Importance of BIM Clash detection and MEP Co-ordination in construction

Posted on: May 4, 2017, By: Tesla OS

BIM Clash detection is one of the most important phases of a pre-construction process. Clash detection process is an indispensable process for.Most of BIM companies, professionals and MEP Contractors use this methodology to resolve design issues that arise in form clashes and subsequently perform MEP BIM Coordination prior to construction. Manual clash detection process existed much before digitization and BIM came into existence, however, the industry big wigs feel that invention of software like Revit, Naviswork etc. has upgraded this process in a positive manner.

Advantage of using BIM is the collaborative ability to involve multiple departments to discuss design changes, detect clashes and subsequent resolution prior to MEP Coordination process. Technology like cloud make this process possible for the teams to be at different and multiple locations.

BIM Clash detection process is not that easy as it sounds. It takes extreme efforts to identify the clashes, offers a design solution that is according to the standards without disturbing other disciplines that have already been modeled. We need to check every single detail, dimension minutely before proposing any change. The first step to work on clash detection is to generate a clash report using Navisworks. Navisworks does not necessarily show specific clashes that actually creates critical issues in MEP Coordination with Architectural, Structural and other internal MEP disciplines. It even shows small interferences or collisions which are a part of the design. Detecting clashes and resolving them takes time as they need design meetings and collaborations. Certain collisions arising out of modeling errors can be resolved immediately. However, BIM clash detection takes time when clashes are due to design issues. MEP BIM Coordination is indeed a big challenge however software like Revit and Navisworks makes it automated.

BIM Clash detection process is very critical point of any BIM Coordination meeting. Since detection of clashes or interferences effects the project progress and deadlines to great extent, it becomes imperative to solve it at the earliest. MEP contractors, Consultants and Design Engineering firms strive to resolve these design issues by having meetings and finally make changes in design drawings and allocate it to the BIM Company or sub-contractor working on the project. Structured BIM Clash detection and MEP Co-ordination in construction makes the actual construction process very organized. The more detailed and cumbersome the pre-construction process is, better and hassle free the construction process is. Batch clash detection needs to a continuous process to prevent extended deadline.

Some essential features

Talking about the continuous clash detection strategy in MEP model the current common platform based software has its limitations in more than one aspect. Say, for instance, these software deals clash detection as a separate process from the core modeling and delivers aggregated clashes in batches. Besides the time lag is also considerable and solving these errors takes up a fair amount of time.

On the other hand, the continuous clash detection process demands various features like real-time clash detection, integration of clash with model, increases available metadata and finally various file sharing for immediate model updates and establish enhanced collaboration.

Essential features of BIM Clash detection and MEP Coordination

1. Tracking clashes live in the MEP model when the model is created will help in tracking clashes as soon as it is created. This will help the BIM execution team to keep track of the clashes, resolve it immediately if no major design changes are needed. It will also be reported to the MEP contractors or consultants on a daily basis.
2. Managing clash data tracker of each clash through the model, Naviswork clash report etc. A detailed set of clashes is created to make processes more automated.
3. Elimination of manual labour and additional time consumption while construction

Written By:
Tesla OS

Tesla Outsourcing Services is an Architectural and Engineering Outsourcing Company providing CAD Services, Engineering and E-building Design Solutions (BIM Services) to clients across the globe.