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Risky BIM’ness! Brian Renehan, AEC Systems Pty, Ltd.

Class Description

A primary concept behind the implementation of Revit into

Construction Design firms is to reduce Risk. However, it has become

evident many firms involved in using Revit and in BIM projects are not

adhering to the same stringent Quality Control procedures in

comparison to their traditional documentation issue checks and audits.

This is happening despite the Scope, Usage and Integrity of the models

being far greater and diverse than any previous data exchanges. Firms

need to ensure their processes and checks are achieving this risk

reduction. It needs to start with meeting in-house office

expectations/standards and follow through to project BIM deliverables.

This class is designed to step you through the Model Audit process.

Determine the audit Scope, frequency and resourcing requirements;

including helpful methods on checking your models, processes, and

any additional software you will need in your audit tool kit.

Three learning objectives/outcomes

• Understanding the significance of quality control for BIM in your

business.

• Determining intent, scope and resourcing for BIM Quality Control.

• Auditing methods to ensure your model fulfils your deliverables

and expectations.

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Session 7

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Risky BIM’ness! - Brian Renehan

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About the Speaker:

Brian Renehan qualified as an

Architectural Technologist in Ireland

in 1998. In 2001, he moved to

Melbourne and worked at COX

Architects. He came across Revit

and ventured into his first

commercial Revit project at the start

of 2006. He did not see Revit as just

“The New Thing” but a way to deliver

buildings with greater value, quality

outcomes and better design team

integration. He soon became the

local branch BIM Manager and then

National Technical BIM Coordinator

shortly after words. He has personally

delivered over 30 Revit/BIM projects

around Australasia ranging in value

from $2M AUS to $320M AUS. At the end of 2010, he joined AEC

Systems Pty Ltd in a Senior BIM Technical Consultant role where he is

assisting AEC firms in implementing and streamlining their Revit / BIM

processes. He is currently BIM managing a $56 Million University Building

in Perth, and carrying out monthly audits on a 1 Billion Dollar project in

Perth.

Brian has also been deeply involved in the local Revit User Group in

Victoria (REVIC) and was the chair person in 2010.


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Audit/Review Approaches:

Why do we need to have Audits & Quality Control in the first place?

“Reduce Risk & Uncertainty”

“Ensure Efficient Productivity”

When we examine BIM, and the BIM Process; there are several different

ways we can look at l different Audit formats influencing Quality

Control in different ways.

If we start by looking at “traditional” Project Review or Audits they

generally came in the following formats.

• Design Review

• Documentation Review

• CAD Standards Review.

Design Review

Generally a meeting involving the principle designers reviewing if the

design intent has met the design philosophies and requirements.

Key Function: “Design Quality Control”

Process typically involves 2D paper pinned up on the wall, potentially

3D physical models, and 3D Digital models.


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Some typical questions may include (e.g. Architectural Review):

• Is the architecture well organized and provide a concise system

overview, background information, constraints, and a clear

organisational structure for all downstream designs?

• Is the architecture designed to accommodate likely change?

• Are all external interfaces, including user interfaces, identified

and justified?

• Is the architecture feasible for implementation?

• Is there any missing or incomplete logic?

• Can the parts of the architecture be traced back to

requirements?

• Is the design feasible from a technology, cost, and schedule

standpoint?

• Ect, ect

Documentation Review

A review of the documentation content itself, to ensure the

“Hardcopy” paper documentation meets deliverable requirements.

Key Function: “Paper Documentation Quality Control”

This is traditionally carried out by hand on paper, by someone not on

the project. Products such as “Blue beam” PDF Review are becoming

very popular.


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It can involve detailed check lists to find items omitted form specific

drawing types, review of details for construction and durability

requirements and consistency of documentation.

Some typical questions may include:

• Do the components in the detail meet Weathering and Thermal

Requirements?

• Are the components in the detail assembled in a way to allow for

constructability and maintenance?

• Are the drawings in line with BCA and other relevant codes and

requirements?

• Are there key areas missing from the documentation?

• Is the documentation coordinated?

• Ect, ect

CAD Standards Review.

A review of the Digital CAD drawings to ensure they meet office

standard (in some cases project standard) symbology’s and graphical

output. It would typically also cover how the digital drawings are

assembled, including file, block/cell, layer naming.

Key Function: “Drawing Format Quality Control”


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Some typical questions may include:

• Layers - name, colour, line types, line weights

• Styles – text & dimensions

• Symbols - sections, details, door, window, reference notes

• Typical project folder structure, file location

• File – block/cell naming convention

• File – block/cell origin points

• Reference files/Links

• Ect, ect

BIM/Revit and additional information.

Today, with the exchange of data rich models, which are continually

being used in new ways, we need to ensure we are not adding

additional liability to our processes. The Traditional Hard Copy and

equivalent digital version (PDF) is quickly becoming the secondary

data exchange format, and to add to issue, PDF does not integrate

within our design software, nor do they contain embedded mata-data.

Example of this new data use:

• The model contains an entire 3 dimensional building. Some of the

models components traditional may not have been detailed

until a much later design stage as they are beyond the scope of

a traditional 2D GA plan.

Thus the whole extent of the model needs to be checked before

issue.

• Structural framing type names may be used directly by the

Architect to check and updating structural sizes. Traditionally the

block size of framing members was irrelevant and you always

had to check the framing schedule member size.

Thus the Type names need to be Correct.

• Levels/Grids, Structural, Service elements and hosting of services

are now being monitored across disciplines the actions in one

model can directly influence the location of subsequent

elements in tother models. Thus modifications of these items

needs to be carried out in a diligent manor.


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• Room data sheets are now being generated by content out of

both Architectural and Service models. Thus the associated data

must be check and correct.

