRI database and a GIS

template for landscape - although not all the features in the template ). Would like to expand tracking to

include irrigation system. Will eventually be adding street furniture, planters, et al. to the system

• SG has mapped the Haupt Gardens storm drains to remediate problems with standing water (mosquitos)

to facilitate treatment/remediation of the situation and ongoing monitoring. Field survey revealed a

significant quantity of drains they didn’t know about. Upcoming efforts will map valves

• SG will provide up-to-date drawings for this consolidation effort

• Typically when SG needs to locate assets, they do so from existing CAD drawings – some of these are

accurate, some not, it generally involves research

Planned Initiatives and Wish List

• SG would like a central “folder” for holding their information, including irrigation layouts, assets data. The

long term goal is to identify main lines, valves, zones, quick couplers (lateral lines, although desirable,

would be difficult)

• An accurate map of their assets would save time, avoid problems, mitigate expenses.

• SG plans to map [tree] root area disturbance areas for SI tree inventory and turf protection zones.

• Potential for BIM - to model their new greenhouses and have the capability to track water, energy and

irrigation systems. SI has 14 greenhouses over 10 acres at the Suitland campus. Their current operation is

100% responsible for growing new plantings and has upped their needs to manage assets

• Capital projects: Currently includes SG in planning on a “shotgun” basis. IFT’s and other SI initiatives are

helping to improve project coordination, but currently they aren’t always apprised of a project that could

impact SI gardens. They are included in the SD 410 distribution list to some extent, although better

coordination on issues is needed

• Example: at NASM-Hazy, the current bird exclusion work needs a coordinated effort to reduce bird

infiltrations at the facility’s large doors

• At NMAI, the exterior glass doors have no sweeps thus causing an infiltration of mice into the building

• Tririga FC usage: There needs to be a framework and definitions for classifying and locating exterior

assets, such as water lines (Interior assets are well defined as far as location – affiliated with by the room

number. Obviously this won’t work for components external to the building)

• SG would benefit from having improved construction management information/scheduling, providing

insight into the project schedules that affect their domain (MS Project currently tracks design only)




• SG notes that there are significant components to many renovation projects that involve/affect the

grounds. The upcoming NASM renovation will affect SG assets including irrigation systems, trees and

planting (planned and unplanned removal), cisterns. This data could potentially be included in the BIM

and asset with project planning

• The upcoming SU Campus Master Plan will provide a lot of detail on the grounds in between SI buildings.

This information would be useful to include in a portal/SI Wiki application

• Sustainability - can this be tracked in a data system (either in BIM or GIS)? The capability to easily

ascertain the sustainability/LEED data for SI facilities, review, compare would be beneficial

BIM FOR SECURITY (OPS)

Friday 12/13/13: Rick Perks, Paul Bennett, Davit Stirrett, Hugh Meehan, Nick Schnare, (Doug Hall) [OPS], Sylvia

Kendra, Louise Sabol/DCStrategies

• Coordination can be an issue between OFEO departments. For example: Trees planted outside the

Hirshhorn have grown over the years - interfering with the cameras placed by OPS. Can this be anticipated

ahead of time? Remediated by better information?

• Having schedules for upcoming exhibit projects would be extremely useful (but hard to obtain). Any

information would be useful. Currently, a lack of information causes issues for OPS

• Potential building wiki would need to have tiered user permissions. Displaying OPS information in a

shared portal would be beneficial but must be limited to approved users/user groups

• Collection storage rooms have special needs - such as a requirement for metal mesh in the walls. For

upcoming projects, it would be useful to be able to retrieve this data and provide it to the project team.

• [Does OPS have a need for zone drawings?] Currently, they provide CAD plans to their system contractor

who ingest the layouts into their system. 3D views of a floor would be very useful. At some point in the

future, system vendors might accommodate using these.

• Use cases for OPS include camera view coverage mapping, range of motion views - these are mostly 2D.

Upgraded blast studies would be helpful (to include building components beyond the structure - glass

curtain walls, for example) .

• There are benefits to 3D that would show limitations of the device detection patterns as it relates to

mounting heights

• Being able to map/model flow and infiltration of potential chemical/biological/radiological elements that

may be introduced internally or externally would be also helpful

• Some other useful life safety modeling would be evacuation modeling (based on different emergency

scenarios)

BIM FOR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND COST ENGINEERING

12/16/2013: Mike Carrancho, Sylvia Kendra, John Talkington, Mingus Wilson, Shelly Arnoldi, Louise

Sabol/DCStrategies

Program Management

• Program managers are involved in developing project requirements and programs for building projects

with their facilities clients, utilizing spreadsheets for tracking the evolving 5 year capital plan. This is

changing with the new Requirements Branch

• BIM has not been actively used on most SI capital projects to date. BIM may be in use within the AEC

practices of SI project teams, but has not been required by SI




• BIM would be beneficial in project development to help communicate and visualize potential changes and

designs with the buildings/project clients

• BIM would be helpful, particularly with the existing, historic SI buildings, to coordinate renovations in tight

and sensitive project areas

Requirements & Capital Planning

• The developing requirements application has a data field that locates a requirement/proposed project in

an SI facility and attaches a PDF of the floor area involved. Ideally, this could be an electronic “area”

boundary. This would give capital planning the capability to see all proposed projects/requirements

mapped out visually and aid the planning process. With current technologies, this would be challenging to

accommodate - hopefully new technologies will emerge as the system matures

Cost Engineering

• There are BIM plug-in applications that support project costing but are not at a level of detail/ease-of-use

that SI Costing Engineers currently operate at

• BIM-supported cost estimates require detailed building models. SI does not have an inventory of BIMS at

this LOD yet

• Mingus Wilson will keep abreast of BIM-based applications as they cross his desk U.S. Cost Success, Beck

(macro costing)




Appendix C: Estimate for SI BIM Development Chart

Appendix C SI Building Information Management







Appendix D: Revit to SI Explorer Workflow Technical Guidance

EXISTING CAD TO TRIRIGA TO SI EXPLORER WORKFLOW

Figure 14: Existing CAD to Tririga to GIS workflow

Hierarchy and Data Types for SI-GIS

The information uploaded to SI Explorer follows a general structure. The higher level types contain the broader or

more general spatial definitions and telescope down to more detailed types within the building.

Location

o Property: Point data with unique name and global location

Land: Polygon data –the physical boundary of the property

Structure: Polygon data –a facility or a constructed object without any interior space that can be

occupied

Building: Polygon data – a fully enclosed facility with space that can be occupied by staff, even if

only temporarily

Floors: Polygon data – a horizontal cross-section of a building corresponding to a recognized

stair or elevator landing designation, including roofs

Interior Spaces: Polygon data – a division within a floor that indicates a unique area

and/or use

Appendix D: Revit to SI Explorer SI Building Information Management



o Exterior Spaces: Polygon data – a division within land that indicates a unique area, use and/or type of

surface

Process Overview to Create Master Architectural Records

Master records files are broken down into two main types: FP (floor plan) and AC (Area Calculation).

The following procedure is used to import AutoCAD drawing files into SI Master Architectural Records.

Review the “As-Is” CAD submission drawings (from the AEC project team) for adherence to SI standards

o Review drawing contents such as standard base layers, x-refs, insertion point, etc.

