Clash Detection and Resolution through Architectural BIM Models

Clash detection and resolution within architectural BIM models leads to a seamless construction process. Identifying and resolving conflicts between various building systems minimizes rework and improves project efficiency.

Construction projects often face costly and time-consuming challenges when building components like pipes, walls, and ducts conflict with each other during on-site installation. Without proper clash resolution, the discovery of these conflicts in the construction phase leads to expensive reworks and safety hazards. The cascading effects of this unresolved interference between building elements frequently result in budget overruns and complicated on-site remediation.

To address these challenges, architectural firms have adopted BIM-driven clash detection tools like Revit and Navisworks. These advanced BIM tools enable design teams to systematically identify and resolve conflicts within 3D BIM architectural models before construction begins. Through a well-structured BIM workflow, teams can perform comprehensive interference checks, ensuring seamless coordination between various building components and systems.

The implementation of BIM clash detection processes yields significant benefits for construction projects. Design teams achieve enhanced accuracy in conflict analysis, leading to smoother construction execution. This proactive approach minimizes on-site complications, leading to faster construction timelines. The collaborative nature of BIM workflows also ensures information integrity throughout the project lifecycle, enabling teams to maintain better control over design coordination and construction quality.

Understanding common clashes in architectural BIM models

Clash detection in BIM models is not about a single type of conflict. It highlights issues, including hard clashes where members collide with each other (beams going through pipes). Soft clashes are clearances that are insufficient for activities like maintenance access, and workflow clashes are defined as construction sequences that create problems. Identifying various types of clash is critical for preventing rework and on-site delays.

• Hard Clashes: Structural elements intersecting with architectural components (e.g. beams through walls)

These clashes are the most obvious type of clashes, which represent direct physical collision between various members. Visualize a structural beam going through a wall or pipes interfering with ductwork. Hard clashes need quick resolution, as they can make physical construction problematic.

• Soft Clashes: Insufficient clearances for code compliance or maintenance access

These clashes are related to spatial needs and tolerances. For example, insufficient clearances around mechanical equipment for required maintenance access or walkways that don’t meet accessibility codes. Soft clashes, while not obstructive, lead to higher rework if not addressed in the preconstruction stage.

• Workflow Clashes: Schedule conflicts between disciplines due to poor BIM coordination

These clashes are schedule-based conflicts that arise from poor coordination between multiple trades. For example, the 3D BIM model shows electrical conduits installed before the walls they need to be embedded within. Such clashes interrupt construction sequencing and lead to delays and cost overages.

Unique architectural clash scenarios

Architectural BIM models reveal unique interferences, including complex fa?ade geometries that conflict with structural supports or intricate ceilings that clash with MEP equipment. These require careful coordination and unique solutions.

• Interference between fa?ade elements and MEP components

Facades comprise intricate assemblies and complex geometries. This can lead to interference with MEP equipment like ducts, ventilation, or plumbing lines behind facades. Resolving these clashes requires 3D coordination that ensures aesthetic needs and building functionality.

• Misalignment of design elements during BIM model coordination with structural models

During 3D BIM model coordination, misalignment between architectural and structural components arises from ambiguities in 3D coordinate systems, various Levels of Detail (LOD), or human error. This leads to interferences like structural grids not aligning with walls or floor slabs set at various elevations. These misalignments need careful checks and modifications to ensure the integrity of the design intent.

How BIM tools facilitate architectural clash detection

Revit’s built-in clash checking and resolution helps architects identify clashes between model components, which facilitates coordination and reduces conflicts.

• Automated detection of clashes during the design phase

Revit’s interference detection automates conflict identification between model elements during the preconstruction phase. This helps architects with proactive resolution of issues that include ducts clashing with pipes, intersecting walls, or architectural components interfering with structural members before on-site construction commences. This automation leads to time savings and mitigates costly on-site reworks.

• Integration of BIM design integration workflows to align architectural models with other disciplines

BIM workflow optimization helps align architectural 3D models with other trades like structural and MEP. To make these systems function as a single ecosystem and make these components fit seamlessly, BIM design integration workflows are reinforced within architectural models. Establishing a shared coordinate system and using industry standards like IFC ensures streamlined information exchange between disciplines. Deploying a central Level of Development (LOD) specification supports consistency in 3D model detail.

Navisworks for comprehensive clash detection

Navisworks integrates 3D models from various trades into a singular environment for detailed BIM clash detection. Its advanced tools flag clashes, visualize them in 3D space, and enable collaborative solutions.

• Benefits of using Navisworks clash detection for multidisciplinary coordination

Navisworks makes 3D model clash detection seamless through centralized model aggregation, interference detection, visualization, and collaboration on a single platform.

• Detailed clash reports and visualization tools that aid in BIM conflict resolution

Navisworks delivers exhaustive clash reports with data on interfering elements, locations and severity. The visualization tool provides exploded and section views to resolve clashes efficiently. These reports are shared and utilized for communication and documentation among various stakeholders.?

Steps for clash detection and resolution in architectural BIM models

Clash detection and resolution in BIM starts with creating a coordinated architectural model, which is followed by using tools like Navisworks to flag and resolve clashes. This iterative workflow leads to clash-free design before on-site work begins.

Step 1: Creating a coordinated architectural model

Start by creating an accurate and data-rich architectural BIM model that ensures all the elements are placed correctly.?

• Start with a well-structured architectural model in Revit

Establish a clean and organized architectural Revit model with layers, elements, naming, and information organization.

• Ensure accurate inputs from architectural, structural, and MEP teams

Coordinate with other trades, obtain their 3D models, and ensure they are aligned and up-to-date with the architectural layout.?

Step 2: Running clash detection

Use clash detection tools in Revit or Navisworks to flag conflicts between various building members.

• Use Navisworks or Revit to identify potential clashes

Deploy BIM clash detection software like Navisworks to pinpoint conflicts and intersections between model components.

• Categorize clashes by priority (critical, moderate and minor)

Assign levels of severity for clashes based on their project impact, which allows teams to prioritize resolution.

Step 3: Resolving clashes with BIM implementation strategies

Collaboratively address clashes by modifying model elements, redesigning components, and changing construction sequencing.

• Adjust architectural elements (e.g., resizing walls and adjusting clearance spaces)

Modify the 3D architectural model in Revit to resolve clashes like element repositioning and changing wall dimensions to achieve the required clearances.

• Collaborate with other disciplines to achieve mutual resolutions

Engage in feedback and discussion with structural and MEP teams to look for solutions that check all design needs and limitations.

Step 4: Validating the architectural model

After resolving all the clashes, we again perform clash detection to confirm that all the interferences are resolved and that the model is coordinated.

• Re-run clash detection to ensure a clash-free design

Perform a final interference detection analysis to verify that all the clashes are successfully resolved.

• Share updated models through BIM collaboration tools for final review

Use BIM360 or other platforms to share the coordinated 3D models with various participants for handover and sign-off.

Benefits of effective clash detection in architectural BIM modeling

Conclusion

Clash detection in architectural BIM models has become an essential component of modern construction project management. Through advanced BIM tools like Revit and Navisworks, design teams can effectively identify and resolve hard clashes, soft clashes, and workflow conflicts before construction begins. The systematic process of clash detection and resolution - from creating coordinated architectural models to final validation - insures seamless integration between various building components and systems.

Thus, clash detection in BIM minimizes costly rework, accelerates construction timelines,and enhances collaboration between architectural, structural, and MEP teams. By leveraging automated detection tools and comprehensive clash reports, architects can transform potential construction challenges into optimized solutions, delivering projects that maintain both design integrity and constructability.