BIM in structural engineering: a study of interoperability between BIM platform and FEM software on structural modelling, analysis and design : master thesis No.: 193/II. GR-BIM

Nyei, Muniru (author), Isaković, Tatjana (mentor), Cerovšek, Tomo (co-mentor)

Building Information Modelling (BIM) shows exceptional advantages and potentials in the field of structural engineering as well. These potentials, e.g., productivity, coordination, visualization, documentation, and waste reduction, cannot be achieved without an appropriate mechanism to ensure the smooth transfer of data from the BIM platform to structural analysis or Finite Element Modelling (FEM) software. Challenges in data transfer or interoperability to be among the key factors hindering the full participation of structural engineers in BIM workflow. This thesis seeks to examine the possibilities of conversion from the Revit BIM platform to FEM software by exchanging a central Revit model, supplemented by appropriate load-bearing data, with each of the following commonly used FEM programs: SOFiSTiK, Dlubal (RFEM) and SCIA (SCIA Engineer). We first reviewed in detail the use of BIM in structural engineering, focusing on the impacts on structural design and workflow, key benefits, and some challenges during use. The three main levels of interoperability between BIM and FEM software are then defined and theoretically researched and explained in detail. These interoperability levels are direct native file exchange (exchange between the same commercial software providers), direct link or bi-directional data exchange, and IFC (Industry Foundation Class). Two case studies are conducted to support the conclusions of this thesis. The first case study tests the capability of direct link interoperability (data exchange via add-on/plug-in) between the Revit BIM platform and the FEM software. The second case study uses the Revit-SOFiSTiK interface to analyse the efficiency of BIM workflows in structural engineering. This study found that the exchange of data via this interface is well synchronized and efficient. The efficiency of the interface in terms of structural engineering BIM workflow is proven with a high degree of reliability. The results of this thesis provide relevant information on the interoperability of BIM in structural engineering. In addition, the study confirms the results of previous studies showing that interoperability (most especially direct link interoperability level) is the most effective means of communicating data between the Revit BIM platform and structural engineering software.

• Language: English
• Keywords: civil engineering, master thesis, BIM, interoperability, structural engineering, direct link, data exchange, FEM, revit, software, sofistik, RFEM, scia engineer
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Typology: 2.09 - Master's Thesis
• Organization: FGG - Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering
• Place of publishing: Ljubljana
• Publisher: [M. Nyei]
• Year: 2021
• Number of pages: XVI, 108 str., [27] str. pril.
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-126565
• UDC: 004.78:624.13(043.3)
• COBISS.SI-ID: 63231747
• Publication date in RUL: 28.04.2021

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: BIM v konstrukcijskem inženirstvu: študija interoperabilnosti BIM orodij pri modeliranju, analizi in projektiranju : [magistrsko delo]

Abstract

Informacijsko modeliranje zgradb BIM (angl. Building Information Modelling) kaže izjemne prednosti in potenciale tudi na področju konstrukcijskega inženirstva. Teh potencialov kot so npr. produktivnost, koordinacija, vizualizacija, dokumentiranje in zmanjšanje količine odpadkov ni mogoče doseči, če ni ustreznega mehanizma, ki zagotavlja nemoten prenos podatkov iz BIM platforme v programsko opremo za analizo konstrukcij in modeliranje konstrukcij s končnimi elementi (angl. FEM). Izzivi pri prenosu podatkov ali interoperabilnosti naj bi bili med ključnimi dejavniki, ki ovirajo polno sodelovanje projektantov (gradbenih inženirjev). Ta študija skuša preveriti možnosti pretvorbe iz platforme Revit BIM v programsko opremo FEM z izmenjavo osrednjih podatkov modela Revit, dopolnjenih z ustreznimi konstrukcijskimi lastnostmi, z vsakim od naslednjih pogosto uporabljenih FEM programov: SOFiSTiK, Dlubal (RFEM) in SCIA Engineer. Podrobno smo pregledali uporabo BIM v konstrukcijskem inženirstvu, s poudarkom na vplivih na konstrukcijsko zasnovo in potek dela, ključnih prednostih in nekaterih izzivih med uporabo. Nato so opredeljene in teoretično raziskane ter podrobno razložene tri glavne ravni interoperabilnosti med programsko opremo BIM in FEM. Te stopnje interoperabilnosti so: neposredna izmenjava izvornih datotek (izmenjava med istimi komercialnimi ponudniki programske opreme), neposredna povezava ali dvosmerna izmenjava in IFC (Industry Foundation Class).V podporo zaključkom te teze sta na primerih izvedeni dve študiji. S prvo študijo so preizkušene zmožnosti neposredne izmenjave podatkov med platformo Revit BIM in programsko opremo FEM . V drugi študiji je uporabljen vmesnik RevitSOFiSTiK s ciljem, da se analizira učinkovitost BIM delovnih procesov v konstrukcijskem inženirstvu S to študijo je bilo ugotovljeno, da je izmenjava podatkov preko tega vmesnika dobro sinhronizirana in učinkovita. Učinkovitost vmesnika glede delovnih procesov v konstrukcijskem inženirstvu je dokazana z visoko stopnjo zanesljivosti. Rezultati te naloge zagotavljajo ustrezne informacije o interoperabilnosti BIM v konstrukcijskem inženirstvu. Poleg tega potrjujejo rezultate prejšnjih študij, ki kažejo, da je interoperabilnost najučinkovitejše sredstvo za sporočanje podatkov med platformo Revit BIM in programsko opremo za konstrukcijsko inženirstvo.

• Keywords: gradbeništvo, magistrska dela, GR, BIM, interoperabilnost, strukturni inženiring, neposredna povezava, izmenjava podatkov, FEM, revit, programska oprema, sofistik, RFEM, scia inženir