Create FP and AC (room and floor polyline) files

o Trace over each room on each floor to create room polylines (cumbersome, time-consuming

process)

o Trace the exterior gross floor polyline and the interior gross floor polyline to exterior and interior faces

of the exterior wall respectively for each floor of the building (cumbersome, time-consuming

process)

Validate database records in Facility Center (FC)

o Log into the Facility Center web application

o Verify the database so that there is:

Only one floor record for every “FP” and “AC” drawing

Only one space record for every room number in the AC drawing for each floor

o Add or retire floors as necessary and document ACM (asbestos) data, if necessary

o Retire rooms/spaces if necessary, and then upload any new rooms/spaces and document ACM data, if

necessary

Facility Center Floor and Room (Space) Data Import

o If the changes are:

Minor - Execute a “room/data change” and/or “room addition/subtraction” (Update FC records)

Major (at least involves entire floors) - Execute a Facility Center import

o Attach FC Records to respective polylines via Tririga’s CAD Integrator in AutoCAD

Log in to CAD Integrator within AutoCAD

Attach the drawing to the appropriate floor. Make sure to set the “Drawing unit to mm” and

“Display unit to feet” in the “attach location” dialog box

Attach the gross area to the exterior floor polyline

Attach the gross measured area to the interior floor polyline

Attach respective spaces to the room polylines

Polylines get hatched indicating attachment

DO NOT manipulate CAD Integrator entities or attached entities while not signed in to the

IBM TRIRIGA application

DO NOT copy and paste CAD Integrator entities or attached entities because copying

maintains the same attachment data. CAD Integrator cannot distinguish between the two

items and intermittent issues can occur.

Any rooms that refuse to upload automatically must have records created for them and be

attached manually

Save and close the “AC” file

Publish to SI Explorer – ETL Process (Extract, Transform and Load)

o Extract

Export building.shp from existing SI GIS database

o Transform

Geo reference FP and AC files in AutoCAD using the exported building.shp file

o Load




Import the geo-referenced CAD file into GIS using ArcCatalog and ArcMap

Edit attribute information to match data in FC records in ArcMap attribute table

Save edits and stop editing

Close out the project, and verify in SI Explorer

PROPOSED WORKFLOW 1: REVIT TO CAD + TRIRIGA PLUG-IN TO SI EXPLORER

Figure 15: Proposed Revit to CAD to Tririga Spatial Integrator to GIS Workflow (Option 1)




Create Master Architectural Records Using Revit - Process Overview

Preparing the BIM Model to Export to Standard SI Project Deliverables

Creating SI Floor Plans (FP)

The SI Revit template has been set up with customized floor plan views, serving to hold customized SI

spatial information. These floor plan views will have the following naming convention:

GIS_*_FP_FloorPlan_WORK (* = floor number)

These “floor plan” views contain SI required FP plans (with no annotations, no unnecessary layers, no CAD

underlays, etc.) and should be created for each floor in the building. To fully populate the BIM for all of the

building’s floors, similar views should be created by duplicating the respective floor plan view and then

applying SI-FloorPlanLines view template for each required floor.

Creating SI Area Calculation Plans (AC)

The SI Revit template’s SI-GIS_*_AC_FloorPlan_WORK view (* = floor number) has been set up to display

room object information (such as room names, numbers, etc.) that is to be exported to SI GIS application.

To fully populate the BIM for all the building’s floors, similar views should be created for additional floors

in the building. This can be done by duplicating the respective floor plan and then applying SI_Rooms

view template to each.

Creating Area Plans - Gross Building & Rentable for SI-GIS

The SI Revit template has also set up views for two types of area plans: Gross Building and Rentable, to

support tracking and transfer of these area tabulations to SI Explorer (GIS). The views include an SI-GIS

area plan for a floor’s gross area (Revit calculates gross area bounded by the exterior side of the exterior

wall. Also known as “gross area” in FC); and a view for rentable area (Revit calculates rentable area

bounded by the interior side of the exterior wall. This is also known as “gross measured area” in FC).

The template’s SI-GIS_*_Floor_WORK_ExteriorOfExteriorWall (* = floor number) view has been set up to

display floor area information (bounded by the exterior side of the exterior wall). To create similar views

for additional floors in the building, duplicate the respective floor area plan (Gross Building), and then

apply SI_Floors view template to each.

The template’s SI-GIS_*_Floor_WORK_InteriorOfExteriorWall (* = floor number) view has been set up to

display floor area information (bounded by the interior side of the exterior wall). To create similar views for

additional floors in the building, duplicate the respective floor area plan (Rentable), and then apply

SI_Floors view template to each.

Note: For more information, refer to the detailed workflow in the “Using SI Revit Template – Creating SI-

GIS Floor & Area Plans” section in SI Revit Template User Guide, also delivered under this task order.

A project team should either create or verify the existence of all the above-mentioned views for all the

floors - as part of their final BIM deliverable. The SI staff will check these files after project acceptance and

proceed to execute the Tririga CAD integrator steps and then the GIS (ETL) steps.

Exporting Custom Revit Views for SI-GIS Floor and Area Plan to CAD

• Use the Revit Export-to-CAD Formats tool, and select DWG format.

• In the Modify DWG/DXF Export Setup dialog, on the General tab, specify export options to

click the check box next to Export rooms, spaces and areas as polylines (under Room, space

and area boundaries)

• In the same dialog, on the Units & Coordinates tab, select Millimeter for units




• In the same dialog, on the Layers tab, scroll to the bottom of the layer list and make sure the

Room Polylines are mapped to A-RM-AREA-BNDY layer by changing the A-AREA-BNDY layer

name and change the ColorID to 6 and click OK

• In the DWG (or DXF) Export dialog, specify which views to export to the DWG file. When ready to

export, click Next

• In the Export CAD Formats dialog, navigate to the target folder for the exported files, enter the

project name, and click OK

• Revit will export the selected views to DWG files, placing them in the target folder specified

• When the exported CAD files are opened in AutoCAD for the first time, the A-AREA-BNDY and

A-RM-AREA-BNDY layers (where the space and floor polylines are saved) are turned off. To view

the polylines, turn on both these layers, and save the files for future use

Final Steps

• Validating database records in Facility Center (FC) – See the section above

• Importing Facility Center Floor and Room (Space) Data – See the section above

• Publishing to SI Explorer – ETL Process (Extract, Transform and Load) – See the section above

• Closing out the project and verifying in SI Explorer

Revit to CAD SI Explorer Testing Log

In order to test the “To-Be” Revit-to-CAD-to-Tririga-to-GIS workflow, the National Air and Space Museum (NASM)

Revit model was chosen as a pilot project. The table below shows the steps to test the pilot data exchange project

data.

Table 3: Revit to SI Explorer Testing Log

Task Steps

Planned

Effort

(Hours)

Actual

Effort

(Hours)

Reason for

deviation

Modifications done to

the NASM Revit model

to complete and

correct the model as

per the latest dwg and

pdf files provided

1. Corrected the grids and levels as per the

master record dwg files and pdf files

provided

2. Corrected exteriors and roof of the

building as per the dwg files provided

3. Added interior walls, exhibit partitions

4. Added stairs, escalators to the entire

building including basement areas

8

40

80

40

24

80

80

40

Verification of all

the files took

more time than

usual as there

were multiple

files for same

floor to identify

the latest dwgs

Application of SI Revit

Template created by

DCStrategies

1. Created SI views for 1st, 2

nd and 3

rd floors

for proof of concept testing

2. Added rooms to the floors enclosing the

bigger exhibit areas for proof of concept

3. Created SI schedules as per the template

4

8

4

4

8

4

Export of SI views to

CAD using SI Revit

Template guidelines

Followed the methodology to export SI Area

Calculation (AC) and Floor Plan Lines (FP)

views illustrated in SI Revit Template

guidelines

4 4




Extract geo-referenced

NASM building outline

from the delivered SI’s

NASM geo-database

file

Followed the steps drafted in SI’s “TSB Data

Procedures 2013-07-08 V4 7” document to

extract the geo-referenced NASM building

outline from the delivered SI’s NASM geo-

database file

4 4

Geo-reference the

CAD files exported

from the NASM Revit

model

Followed the steps drafted in SI’s “TSB Data

Procedures 2013-07-08 V4 7” document to

geo-reference the CAD files exported from

the NASM Revit model

16 16

The development of the Revit Model in the figure below illustrates the inclusion of required building objects, such

as interior walls, stairs, escalators, basement levels, rooms, etc. to the SI National Air and Space Museum model.