• Within BIM deliverables the following could come into play:

o QSID data added to allow for quantity take off.

o Associated Level to allow for clash and/or 4D simulations

o COBie or similar data for Facilities Management

Model Management:

An item which maybe over looked, is the data which should not be

included. Large clunky models will slow down the entire design team.

The last thing any firms wants is the finger being pointed at them

employing the productivity of the entire design team is being

compromised because of their model.

Process Management:

As firms strive for an integrated design mythology, there are some new

risks being taken on. These need to be closely reviewed to ensure they

are managed appropriately.

E.g. If the lead consultant moves the building location, the other

consultants should not receive any risk for having to manually relocate

their models.

Resultant:

Thus it is necessary due diligence and review/checking which paper

documents have received to date, must also be extended to BIM.


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Risk Assessment:

Risk assessment is the determination of quantitative value of risk related

to a situation and a recognised threat.

Quantitative risk assessment requires calculations of two components

of risk (R):, the magnitude of the potential loss (L), and the probability

(p) that the loss will occur.

In our circumstances

(L)Loss is the financial loss in dollars

(P) Probability the error will occur

Risk Matrix

Loss v

Probability

Negligible

(1)

Marginal

(2)

Critical

(3)

Catastrophic

(4)

Certain (5) 5 10 15 20

Likely (4) 4 8 12 16

Possible (3) 3 6 9 12

Unlikely (2) 2 4 6 8

Rare (1) 1 2 3 4

Thus: Risk (R) = Loss (L) x Probability (P)

Loss Range (sample example only):

Negligible Loss is in design team resourcing time, 2 to 3 days

Marginal Loss is in design team resourcing time, 4 to 15 days and/or

Loss to client < $50,000

Critical Loss is in design team resourcing time, 16 or more days; and/or

Loss to client > $50,000

Catastrophic Issue likely to escalate to a court arbitration and litigation

Example:

Risk the setup of the BIM Coordinate system for the models is incorrect or inflexible:

Loss = If not discovered until into Contract Documentation – Critical (3)

Probability = If a due process has not been documented – Likely (4)

Risk scale is 12, considered high

Using Risk assessment it can be determined what is medium and high risk which

require the due scrutiny at Audit time.


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Process Management

Let’s be very clear here: It is not an official process/standard unless it is documented.

Process Documentation

The most effective way to map and document process in in process mapping:

More information on process mapping at: http://www.bpmn.org/


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Clash Resolution Workflow:

MODEL ELEMENT

AUTHOR’S (MEA)

CLASH DETECTIVE

MANAGER (CDM)

INFORMATION

EXCHANGE

Sample process mapping for Clash Resolution Workflow.

Initial Review

Clash

MEA’s Start

proces

s

Model Authoring

& updating

MEA’s

NWC

files

Clash Detection

Analysis

CDM

No

Yes

Does the model

meet the

requirements?

Clash

Coordinati

on Meeting

MEA’s CDM

Clash

Resolved

NWD files

Clash

Result

Federated

Model

NWD files

Clash

Report,

HTML files XLS files

Actioned

Clash

Authored

file format

Discipline Clash

Resolution

Actioned to

specific MEA


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Quality Control: Quality Control (QC) is a procedure or set of procedures intended to

ensure production adheres to a defined set of quality criteria and/or

meets the requirements of the client.

Items to be considered in a typical Construction Design Quality Control:

1. Compliance with Codes and Regulations 2. Compliance with Clients Brief 3. Coordination of spatial data and information data within Authors documentation

4. Coordination of spatial data and information data across the Project Design and Constructing teams documentation

5. Accuracy & Quality of the information within the documentation 6. Traceable data with one point of thought 7. Production is efficient 8. Use of project / model contents in future project developments or similar projects.

Code Compliance: Natspec BIM – National BIM Guide: section – 7.2.3

There are many ways in which the model can be used to check

many relevant codes:

• BCA – (Building Code Australia)

• DDA - Disability Discrimination Act

• Australian Standards

o AS1170 – Structural Loading

o 1680.2.4 - Interior lighting, Industrial tasks and

processes,

Automation solutions:

1. Solibri Model Checker.

http://www.solibri.com/

• Building owners checking designs against program requirements

• Architects and Engineers delivering cost-effectively high quality 3D building information models

• Construction companies obtaining reliable and up-to-date cost estimates


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• Facilities Management FM operations for checking material life-cycle and maintainability

2. Revit Rants (CADWAY) AS1428.1-2009 Door circulation DDA

compliance. Free – Revit family.

http://blog.cadway.com.au/2011/07/revit-2012-as14281-

2009-door.html

3. AR Software Solutions: DDA Doors - AS1428.1-2009 Door

circulation DDA compliance.

http://www.arsoftwaresolutions.com.au/

One tool in a bigger set of tools.


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This tool creates a report for compliance.

4. SAuBIM Code Calcs - http://www.saubim.com/

US Revit plugin to check:

SAuBIM will create the required schedules to automatically

calculate the following items:

• Occupancy Loads (Per Room) • Required Male Water Closets • Required Female Water Closets • Required Lavatories • Required Drinking Fountains

Once the schedules are loaded into your Revit® template or

model all the work is done for you. Simply build your model,

make sure your rooms are set to the correct Use Groups (Use

Groups and integers are editable), create your Code

Compliance plans with the proper room tags, and SAuBIM will

take care of the rest.

What is included?

• Occupancy Schedule that Calculates:

• Occupancy Loads (Per Room) • Required Male Water Closets

• Required Female Water Closets • Required Lavatories • Required Drinking Fountains

• Occupancy Load Tag – Will be automatically filled in on floor plans

• Plumbing Fixture Schedule • Editable Use Group Key Schedule

What this product is doing, BIM Link could achieve the same for

Australian regulations.


