We live in a three-dimensional world, so it is not surprising that three-dimensional models are becoming essential tools for the design and construction industry. As illustrated by the recent AIA report on Integrated Practice, emerging technologies, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), are revolutionizing the Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industry (AEC) [Broshar et.al. 2006; Sturts and Griffis 2005]. Technology implementation is expensive; the industry is challenged to quantify the benefits gained from technology implementation [Stewart and Mohamed 2003] in light of the capital expenditures (as high as 9% of revenues in some sectors [Santos and Sussman 2000]) required to ramp up technology applications.

Scenario: Your supervisors have given you the task of finding out more about Building Information Modeling (BIM) and related technologies. They have asked to assess current technologies and work practices and to develop a report on your findings. You have heard that your local competitors are using NavisWorks and your boss asks you to focus on this software package, but to also investigate the alternatives as well as the general consensus of where the industry is headed. This term project will walk you through the process by giving you an orientation to BIM technologies as well as develop skills for evaluating new software tools.

By completing this term project, you will be able to:

Simulate portions of the renovation of Architecture Hall using emerging software tools for:

• Site mobilization
• Clash detection / subcontractor coordination
• Information / integrated databases
• Schedule planning / construction simulation
• Material takeoffs and automated pricing

Learn to evaluate new software technologies:

• Do marketing and reality differ?
• What are the needs as compaired to the functionalities offered
• What effects can new software tools have on business practices?
• What are standards and are they really standard?
• What are the real costs of implementing new tools?
• Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of a specific software tool in comparison to other similar tools on the market.

Working with the renovation of Architecture Hall project, we will start with the basic features and functionality of NavisWorks. After you have completed the NavisWorks-assignments, you will select another competing software tool to use for an additional assignment. After you have completed your individual evaluation, you will meet with other students to compare and contrast the software's apparent strengths and weaknesses.

Grading

Site Planning   25%

Clash Detection 25%

4D  25%

Evaluation  25%

Assignments are due 11pm on the Mondays listed in the syllabus. Late assignments will be accepted, but their grade will be will be reduced by 10% for each day they are late. If you are sick or otherwise delayed, please contact the Prof. Dossick well in advance of the due date for accommodations.

All software needed to successfully complete these assignments is available on the CAUP computers in the digital commons. You should plan on spending time each week working on these assignments.

For technical difficulties, please check the application's help first. Then if you still need help, you can touch base with M.S. Student Basem Banabilah at the Digital Common's desk T/TH 9 to 5 and Sunday 12 to 3.

If you do email Prof. Dossick, please put CM515A in the title. She will try to respond within 48 hours so please plan ahead to meet your assignment deadlines.

References

Broshar, Michael, Norman Strong, Daniel S. Friedman, Thom Mayne, Charles M. Eastman, James O. Jonassen, Laura Lesniewski, Eddy Krygiel, Bob Berkebile, Renee Cheng, Kimon G. Onuma, Joseph Burns, Jim Bedrick, Tony Rinella, Ian Howell, Christine McEntee, Barb Sido and Markku Allison (2006) "Report on Integrated Practice." Washington D.C.: American Institute of Architects.ref_end

Santos, B. D., and Sussman, L., (2000) "Improving the Return on IT Investment: the Productivity Paradox", International Journal of Information Management. 20, 429-440

Sturts, Carrie S., and Griffis, F.H. (Bud) (2005) "Pricing Engineering Services", Journal of Management in Engineering, 21(2)

Stewart, Rodney A. and Sherif Mohamed. (2003)? "Evaluating the Value IT Adds to the Process of Project Information Management in Construction" Automation in Construction 12:4 407-417.

For a majority of the term assignments, post your final printouts and write ups to Collect-It

This section contains links to the assignment files.

Term Project Part 1

All.nwc

Boomlift

Term Project Part 2

Term Project Part 3

Site.nwc

Term Project Part 4

ArchHall dwg files

Note, there are links to various software packages in the References section of the homepage for this course website.