Figures 17 and 18 show the Revit SI-GIS views that will be exported to CAD.

Figure 16: SI NASM Revit model views




Figure 17: Revit Area Plan - views from SI Revit Architectural Template used for spatial data development and export to CAD

Figure 18: Revit AC (Area Calculation) Floor Plan view used for spatial data development and export to CAD

After DWG files have been exported from Revit - generally by the project delivery team, SI staff will perform the

following steps to integrate the room and area records into Tririga and SI Explorer:

Validate database records in Facility Center (FC)

Perform a Facility Center Floor and Room (Space) Data Import

Publish the data to SI Explorer via the ETL Process (Extract, Transform and Load)

Close out the project and verify in SI Explorer

The NASM pilot project illustrated the benefits of the “To-Be” Revit to SI Explorer workflow, which significantly

reduced the time consumed to process and integrate project deliverables. Utilizing a Revit-based workflow

eliminated the tedious tracing of floor and room polylines and also reduced a lot of time that was previously

expended in checking unnecessary objects and annotations from multiple layers, to simplify check the CAD files

for export to SI Explorer.




PROPOSED WORKFLOW 2: REVIT TO FME WORKBENCH TO SI EXPLORER

FME’s Role in Fulfilling SI GIS Requirements

The proposed steps are detailed below (and are illustrated in Figure: 6 “To-Be” Revit to FME to GIS workflow):

• Prepare the Revit model to export to standard SI project deliverables

• Export the Revit model to the FME *.rvz format which is based on the IFC format

• Transform (2D to 3D), convert (to CAD, 3D PDF, etc.), restructure (For GIS Layers), integrate (Facility

Center data in the form of Excel reports) Revit data to a Geo-database format. This is a one-step

translation session in FME Workbench. See Figures 1 and 2 that illustrate this process

• Validate database records in Facility Center (FC) – See the section above

• Publish to SI Explorer: the ETL Process (Extract, Transform and Load)

• Close out the project, and verify in SI Explorer

Figure 19: Proposed Revit to FME to GIS workflow (Option 2)




Figure 20: Diagram of the workflow in Revit with using FME to translated BIM data to ESRI

Figure 21: Translation results from the FME Plug-In for Revit, displayed in ESRI ArcMap. The screen shows the information

exported from Revit parameters displayed as GIS attributes




PROPOSED WORKFLOW 3: REVIT + FME REVIT ADD-IN TO SI EXPLORER

The FME Revit Exporter for Revit 2014 add-in application provides the capability to export *.RVZ format files from

Revit to open directly in ESRI’s ArcMap using the FME connections. This functionality can eliminate the need to

utilize FME Workbench.

Figure 22: Direct Revit to GIS Using FME Plug-In for ArcGIS workflow (Option 3)

When the new FME plug-in is installed for Arc-GIS, the FME interoperability tools called FME Connections are

listed under the ArcCatalog in ArcGIS. FME Connections has new connectors for Revit (for floor plans and 3D

model) which can now read the *.RVZ files exported from Revit directly in ArcGIS.




Figure 23: FME Connections for Revit in ArcGIS/Arc Catalog




FME REQUIREMENTS AND SETUP

Configuring FME Revit Exporter 2014

FME will operate well with the minimum recommended configuration, however, any application benefits from

additional resources. For large processing tasks, additional memory and a fast disk can measurably improve

processing time.

For System Requirements reference the Safe Software documentation page at:

http://docs.safe.com/fme/html/FME_Workbench/Default.htm#System_Requirements.htm or

FME Technical Specification page at: http://www.safe.com/fme/fme-technology/fme-desktop/tech-specs/

FM Revit Exporter Pre-requisites: http://fmepedia.safe.com/articles/How_To/How-to-use-FME-Revit-Exporter-for-

Revit-2014

FME Revit Exporter Plug-in - Instructions on Installation and Use - see FME’s webpage for the

application at: http://fmepedia.safe.com/articles/How_To/How-to-use-FME-Revit-Exporter-for-Revit-2014

http://docs.safe.com/fme/html/FME_Workbench/Default.htm#System_Requirements.htm

http://www.safe.com/fme/fme-technology/fme-desktop/tech-specs/

http://fmepedia.safe.com/articles/How_To/How-to-use-FME-Revit-Exporter-for-Revit-2014






Appendix E: NMAAHC Model Review

As part of the BIM Task Order, DCStrategies conducted a review of the in-progress NMAAHC project BIM to

provide high level guidance on a workflow and methods to incorporate this very complex Revit model into a

format usable within SI’s FM BIM inventory.

NMAAHC MODEL EVALUATION

The development of the NMAAHC model was guided by the project’s BIM Execution Plan (BEP). The BIM execution

plan was well-detailed, however, as in many projects, actual model development did deviate from the plan. We

found the following modeling and organizational anomalies in the Revit model:

1. Equipment families used in the project were not checked for the correct ‘Family Category and Parameter’

settings.

The incorrect ‘Family Category and Parameter’ settings made it difficult to sort elements into their correct

categories. For example, some of the mechanical equipment components were categorized as generic

models instead of mechanical equipment.

2. The air terminals, lighting fixtures and additional components input by the architectural team were not

separated into a workset of its own. The browser organization in the architectural model was present but

was very difficult to understand as they were not as per SI or NCS standards.

Because these equipment model families were modeled as generic models (2D Revit families) as opposed

to their respective categories (e.g. lighting, etc.) they were difficult to sort and remove from the very large

model. The presence of these MEP families in the architectural model overloaded it and made the model

difficult to open and use.

Ideally, these mechanical and electrical components should be separated into their own worksets and

“copy monitored” by their respective discipline models. During project development, these 2D

components were used as reference to develop the 3D components in the Revit models for their

respective disciplines - after this was done they should be removed from the architectural model

completely.

3. Worksets in the model were created by team members (separate design firms) having the responsibility

for those components in the project. During design, those worksets were further categorized into even

more categories to assist that firm’s design documentation effort. The list of worksets used in the

NMAAHC Revit model we examined were as follows:

• (LINK) A

• (LINK) ALTERNATE

• (LINK) C

• (LINK) EXHIBIT DESIGN - ABOVE GRADE

• (LINK) EXHIBIT DESIGN - BELOW GRADE

• (LINK) MEPF

• (LINK) QF

• (LINK) S

• (LINK) TA-TT

• (LINK) TY

• __LOCKED

• _Reference Planes and Scope Boxes

• _Room Separation Lines

Appendix E: NMAAHC Model Review SI Building Information Management



• DBB Core

• DBB Equipment

• DBB Floor

• DBB Furniture

• DBB Interior

• SGI Below Grade Shell

• SGI Corona Grid

• SGI Corona Shell

• SGI Corona Shell - NOT USED

• SGI Corona Structure

• SGI Floor

• SGI Landscape

• Shared Levels and Grids

• TFG Bronze Ceiling

• TFG Core

• TFG Device Coordination

• TFG Floor

• TFG Interior

• TFG L2 Interior Pre 95%

• TFG Timber Ceiling

Some of the elements were not placed in the correct worksets. This added to the difficulty in sorting,

separating and simplifying the huge NMAAHC Revit model.

