MEP _0316668

IFC CONVERSION ISSUEMEP HVAC– Methodology

1. Create sample project and extract infoe.g Families, Element ID, System Classification, Dim ension, Quantity

2. Conversion of native .rvt file into IFC

3. View IFC file from Solibri

4. View IFC file from Revit MEP 2012

5. View IFC file from EDModel Server

6. Convert IFC into .rvt file.

Trade Tested :

Cold Water, Sanitary, Fire Protection

Tested By : Jeremy Loh

IFC CONVERSION ISSUEMEP – Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Pro tection

Revit (.rvt) Solibri (.ifc)EDM Model Server (.ifc)

Revit (.ifc)

Domestic Water

Sanitary

Fire Protection

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP – Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Pr otection

Observation #1: IFC does not specifically points out a ‘family’ parameter.Instead, Family, Type and Element ID is clumped into aparameter called “name”

Native .rvt Solibri .ifc EDM Model Server .ifc

Family Type Name Name

M_Elbow - Generic StandardM_Elbow -

Generic:Standard:Standard:568140

M_Elbow -Generic:Standard:Standard:568140

M_Split Case Pump - Horizontal

31.55 LPS - 15.8 Meter Head

M_Split Case Pump -Horizontal:31.55 LPS - 15.8 Meter

Head:31.55 LPS - 15.8 Meter Head:566469

M_Split Case Pump - Horizontal:31.55 LPS - 15.8 Meter Head:31.55 LPS -

15.8 Meter Head:566469

M_Multi-Purpose Valve - Straight - 80-300 mm -

Flanged80 mm

M_Multi-Purpose Valve -Straight - 80-300 mmm -

Flanged:80 mm: 80 mm:612492

M_Multi-Purpose Valve - Straight -80-300 mm - Flanged:80 mm: 80

mm:612492

MEP – Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Pr otection

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

Observation #2: Category names for models changes when exported to IFC and viewed in Solibri or EDM MS.

All categories (in IFC) when viewed in Revit becomes Generic Models

Revit (.rvt) Solibri (.ifc) EDM MS (.ifc) Revit (.ifc)

Pipes Pipe Flow Segment Generic Model

Pipe Fittings Pipe Fitting Flow Fitting Generic Model

Pipe Accessories Valve Flow Controller Generic Model

Plumbing Fixture / Sprinklers

Flow Terminal Flow Terminal Generic Model

Mechanical Equipment

ObjectBuilding Element

ProxyGeneric Model

IFC CONVERSION ISSUEMEP – Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Pr otection

Observation #3: IFC in Revit loses all data while family and type parametersfollows the name of the object / model as seen in Solibri / EDM MS.

The Element ID in Revit (.ifc) has also changed from its original ID.

Revit (.rvt) Solibri (.ifc)EDM ModelServer (.ifc)

Revit (.ifc)

Family Type Element ID

Name Type Name Object Type


M_Sink -Scrub Floor

760 mmx560

mm561632 A* Undefined A*

M_Sink -Scrub

Floor:760 mmx560

mm

A* A* 557475

M_Flange -Slip-on -

Steel - Class 300

Standard 586513 B* Standard B* Standard B* B* 557590

A* : M_Sink - Scrub Floor:760 mmx560 mm:760 mmx560 mm:561632B* : M_Flange - Slip-on - Steel - Class 300:Standard:Standard:586513


Observation #4: Pipe types when in –

Solibri : Follows the name of the first similar type of pipe which was drawn in Revit

EDM Model Server : Shows the Element ID of the pipe type

Revit Solibri EDM Model Server Remarks


Name Type Name Object Type

Pipe Types

PVC (261488)

603708Pipe

Types:PVC:603708Pipe


Types:PVC:603708 261488First PVC

pipe drawn in Revit.

Pipe Types

PVC (261488)

610317Pipe



Types:PVC:610317 261488


Observation #5: There is no colour control when viewing in Solibri / EDM Model Server.

Solibri (.ifc) EDM Model Server (.ifc)

Domestic Water

1) Pipes & Pipe Fittings– Orange

2) Plumbing Fixtures / Sprinklers & Valves – Pink

3) Mech. Equipment – Gray

1) Pipes – Green

2) Pipe Fittings – Blue

3) Valves – Orange

4) Plumbing Fixtures / Sprinklers – Light Brown

5) Mech. Equipment – Dark Brown

Sanitary

Fire Protection


Observation #6: Graphical representation of insulation is missing. Insulation data is still intact (except when viewing ifc in Revit).