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5. Many of the Structural analyses packages can be used to

check structural compliance to codes.

Brief Compliance: Natspec BIM – National BIM Guide: section – 7.1.3

Space and equipment validation:

e.g.: (All below integrate with Revit)

Trelligence Affinity: http://www.trelligence.com/ - BIM Briefing &

space planning.

Onuma: http://onuma.com/ - BIM Briefing, space planning

Codebook: http://www.codebookinternational.com/ - BIM

Briefing and data management / tracking

dRofus: http://www.drofus.no/ - BIM Briefing and data

management / tracking

dBLink – Access Custom setup – data management / tracking.

Revit itself via schedules and area plans.

Constructability: Natspec BIM – National BIM Guide: section – 7.6.1 & 7.6.4

The model is our prototype building. At Construction

Documentation stage is should be modelled in a manner which

reflects how it will be built/assembled on the construction site. If

the Virtual Model has not allowed for Constructability, is may

throw up unforseen problems which would lead to blowouts on

Sequencing, Labour or Materials.

Constructability checks

• Element Clash Detection:

• Construction & OH&S Tolerances:

• Construction Programme Simulations (4D):

Revit Modelling (Software) Efficiencies:

This is ensuring team and production efficacy.

In a design environment, designers initially model something

once, but it will be modified from 5 to 20 times before the final

construction documentation is issued. Thus; its imperative items

are assembled in a manner which will allow for dynamic and or

fast updates/changes.


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Quality Assurance: File and Revision management

File setup – Folder structures.

ISO:9001 specifies requirements for a quality management

system where an organization

• Needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide

product that meets customer and applicable statutory

and regulatory requirements, and

• Aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the

effective application of the system, including processes for

continual improvement of the system and the assurance of

conformity to customer and applicable statutory and

regulatory requirements.

A project file setup needs to allow for Project flexibility, but yet

needs to be structured and concise. This includes folder

structures and naming conventions.

BS 1192:2007 Collaborative production of architectural,

engineering and construction information. Code of practice

BS 1192 (UK BIM Level 1) establishes the methodology for

managing the production, distribution and quality of

construction information, including that generated by CAD

systems, using a disciplined process for collaboration and a

specified naming policy. BS 1192 is applicable to all parties

involved in the preparation and use of information

throughout the design, construction, operation and

deconstruction throughout the project lifecycle and the

supply chain.

The principles for information sharing and common

modelling are equally applicable to building and civil

projects. BS 1192 is also a guide for developers of software

applications to enable them to support its implementation

through the provision of configuration files or application

add-ons.


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BS 1192 – File Management protocol


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UK BIM Road Map. Level 2 to be achieved by 2016.

Naming Convention Examples

• Families (Loadable): ANZRS

• Families (System): BS1192:2007 or NBS Library

• Views and Sheets: AEC UK Revit BIM Standards

• Parameters: ANZRS or AEC (UK) BIM Standard for

Autodesk Revit

• Materials – No know standard at time of writing.

• Hatch Patterns - AEC (UK) BIM Standard for Autodesk

Revit

Documentation: Have the office standards been followed to generate

the documentation.

Efficiencies:

Ensuring the model is constructed in a manner and workflows are being

used to ensure productivity and changes can be done as efficient as

possible.

• File size and RAM Management (Links and Worksets)

• Processes – Data entry, Data extract, ect.

• Appropriate use of Parametrics and preplanning - (e.g. Curtain

panels vs. Model hatch indicating panels on a basic wall)


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• Group’s vs in-place families, vs loadable families vs shared

nested families vs links.

• Addendums to office standards – Are they documented.

Coordination and Data Auditing:

Are the documents coordinated and data correct?

• Duplication of documentation data (documentation 101) Digital

to Paper. I.e. when a digital document is printed, it no longer

contains any clever updates. Thus information where possible

should be documented in one location only, and then reference

to.

• Appropriate use of 2D and 3D in details (Typical and Non-typical

details).

Typical Detail Non-Typical Detail

The model major elements should not be turned off in Non-Tpical

details.

• Drawings, Schedules and Specifications all talking to each other

• Traceable data vs. non-Traceable data

• Cross Discipline coordination

• File upgrade. Will the file upgrade for future projects.

Drafting (CAD) standards:

Are the symbology’s in accordance with the office standards.

• Text Styles

• Dimensions Styles

• Line Styles

• Hatch/Pattern Styles

• Element Tags

• View Reference Tags

• Annotation Symbology’s

• Pen Widths

• Etc.


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Main auditing and QA tools of choice:

Autodesk Revits 2012 – Architect – Structure & MEP

Autodesk Revits 2013 – Architect – Structure & MEP


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Autodesk Model Review – Available on Subscription

Ideate explorer - http://ideateexplorer.com/

Ideate BIMLink - http://www.ideatebimlink.com/

AR Software Solutions - http://www.arsoftwaresolutions.com.au/

TechSmith -http://www.techsmith.com/snagit.html

Screen capturing software.


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Revit 2012 as an Auditing/Revit Tool.

Before you start Auditing

During the auditing / review process of a model, it will involve digging

down into the nitty gritting of the file. In order to not modify data you

did not intend to, auditing should always be carried out on a

detached/read-only model. All results “must” be documented in a

report format to allow the model authors to rectify any issues, and to

have a record of the audit results.

Recording culprit elements: - Revit ID numbers.

Each element Revit has a unique identification number within the

model. Selected elements can report their ID numbers:

These numbers can be copied and pasted into a report document

and then re-called later.

To recall them use the (Select by ID).