4. The browser organization was not abbreviated or explained in either the project Revit file or in the project

BIM execution plan (BEP).

Despite these complications, it was possible to create SI-GIS required views. Due to the large size and complexity

of the model, system response was slow. CAD floor plans and area calculation plans can be extracted from this

model by applying SI-Revit Template settings and applying SI view templates to the custom views recommended

in SI Revit Template User’s Guide.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REVIT MODEL ELEMENT REQUIREMENTS BY

DISCIPLINE

From our review of the NMAAHC model and Revit literature, we have compiled an outline of typical BIM

components to include in a project model. A description of the components required for inclusion in the project

BIM is typically defined in either the project’s scope of work, or in its Project Execution Plan (BIM Execution Plan).

Site/Civil Model

Model(s) shall contain all site-related features of the project which are not integral with the building envelope:

• Utilities

• Topography

• Water quality ponds

• Storm water detention and filtration structures

• Planting materials

• Paving




• Site stairs, ramps and railings

• Retaining walls

• Site furnishings

• Erosion control (temporary and permanent)

Architectural Model

Model(s) shall contain all architectural features for a building and site-related features extending 5’-0” beyond the

facility footprint:

• Exterior wall systems

• Interior wall systems

• Fire rated walls

• Architectural floor slabs

• Roofing system

• Equipment (including owner provided equipment)

• Reflected ceiling plans

• Core and vertical systems (including elevators, stairs, escalators and railings)

• Doors (including frames, hardware information, lockset information)

• Glazing (including windows, interior glazing, curtain walls and storefronts)

• Millwork and casework

• Furniture

• Finishes

• Toilet accessories

• Toilet partitions

Structural Model

Model(s) shall contain all structural features for a building:

• Foundations (as solid mass), footings, piers, walls (including areaways) and pits

• Structural slab (as solid mass)

• Framing (as solid mass), hollow core floor plank and solid floor slabs, T-beams, L-Beams, columns, CMU

bearing walls, exterior perimeter CMU walls, brace frames, shear walls

• All structural steel members in their true shape and dimensions with corresponding connection details

• Exclusions: nuts and bolts

• Column gridline

• Primary floor openings (stairs, elevators, mechanical shafts)

• Primary bearing wall openings

• Elevator hoist and separator beams

• Miscellaneous structural components

Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection Model(s)

Model(s) shall contain all MEP features for a building:

Mechanical Model:

• Mechanical ductwork and associated systems (including VAV boxes, flanges, dampers, flex duct, heat

exchangers)

• Ducts will be modeled using their outside dimension and will include insulation if applicable




• Hangers and structural supports, unless they do not influence the coordination process of other

trades

• Access spaces

• Mechanical piping and associated systems (including valves, cleanouts, vents, meters)

• HVAC equipment and associated systems (including control panels, tanks, pumps)

• Clearance requirements for equipment access, service space requirements, gauge reading, valve

clearances, panel access and other operation clearances

Electrical Model:

• Electrical conduit 1” and larger (or two or more regardless of size)

• Telecommunication racks and under floor tray(s)

• Safety and security systems

• Electrical equipment including specialty systems and pads

• Power feeds to equipment, transformers, panels, gear, junction boxes, cable trays, distribution boxes,

etc.


trades

• Electrical light fixtures and ceiling devices

• Electrical panels and panel schedules


clearances, panel access, and other operation clearances

Plumbing Model:

• Piping 1” and larger (or two or more regardless of size)

• Insulation, vents, pipe racks, supports, valves, meters, cleanouts

• Spring hangers and anchors


trades

• Plumbing equipment and fixtures

• Pipe slope


clearances, panel access, and other operation clearances

Fire Protection Model:

• Fire protection mains/standpipes

• Fire/smoke dampers, thermostats, pressure sensors, other in-line devices

• Gauges and valves with corresponding tags (only when necessary for coordination)

• Complete typical bay to include sprinkler heads and all other devices not commonly modeled


trades


clearances, panel access and other operation clearances




Appendix F: BIM Checklist for Completion

BIM Model Deliverable Checklist

Item to Check

Model file name conforms to SI standards

Spelling and consistent capitalization

All the annotations and title blocks are as per SI standards

All the custom SI floor plans and area plan views are created for all floors in the project

Room objects have been placed and targeted

Building sections (at least 2 N-S and 2 EW) have been created and named to standards

All the custom SI schedules are populated with all the relevant data

All ceilings have been modeled

3D volumes are correctly defined for room object (inspect visually in sectional views)

Non-existing or deleted rooms have been removed (check the room schedule)

Model is correctly assembled through visual inspection

All the model contents are correctly placed as per their element categorization in the correct workset

and conform to standards

All non-transmittal linked-in files (CAD/Revit) are removed

All non-required views / legends / schedules / sheets / images are removed

Unwanted design options are removed

All unnecessary groups are removed

All the groups used to model the building are ungrouped, and those groups are purged from the

deliverables

After all the checks are done, purge model to reduce file size (Repeat process three times since

materials are only removed after the parent object has been removed)

Update Save to Central view with any relevant model notes








Appendix G: Revit Model Checker Add-In Application

The Revit Model Checker v3.0, reviewed for this task order, is an add-in for Revit 2013 and 2014 that performs an

automated check of Revit models to verify compliance to the U.S. Corps of Engineers “Attachment F” (BIM

Standards). The add-in includes more than 125 different checks and has the ability to batch check multiple

models and their corresponding links.

The USACE Attachment F is a well-detailed BIM requirements document (an example page is shown below in

Figure 24), defined minimum modeling requirements. The "USACE BIM Minimum Modeling Matrix (M3)" is a

companion document that provides a straightforward matrix listing those requirements (a snapshot of the “M3” is

shown in Figure 25).

Figure 24: Sample page from the USACE BIM Contract Language "Attachment F" document

Appendix G: Revit Model Checker SI Building Information Management



This guidance provided the foundation for the rule base supporting by the Revit Model Checker add-in program,

developed with Revit’s API toolkit. Autodesk has indicated that the application could be re-written to

accommodate a rule set based on any organization’s BIM requirements.

After installation into Revit, the model checker add-in application offers a set of functions under Revit’s “Add-in”

command menu tab (Figure below). The Configure command runs an initial set up of the model for checking and

writes a configuration file (saving it in .XML format). The Run Check command reads the configuration file,

executes the checking routine and returns a report. The last report can be accessed by the menu. Reports display

basic information about elements of a model flagged with conflicts. The report does not display context of issues;

these can be located by the user.

Figure 25: Sample worksheet from the USACE Minimum Modeling Matrix (M3) guidance document, detailing standards for

evaluating BIM content and completion. M3 provides detailed guidance for BIM referenced by the USACE “Attachment F”

Figure 26: Revit Model Checker Add-in application menu

commands




Figure 27: Revit Model Checker add-in's configuration

menu - fully expanded




Figure 28: (above) Revit Model Checker report showing overall checks (non-Attachment F), saved in HTML format

Figure 29: (following page) Continuation of Revit Model Checker report - checks performed for USACE Attachment F criteria











Appendix H: Revit Parameters for SI Data

The Revit templates delivered with this task order have been customized to include parameters (data fields) to

hold key SI data fields, as listed below. The SI spatial and asbestos data fields have been included in SI Revit

Architectural template, and SI Asset Parameters have been incorporated into SI Revit Mechanical and Electrical

templates. This information is also included in Appendix C of the SI Revit Template User’s Guide.

