National Institute of Building Sciences International Alliance for Interoperability Making BIM Interoperability a Reality: Technical Details of the National BIM Standard Deke Smith, AIA For Dr. Francois Grobler 12 December 2007 Washington DC This presentation is a collaborative product including the NIBS NBIMS Project Committee and others. Copyright F. Grobler

Session Overview What is IAI What is IFC? (Industry Foundation Classes) What is BIM? (Building Information Model) Why BIM? What is NBIMS

Overview continued What is “buildingSMART”? Where does Omniclass fit? Underlying questions: If we have IFC for interoperability why do we need NBIMS? How does NBIMS help to make BIM interoperability a reality?

Influence vs Cost Curve Effort Typical ‘Value’ Engineering ! StrategyDesignConstructionOperation 25%75% Lifecycle cost Virtual Building Design Proposed Entry Cost of Changes Ability to Change

Early Stage Planning Owner will actually have to make decisions

buildingSMART Open, life-cycle Interoperability Standards IFC IFC-BIM NBIMS Omniclass ® buildingSMART ® How do they fit? What are their intended scopes Proprietary Omniclass NBIMS Proprietary Standards IFC BIM

What is the IAI/buildingSMART? Global Scope (13 IAI Chapters) BENELUX Recent CHAPTER: ITALIAN CHINA INDIA, BRAZIL Proposed CHAPTERS

Emerging Organization – North America Board of Directors President buildingSMART Staff Board of Direction National BIM Standard Alan Edgar National BIM Standard Alan Edgar Facility Information Council David Jordani Facility Information Council David Jordani Technical Committee (IAI – North America) Coordinator – Deke Smith IFC – Kimon Onuma IDM – Dianne Davis MVD – Richard See IFD – Roger Grant Technical Committee (IAI – North America) Coordinator – Deke Smith IFC – Kimon Onuma IDM – Dianne Davis MVD – Richard See IFD – Roger Grant National CAD Standard Mark Butler National CAD Standard Mark Butler Business Practice Integration Business Practice Integration Visualization, Simulation & Analysis Visualization, Simulation & Analysis Real Property Community Real Property Community Quality of Life Quality of Life Economy & Sustainability Economy & Sustainability Education Energy And Environment Energy And Environment User Groups User Groups Alliances And Standards Alliances And Standards Research And Development Research And Development Project listing and coordination Start-up Project efforts Active buildingSMART ® Efforts IAI-International Pankow Projects Precast Structural Execution Planning Pankow Projects Precast Structural Execution Planning Product Development Team Bjørn K Stangeland Lars C. Christensen

What is IFC? Industry Foundation Class

Background Object-oriented technologyObject-oriented technology –Objects encapsulates identity, behavior and data –Allows inheritance from parent classes –Class defines a family of objects –Instance defines a specific individual –Instances (can) have attributes (to store data for the instance) –IFC are object-oriented, but do not contain much behavior; software provides behavior 10

Interoperability Among BIM Software Applications A Communication medium Message exchanged in Concepts to be com- municated Message formed Encoding Semantics Syntax Content Meaning - Data model (IFC) Format – STEP Physical file Instance Data Interoperability requires “understanding” of data i.e. Express, part 21

Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) “Virtual Building Pieces” Sectional information Parametric 3D information Parametric Elevation information Manufacturers Specifications, Finish, Price Scale sensitive plan symbols Also non-tangible information

How are IFC’s used IFCs are never seen by software users. Users must know how to work with IFC-BIM, i.e. know how project data should be assembled. This know-how is one of the important outcomes of this project The IFC data model is used by the IT industry and software developers to implement and develop IFC compliant software, tools and systems. Software applications supporting the IFC Model are able to exchange and share data with other application that also support the IFC Model. The scope of the exchange is defined by a “Model View”; a subset of the IFC model relevant for the exchange. I.e. a structural modeling software exchanging data with a structural analysis program does not have to “know how to” exchange data about energy simulation data.

Object-oriented Modeling Building_part Door 2 Window_frame 4 Window 6 Glass 7 frame glass S[1:?] Room 8 Room_connection 9 windows S[0:?] door relating related Room_id 3 identification Cost view Schedule 3-D CAD International Open Standard = IFC model

Generating information views from the model Building_part Door 2 Window 6 Room 8 Room_connection 9 door relating related Cost view Schedule 3-D CAD 2-D CAD Generate views National CAD Standard specifies the Appearance Content and Organization currently of 2-D view only

What is BIM? -- BIM Defined A Building Information Model (BIM) is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. As such it serves as a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its lifecycle from inception onward. A basic premise of BIM is collaboration by different stakeholders at different phases of the life cycle of a facility to insert, extract, update or modify information in the BIM to support and reflect the roles of that stakeholder. The BIM is a shared digital representation founded on open standards for interoperability.

