298 Section 2 Architectural Planning
using a special copying function. The copied
elements have a link to the external model,
enabling changes to be monitored and reported.
For example, if the structural columns in a linked
structural model are copied by the architect and
one of the columns is moved by the structural
engineer in the structural model, an alert is
issued in the architect’s host fi le. The architect
can then review the change and decide what
action to take. The architect can accept the
change, reject the change, or leave the status
unresolved without taking immediate action. The
architect can also issue a comment to address
the change and generate a coordination report.
In order for model collaboration to be effec-
tive, regular communication should take place
between the different engineers and offi ces.
See Figure 12-19. This helps resolve design
confl icts and ensures that everyone is on the
same page. Usually, changes in design that occur
can be resolved through meetings or e-mail
correspondence.
Data Management
The amount of data generated during a
building project and the need to share it among
different stakeholders are major considerations
for companies using BIM. Data must be orga-
nized and stored in such a way that it is readily
available to the different contributors in the
project. Usually, this requires a database system
for managing all of the different types of data
collected.
Enterprise software designed for project
information management is commonly used
for this purpose. This type of software is used
for organizing and storing project data such as
e-mail correspondence, construction schedules,
contract documents, notes and photographs
from construction, and building operation and
maintenance information. This data is stored
in a centralized location along with the models
and drawing documentation developed during
the project.
Regardless of the type of data management
system used, the system must have safeguards
for fi le security and backup. In addition, fi les
should be organized to permit easy retrieval of
content. This can be achieved by using fi le naming
standards and a system with a function to search
for key terms across multiple fi le formats.
on the size of the project, it is common to plot
multiple sheets to a single PDF fi le that contains
all of the sheets in the model. Plotting fi les in
this manner may require a batch printing utility
or an additional printer driver. Once the PDF
fi le is created, it can then be plotted to hard copy
or viewed electronically using the appropriate
software. This provides the fl exibility to work from
printed drawings, a tablet, or a mobile viewing
device during construction.
Model Collaboration
BIM facilitates a collaborative design process.
Modeling work in different engineering disciplines
can be closely managed and coordinated using
special tools in the software. These tools allow
designers to share models and track the work of
others as the building design is developed.
During design development, it is common
for the architect and the engineers in other
disciplines to exchange models in order to coor-
dinate work. This approach requires a defi nition
of responsibilities and expectations to be met by
the different designers. In a typical commercial
design project, for example, the architect is
normally responsible for developing an archi-
tectural design model. The structural engineer
uses the architectural design model as a basis to
create a structural model and add components
such as columns and beams. This work must be
coordinated so that when revisions are made in
either model, components are prevented from
clashing and design intent is maintained.
It is also possible for different disciplines
to coordinate a project by working on a single
model fi le. In this case, edits are made in locally
copied fi les that are linked to a central fi le.
However, this type of collaboration is not widely
used when multiple disciplines are involved. It
is more commonly used by a design team within
a specifi c discipline, such as a group of designers
in an architectural offi ce. This approach requires
a highly coordinated process and a precise defi -
nition of responsibilities for each modeler.
Coordination of work in different disciplines
is achieved by linking models and monitoring
changes as they occur. Typically, this process
works by inserting a model from another engi-
neering discipline into a host fi le. This establishes
a link to the other model. Then, elements from
the linked model can be copied into the host fi le
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