SI SPATIAL PARAMETERS

Spatial Data Fields for Rooms/Spaces

Revit Field/ Parameter Description Parameter Type Data Input Type

Level Floor of the building Revit Default Automatic

Number Room number Revit Default Manual

SI_RoomLinkID Key identifier for SI space database Custom Manual

Name Room name Revit Default Manual

Area (Area_Ft-In) Area of room (in square feet) Revit Default Automatic

Area_MM2 Area of room (in square millimeters) Calculated Value Automatic

Perimeter (Perimeter_Ft-In) Perimeter of room (in feet-inches) Revit Default Automatic

Perimeter_MM Perimeter of room (in millimeters) Calculated Value Automatic

Volume (Volume_Cu-Ft) Room volume (in cubic feet) Revit Default Automatic

Limit Offset (Height_Ft) Room height (in feet-inches) Revit Default Automatic

Department Room type Revit Default Manual

Occupancy Number of people in the room Revit Default Manual

Occupant Occupants name Revit Default Manual

Comments Additional notes Revit Default Manual

(Note that “Automatic” data fields are populated by Revit, “Manual” by user entry)

SI Spatial Data Fields for Floors in Revit Models

Revit Field/Parameter Description Parameter Type Data Input Type

Level Floor of the building Revit Default Automatic

Number Floor number Revit Default Manual

SI_FloorLinkID Key identifier for SI Floor database Custom Manual

Name Floor name Revit Default Manual

Area (Area_Ft-In) Area of floor (in square feet) Revit Default Automatic

Area_MM2 Area of floor (in square millimeters) Calculated Value Automatic

Perimeter (Perimeter_Ft-In) Perimeter of floor (in feet-inches) Revit Default Automatic

Perimeter_MM Perimeter of floor (in millimeters) Calculated Value Automatic

BaseElevation_Ft-In Floor elevation (in feet-inches) Custom Manual

Comments Additional Notes Revit Default Manual

Appendix H: SI Revit Parameters SI Building Information Management



SI ASBESTOS PARAMETERS

Revit Field/Parameter Description Parameter Type Data Input Type

ACM_HAZ_ID Hazardous Material ID Custom Manual

ACM_MAT_TYPE Material Type Custom Manual

ACM_CHANGE Custom Manual

ACM_MAT_COND Material Condition Custom Manual

ACM_COMMENTS Comments Custom Manual

ACM_STATUS Status Custom Manual

Appendix H: SI Revit Parameters SI Building Information Management



SI ASSET PARAMETERS

Table: SI Revit Asset Parameters

Information

Type

Field/Parameter Description Example Revit Custom

Parameter

Data

format

General Asset

Information

Asset ID Unique identifying

number

(Assigned in Facility

Center)

SI_AssetID Text

Asset Name Commonly known

name of the

component

Storm Water Pump

(Chiller Plant)

SI_AssetName Text

Specification ID CSI/MasterFormat code

(select from a pick list)

22 11 23 Pump-

water

SI_SpecID Text

Specification

Name

Component name

(selected from pick list

with CSI Code)

Storm Water Pump

(Chiller Plant)

SI_SpecName Text

Serial Number Serial number of asset 201253 SI_SerialNum Text

Brand Brand name General Electric SI_Brand Text

Model Number Manufacturer's model

number

5KS184QPN4JA7A SI_ModelNum Text

Description Description of the item Pump, Circulating SI_Description Text

Equipment

Spec

Information

Amps Amperage 19.2/9.6 SI_Amps Text

Voltage Voltage 230/460 SI_Voltage Text

KVA Kilovolt-ampere SI_KVA Number

GPM Gallons per minute 3300 SI_GPM Number

Belt Size Size of belt SI_BeltSize Number

RPM Revolutions per minute 1190 SI_RPM Number

MaxP Maximum P SI_MaxP Number

Filter Size Size of filter SI_FilterSize Number

Ton Tonnage SI_Ton Number

HP Horsepower 5 SI_HP Number

Gal Gallons SI_Gal Number

CFM Cubic Feet per minute SI_CFM Number

BtuH BTU per hour SI_Btu Number

Asset Location

Information

(Default Revit

Parameters)

Floor Level on which the

asset is located

First Floor Room: Level

(Floor)

Text

Room Number Room in which the

asset is located

101A Room: Number

(Room

Number)

Text

Appendix H SI Building Information Management







Appendix I: BIM Guidelines and Standards

LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT (LOD)

LOD is a concept that has been used in GIS for many years to indicate the level of detail with which the maps will

be displayed. The data and models are very different with BIM. The AIA (American Institute of Architects) co-opted

the LOD concept to assist definition of project building information models and revised the acronym to refer to

“Level of Development”. It essentially defines the model in terms of development progress, intrinsically related to

AEC project development, describing how much information will be usable at each stage of milestone of the

project.

BIMForum, a multidisciplinary group of BIM users, released its initial LOD guidance document Level of

Development Specification v1 (September 2013). The document expands upon the framework originally outlined

within the American Institute of Architect’s guidance document - AIA BIM Protocol Exhibit - in greater detail, the

reliability of information contained in a BIM, at various project stages. It presents a project-centric view of BIM

development. Goals of the BIMForum specification are to:

• Help project teams specify BIM deliverables and to get a clear picture of what will be included in a

BIM deliverable

• Help design managers explain to their teams the information and detail that needs to be provided at

various points in the design process

• Provide a standard that can be referenced by contracts and BIM execution plans

(The guidelines are based on the AIA Contract Document G202-2013, Building Information Modeling Protocol

Form which is part of a new series of digital practice documents the AIA published in June 2013. The AIA’s updated

digital practice documents consist of AIA E203™–2013, Building Information Modeling and Digital Data Exhibit,

AIA G201™–2013, Project Digital Data Protocol Form, and AIA G202™–2013, Project Building Information

Modeling Protocol Form. For general information on the documents and downloadable samples see

www.aia.org/digitaldocs. )

A general example of LOD of building information at an asset level would be:

100 Cost/sf attached to floor slabs

200 Light fixture, generic/approximate size/shape/location

300 2x4 troffer, specific size/shape/location

350 Lightolier DPA2G12LS232, specific size/shape/location

400 As in 350, plus special mounting details, as in a decorative soffit

The BIMForum LOD specification definitions are listed in the table below.

Appendix I: BIM Guidelines SI Building Information Management



LOD Stage LOD Definition

100 Conceptual The model element may be graphically represented in the model with a

symbol or other generic representation but does not satisfy the

requirements for LOD 200. Information related to the model element (i.e.,

cost/sf, tonnage of HVAC, etc.) can be derived from other model elements.

200 Generic The model element is graphically represented within the model as a generic

system, object, or assembly with approximate quantities, size, shape, location

and orientation. Nongraphic information may also be attached to the model

element.

300 Systems,

assembly

The model element is graphically represented within the model as a specific

system, object or assembly in terms of quantity, size, shape, location and

orientation. Non-graphic information may also be attached to the model

element.

350 Installation

support

The model element is graphically represented within the model as a specific

system, object or assembly in terms of quantity, size, shape, orientation and

interfaces with other building systems. Nongraphic information may also be

attached to the model element.

