Part-02 HSR to HBIM (The BIM for Heritage)

The General terms of Flow in BIM, 
& 
How to incorporate Historic structure Report in it.

General:

The term Building Information Modelling (BIM) is used to describe a collaborative process for the production and management of structured electronic information. BIM is not new technology, its origins being in object-based parametric modelling applications for mechanical systems design in the 1980s. BIM has been in use for the last 20 years in the architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, and is now widely applied in the UK and internationally, mainly in the new-build sector (building and infrastructure).

Note: BIM technology involves the use of parametric objects assembled to provide a virtual representation of a building or facility (asset). Parametric BIM objects represent various architectural features, structural elements, systems, other components and spaces, and are intelligent carriers of information. Parametric objects are created using geometric definitions, associated data and rules that define their behavior, ie how they interact with other objects or respond to changes in their parameters. In parametric modelling, changes in design will automatically update the assembly and its components so that rules and object definitions are always valid. In a BIM environment, all views of the assembly [two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D) and schedules] are coordinated; therefore, any changes are automatically reflected in all views, resulting in the consistent production of construction information. In this way, BIM technology combines the advantages of 3D digital geometric representation with a detailed understanding of how a building is constructed and how it performs.

Figure 1:1

BIM provides a methodology for better information management on design and construction projects,

with eventual handover of the full information required for the operational stage. 

BIM can be used for a variety of applications, including: 

• Assessing design options 
• Clash detection 
• Quantities and cost estimation 
• Construction simulation [four-dimensional (4D) modelling] 
• Energy modelling 
• Manufacture and off-site construction 
• Project management 
• Facilities and asset management. 

In the case of new-build projects, BIM offers a robust framework for a multi-disciplinary collaborative process of information production and exchange, resulting in the creation of a reliable, shared, knowledge resource to be used

as the basis for decision-making, communication, planning and consultation. The problem of poor

construction information – incomplete, inaccurate or ambiguous – has been identified as one of

the key factors responsible for additional capital costs, delays and inefficiency in the construction

sector. BIM offers a framework for better information management through the integration of digital technologies and collaborative working processes, applied across different sectors of the construction industry using common standards. The aim is to produce better value-for-money services for the client, by reducing project risk and increasing efficiency. BIM processes enable more efficient methods for designing, delivering and maintaining physical built assets throughout their entire life cycle, from earliest conception to demolition. 

The benefits of BIM implementation in construction projects therefore include:

• Efficient collaboration within a multi- disciplinary project team.
• Better design and construction coordination.
• Better cost estimation and planning.
• Better construction planning, including the possibility of off-site prefabrication.
• Reduced costs during construction (reduced delays on-site, less rework, fewer requests for information) and operational (seamless delivery of information for facilities management at handover) stages.
• Improved carbon performance.

The benefits of BIM for the architectural, engineering, construction and operation (AECO) industry are well known, but how well it can be applied in the heritage sector is still open to question, partly because of the diversity of projects that involve historic buildings and sites, such as conservation and refurbishment, adaptive reuse, preventative maintenance, heritage management, interpretation, documentation and research. Published case studies, such as the Manchester Town Hall conservation project, have shown that historic building conservation projects delivered using BIM can yield benefits during capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX) stages analogous with the new-build sector. Results from academic research of Historic BIM (the use of BIM for heritage and archaeology) are also very promising with regard to BIM implementation for heritage research and investigation. One of the aims of this publication is to raise awareness of Historic BIM both within the field of cultural heritage and also within the AECO industry.

Figure 1:2

 A building is alone not a building untill you divide it into 3 individual layers

1. Civil Structural 
2. Architectural
3. Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing

Figure 1:3

 Information, is of two types

1. Overall Information
2. Process Information (Project based)

Overall information will be a accumulation of all the type of data that any BIM based project requires, from which you start refining points to your needs.

Processed Information are project based and stage based on how and when to use what amount of details that are needed to be incorporated for the Project to progress further and reach a successful approval to start the next phase of work.

Figure 1:4

Modeling/ Management, BIM's "M" can be defined into 2 parts depending on the type of action you are majorly involved in for the project. Some individuals will have responsibilities for Modeling (M1) while some will have responsibilities for Management (M2). but both of them work parallel and have the same set of data to be taken care of in the background.

Figure 1:5

After a whole collaborations of 3 types of flow you reach to a integrated section called the"BIM" wher each flow is not alone anymore but rather linked to each other and helping the adjacent flow sysstem to be successful for a smooth collaboration.

Figure 1:6

Hence the above figure 1:6 comes into action showing you the triangular flow system of the BIM. the flow itself is a lot explanatory, so do not want to explain more on that. Our intention now is to break this chain in a logical sense so as to incorporate the "Historical reporting" in a smooth way into the BIM system, and make new chain system where data sharing becomes more complex but easy to handle because of the easy collaboration process.

Figure 1:7

Unlike the new-build construction sector, where BIM has been applied widely for a number of years at an international level, with scores of relevant publications and online content, BIM for heritage assets (historic buildings and sites) is a relatively new field of academic research and appears less popular in terms of adoption by heritage professionals.