Why BIM -- Information sharing Point-to-point doesn’t work Point-to-point doesn’t work HVAC Architect Facilities Manager Construction Manager Lighting Designer Structural Engineer Building Owner Civil Engineer Energy, Env., Sustainability Commissioning Construction Contract Project Feasi- bility & Funding Portfolio & Asset Management Master planning Project Program Design & Constr. Documents Building Information Model (BIM) Repair & Refurbish Operations & Maintenance FM & Space Management  Life cycle Interoperability: Building Information Model “Official project/facility data” in one virtual place on internet, over life- cycle

BIM Development Helix

BIM in Action BIM in Action Energy, Env., Sustainability Commissioning Construction Contract Project Feasi- bility & Funding Portfolio & Asset Management Master planning Project Program Design Dev & Constr. Documents IFC Building Information Model (BIM) Repair & Refurbish Operations & Maintenance FM & Space Management Energy Anal BS Design Arch Design Str. Steel Contracts Cost analBiddingDocs Value Eng CIS/2 Structural steel Energy+ Energy Model Specs

What is NBIMS? NBIMS is “an improved planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance process using a standardized machine-readable information model for each facility, new or old, which contains all appropriate information, created or gathered, about that facility in a format useable by all throughout its lifecycle.”[1][1] [1 ][1 ] Charter for the National Building Information Model (BIM) Standard, December 15, 2005, pg.1. See

Supporting NBIMS Vendor delivered product National BIM Standard Requirements Definition International Open Standards Based Technology Ifc, IDM, ERM, MDV, and IFD Library OGC Testbed

What is NBIMS Process? IDM + BIM Guide + User Test MVD + Software implementation + Testing/validation Information Development Manual (IDM) + Model View Definition (MVD = IMV) Courtesy NBIMS/buildingSmart with adaptation by F. Grobler

Processes exchanging information An exchange requirement expresses the idea of communicating a set of data elements + constraints The information then enables the execution of a business process The exchange requirement is prepared from the viewpoint of what is needed as input by the business process to be executed. Process AProcess Z Information Exchange Requirement Process BProcess Z Information Exchange Requirement Process A Process C Process EProcess Y Information Exchange Requirement Process D Process F Viewpoint Courtesy Jeff Wix

Reference processes P4.1 P1.1 P1.2 P1.3 P1.4 P1.5 Internal process Participant #1 P3.1 P3.2 P3.3 P3.4 P3.5 Internal process Participant #3 P2.1 P2.2 P2.3 P2.4 P2.5 Internal process Participant #2 NBIMS defines industry reference processes Exchange Requirements (ER) fit specific processes

Example: Structural Engineering Process Courtesy European Structural Group and A Crawley Exchange requirements defined

Purpose Driven Information Sharing Information Flow = IFC Exchange Requirement UserViewpoint BIM SW1 SW3 SW2 Exchange requirement depends on context/purpose of communication processes Software View ERM Process Z ERM Process A Courtesy Jeff Wix with adaptation by F. Grobler

ER and MVD P2.2 P2.3 P2.4 Internal process Participant #2 Info hand-off from P1 upstream Info required by P2 Exchange Requirement (ER) between P1-P2 BIM compatible Software NBIMS check that: SW1 can correctly send ER SW2 can correctly receive ER

ER and MVD continued SW1 SW2 User #2 User #1 ExchangeRequirements ExchangeRequirements MVD# 1 MVD# 1 Exchange file in IFC format (SPF or Part 21) or ifcXML, agcXML NBIMS – defines user (process) exchange requirements (ER) MVD = Model View Definition Software vendors and IAI define MVD NBIMS ensures the exchange has the right info Lease zone Floor # Room type Gross area Rentable area

Exchange Requirements Mapping to MVD SW1 SW2 User #2 User #1 ExchangeRequirements MVD # a*5b*5c* MVD# 1 Exchange file in IFC format (SPF or Part 21) ExchangeRequirement1. ifcZone 2. ifcfloor 3. ifcClassific. 4. ifcArea 5. Rent_area *Implementer agreements

ER and MVD SW1 SW2 User #2 User #1 ExchangeRequirements ExchangeRequirements MVD# 1 MVD# 1 Exchange information via web on IFC-BIM object server e.g. EPM, EuroSTEP, Oracle WEB Object Server

“Contracted exchange requirements” vs. Software views SP1 SP4 SP5 SP3SP2 BIM virtual information repository Software Software implementation views Concept 1 Concept 2 Concept 3 Concept 4 Concept 5 IFC Model View Definitions Concept 6 Contracted exchange requirements CER 1 CER 2 FP 1 FP 2 FP 3 FP 4 SP – Sub process CER – Contracted exchange req. FP – Functional part Process X Process input Process output NBIMS Process for IDM/MVD NBIMS Process for IDM/MVD

IDM Results Overview OverviewTechnical Exchange Requirement Functional Part Results Overview Technical Results The diagram shows the structure of the IDM The top level is the exchange requirement for the business purpose Within this is a hierarchical structure of: –exchange requirements that are precursors –functional parts that satisfy particular needs within the business purpose Exchange Requirement Lists Schema BR See IDM portal: Templates will be provided Courtesy Jeff Wix

IDM/MVD Recap

Details of MVD Development Process

View A pplication A A pplication B IFC SPF transfer file IFC Object library How are IFCs implemented? How do applications interoperate? STEP TOOLS Product, other data Web data eCommerce Apps. Apps. Apps.