400 Shop drawings The model element is graphically represented within the model as a specific

system, object or assembly in terms of size, shape, location, quantity and

orientation with detailing, fabrication, assembly and installation information.

Nongraphic information may also be attached to the model element.

500 As-built The model element is a field-verified representation in terms of size, shape,

location, quantity and orientation. Nongraphic information may also be

attached to the model element.

https://bimforum.org/lod/

Owner/FM Considerations for LOD

LOD 500 was initially viewed as the “O&M” BIM. The building industry however has no well-defined concept of

using BIM for facilities lifecycle tasks. The Level 500 specification could be a model for ongoing O&M maintenance

or could be an as-built BIM. Many FM activities could be accomplished by using lower level BIMs. The BIMForum

LOD committee has shelved development of an O&M LOD for now.

A review of the BIMForum LOD by the FM can provide guidance on a requirements for project BIMs to fully

support standard cost checkpoints, also, to establish LOD requirements for project BIMs to support the owner’s

standard FM functions.

Since FM functions have widely varying information needs, differing LODs may be needed depending on the work

process:

• Support of renovation, revitalization or repurposing - requires a highly detailed model, some of it field

verified.

• Space and asset management - generally only requires the geometry of the spaces as a base to support

CAFM/IWMS information.

https://bimforum.org/lod/




BIM development and LOD within an FM BIM practice will mature over time. Specifying LOD will be contingent on

the FM functions to be supported by BIM.

Why LOD?

Specifying the LOD for a project can add undo complexity to model development. It seems counterproductive to

maintain a highly detailed matrix apart from the BIM (LOD Table) to track detail development in a model, while the

BIM in itself, is the real barometer for information development. LOD seems to work best as a broad concept to

categorize general classes of model development. The concept must, on the owner’s side, fully align to each

organization’s unique requirements for BIM.

Making LOD Useful for SI - A Proposed BIM Classification Framework

LOD A - Conceptual BIM. “Mass” or “conceptual” model with generic exterior envelop, glazing, floor levels,

core areas and use parameters. Useful for rapid energy modeling, 2-1/2 D space tracking,

visualization.

LOD B - Schematic BIM. Simple level of detail model with exterior walls, glazing, floor levels, interior partitions

- generic but geometrically accurate. Derived from vetted SI CAD geometry. (Architectural

components). Lacks on-site vetting, ceilings, data. This LOD could be considered an “in-development”

model. Would not necessarily be detailed enough provided to AEC (but could be with caveats).

LOD C - FM BIM. Enhanced objects and detail. Architectural components. Field verified and 3D developed.

Incorporating SI Revit space template. Model includes room objects and affiliated space and asbestos

data fields. BIM is at a sufficient LOD to be provided in support of AEC project development.

LOD D - Full FM BIM. Includes linked MEP model and asset templates and data fields.

LOD E - As-Delivered BIM - BIMs delivered from completed projects, forming a record of completed work.

Content will be incorporated back into the FM BIM(s).




PROJECT BIM REQUIREMENTS

There are innumerable options for developing guidelines and standards for BIM in facilities organizations. Listed

below is a general outline of guidelines culled from current BIM guidelines and standards used throughout the

industry to serve as a starting point for discussion.

Introduction

Purpose of SI BIM Requirements

The SI BIM Practice

BIM Use and General Principles

Ownership and Rights of Data

Definitions

Risk Allocation

Design Team Obligations

BIM Requirements for Design Teams

Provision of SI Data to Consultants

Project Use of SI Revit Templates

Spatial Data Requirements

Asset Data Requirements

BIM Project Execution Plan (PxP) Development

Software and File Formats of Deliverables

BIM Project Development

Geo-referencing

Energy Analysis

Coordination Practices

Deliverables to SI by Phase for the Design Team




BIM PRACTICE GUIDANCE

SI Practice Guidelines

Responsibility and Oversight of SI BIM Practice

BIM Project Support and Workflow

Project Kick-off Procedures

Integrating Project BIM Deliverables

Revit Templates

BIM to SI Explorer Workflows

BIM to Tririga Workflows and Standards

Technical & Administrative

File Management

File Naming Standards

Versioning

File Storage/Servers

Data Exchange Practices

Supporting Documents

Security

User Access Rights and Profiles

Training and Documentation

Training Resources

BIM Wiki

Supporting Technologies

Hardware Requirements

SI BIM Software Applications

Software Renewal Plan

Mobile Device Applications and Use




REFERENCE LIST OF CURRENT INDUSTRY BIM STANDARDS

U.S. Federal Agencies

GSA BIM Guides http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/103735

Military Health System https://facilities.health.mil/home/bim

U.S. Corps of Engineers https://cadbim.usace.army.mil/default.aspx?p=a&t=1&i=3

U.S. Air Force http://www.wbdg.org/references/afbim_guidelines.php

Veteran’s Administration http://www.cfm.va.gov/til/bim/BIMGuide/

States

State of Ohio BIM Protocol http://ofcc.ohio.gov/Portals/0/Documents/MediaCtr/M830-01-

BIMProtocol.pdf

Commonwealth of Mass. http://www.mass.gov/anf/docs/dcam/dlforms/dcam-bim-list-of-services.pdf

State of Tennessee http://www.tn.gov/finance/OSA/documents/20130422_OSA_BIMr_V1.0.pdf

Texas Facilities Commission

http://www.tfc.state.tx.us/divisions/facilities/prog/construct/formsindex/01%20-%202012%20A-

E%20GUIDELINES.pdf

State of Wisconsin

ftp://doaftp1380.wi.gov/master_spec/BIM%20Guidelines%20&%20Standards/BIM%20Guidelines%20and%20S

tandards%20for%20AE%20%207-1-12%20Final%20DRAFT%207-26-12.pdf

Localities

Los Angeles County Consolidated District (Schools) http://standards.build-

laccd.org/projects/dcs/pub/bim%20standards/released/content.html

New York City http://www.nyc.gov/html/ddc/downloads/pdf/DDC_BIM_Guidelines.pdf

New York City SCA

http://www.nycsca.org/Business/WorkingWithTheSCA/Design/Pages/Manual.aspx

Port Authority of New York http://www.panynj.gov/business-opportunities/pdf/engineering-consultants-

ead-bim-standard-manua-september-2012.pdf

San Diego County Consolidated District http://public.sdccdprops-

n.com/CR/Forms/Forms/AllItems.aspx?RootFolder=%2FCR%2FForms%2FSDCCD%20-

%20Building%20Design%20Standards%2F02.%20BIM%20Standards&FolderCTID=&View={FE320144-543F-

4D9B-BA93-5E055B91D5CA}

Universities

Georgia Tech http://www.facilities.gatech.edu/dc/standards/bim.php

Indiana University http://www.iu.edu/~vpcpf/consultant-contractor/standards/bim-standards.shtml

