Federated BIM: The Key to Streamlining Collaboration in AEC Projects

Federating BIM models (Architectural, Structural, MEP, Fire) into a single 3D model streamlines project collaboration. This integrated approach improves coordination, reduces clashes, and enables data-driven decisions, saving time and money across project phases.

Without a federated 3D BIM model, architects, engineers, and contractors encounter numerous obstacles. Coordinating design changes, identifying clashes between disciplines, and visualizing the entire project become complex tasks.This often leads to communication breakdowns, increased rework, and project delays that exceed both timelines and budgets.

Technical Risks in Project Delivery without a Federated BIM Model

• Limited project visualization: Stakeholders struggle to understand the overall project without a comprehensive view.
• Communication barriers: Difficulties in conveying design intent lead to coordination problems.
• Increased errors and clashes: The likelihood of errors and clashes increases, necessitating costly rework.
• Inefficient workflows: Decision-making slows down, contributing to project delays.
• Cost overruns: Additional rework and unforeseen issues can quickly escalate project costs.

Within a Common Data Environment (CDE), a coordinated 3D MEP model is created by bringing together individual 3D models (architecture, structure, and MEP) from Revit into a unified model using Navisworks.

This integrated BIM model becomes the central reference point for all project participants, enabling them to identify and resolve clashes, coordinate design efforts, and collaborate effectively throughout the building lifecycle. This streamlined approach ensures superior project deliverables and outcomes, both during preconstruction and actual construction.

5 Technical Project Benefits of Federated BIM

A federated 3D BIM model empowers everyone in the AEC industry with seamless collaboration, enhanced BIM coordination, and transparent project visibility. This translates to reduced rework, faster decision-making, on-time project completion, and significant cost savings. All of these factors contribute in gaining impactful project results.

1. Enhanced visualization and coordination

By merging models from different trades into a federated 3D model, you’ll enhance visualization and coordination and foster a deeper understanding of design intent across teams. This ensures clarity and transparency among stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

With a holistic view, a BIM services provider using processes and tools can help optimize project visualization, facilitate collaboration, and identify and resolve clashes early on.The federated 3D model enables informed decision-making and seamless communication between project participants, leading to connected BIM workflows.

2. Faster clash avoidance

A federated 3D BIM model unifies multidisciplinary models for preemptive clash detection and resolution using Navisworks. This tool identifies conflicts like structural beams clashing with ductwork during the preconstruction stage, preventing costly rework.

Real-time visualization allows for immediate clash assessment, with clash reports extracted from Navisworks, helping architects and engineers propose solutions and implement design modifications to expedite project delivery.

3. Accurate quantity takeoffs with 3D BIM model

A federated 3D BIM model ensures accurate cost estimates through a centralized and information-rich representation of the entire project. Combining multiple models into one facilitates precise quantity takeoffs (QTOs) for labor, materials, and equipment,leading to fewer errors compared to traditional 2D plans. Immersive walkthroughs allow teams and clients to identify potential conflicts or constructability issues that could impact costs.

With model data, estimation teams can conduct detailed cost analyses considering factors like labor rates, material prices, and equipment costs. Additionally, the 3D model’s ability to simulate logistics and sequencing optimizes scheduling and resource allocation. Incorporating design changes and updates in real-time further enhances cost accuracy throughout the project lifecycle.

4. Accelerate Project Delivery through Federated Modeling

A federated 3D model serves as a central data repository, integrating design data from various trades into a unified model. Coordinated and clash-free 3D models provide a clear understanding of project scope, enabling precise planning and scheduling. Project managers can visualize the entire project in 3D, assess spatial relationships between elements, and identify potential conflicts before onsite work begins.

This approach minimizes errors and rework. A federated model enhances resource allocation, cost estimation, and progress monitoring. By leveraging a real-time, shared project view, it facilitates swift communication and collaboration, leading to informed decision-making and faster project delivery.

5. Seamless Data Integration with Federated BIM

Utilizing a 3D federated BIM model promotes flexibility and expedites data sharing by acting as a central project repository. This unified approach eliminates data silos, enabling real-time access to updated model revisions for every project participant. As changes are made to individual trade models, parametric modeling ensures synchronization within the federated model, keeping stakeholders informed with up-to-date information.

Streamlined data interchange reduces errors and mitigates communication delays caused by outdated data. The open IFC format of the 3D models allows seamless integration with various project management software, simplifying workflows and leading to faster issue resolution and project delivery.

Federated BIM Model Vs Traditional BIM Model

Exploring Revit’s Role in creating federated BIM model

Conceptualization: Define goals, project scope, and design parameters

Select templates: Choose an appropriate Revit template based on the project type – architecture, structure, MEPF)

3D modeling:

• Generate basic building elements like floors, walls, roofs, etc.
• Include architectural details like windows, stairs, doors, etc.
• Insert structural members including beams, columns, foundations, etc.
• Merge MEP systems including ductwork, piping, electrical components, etc.

Annotations:

• Add tags, notes, and dimensions for better clarity and data
• Build schedules to manage and quantify project members

Using Navisworks for Seamless Federated BIM Workflows

Aggregation: Navisworks merges models from various disciplines like architecture, structure, and MEP from Revit into a single 3D model.

Interference detection: Automatically identify clashes between different trade elements, for example: ducts clashing with structural beams, columns colliding with load-bearing columns, pipes intersecting with conduits, insufficient clearance for mechanical units, and other workflow clashes.

Visualization and Review: Visualize the coordinated model in 3D and review the clashes in detail.

Issue resolution: Collaboratively discuss and resolve interferences using Navisworks to assign responsibilities and progress tracking.

Coordination and communication: Communicate among stakeholders on a singular platform to share data and discuss design modifications.

Reporting and simulation: Utilize Navisworks to create clash reports and simulations for sequencing and logistics using the coordinated 3D model.

BIM’s Digital Transformation: Mobile, Cloud, and AI Drive Accessibility and Collaboration

Advancements in mobile devices, cloud computing, and AI-powered platforms are improving BIM access with real-time collaboration and information sharing across project teams. Cloud-based BIM platforms remove the need for costly software and hardware that makes it accessible for any project or firm. Mobile apps deliver faster data-access and updates, while AI-powered tools support generative design, automated interference detection and predictive analytics to mitigate errors and enhance building performance.

Wrapping it up

While BIM in construction offers substantial advantages, its implementation requires addressing several technical hurdles. This includes adopting rigorous quality control processes, integrating them with existing internal checks, and implementing change management systems to track revisions. However, the business gains derived from improved collaboration, interference detection, and data-driven decision-making far outweigh these challenges.

Standardized naming conventions, classification systems, and templates enhance the effectiveness of federated 3D models. Additionally, cloud-based platforms enable seamless access to project data, allowing stakeholders to view and interact with the 3D model regardless of their devices or location. This fosters real-time collaboration, accelerates decision-making, and eliminates potential delays caused by bottlenecks.