BIM in Structural Engineering

The Impact, The Benefits, The Challenges

Clayton Hotel Galway 23rd September

Mark Morley BE MIEI

BIM Manager/Design Engineer RPS

T:
E:
www:

+353 (0) 91 400200

mark.morley@rpsgroup.com
www.rpsgroup.com/ireland

BIM in Structural Engineering

My Background

RPS BIM in Structural Engineering

UHG New Ward Block

Industrial Facilities (North West)

Industrial Facility (Dublin)

Advantages of BIM Approach

Issues with BIM Approach

Summary

My Background

Civil Engineering graduate of both

GMIT & NUIG

6 years experience including 3 with

RPS

First Introduced to BIM in GMIT

ArchiCAD Virtual Building

Undertook FYP in BIM

Carried out BIM pilot project in RPS

BIM Manger/ Structural Design

Engineer

RPS BIM in Structural Engineering

Utilise BIM approach on all structural projects

Before
With BIM
BIM
Engineer
BIM Manager/Design
develops design
Engineer
concept,
models
produces
basic
sketch's
structural concept model
Technician
Using 1 central
produces
live model:
detailed drawings from
sketches

Coordinates the development of the model/design

Engineer carries our design analysis

Carries out
analysis
on model, input results
independent
ofdesign
drawing
production

Mark-ups used to progress design

directly into model

Coordinates the production of drawings, schedules

BIM alters the entire way in which a project is

procured, delivered, constructed and operated
It is both a process and a deliverable

UHG New Ward Block

3 story steel structure with comflor concrete

slabs

Connecting into 2 existing buildings

underground M&E tunnel

Exchange 3D information with the contractor

Extract quantities Issues with suppliers

Industrial Facilities (Northwest)

2 similar steel structures combined office and

production space steel and comflor
construction

Large glass expanses global stability issue

Model developed from Architects massing

model

Tight project deadline overlapping disciplines

Industrial Facility Dublin

3 story steel frame comflor slabs

14000m2 of office, production, labs & plant

7000m2 of existing structure to be connected

into

All structural drawings produced form 1 live

integrated Revit model

Design carried out using information transfer

to Robot SA

Industrial Facility Dublin

Advantages of Using BIM Complex Design

Production areas 13 m spans roof trusses to

hang 2 floor plant areas on 1st and 2nd floors

Existing facility to remain operational no

foundations near structure cantilevered floors

Large canopy to delivery area

5 staircores/lift shaft large spans foundations to

cantilever

Cater for future expansion

Industrial Facility Dublin

Advantages of Using BIM Existing Structure

Connect into existing portal frame structure

Add link corridor, access ramps, remove lift shafts

Add additional brize soleil frame to hide building

Protect existing block faade with protrusions

Industrial Facility Dublin

Advantages of Using BIM Revisions, Revisions, Revisions

Client made numerous changes during

project to adapt to changing market
conditions.

BIM model allowed design team to asses

impact of changes on structure, design and
quantities.

Industrial Facility Dublin

Advantages of Using BIM Exchange of Info with Robot

Information transferred to and from Robot

SA to design and analyse structure.

Industrial Facility Dublin

Advantages of Using BIM Information Extraction

Able to extract steel quantities from BIM model

Issue with availability of ASBs

Compare IFT and IFC quantities and track

changes

Industrial Facility Dublin

Issues with Using BIM
Ownership/Transfer of Model

Pre existing contact no provision for BIM

No EIR or BEP.

Interoperability

Information gets lost during transfer

Issues with IFC Import v Export

Client requested model in native Revit

format

Nodes in Analytical model not meeting

Is a model a drawing?

Requirement for post processing in

import software.

Existing Work Practices/Understanding

Cant we just Copy & Paste
Just cheat make it work
It has to go Friday.
Sure just CAD that section

Summary

Utilise BIM Approach on all structural projects has entire way in which a
project is procured, delivered, constructed and operated .

Allows detailed information to be developed and extracted at an early stage

Many advantages to allow designers to visualise and analyse design options

Issues still exist in the area of Interoperability, Ownership & Understanding

Thank You

Mark Morley BE MIEI

BIM Manager/Design Engineer RPS

T:
E:
www:

+353 (0) 91 400200

mark.morley@rpsgroup.com
www.rpsgroup.com/ireland