MIT http://web.mit.edu/facilities/maps/index.html

Penn State University http://bim.psu.edu

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/103735

https://facilities.health.mil/home/bim

https://cadbim.usace.army.mil/default.aspx?p=a&t=1&i=3

http://www.wbdg.org/references/afbim_guidelines.php

http://www.cfm.va.gov/til/bim/BIMGuide/

http://ofcc.ohio.gov/Portals/0/Documents/MediaCtr/M830-01-BIMProtocol.pdf

http://ofcc.ohio.gov/Portals/0/Documents/MediaCtr/M830-01-BIMProtocol.pdf

http://www.mass.gov/anf/docs/dcam/dlforms/dcam-bim-list-of-services.pdf

http://www.tn.gov/finance/OSA/documents/20130422_OSA_BIMr_V1.0.pdf

http://www.tfc.state.tx.us/divisions/facilities/prog/construct/formsindex/01%20-%202012%20A-E%20GUIDELINES.pdf

http://www.tfc.state.tx.us/divisions/facilities/prog/construct/formsindex/01%20-%202012%20A-E%20GUIDELINES.pdf

ftp://doaftp1380.wi.gov/master_spec/BIM Guidelines & Standards/BIM Guidelines and Standards for AE 7-1-12 Final DRAFT 7-26-12.pdf

ftp://doaftp1380.wi.gov/master_spec/BIM Guidelines & Standards/BIM Guidelines and Standards for AE 7-1-12 Final DRAFT 7-26-12.pdf

http://standards.build-laccd.org/projects/dcs/pub/bim%20standards/released/content.html

http://standards.build-laccd.org/projects/dcs/pub/bim%20standards/released/content.html

http://www.nyc.gov/html/ddc/downloads/pdf/DDC_BIM_Guidelines.pdf

http://www.nycsca.org/Business/WorkingWithTheSCA/Design/Pages/Manual.aspx

http://www.panynj.gov/business-opportunities/pdf/engineering-consultants-ead-bim-standard-manua-september-2012.pdf

http://www.panynj.gov/business-opportunities/pdf/engineering-consultants-ead-bim-standard-manua-september-2012.pdf

http://public.sdccdprops-n.com/CR/Forms/Forms/AllItems.aspx?RootFolder=%2FCR%2FForms%2FSDCCD%20-%20Building%20Design%20Standards%2F02.%20BIM%20Standards&FolderCTID=&View=%7bFE320144-543F-4D9B-BA93-5E055B91D5CA%7d




http://www.facilities.gatech.edu/dc/standards/bim.php

http://www.iu.edu/~vpcpf/consultant-contractor/standards/bim-standards.shtml

http://web.mit.edu/facilities/maps/index.html

http://bim.psu.edu/




Princeton University http://www.princeton.edu/facilities/info/dept/design_construction/bim/

University of Albany http://www.albany.edu/facilities/campusplanning/standards.html

University of Houston http://www.uh.edu/plantops/departments/fpc/UHS-BIM-Protocol.pdf

University of Illinois http://www.uic.edu/depts/ocp/design_std/documents/013121.01-BimRequirements-

Professionalservices.pdf

University of Southern California http://facilities.usc.edu/leftsidebar.asp?ItemID=448

Organizations

Associated General Contractors (AGC)

http://www.agc.org/cs/building_information_modeling_education_program

American Institute of Architects http://info.aia.org/aia/digitaldocuments.cfm

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29LM.1943-5630.0000127

ASHRAE http://cms.ashrae.biz/bim/

Construction Specification Institute (CSI) http://www.csinet.org/sp/Search.html?SearchPhrase=BIM

NBIMS http://www.nationalbimstandard.org/

Pankow Foundation http://www.pankow.com/Innovate/Teams-and-Tools.aspx

Foreign

Australia http://bim.natspec.org/

Canada http://www.canbim.com/documents-0

Hong Kong http://www.hkibim.org/?page_id=1378

Singapore http://www.bca.gov.sg/bim/bimlinks.html

UK http://www.bimtaskgroup.org/articles/digital-library/

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/34710/12-

1327-building-information-modelling.pdf

http://www.princeton.edu/facilities/info/dept/design_construction/bim/

http://www.albany.edu/facilities/campusplanning/standards.html

http://www.uh.edu/plantops/departments/fpc/UHS-BIM-Protocol.pdf

http://www.uic.edu/depts/ocp/design_std/documents/013121.01-BimRequirements-Professionalservices.pdf

http://www.uic.edu/depts/ocp/design_std/documents/013121.01-BimRequirements-Professionalservices.pdf

http://facilities.usc.edu/leftsidebar.asp?ItemID=448

http://www.agc.org/cs/building_information_modeling_education_program

http://info.aia.org/aia/digitaldocuments.cfm

http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29LM.1943-5630.0000127

http://cms.ashrae.biz/bim/

http://www.csinet.org/sp/Search.html?SearchPhrase=BIM

http://www.nationalbimstandard.org/

http://www.pankow.com/Innovate/Teams-and-Tools.aspx

http://bim.natspec.org/

http://www.canbim.com/documents-0

http://www.hkibim.org/?page_id=1378

http://www.bca.gov.sg/bim/bimlinks.html

http://www.bimtaskgroup.org/articles/digital-library/

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/34710/12-1327-building-information-modelling.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/34710/12-1327-building-information-modelling.pdf








Appendix J: Revit Energy Modeling Overview and Best Practices

This section provides background on utilizing Revit to develop a building model useful for energy analyses. Revit

2014 contains significant new features for supporting energy analyses. Autodesk development of BIM has recently

focused on enhancing its capabilities in sustainability and energy analysis - expect this to continue in future

releases. The progress is reducing manual efforts and redundancies between basic BIM creation and the

refinements needed to utilize the model in an energy analysis process.

Options for Energy Analyses with Revit

Energy Analysis for Revit is a cloud-based energy simulation service powered by Autodesk Green Building Studio

(GBS) that supports sustainable design and will perform whole building energy simulation in the cloud. This

service is available with the purchase of a perpetual license with Maintenance Subscription or a Desktop

Subscription.

To perform energy analysis within Revit, ensure that the Analyze tab is enabled. The energy analysis tools are

located in the Energy Analysis panel of Analyze tab.

Figure 30: Revit Analyze Command Panel - Energy Analysis tab

Energy analytical models can be created in two ways using Revit’s Energy Analysis tools:

1. Using Conceptual Masses - Energy Analysis

using conceptual masses is intended to

provide insight into the role of building form

(size, shape, orientation, glazing percentages,

shading) and materials on potential building

energy use from the earliest stages of the

design process.

2. Using Building Elements - Energy Analysis

using building elements is intended to provide

insight into potential building energy use given

more detailed information typically available at

later stages in the design process.

Steps to Create a Conceptual Energy Analysis

• Create conceptual masses, enable mass floors if using Conceptual Mass Mode or create building

elements, i.e. walls, roofs, floors, windows etc. (room/space elements are optional) if using Building

Element Mode.

• Define energy settings (especially location and building type). Specify the level that will serve as the

Ground Plane reference for the building. Rooms below the elevation of this level are considered to be

Appendix J: Revit Energy Modeling SI Building Information Management



underground. Set Sliver Space Tolerance to the default value of

1’ 0”. Too much sliver space may allow light, solar radiation,

and air flow thermal transfer between zones that in reality do

not occur.

• Run an energy simulation. This will create an Energy Analytical

Model that will be sent to Autodesk Green Building Studio

(GBS) web service in the gbXML format

• Submit the whole building energy simulation to the cloud

• When an alert appears the simulation is complete and ready

for viewing

• If necessary, create multiple simulations by adjusting energy

settings

• Review and compare multiple simulations for side-by-side

comparisons to understand building energy use and to move

your project towards a more sustainable design simulation

The energy analytical model created from conceptual masses and

building elements can be exported to 3rd party applications for further

analysis in a variety of common formats such as gbXML, DOE2 and

EnergyPlus.