Note: The terms heritage BIM, Historic Building Information Modelling, HBIM, BIM for heritage and BIM for historic buildings have been used almost interchangeably. For the sake of consistency, the term Historic BIM will be used throughout this publication when referring to any use of BIM for heritage and archaeology, including applications for documentation, research, conservation and asset management.

Managing cultural heritage information

Heritage projects typically rely on multi-disciplinary collaboration: a number of experts and specialists

contribute, exchange and interpret complex information and data about a heritage asset to inform the understanding of its value and significance. This understanding is crucial for decisions on future interventions, conservation and management. British Standard (BS) 7913:2013 Guide to the Conservation of Historic Buildings (BSI 2013a) states that ‘research and appraisal into the heritage values and significance of the historic building should be carried out to ensure that decisions resulting in change are informed by a thorough understanding of them’. As noted in COTAC

BIM4C Integrating HBIM Framework Report Part 1 (Maxwell 2016a, 13–16), the quality of information for this multi-disciplinary knowledge base is crucial for heritage projects. Poor information

(inaccurate, incomplete or uncoordinated) often leads to errors, which can be detrimental to the historic asset, its value and significance.

At present, information about historic buildings and (archaeological) sites is usually represented

as a collection of individual documents, reports, drawings, computer-aided design (CAD; 2D or 3D)

files and various datasets provided by different professionals, each working with their own tools and standards. Information about a single historic asset can be dispersed across a number of locations (electronic data repositories, databases and physical archives) and in various formats (paper and electronic). The status and quality of individual pieces of information may be unknown (superseded, uncoordinated or incomplete). In many cases, there is no single source of reliable and consistent information about a heritage asset.

Note: Organisations dealing with a large portfolio of historic assets, or even single-asset owners/managers, may be using different types of enterprise systems [eg asset management system, facilities management system, geographical information system (GIS)] to manage information about their estate/ asset. These should contain coordinated and verified information about the asset(s) but are not usually associated with 3D geometry.

Figure 1:8

Applications of BIM in the heritage sector

In the new-build and infrastructure sectors, BIM has shown potential benefits within design and construction projects, with significant gains in the operational stage. The key factors are efficient multi-disciplinary collaboration, structured information sharing, and integration of facilities management requirements into early project stages. Construction projects in the heritage sector (conservation refurbishment, adaptive reuse, extension and repair) could similarly benefit from the adoption of BIM and collaborative working processes, with increased efficiency, reduced costs, better planning and

improved carbon performance for historic buildings and sites. BIM technology allows improved spatial coordination and assessment of design options under various scenarios; this is arguably more important in the case of significant historic assets, where any change in the historic fabric must be carefully considered and justified.

Note: Part of the challenge is to integrate the BIM approach with existing, well-understood conservation criteria for determining significance and value, in addition to linking with other related initiatives such as the various professional architectural conservation accreditation schemes and the joint heritage agencies’ requirements for compliance with these.

The heritage sector not only involves construction, but also planning, historic asset management, preventative maintenance, documentation, investigation and research. BIM can offer new tools for the sector to support all of these activities through digital collaboration and efficient information management. The 3D (geometry) and 4D (time-based) modelling capabilities of BIM technology can be useful for heritage interpretation, presentation and simulation applications.

Most modern BIM software includes the following features, which can be particularly useful in a

range of heritage projects:

•  Multiple design options, for analysis of proposed interventions
•  Clash detection, for highly accurate spatial coordination of new interventions against the existing fabric.
•  Phasing and 4D modelling, for analysis of historic building development
•  Integration of heterogeneous datasets, such as historic information, legacy data, photographs and drawings, geospatial datasets, geophysics and remotely sensed data and imagery
•  Integration of intangible information, such as significance and heritage values, associated with specific components or spaces
•  Interoperability, for data sharing and reuse across a multi-disciplinary team
•  Potential for interfacing with other enterprise systems, such as GIS, CAFM, databases and archives.

Figure 1:9

A central repository for all historic asset information

BIM allows the structured integration of both geometric and non-geometric information (including tangible and intangible values) as well as external documents into a single model, thereby becoming a central hub for all information relating to a historic asset. BIM can also simulate how a building performs under different scenarios and visualize different design options. In the case of historic buildings, information about building pathology, original materials and construction methods, material degradation and historic fabric developments can also be incorporated.

Historic BIM can be used for the following:

•  to inform conservation
•  as a heritage management tool
•  as an archive and information resource, to
• aid future investigations and research.

Potential applications of BIM in the heritage

sector vary according to the scope and purpose of

a project, and include:

•  forming an information repository for documentation and recording activities
•  condition monitoring
•  conservation planning
•  preventative maintenance
•  asset management (at both strategic and day-to-day operational levels)
•  heritage management
•  heritage interpretation
•  visitor management
•  intervention options appraisal
•  work programming (conservation, repair, maintenance and reuse)
•  construction simulation
•  project management
•  security, fire safety, visitor safety and health and safety (H&E) planning
•  disaster preparedness.

Figure 1:10

Both the above figures 1:9 & 1:10 are a balanced vision on how the BIM process that is now being conventionally used in modern building processes can also be easily incorporated into helping Conservation and Preservation of Historical buildings. This two figures will be further coming up on future Articles too, to give more clear ideas on each topic involved. For now be a dear and try and understand the flows and generate as much as queries you can.