By integrating expert-derived design rules into a rule-based assistance system, this project introduces a proactive clash avoidance approach in BIM coordination. Our innovation addresses the increasing resource demands for clash resolution by enhancing model quality through real-time “cause of clash” identification and prevention, streamlining the process across all design disciplines.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) and BIM coordination is one of the most promising albeit resource intensive processes in the construction workflow. The estimated cost savings from BIM-based clash or conflict management can be up to 20% of contract value. The primary challenge addressed in this work is the inefficiencies in BIM-based multidisciplinary coordination, specifically due to the high incidence of identified clashes within federated BIM models. With the advance in clash detection technologies, the number of clashes in federated BIM models continues to rise which simultaneously increases the resources needed for clash resolution and decreases the quality of models. This phenomenon significantly hinders the collaborative benefits of BIM, ultimately impacting construction project efficacy and economy.
Recent years have seen various proposed theoretical frameworks for automatic clash resolution. However, a gap still exists in verifying their practical applicability and effectiveness in the current construction industry landscape. This work overcomes this problem by taking a proactive approach towards clash management with clash avoidance as its core concept. This work incorporates proven expert knowledge into an innovative rule-based assistance system integrated into BIM authoring tools. The developed system gives engineers and designers real-time assistance in identifying and avoiding clashes during model creation which is applicable for all disciplines.
The rule-based expert system addresses the challenge of proactive clash avoidance in BIM models by combining expert knowledge and rule-based automation. The system operates as a BIM authoring tool API-based plugin, leveraging C# to integrate rules and best practices from industry experts. Revit was selected as the host platform for this plugin because of its widespread adoption within the industry.
Expert rules were gathered through multiple stages of standardized interviews with experienced professionals from various construction disciplines. The collected rules were then validated by cross-referencing their efficacy with a separate group of industry experts. This rigorous process resulted in 35 highly effective rules, for proactive clash avoidance, which were integrated into the developed system. The rules guide designers by issuing real-time warnings or error prompts when deviations from encoded clash prevention strategies are detected.
The developed expert system includes a comprehensive knowledge base of rules and a fact database used to match against the rules. The system provides designers constant access to a clash avoidance tutorial. This helps designers adhere to best practices while working on different specialty models. The system includes an explanation module that justifies flagged warnings or errors, allowing designers to accept or override suggestions. Overrides are logged with an increment override counter for review by the BIM managers or coordinators, ensuring transparency, and calibrating trust in the system.
The plugin simultaneously validates design decisions against multiple clash avoidance rules, streamlining the process and increasing efficiency. By combining real-time feedback, expert knowledge, and automation, it provides a robust solution to the industry's clash management challenges.
