Application of BIM technology in design drawing integration in design phase
Previously, two-dimensional architecture, structural and MEP drawings were combined and organized at the construction site. Frequently errors and information gap occurred while integrating those drawings of different revisions, resulting in waste of resource and decrease of productivity during late construction phase. This project adopted BIM technology (shown as Figure 6) and cloud computing interface (shown as Figure 7) at detailed design stage to assist THSRC to incorporate different types of drawings.
This interface enabled the integration of traditional 2D drawings and made it possible to manage 3D BIM models, 3D parameters, and BIM collaboration. Clash detection reports and clarification reports can be generated with the integrated BIM model. The 3D visualized communication model provides a useful tool for the examination and discussion with THSRC (shown as Figure 8).
To perform the design concept of the graceful posture of flower blossom, it is critical to integrate the curved columns with architecture curvature and MEP. The curved structural column is the featured design of this project. The steel manufacturer pre-fabricated the steel structure of petal-like columns. BIM center provided the sections and perspective drawings generated from BIM model for the steel manufacturer to produce the curvature.
The production and application of integrated database in construction phase
The application of BIM technology for information synchronizing during the construction
Prior to the construction, BIM model was created according to the contract drawings approved by THSRC. The BIM model is used as a tool to coordinate various professional disciplines, to distribute integrated comments, to report errors and discrepancies in the drawings, and to generate clash detection report. Based on the clash report, THSRC reviewed the drawings submitted by the contractor, subcontractors and manufacturers in order to coordinate and correct the mistakes in the contract drawings before construction starts. Such a process allows for fewer field problems, enhanced construction quality, and a better control in the project procedure (shown as Figure 9).
The approved final version of BIM model was uploaded to the collaboration platform for THSRC and various parties to increase the efficiency of discussion. With the application of this platform, different sub-contractors and manufacturers were able to discuss and resolve potential issues consistently.
To minimize the field problem and develop solutions, it is necessary to find out potential construction issues; for example, whether the elevation of piping is too high or too low, the clear space between drainage pipelines and surrounding objects, and the relationship between the positions of drain pipe and the elevation of catch basins (Figure 10).
Eighteen petal-like columns were designed to symbolize the characteristic of HSR Changhua station, twelve of them were located at the high ceiling lobby, and the other six were located at the maintenance area of the concourse floor slab. The design of petal-like columns creates the rhythm in the interior space and brings the image of local flower industry into the station. At early planning stage, the petal-like steel columns were integrated with interior decoration detailing, mechanical/electrical/piping and other design elements such as penetration of six petal-like steel columns through the floor slab, connection details of petal-like columns and beams supporting the floor, and the rebar arrangement between the steel column and concrete beam. Preventive discussions which reduce the frequency of design modification during construction are critical for early stage integration (shown as Figure 11).
During construction, drawings of petal-like columns and the ring girder from steel manufacturer were integrated with the sections generated from BIM model to examine the curvature of each petal-like columns and to corporate with architectural and MEP models for clash detection. Feedback loop was created between steel manufacturer and THSRC.
The application of BIM technology for delivering clash report during construction
Frozen BIM model provided a virtual platform to generate different perspective views for the steel manufacturer. The elevation of the ring girder was incorporated to the perspective views to improve the communication for resolving welding and on-site assembling issues. The ring girder elevation drawings from the manufacturer could also be included into the frozen structural BIM model and steel construction drawings for finding discrepancies. For THSRC, the project outcomes have improved greatly because of the capability of on-site checking and execution. Petal-like steel column checklist is shown as follows:
The clash report and construction report generated by the frozen BIM model were provided to THSRC as a reference for reviewing the construction drawing. The clash report list is shown as follows:
Facility management and other benefits
The BIM model was modified and corrected according to as-built drawings. To enhance the operation smoothness and management efficiency, it is crucial to understand owner’s needs such as management method and to study the inspection and maintenance list during operation. MEP and operation facility information such as ticket gates and ticket vending machines were included in the as-built BIM model for different operation and maintenance sectors (shown as Figure 12). The statistic report can be derived from as-built BIM model by the customized parametric chart which includes information such as facility expiration date and maintenance schedule (shown as Figure 13).
Quantity report is another important task of the project. BIM model was tailored to generate the required outputs. Structural BIM model generates steel and concrete quantities; MEP BIM model generates pipe sizes and quantities. With these reports, THSRC was able to perform cross-check with the quantity report from design team, and thus to utilize the construction resource effectively, to reduce the waste, and to better control the budget (shown as Figure 14).
With the demand of animation film production, the ability of data interoperability in BIM technology helped to shorten the time of high quality animation production and to increase the accuracy of animation model by providing the corresponding data.
The 4D construction sequencing simulation is one of the other benefits of BIM model. It was made by integrating the construction information such as project schedule, work flow, site access, resource, and time to simulate the construction sequence. Visualized platform enabled the owner to discuss construction issues with contractors.