Use “Semicolons” between ID numbers for multiple elements.


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Setting up keyboard shortcuts tools

Ensure a Keyboard shortcut is assigned to “Select by ID” and “ID’s of

Selection”. This will allow to you quickly select items from the error

warnings and to report elements to be fixed back to the model

Authors.


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Saving out Loadable Families:

As of Revit 2012 you can now save out all Revit loadable families to one

location. In the project browser “Right mouse click” over “Families” and

select “Save”.

You will then be asked to save them to a folder location.

By having the families saved out you can review them for the following:

• File size

• Naming convention

• Family contents and compliance with ANZRS or other family

standards.

Revit Category Auditing:

Categories are used as one or our most basic scheduling filters, view

visibility, copy/monitoring of FF&E plus other potential BIM data. When

category usage has been defined, it is essential items are allocated

appropriately.

My preferred method of checking is by a 3d visual check. I would

suggest creating a blank Revit files which contains category specific

View Templates. Transfer project standards can be used to bring the

view templates into the file to be audited.


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View templates isolating categories

Door category isolated

Use ”ID’s of selection” to report any item on the incorrect

category.


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Revit Error Warnings

The number of error warnings is something most users should be aware

of keeping on top of. My typical recommendation is a maximum

acceptable number of error warnings is as follows:

1 per, 1 megabyte of file size.

I.e. a 50MB file should not have more than 50 error warnings.

To resolve error warning export them to html file first.

This will allow you to open the html file and copy and paste the ID

numbers into “Select by ID” tool.


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Sample HTML error warning report from Revit.

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Error message Elements Solution Required

Highlighted walls are attached to,

but miss, the highlighted targets

Similar errors:

The highlighted column can't

maintain attachment to the target.

It will be treated as unattached until

it can intersect.

Workset : Category : Family : Type: id 88424


A wall had originally been attached to a

floor/roof, but now the floor/roof has moved so as

it is not above the wall anymore. The wall

top/bottom should be detached from the

floor/roof.

A structural framing element is

attached to a wall whose Structural

Usage is set to Non-bearing.



Revit understands structural elements should be

structurally supported. In this case it sees one

beam end is sitting on a wall which is non-

structural. Either make the wall Structural in its

element properties, or add a structural supporting

member to your model. This would not be

considered a critical error warning in Architectural

models, but should be removed where possible.

Highlighted elements are joined but

do not intersect



Revit will not allow “Join Geometry” with

elements more than 6” (152.4mm) apart.

Resolution is to un-join the two elements in

question.


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Room Tag is outside of its Room.

Enable Leader or move Room Tag

within its Room.

View "Name" : Room Tags : Tag - Room Tag with Floor

Finish : Room Tag – “Type” : id 452682

This will result in the Tag will appearing as a

Question Mark. As per the error message – Enable

to Leader in the room Tag, if the tag needs to be

outside the room. If not more the tag inside the

room.

Multiple Rooms are in the same

enclosed region. The correct area

and perimeter will be assigned to

one Room and the others will display

"Redundant Room." You should

separate the regions, delete the

extra Rooms, or move them into

different regions.

Workset: Rooms : Room : “Name” - Number “No.” : id

187028

Workset : Rooms : Room : “Name” - Number “No.” : id

187044

During the replanning of room layouts, it is

common to one space in the model to have two

rooms allocated to the same area. It is important

to rectify this in order so your Room Tags display

correctly and room areas report correctly. To

resolve the issue, delete the redundant room from

the space or add a room separation line if

applicable.

Instance of in-place family is not

cutting host

Workset : Category : Family : Type : id 1628268

Workset : Category : Family : Type : id 3221924

An Inplace family has been created containing a

void. This void has been set to “Cut” a modelled

element outside the Inplace family; however it is

no longer cutting it. The in-place void is now

redundant and can be deleted.


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“Name” is slightly off axis and may

cause inaccuracies.

Similar errors:

Line in Sketch is slightly off axis and

may cause inaccuracies.

Area separation line is slightly off axis

and may cause inaccuracies.

Workset : Category : Family : Type : id 522758 The element is within 0.2° of Horizontal (0°) Vertical

(90°) or Diagonal (45°). Within the building file it is

imperative these warning are fixed as soon as

possible, as they will self-propagate. Change the

element to be 0°, 90° or 45° off axis. Failing to do

so, will cause Dimensioning problems and possibly

give inaccurate areas.

Having a separate site model file will also greatly

help in reducing these errors in the Building model

file. These errors are acceptable in the site model

file.

Room volume can't be computed.

The bounding geometry (in 3D) can't

be found for “Name”. “Name” will

be ignored in the energy analysis

model.

Similar errors:

Could not create geometry for

Room.

Room Volumes Overlap, adjust

Upper Limit and Upper Offset.

Workset : Category : Family : Type : id 522958 Area and Volume Computations are set to “Areas

and Volumes”. Typically this should be set to

“Areas Only” as it allow the model to perform

better. Only have if set to “Areas and Volumes” if

the model is to be exported to gbXML. It is likely

there is an opening in the ceiling or roof, meaning

the room volume is not enclosed.

Two elements were not

automatically joined because one

or both is not editable.



This error only happens in work shared files, when

“Joined Geometry” elements with different User

borrowers are modifying them. The errors can be

typically ignored, but may cause graphic issues in

select views.


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A wall and a room separation line

overlap. One of them may be

ignored when Revit finds room

boundaries. Shorten or delete the

room separation line to remove the

overlap.



Revit typically does not like Walls and Room

separation lines in the same place. However with

some project briefing area requirements this is

necessary in the model. Please however ensure

the “Room Separation Lines” are kept to a

minimum and their geometry is as efficient as

possible.

