BIM clash

Mar 29, 2022
Posted by Maria Begouleva

Designing is a complex, multi-stage process that can involve dozens of people. The occurrence of errors in this case is inevitable. When working in CAD systems, the number of errors (collisions) can be in the thousands.

The development of building information modeling technologies has made it possible to automate many design processes: from the design of engineering systems to the preparation of project documentation. At the same time, the list of tools for finding collisions has also expanded significantly. The ability to see a clash in a 3D model and eliminate it even before the start of construction work is one of the key advantages of the technology. It saves a huge amount of time and finance during the design and construction process.

What is a collision?
It is an error that consists in the contradiction and inconsistency of the parts of the designed object (for example, in the collision of the boundaries of different objects, their overlap, intersection).

Several types of collisions are possible:
– physical intersection of elements;
– overlay of the surrounding space and normalized areas of operation;
– space-time collisions, intersection between elements due to the time factor, the appearance of which is associated with poor-quality scheduling.

So what are the reasons of collisions?
The main cause of errors is a many number of project participants. A poorly coordinated design process leads to the fact that it takes a lot of time to find and fix clashes.

How are collisions detected?
The development of BIM technologies is a huge step for the construction industry in terms of collision detection. It is obvious that in the 2D format it is impossible to detect the overlap of objects or the discrepancy between the size of the object and the installed equipment.
Today, the creation of a 3D model for detection and elimination of clashes used as actively as ever. The 3D model gives us the opportunity to see where and how the parts of the object will be located and eliminate their intersections. As already mentioned, one of the key advantages of BIM is the ability to detect a clash as early as possible and eliminate it at minimal cost. After all, the later information about a collision appears, the more it will cost to eliminate it.

Consider a number of BIM clash detection services:

Autodesk Navisworks is a software for collision control combines a set of tools for integration, calculations, and data exchange.
The software allows checking 3D models, fragments of which are stored in heterogeneous formats and come from all participants of the design process. The program helps to detect emerging contradictions, correct them and plan the implementation of the project even before the start of construction work.

Solibri is software designed to check the information model of an object and crash detection, and analyze the quality of design decisions. The program algorithm checks the quality of BIM models, and analyzes them for errors and compliance with the requirements.
Detection service features include:
– analysis and grouping of collisions according to certain parameters;
– finding missing components and materials;
– correspondence of elements of architectural and constructive models;
– instant calculation of areas and volumes of materials.

Dalux is a construction management and BIM coordination software with crash detection features and the ability to integrate with a ready-made BIM model.
The program allows:
– сombining Revit, IFC, CAD, .nwd, .pdf and .dwg files;
– combining 2D drawings and 3D models;
– integration with Revit, ArchiCAD, Navisworks, Tekla, etc.

The development of BIM technologies has led to the emergence of clash detection services. It has made it possible to significantly optimize the design and construction processes. But it must be recognized that the collision detection process is not yet perfect.

What can help reduce the risk of collisions?
– timely, regular checking of intersections to prevent collisions;
– collision checks should be carried out both by the BIM coordinator in the entire model, and by engineers within their section;
– engineers of the respective sections, when modeling their part, should take into account the further work of their colleagues and, by prior agreement, leave space for the systems of other sections.

With the use of modern software and adherence to these recommendations, modern engineers will be able to coordinate and control clashes occurrence, minimize the number of collisions in their projects as much as possible.