Clash Detection and BIM Coordination for Construction

Posted on: November 21, 2018, By: Divya Dave

Clash detection Services is widely used in the current scenario owing to the complexities of design in the building infrastructure. Since a lot of emphasis are laid on the utility as well as the design aspect, technologies like virtual construction modeling have come into existence. Identifying interferences during live construction can be actually painful and a costly proposition. In the past when the construction process did not work the BIM way, there were issues in presenting the design intent, the detail, the errors and the way the errors were resolved.

Since there was no interference check process the errors and interferences were identified only when the construction began. Not that all issues reached the site, but some major interferences caused major hassles. The construction had to be stopped and the Engineers with the Architects had to work on the designs which caused major delays.

These delays costed a lot more than a few dollars or pounds, as the companies’ reputation also gets on stake with unwarranted delays and issues. The wastage of materials, the new materials cost, the labor cost on site and in the office resolving the issue, the machinery cost; the list is endless. Delay penalty or legal issues can add to the list of agony.  Utilizing BIM Services such as Clash detection, BIM Coordination Modelling etc. would be way economical compared to the losses arising by working with older methods.

One of the fundamental motives of using BIM 3D coordination is the ability to virtually experience the overall construction process and review the construction process in totality. There are several software like Revit, Navisworks etc. that provides clash detection features and helps in coordination of all disciplines. Navisworks provides unique clash reports which present the clashes visible across each discipline. It shows hard clashes, soft clashes and even minor interferences based on the tolerance levels we set in the software.  Large-scale complex projects need to diligently go through the BIM Implementation in their respective companies as a long-term benefit.

With Navisworks, a central VDC or BIM coordination Expert integrates the models (Architectural, Structural, MEP) and performs detailed analysis to communicate the design issue, interferences etc. to ensure proper and a collaborative approach to resolving them.  During the collaborative meetings, all the parties can be present and find amicable solutions to the clashes and interferences. The various teams can upload their models for the meetings, collaborate with other disciplines thereby reducing review cycles for development of accurate BIM models and drawings.

Clash detection Services and BIM Coordination Modeling offer humungous benefits though initially, they may seem to be like an additional investment. The noteworthy decrease in onsite construction issues and change orders, proactive resolution of clashes, collaborative review meetings etc. will reduce the construction time overall offering your brand name an edge over traditional construction companies. Building Information Modeling is an upcoming field and is certainly there to stay and evolve over a period of time. Features like As-building Modeling, Real-time clash detection etc. are capable of providing a lot more construction support than what it is currently.

Written By:
Divya Dave

Divya Dave is a Senior Manager with Tesla Outsourcing Services. An engineer and management graduate, she has been working with the outsourcing industry now for more than a decade. With a passion for writing, she writes on topics that provide an insight into CAD, BIM, and 3D Visualization services for the Architectural, Structural, and MEP disciplines. Her focus is to enable architects and engineering professionals in the AEC industry to adopt the right technology so as to increase their efficiency and profitability.