(.rvt) Revit

(.ifc)Solibri

(.ifc)EDM Model Server

(.ifc) Revit

*notice how the pipe elbow has a insulation cover and the rest doesn’t

PWOI

PWI

PWOI

PWI

PWOI

PWOI – Pipe without InsulationPWI – Pipe with Insulation


Observation #7: Parameters relating to pipe connectors are automatically converted from metric to imperial

Parameters Revit (.rvt) Solibri (.ifc)EDM Model Server (.ifc)

Tank Radius 289 mm 289 mm 289 mm

Tank Height 889 mm 889 mm 889 mm

Outlet Radius 25 mm 0.082 ‘ 0.082021‘

Outlet Diameter 50 mm 0.164 ‘ 0.164045‘

Leg Height 401 mm 401 mm 401 mm

Handrail Length 305 mm 305 mm 305 mm

Handrail Distance 305 mm 305 mm 305 mm

Cap Radius 321 mm 321 mm 321 mm

Bottom Radius 578 mm 578 mm 578 mm

Bottom Height 77.4 mm 77.44 mm 77.437317 mm

*M_Mixing Tank_Bottom Dish was used as an example


Observation #8: Electrical Data & Flow Pressure (where applicable) has beenconverted to an unknown unit, th

Flow rate is converted from metric to imperial.

Family : M_Hose Reel Cabinet – Surface MountedType : 25 mm

Revit (.rvt) Solibri (.ifc) EDM MS (.ifc)

Flow Pressure 34400.00 Pa 10,485.12 10485.12

Flow Rate 2.52 L/s 0.089 ft3/s 0.088993 ft3/s

Family : M_Split Case Pump - HorizontalType : 31.55 LPS – 15.8 Meter Head

Revit (.rvt) Solibri (.ifc) EDM MS (.ifc)

Apparent Load 81000.00 VA 871876.744 871876.743753

Voltage 460 V 4951.399 4951.398792

Pump Speed 1150 RPM 1150 RPM 1150 RPM

IFC CONVERSION ISSUEMEP – Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Pr otectionObservation #9: Plumbing fixtures loses all data except Family, Type (EDM

Model Server), & Element ID when exported to IFC

A typical model would have such data as shown on the left.

(Continue to next slide…)


Observation #9: Plumbing fixtures loses all data except Family, Type (EDM Model Server), & Element ID when exported to IFC

Data such as PSET_Revit_Type_Identity Data and others go missing.

*Viewing in Solibri(Continue to next slide…)


Observation #9: Plumbing fixtures loses all data except Family, Type (EDM Model Server), & Element ID when exported to IFC

*Viewing in EDM Model Server

The only data available for plumbing fixtures.


Observation #10: Drain outlet hosted at L2 Slab is shown as a L1 item in Solibri and EDM MS.

Viewing in Revit (.rvt)



Observation #10: Drain outlet hosted at L2 Slab is shown as a L1 item in Solibri and EDM MS.

Viewing in Solibri (.rvt) Viewing in EDM MS (.rvt)


Observation #11: EDM MS has an extra set of data that Solibri does not havewhich refers to the type parameter (in Revit).

Viewing in Solibri



Observation #11: EDM MS has an extra set of data that Solibri does not havewhich refers to the type parameter (in Revit).

Viewing in EDM MS


Conclusion In relation to Observation #

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 1 1

1) Loss of data when exporting to IFC is minimal. Loss of data during importing IFC into Revit is extensiove.

x x x x

2) EDM Model Server has a slightly better mapping method than Solibri in which the type of the model is mapped correctly.

x x

3) IFC files are not good for Mechanical / Electrical analysis x x

4) Revit’s mapping of IFC data (both importing and exporting) requires more improvement, thus rendering it especially useless in importing IFC data.

x x x x

5) Viewing all models in IFC may be confusing as there is no colour control available to differentiate based on system.

x

6) Each IFC viewer has their own method of mapping IFC data. Therefore, this method should be explained by the vendor.

x x

7) Training to understand how IFC works and how a certain program maps IFC data is essential in order to ensure parameter is channeled to the right data.

x x x x x x x x x x x

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MEP _0316668