Highlighted walls overlap. One of

them may be ignored when Revit

finds room boundaries. Use Cut

Geometry to embed one wall within

the other.



Two walls are over lapping and occupy the same

space. This error will cause problems in wall joints

not cleaning up properly, and if the project is

being used for Costing incorrect areas. Remove

the overlapping of the walls.

Insert conflicts with joined Wall. Workset : Category : Family : Type: id 108114


This error occurs with Doors and Windows when

they conflict with a perpendicular adjacent wall.

These errors should be resolved as they indicate a

“Clash” and construction problem.

Mass contains no solid geometry.

Mass Floors, volume, and surface

area, won’t be computed.

Similar Error:

Mass contains only mesh geometry,

which can’t be used to compute

Mass Floors, volume, or surface area.

Workset : Category : Family : Type: id 2860139 The Mass contains geometry which contains

surfaces / faces. Revit will not be able to use this

to commutate Mass Floors, Volumes or Surface

Areas. This warning can be ignored if the above

requirements are not required from the mass in

question.


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Can't end Stairs with Riser because

Riser Thickness is too small.

Workset : Category : Family : Type: id 136554 This occurs on Monolithic (Concrete) stairs when it

is set to end with a riser and the riser has no

thickness. Some of the past versions of Revit have

been a bit buggy on this item. To resolve change

the stair no not monolithic, and give the riser a

thickness of 1mm. Now change it back to a

Monolithic stair and the error will no longer exist.

Elements have duplicate 'Mark'

values

Similar Warnings:

Elements have duplicate 'Number'

values

Elements have duplicate 'Type Mark'

values.



Within a category two or more elements contain

the identical “Mark” value. This value is intended

to be unique. At early design stage this can be

cleared by putting a “Space” in the cell. The

Model Review tool can be used to resolve this

error at early design stages. In later design stages

this needs to be scrutinised in regard to

domination output.

Actual Number of Risers is different

from Desired Number of Risers.

Add/remove Risers or change

Desired Number of Risers in Stairs

Properties.

Workset : Category : Family : Type: id 607919 This error is advising the stair in question has more

or less risers, to what the planned desired number

was. This error must be addressed to ensure the

stair complies with the design intent.

An elevation symbol references

views on more than one sheet. It will

show a blank sheet reference. To

show the correct references, use a

separate elevation symbol for the

views on each sheet.

Views "Elevation: “Name”, Elevation: “Name”,,

Elevation: “Name”,, Elevation: “Name”, " : Elevations :

Elevation : 1 : id 3037224

This error warning occurs typically with internal

Elevations. The one elevation tag is producing

several elevations and they are on different

sheets. Thus the Elevation Tag symbol will not be

able to reference different sheets, and your

documentation referencing is compromised. Use

to two or more elevation tags in replacement.


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Room is not in a properly enclosed

region.


The Room is not able to find a closed boundary

(Walls and/or Room separation Lines). Each room

must contain a closed loop boundary comprised

of walls or room separation lines. Check to see if

the walls are set to “Room Bounding” and all

room bounding wall are modelled. Last resort will

be to add a room separation line. These errors

must be addressed if the room will not compute

areas.

Some panels in this curtain system

are slightly malformed. The problem

is most likely ignorable. This problem

usually occurs when a panel or parts

of a panel have been divided so

that they are very narrow. To better

see the malformed panels,

temporarily hide the mullion

category and set display of lines to

"thin lines" (using the command on

the view menu).

Workset : Category : Family : Type: id 6609994 This occurs on curtain panels with un-usual shapes.

It can happen due to the Mullion geometry. It can

be ignored if the panels do not require accurate

area scheduling.

Curtain grid lines must have at least

one segment.

Workset : Curtain Wall Grids : Curtain Wall Grids : Grid

Line : id 6437390

A Grid line in a Curtain Wall or Curtain System has

been modified via the “Add/Remove segments”

so as it has not segments. The Grid line should be

deleted as it will causing issues with future layout

designs.


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Highlighted lines overlap. Lines may

not form closed loops.



Lines are drawn on top of each other, or overlap

in some way. These issues can slow down

modifying elements, add redundant geometry to

the model, and in large numbers are due to

carelessness. The warning should be resolved.

Thickness of this Floor/Room may be

slightly inaccurate due to extreme

Shape Editing. Dimensions to this

element in sections and details may

not accurately indicate the

Thickness shown in Type Properties.

Workset : Category : Family : Type: id 3899784 This error occurs on floors / roofs that have been

modified using the shape editing tool. This error

warning is acceptable are early design stage, but

should be removed after 50% Design

Development. Redraw the element using the

slope arrow tools, or apply it to a mass.

There are identical instances in the

same place. This will result in double

counting in schedules.



This is indicating an element has been placed

twice in the same location. This will cause

scheduling and costing errors, it is adding

redundant geometry to the model and increases

editing times. Duplicate element should be

deleted from the model.

The ramp is not long enough to

reach the top constraint. Change

the slope or increase the length of

the ramp.

Workset : Category : Family : Type: id 2132069 The slope rules within the ramp indicate the ramp

is not long enough to meet its slope and design

intent requirement. This error must be addressed

to ensure the ramp complies with the design

intent.

Opening partially cuts its host. Structural opening cut : Opening Cut : id 129287 An opening by face has been added to a

structural member. This error can typically be

ignored, but should be reviewed to ensure

structural integrity is not compromised.


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View Auditing

Managing Revit views is essential to efficient project navigation. In large Architectural project files can contain up to a thousand views. Not having

a robust view convention actively used in a project will have a substantial impact on production and cross discipline communication.

