BIM- PRODUCTS


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MAINTAINING INFORMATION INTEROPERABILITY WITH BIM
Solibri Model Checker works with all BIM products that produce IFC files including architectural, structural and building services and is focussed on the flow of information, not just the exchange of geometry.

BIM should be viewed as a process rather than a set of tools. Exploitation of BIM to its full advantage, where one set of information produced by a designer (e.g. architect) is sent to another (e.g. structural engineer) so it can be used whilst planning the structural components or vice versa, depends on having all the design information and not just the geometry. Until recently the bulk of the design information has been lost during this process, even though the geometry is retained, because the architects, structural and building services engineers typically use different design tools. IFC file interoperability solves this issue by bringing through quality information from one application to another. But before critical information is sent out it needs to be checked at least as carefully as if traditional paper documents were being issued. With Solibri Model Checker, BIM information is validated and analysed so that the 'receiver' can rely on the data, understand and interpret it and confidently use it to start their part of the process.

In building projects, the amount of information to be managed is increasing all the time, and whilst in theory it's possible to check every piece of information manually, there is now so much to check that human error and time constraints open the process to error and omissions. Solibri uses rule sets to automate the process of managing essential information much faster and more reliable and ensures that the quality is at highest possible level.

BIM VALIDATION CHECKING
Solibri checks the validity of BIM models produced by any IFC compliant CAD system. It identifies objects that do not have the required information, reports items that have been missed, checks all objects against a series of pre-defined (and customisable) rules, and compares design disciplines for inconsistencies. Solibri manages change by locating and reporting the differences between revisions so they may be understood quickly, saves hundreds of man-hours and will pay for itself in the short-term.

SOLIBRI PRESENTER

Solibri produces a wealth of analysis results that need to be reviewed and managed throughout the design process. This is facilitated by in-built report and presentation capabilities that may be shared via the FREE Solibri Model Viewer or through PDF and RTF reports. The results of the analysis and checking are organised as a presentation slide show for ease of communication. Each slide is represented as an icon and is an annotated and illustrated viewpoint of the 'issue' in the model which may be clicked through in an organised manner. The full power of the live model is always at hand allowing designers to 'walk' in and further investigate the situation by inspecting the results from any angle etc.

COLOUR CODING BETWEEN DISCIPLINES

Solibri identifies architectural, structural, and building services files and uses different colours to differentiate the various disciplines for better visual recognition which can be adjusted by the user if necessary. It should be noted that, unlike many 3D/VR visualisation tools, Solibri does not seek to employ "natural" looking colours or textures since it is more focussed on processing and analysing the information. However, as a design review tool Solibri provides superb value through the FREE Solibri Model Viewer which can open any native IFC file without publishing costs.

QUANTITY TAKE-OFF

Many companies are starting to use BIM files for automated quantity take-off and cost estimation. The process itself is straight forward and very fast, but raises questions about of the quality of the data. If the estimation is based on a bad IFC model containing duplications, then the extra material will be counted and an inaccurate high price will result. Conversely the opposite can be caused by omissions in the model. To avoid these inaccuracies the Solibri Model Checker analyses the integrity and completeness of the IFC files and checks that the information is good enough to be used for cost calculation.

DUPLICATION ERRORS

When BIM is used for automated quantity take-off and cost calculations it's imperative that the data is correct. Many user errors that can occur during the model building process are difficult to spot, but can have expensive consequences. If a slab, wall, column or beam has been duplicated in the exact same position, then the material list will be calculated accordingly. If a slab is not reaching the walls, or a wall is not extending to the full height of the slab above, then there will be too few materials. To check this manually requires a painstaking validation process of the entire model which can take weeks; Solibri can perform the same task with total accuracy in just a few seconds.

CHECKING ARCHITECTURAL & STRUCTURAL DISCIPLINES

Solibri makes several checks analysing architectural and structural models. For example; it checks that walls in the architectural design are located in the same position and have the same dimensions in the structural model. It will also check if load bearing components have a supporting structure underneath. If they do not, Solibri produces an ‘issue’ to identify the fact. It might be that the structural designer has resolved a situation with columns and beams and used a light structured wall in between them. If Solibri finds that there is a discrepancy it will makes an 'issue' of it so the users are notified. The designers then locate the problem in Solibri and make a judgment as to whether there is a problem or not.

CLASH CHECKING

Solibri Model Checker finds all interferences between disciplines such as building services components colliding with load bearing elements or suspended ceilings. It will classify design issues into three groups based on severity providing the option to either resolve a clash or add a penetration detail where pipes run through walls etc.

SINGLE OR MULTIPLE DISCIPLINES

Several IFC files can be loaded into Solibri so that checks can be run to ensure that they fit together. Each discipline may have been created in a different CAD system, but Solibri IFC import ensures they are combined into a single design model.

AVOIDING SITE ISSUES

A typical cause of problems at site is when doors, windows and openings have been moved or changed in size by the designers, but the change has not been picked up by all the disciplines involved. Solibri automatically checks for these inconsistencies and highlights the problem at the design stage and prior to construction when issues can be difficult and expensive to resolve.

MANAGING CHANGE

Solibri is used to manage change and ensures that revisions are tracked by checking entire building model. Where discrepancies or inconsistencies between disciplines are found, it raises it as an issue for further investigation prior to getting on-site.

SPACE VALIDATION

The accurate and consistent definition of design spaces in IFC models is critical if the BIM is to be relied upon and used by other analysis applications. The knock-on effect of badly defined spaces in the model will throw out calculations in the originating CAD system as well as any analysis such as energy and cost in other software application. Solibri's space validation rules check the physical layout, location and dimensions of spatial components, alignment with surrounding walls and slabs, overlaps and space height.

SPACE VISUALISATION

Using IFC space definition rules, Solibri provides a quick and accurate overview of all the designated spaces and their usage, and colour codes them for review. This has many applications such as highlighting fire compartments, escape routes, public and office space etc. SMC will highlight the space volume, identify the surrounding exterior and interior walls and generates colour coded arrows that indicate different problem categories.

RULE BASED CHECKING

Fire Compartments; Solibri will identify all fire compartments automatically and interpret the spaces and fire doors

Escape Routes; Solibri uses the IFC files to check and identify all designated escape routes

Accessibility; Solibri has parameterised rules for checking various accessibility issues including wheelchair turning circler and stair, ramp and door dimensions and clearances. The following rule sets are available; International ISO/CD 21542, and International Code Council ICC/ANSI A117.1. The parameters and classification settings are adjustable and can be modified to work with other building codes.