Best Practices for Developing a Good Model for Energy Analysis

1. Clearly identify the elements used in Energy Analytical Model (EAM) creation

Rooms (Defined as spaces in gbXML) - Rooms are a fundamental element in EAM. These are holders of

analysis parameters. There are two different ways to model and define rooms within the Revit model. One of

them is called Zone-Based Modeling, and the other is called Room-Based Modeling. Zone-Based modeling is

used in the Conceptual Mass Mode by defining the Room by the thermal zone, usually by setting the Core

Offset value in the energy settings dialog. Room-Based Modeling is used in the Building Element Mode where

rooms are added enclosed by wall elements. This allows defining each room as its own thermal zone.

Room Volume Computation and Area

Settings

Compute Room Volume determines the

room volume and room height. Room

volume computations affect Revit

performance; it is turned off by default.

Before performing analysis, it is critical to

select Areas and Volumes instead of

Areas only (faster) in the Area and

Volume Computations dialog.

Rooms – Upper Limit

As a general rule, it is a good practice to

set the Upper Limit for your Rooms to

the next level and set your Limit Offset to

zero. In the case of Rooms below Roofs,

Figure 31: Energy Settings Dialog

Figure 32: Energy Settings Dialog Box in Revit




ensure the upper limit of the Room is set higher than the top surface of the Roof. If the Upper Limit is set to

be the ceiling or to a given height below the next level, then

there will be a void between that Room and the Rooms on the

next level above.

This void will result in not only the bottom Room having an

unbounded top surface, but that surface and the bottom

surface of the Room above will be recognized as External.

Note: There is currently no setting for Lower Offset on a Room.

This means that the lower extent of a Room needs to be a level

within the Project and cannot be an offset relative to another

Level.

Building Voids

These are Revit BIM volumes that are not

represented by a 3D Room. These can be

spaces like a small closet or an elevator

shaft. These “voids” will result in undefined

volumes which cannot be properly analyzed,

and the Bounding Elements adjacent to

them will be recognized as Exterior. This will

produce incorrect analysis results. To

remedy this situation, Rooms must be

created to fill these voids. Similarly, in the

event that there is a plenum space that

exists above a recessed ceiling, a Room

needs to be created to account for that

volume.

Bounding Elements - Walls, Floors and Roofs. These surfaces

are “children” of the Rooms that they bound.

Except for Floors and Ceilings, you can control whether

potential Bounding Elements are actually used as Bounding

Elements in an EAM. This is done by toggling the Room

Bounding parameter that is available in the Element Properties

dialog.

The top surface of any Floor Slab will be seen as a Bounding

Element for the EAM. There is no setting to toggle this off.

Figure 33: Room Upper Limit Parameters

Figure 34: Void Spaces

Figure 35: Room Bounding Parameter




Figure 36: Floor Slab Room Bounding Behavior

Upper Limits: When specifying the Upper Limit for a space

beneath a Roof, specify the Upper Limit above the top of the

Roof. The Roof is a Bounding Element and the volume for

attic spaces is calculated based on the Room bounding

components. This will also ensure that there are no

unnecessary Shading Surfaces in the EAM due to the Roof.

Verify Room Bounding is checked in the Roof Element

Properties.

Ceilings: Although ceilings impact the volume of a Room in the

Revit BIM, ceilings are not used as Bounding Elements in the

EAM. So, modeling ceilings can be avoided, particularly for

energy analysis purposes.

Columns: If a column is set as Room

Bounding, the result in the EAM is a set

of walls that represent the geometry of

the columns. It is ideal in most cases to

toggle off the Room Bounding

parameter for columns (watch out for

unconnected walls when columns are

not room bounded).

Curtain Walls are "converted" into

Surfaces and Openings in the EAM. A

Curtain Wall will be represented as a

Wall Surface. For every Panel in the

Curtain Wall there will be a Window

Opening. If the Curtain Wall is arced or

cylindrical, it will be faceted to several

planar Wall Surfaces. The Window

Openings will be projected onto the

planar surfaces and clipped to the

bounds of each surface.

Figure 37: Defining Room Upper Limit for Roofs

Figure 39: Columns

Figure 38: Curtain

Wall Translation




There is one exception, if the assigned material (material parameter) for the panel has less than 3%

transparency, it will be ignored as a solid panel.

Shading Surfaces - The one instance of a surface that does not have a Room as a “parent” in the EAM is a

Shading Surface. These surfaces are necessary to properly analyze the impact of the sun in building

performance analysis.

Openings - Windows, Doors, Openings

and Skylights. These elements are

“children” of the surfaces generated

from Bounding Elements.

It is recommended to model the stairs,

elevator shafts or any other spaces

that requires an opening through

multiple floors as one space, even

though typical practice is to identify

each room separately from one floor

to the next. If these spaces are

unconditioned spaces, it is ideal to

assign unconditioned space type

before performing the analysis.

Do not use in-place families. Use the native tools for

windows, doors, walls, floors, roof, etc. In-place families,

do not translate to the energy analysis program.

Note: Use a 3D view, Set Visibility / Graphics Overrides,

Check Phases etc.

Figure 40: Curved Wall Translation Figure 41: Shading Surfaces Translation

Figure 42: Openings

Figure 43: Stair, Elevator or Shaft Openings




Figure 14: Hierarchy of Elements in the Energy Analysis Model

2. Disable any elements ‘unnecessary’ for analysis

a. Look for exterior walls, floors, slabs, etc., and turn them off in the visibility settings

3. Look for and address any obvious missing elements or gaps

a. Orbit around the building, view from above and below

4. Run preliminary simulation and check the EAM

5. Inspect the preliminary EAM for errors and omissions and address any missing elements or gaps and repeat

simulation

a. Confirm all necessary spaces present

b. Confirm shade surfaces where appropriate

c. Assess surface precision

6. Check for default resolution (Sliver Space Tolerance) settings, and reduce resolution incrementally

7. Compare results (if required)

References for Revit Energy Modeling

BIM + Building Performance Analysis Using Revit 2010 and IES <Virtual Environment>

http://www.iesve.com/content/mediaassets/pdf/Revit%202010_Guidance.pdf

Building Performance Analysis Using Revit http://www.iesve.com/corporate/media-center/white-

papers/general/building_performance_analysis_using_revit.pdf

From BIM to BPA: What is an ‘Energy Analysis Model’ (EAM)? http://autodesk.typepad.com/bpa/2013/12/from-

bim-to-bpa-what-is-an-energy-analysis-model-eam.html

Leveraging BIM for Energy Analysis http://sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com/sites/default/files/core-page-

files/leveragingbimforenergyanalysis.pdf

No Pain All Gain: Autodesk Revit 2014 Automatic Energy Analytical Model Creation and Analysis

http://aucache.autodesk.com/au2013/sessionsFiles/2260/1148/handout_2260_AB2260%20-

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http://www.iesve.com/content/mediaassets/pdf/Revit%202010_Guidance.pdf

http://www.iesve.com/corporate/media-center/white-papers/general/building_performance_analysis_using_revit.pdf

http://www.iesve.com/corporate/media-center/white-papers/general/building_performance_analysis_using_revit.pdf

http://autodesk.typepad.com/bpa/2013/12/from-bim-to-bpa-what-is-an-energy-analysis-model-eam.html

http://autodesk.typepad.com/bpa/2013/12/from-bim-to-bpa-what-is-an-energy-analysis-model-eam.html

http://sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com/sites/default/files/core-page-files/leveragingbimforenergyanalysis.pdf

http://sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com/sites/default/files/core-page-files/leveragingbimforenergyanalysis.pdf

http://aucache.autodesk.com/au2013/sessionsFiles/2260/1148/handout_2260_AB2260%20-%20Handout.pdf

http://aucache.autodesk.com/au2013/sessionsFiles/2260/1148/handout_2260_AB2260%20-%20Handout.pdf