In Revit a View Schedule can be set up to manage views. At Auditing time this can be exported to MS Excel and used as a mark-up tool:

View Schedule Fields

View Type (sorting) – Drawing Sheet No. – Drawing Sheet Name – View Name – View Title on Sheet – View Scale – View Detail Level – Phase – Phase Filter – Associated Level.

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Drawing sheet Check

Drawing Check Schedule to ensure all Drawing sheets comply with company

standards:

Sheet Schedule Fields

Sheet Type (Sorting) – Sheet Number – Sheet Number – Drawing Status – Revision – Check by – Drawn By.

Project Base Point Check

Ensuring the “project base point” has not been moved, to allow visual

communication of where the “hard coded” Revit Start-up Location

Origin is.

To test this, un-clip the Project base point and right mouse click, “Move

to Startup Location”. The base point will only move if it has been moved

previously.

Sample Revit Model Audit Form/Report

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Model upgradable check:

Revit is in a very different ball game to traditional CAD packages:

• It is a true data base and contains complex data

• File size can be on average 20 times the size of traditional CAD

files

• The data base is not backwards compatible

• Over 95% of Australian users are on Subscription and only have

access to the 4 current versions of Revit

• Some of the modules of Revit are still relatively young and major

improvements can appear in new releases.

• The same file is used from project kick-off until building hand over

(sometimes 3 to 5 years)

It is not un-common for a complicated Revit file, to give problems on

upgrade. Thus if a project life is more than 4 years or the end client

requests future renovations, it is imperative the file upgrades. If not it

can be a major show stoppers. It is essential to be aware if a project

can be upgrade without issue, and in the event it has problems, time

scheduled to issue the file to Autodesk to resolve the problem.

NOTE: Generally it will take Autodesk 2 to 3 weeks to turn around a file

with upgrading problems.


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Revit Model Review – Available to all Subscription Customers.

Revit Model Review is a free plugin available if you have Autodesk

Subscription. It is a customisable tool with can be used to report

requested data about Revit project or family files. In some cases it can

be used to resolve some items (e.g. Change text case).

This tool comes with some predefined reports out of the box which are

a very good starting point.

To create a new report a predefined “Check” type can be selected

and customised. Below are some of the customised Reports I have

found most helpful.

Some of my custom reports

• Duplicate Elements within 9mm of each other

• List of Views not on a drawing sheet

• No. of Drawing sheets in Project

• Number of elements – Unenclosed Rooms

• Number of elements – Unenclosed Spaces

• Number of elements – Unplaced Rooms

• Number of elements – Unplaced Spaces

• List & Name all Levels in the Project

• List all Model Groups in project

• List all Detail Groups in Project

• Views applied to a scope box

• Levels applied to a scope Box

• Grids applied to a scope box

• Views which contain an underlay

• Views Set to True North

• List all Plan Regions


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• Project Base Point Nothing’s settings

• Project Base Point Easting’s settings

• Project Base Point – Angle to True North

• Design Options in the Project

• Area Schemes in the Project

• Pattern types in the project

• Number of Phases in the Project

• Project Location Naming System

• Views with the Model turned off

• Number of Assemblies

• Number of Parts

• Revit Linked models in the Project

• Revit Links Overlay or Attached

• Revit links set to Room Bounding

• Revit Link – Coordinate System

• Spot Dimensions are reporting to Survey Base Point

• Line Patterns in the Project

• Dimension – Text sizes (to find when the dimension text is small so

it can have text fudged over it.)

• Find imported .dwg, .dgn, .skp, .sat, .dxf, Imported Symbols.

• List all Inplace Families by Category.

• List all Systems Families by Category

• List all Loadable Families by Category

Tool Limitations.

The Reports you create cannot be upgraded to the next version of

Revit Model Review. You have to go through the process of remaking

them from Scratch.

In carrying out a review of Families, you can only do 100 families at a

time.


39

Check dialog box where specified files or

folders to check can be specified.

Examples of some searches:

Check - Finding all In-Place Families under the “Casework Category”

Basic Info Tab.


40

Detail Tab.

As this is a Report only the value does not need to be set.

Using the Filter to specify it is a in-place family and the category is set to

“Casework”.


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Check – Model In View Turned Off.

Basic Info; including check type: “Parameter Requirements”

Details tab: - chose the “Pick Element And Chose Parameter….”


42

After selecting the element in the model, Model review gives you a list of parameters

to choose from.

In the Filter, specify “Category = Views” to avoid redundant data being reported.


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Check - Duplicate Mark Door Value – Correction.

This fix will remove all Door Mark values, thus removing many errors in an

early project stage.

Check type “Parameter Requirements” from the Standards Category. Ensure “Allow

Correction is highlighted”.

Choose “Pick Element And Chose Parameter….”. After selecting a door in the

model, Model review gives you a list of parameters to choose from.


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Again use the Filter to ensure it only reports “Mark” Values.

Click on the Fix tool and it will remove all the Mark values.


45

Ideate Explorer

Ideate Explorer is a tool which allows you to search down deep within

the Revit hierarchy within models to review and select items. As many

proficient Revit users may know, sometimes it can be very difficult to

find some items in Revit. Examples of this would include the:

“Mouse right click” – Select All Instances – In Entire Project, does not

work on all elements, e.g.:

• lines,

• rooms,

• spaces,

• revision clouds,

• Insulation lines,

• Legend components ect.

Ideate Explorer allows you to find and select them and a lot more.

We have the ability to browse the project in the following ways:


46

TIP:

When using this tool ensure you are in a blank legend or drafting view is

you want to use the search “Entire Project”. You will find it a lot quicker.

Finding imports (dwg’s) which have been turned off in views:

The found items can be selected and removed for the project.