Inter/Intranet A pplication A A pplication N IFC Object Servers A pplication B OMNICLASS IFC

OmniClass – what is it?  Multi-facetted classification system  Set of interrelated tables to classify objects that describe built environment from variety of points of view  Entries on tables can be combined with one another to add specificity to an object’s classification - IFC modeling / XML

ISO Standards Followed  ISO TC59/SC13/WG2 (1988)  ISO Technical Report (1994) Organization of Information about Construction Works  ISO/IS Framework for Classification of Information  ISO/PAS Framework for Object- Oriented Information Exchange

OmniClass – 15 Tables Tables  11 Construction Entities (by function)  12 Construction Entities (by form)  13 Spaces (by function)  14 Spaces (by form)  21 Elements  22 Work Results  23 Products  31 Stages  32 Services  33 Disciplines  34 Organizational Roles  35 Process Aids  41 Information  42 Materials  49 Properties

Table 11 – Construction Entities by Function Definition: Significant, definable units of built environment comprised of interrelated spaces and characterized by function Legacy Systems:  IBC, BOCA, UBC, and other building code occupancy classifications  ISO IS Table Construction Entities (by function or user activity) and Table 4.6 – Facilities (construction complexes, construction entities and spaces by function or user activity)  Uniclass Table D – Facilities

IFC-BIM transfer; OMNICLASS “double hung window” IFC Object library How does NBIMS and Omniclass enable Interoperability Making BIM interoperability a Reality? STEP TOOLS Cost Estimating CAD Product, other data Web data eCommerce Cost Database 1. Scope of an exchange defined by NBIMS 2. Exchange content (terms) defined in Omniclass = All know what to expect and “understand” the exchange

What is buildingSMART? "buildingSMART is the dynamic and seamless exchange of accurate, useful information on the built environment among all members of the building community throughout the lifecycle of a facility. buildingSMART is simply a smarter process for managing the project lifecycle."

buildingSMART All Stakeholders Participate Designer Data Owner / Occupier Data Environmentalist Data Specifier Data Financial Data Legal Data Sustainers Data Geospatial Data BIMBIM Courtesy IAI/buildingSmart

SMART™ Programs The buildingSMART™ Programs Support Business Practice Promote Research & Development Educate Practitioners & Users Improve Environment Improve Quality of Life STAKEHOLDERS Foster Alliances & Standards Provide Visualization Enhance Economic Impact Support Real Property Community Empower Users Courtesy IAI/buildingSmart

Graphisoft Who Benefits From BIM Implementation Facility Information Views Owners Planners Realtors Appraisers Mortgage Bankers Designers Engineers Cost & Quantity Estimators Specifiers Contracts & Lawyers Construction Contractors Sub-Contractors Fabricators Code Officials Facility Managers Maintenance & Sustainment Renovation & Restoration Disposal & Recycling Scoping, Testing, Simulation Safety & Occupational Health Environmental & NEPA Plant Operations Energy, LEED Space & Security Network Managers CIO’s Risk Management Occupant Support First Responders Facility Information Views Owners Planners Realtors Appraisers Mortgage Bankers Designers Engineers Cost & Quantity Estimators Specifiers Contracts & Lawyers Construction Contractors Sub-Contractors Fabricators Code Officials Facility Managers Maintenance & Sustainment Renovation & Restoration Disposal & Recycling Scoping, Testing, Simulation Safety & Occupational Health Environmental & NEPA Plant Operations Energy, LEED Space & Security Network Managers CIO’s Risk Management Occupant Support First Responders BIMBIM Courtesy IAI/buildingSmart

What is buildingSMART? “buildingSmart” – Optimizing building life cycle value using IFC-BIM Optimizing the facility life cycle value chain Building smart teams, contracts Building smart processes; supply chains Building smart buildings Optimizing value (profits) for individual participants

Using BIM, NBIMS, buildingSMART Simulations -Comfort -Ventilation, heating -Life cycle cost -Light, sound -Insulation -Fire, usage -Environment -Life time predictions Specifications -Specification sheets -Classification standards -Estimates, accounting IFC + IFD product model Briefing -Functional req. -Estimates -Conditions -Requirements Knowledge databases -Best practise knowledge -Own practice Laws and regulations -Building regulations -Building specifications CAD software -Drawings, calculations -Architect, engineer,… VRML -Visualisation, 3D models Procurement -Product databases -Price databases Facility management -Letting, sale, operations -Maintenance -Guaranties Demolition, refurbishment -Rebuild -Demolition -Restoration Construction management -Scheduling -Logistics, 4D Courtesy IAI/buildingSmart

Conclusion Contact Information –NIBS / buildingSMART alliance: Deke Smith - –NBIMS Chair: Alan Edgar - –Task Team Chairpersons Fundraising: Ric Jackson - Business Process Integration: Dave Jordani - Scoping: Dianne Davis - Development: Bill East - Models: Richard See - Testing: Patrick Suermann - Communications: Patrick Davis – –NBMIS: Thank You