Reviewing Workset allocation:

Workset allocation can be a challenge at the best of times. Ideate

Explorer allows you to browse by Workset and quickly move elements

from one workset to another.

The below shows Casework on a workset which it is clearly not

intended to be on.


47

If worksets do not contain the correct allocated elements they

become of little use.

After an object is select, click on “Current Selection”


48

Click “OK” and the object in Revit is selected and can be reallocated

as normal within Revit, via the properties dialog.

A report of the selected items can also be exported to Microsoft Excel,

and it will include data such as the ID number.

As a general Fix up tool this is great. There is no point in auditing a

model if incorrect elements are not going to be resolved in a speedy

manor. This is the main use of Ideate Exporter.

BIMLink – Ideate

BIMLink is a Revit Plugin which allows you to quickly round trip data

between Revit and Excel, to facilitate large data manipulation. By

using the power of Microsoft Excel formulas naming conventions of

Views, Sheets, Families, Types can be managed and associated data

easily manipulated.

Exporting All Text:

In regard to Auditing Revit models the use of “Text” (non-

parameterised items) is essential. Text is often used as a quick fix by

users and is very difficult to track.

The above image looks like a Spot Elevation which is a dynamic

element and will update if the host moves. However in this situation, it is

text and causes a substantial Quality Assurance issue.


49

Advanced users to Revit expect elements to be dynamically linked to

the Revit Database and if it is updated in one location it gets updated

everywhere. Thus the Text command can cause some potential issues if

used incorrectly.

Above is a screen shot of an export from Revit via BIM Link.

It is exporting all Text in the project including their ID number, View and

Sheet name they are on.

By quickly scrolling down the Excel document it is very easy to find

inappropriate text and also find where text has been placed on

drawing sheets. In many firms this is considered bad practice, as it is not

recordable.


50

AR Software Solutions

AR Software Solutions is a suite of tools with cover many different items.

These tool sets are been put in place to increase productivity and

model management on large projects. Below are just some of the tools

which can help in Audits and Quality Assurance.

Isolate 3D

This tool allows you to select a single or multiple object and it will create

a sectioned boxed 3d view of them. Ideal for any kind of

Auditing/Reviewing.

Elements selected in Plan


51

Automatic generated 3d view with section box of elements.

Update Reference

This tool can check back referencing to Sheet Views. The view tags

can be turned off a selected view.

Fix Sheet Reverence dialog


52

Export Everything

This tool allows you to also you to round trip data between Revit and

Excel (Similar to BIMLink), however the format and approach is very

different.

Within this tool you can use the Family and Type name (System or

Loadable) as the element identifier. This allows you to manage multiple

families between different RVT models. Typically this is only achievable

via complex Database links with is beyond most people.

Exporting System types from AR Software Solutions.

Thus settings in families can be managed from a central excel file and

pushed into project models as required.

Formatted Import/Export


53

This tool allows you to round trip data from Revit to Excel in a formatted

way. It is also a true link and does not rewrite the excel file every time

thus formatting is maintained.

The key benefit of this tool is it allows you to get Microsoft Excel to track

changes, additions and deletions to a schedule. You would all be

familiar if you need to issue a revised (e.g. Door) schedule if an item

had been deleted, the line on the schedule should still remain with the

note of “Item deleted” in the comments/revision column.

This is typically not standard Revit behaviour as it just reports what is in

the model at any given time. The only other way to achieve this type of

high level revision tracking is via a series of linked data bases

comparing the information.


54

Example above shows tracking of schedule changes including

deletions.

Revision / Protect

This tool automatically puts a user name and date stamp beside any

modifications.


55

In a late stage of a project this will then allow you to track some

changes to specific categories.

View filters or schedules can be used to report this data.

The “Deletion Control” is a tool which allows full element manipulation,

but users cannot delete items. It can be used in substitute to locking

items off with worksets.


56

Batch Process Families – Head of the family

This is not just a family auditing tool, but also a family management

tool. It allows you to list comprehensive details of families.

Functionality:

• Generate consistent 3D / 2D preview icons • List family details such as category, sub categories, types, parameters, etc.

• Update some sub category settings (rename or delete is not possible!)

• Delete Unused Materials • Rename Materials • Add parameters / shared parameters • Allow parameter copying / renaming to ANZRS standards • Allow assigning of new values to parameters. Useful for versioning or branding.

• Update text styles • Rename nested families and types • Processing of the current file • File prefix renaming according to family category (user defined)

Family Folder to process report can include:

• Family Category • Units • Family types • Categories and sub categories names and values • Materials in Family • Main family parameters such as Always Vertical, Host, Omniclass, etc

• Family parameters for each family type • Nested Families • Reports on nested families within family. Also reports on text styles • Nested Family Parameters • Reports on nested families and their parameters and values • Report Null Values • This ensures that parameters are reported on even if they do not have an assigned value.


57


58

Part Sample report from “Head of the family”.

TechSmith – Snagit

This screen capturing software allows you to take the time out of

manually transferring Audit findings; by just creating screen captures.

• Window screen shots

• Scrolling screen shots

• Video capture

• Screen shot capture to text

• Mark-up screen captures


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Revit – Door Room To – Room From.

Users may not be aware that Revit reports the room it swing into after

first being placed. If the door is flipped, the Room To and Room From

does not update.

The following tool resets the database for this functionality.

http://revitstickynotes.blogspot.com.au/2011/12/door-from-and-to-

value-in-schedule-free.html


60

- This tool will resolve the QA issue.


61

Overview:

It is quite clear there are many approached to Auditing and many

outcomes.

Items to consider when planning an Audit.

• What is the primary purpose of the Audit?

There are so many different avenues you can go down in

reviewing/auditing a project using Revit/BIM capable tools. You

can only do one or two at a time and there may be specific

colleagues in your firm with are specialised in a Quality Control

area.

• Frequency of Audits?

How regularly are you going to do the Audit? I would

recommend it be ¾ through each project stage deliverable. This

should ensure the delivery stage meets requirements.

• Time allocated per Audit?

As a rule of thumb, a model audit for an Architectural Revit

model would on average take about 4 hours. Structural and MEP

Audits generally take less time. Potentially you could take more

or less time to be as through as requirements and resourcing

allows.

• Minimising risk and maximizing productivity

The primary purpose of Audits is to minimise company risk and

ensure productivity is efficient. You need to question nit-picking

on items outside of these scopes, as you might find it restricts

productivity

• Method of reporting the Audit

When items are identified which are not meeting the predefined

checks, how is that being documented and communicated.

Is it red lines in Design Review or digital documents detailing

rogue elements with Revit ID numbers ect.

• Resolution of failed items in the Audit

How are the failed items picked up in the Audit going to be

resolved? I have found it much better if the modellers on the

project resolve the issues, as it educates them of the


62

consequences of bad modelling. Completion of fixes must also

be tracked, similar to highlighting mark-ups on a sheet when

complete.

Reducing Risk when Being Innovative

At time of writing this paper an Autodesk “Business for BIM” blog

appeared. http://autodesk.typepad.com/businessofbim/

Within its second post entry it discusses how implementing new

technologies are in them sleeves a risk; as they are not been proven by

time, and also liability ensued with-in has not yet gone through the

court system. Thus the outcome is somewhat uncertain.

To reduce the risk of being innovative (in this case embracing BIM) the

post authors suggest the following:

Consider this short list of ideas for handling risk in innovation:

• Conduct interim Risk Assessments at each stage of the design

process.

• Model and Document the theory of your work.

• Develop a pilot program, especially if it involves a process.

• Create full-scale mockups and demonstration projects.

• Utilize a Peer reviewer.

• Do a full literature search, including international sources.

• Get the informed consent of the Client.

More can be found here:

Risk and BIM

To date in general it has been found that Risk within BIM if anything is

causing the use of Risk sharing amount the project team. Below is an

extract from the AIA document : E202 – 2008 document. This use of

language is becoming common place in construction.

“Article 2 Protocol

2.1 Coordination and Conflicts

Where conflicts are found in the Model, regardless of the phase of the Project or LOD, the discovering party shall promptly notify the Model

Element Author(s). Upon such notification, the Model Element Author(s)

shall act promptly to mitigate the conflict.”


63

Sample Audit Report From – for Revit Architecture:

1. Project Details:

Client Name:

Project Title:

Client Project No.

Revit Model File Name:

Revit Version:

Date of Audit:

Project Stage

Audited by:

Project Revit Model Manager:

Does the project contain a

specific Revit project

addendum or BIM Execution

Plan?

2. File Setup:

Comments / Recommendations

File Size in MB per model Maximum recommended file size is

200MB to 250MB per file.

No. of Models Consider setting up a building and

site file. It makes moving the building

due to site or design changes more

manageable.

No. of Error Warnings in each

model

AEC would recommend each model

file should have no more error

warning than the model MB file size

itself.

Are there many redundant

families in the project:

Is Project/Shared parameters

setup, used and named

appropriately?

General Comments:

3. Project Browser / Views /Sheets:


Is there a View / Sheet Project

browser organization setup.

Is there a view naming

convention:

Does the views follow the

above conventions

Is there a specific view

management schedule to

cover: Scale, Detail level,

Phasing, View Title on sheet

ect:

Is there a specific sheet

management schedule

Have scope boxes been used

to manage Views?

Consider using Scope boxes to

manage view crop regions.

Have sheet guide grids been

used to manage location of

views on sheets

Consider using Guide Grids to align

plan views on sheets


64

Have legend views been used

appropriately?

What revision systems are

being used?

Is it appropriate to the current

workflow?

General Comments:

4. Category Usage and Definition:


Is there a Category

Definition?

Have a definition in place will avoid

confusion to what items should be on

each category

Do elements comply with

this?

General Comments:

5. Worksets:


Workset setup per model

List Names:

Do the names adequately

define them?

Have elements assigned to

the correct worksets?

Does this Setup adequately

serve the size of project and

number of users?

General Comments:

6. Model and Detail Groups:


How many Model / Detail

groups?

Is there a clear naming

convention?

Are groups being used

appropriately?

General Comments:

7. Design Options:


Does the file contain Design

Options?

How Many?

Is there a clear and concise

naming convention?

General Comments:


65

8. Phasing:


Does the file contain more

than existing and new works?

Have phase filters been

adequately setup and

simplified?

General Comments:

9. 2D Drawing and Documentation:


Are tags being used over text

Have detail lines, filled region.

Detail components used

appropriately in detailing?

Have Legends been

appropriately used?

Is there a naming convention

of filled regions and patterns

General Comments:

10. 3D Modelling:


Have levels and grids been

established appropriately?

Consider managing the extent of

levels and grids with scope boxes

Have scope boxes been used

to manage levels and grids?

Have the use of in-place

families been used

appropriately?

Have Model categories

schedules been used to

manage the categories?

Has the appropriate level of

detail/development of

geometry been used?

Has Massing been used

appropriately?

Has structure been modelled

using the structural tools and

loading properties applied?

General Comments:

11. Family Management:


Is there a family naming

convention?

Are Families built easy to use

and efficient file size?

Are they using the correct

Category?

Parameter use. Is naming

consistent with no spaces or

dashes?

Are sub-categories

adequately used?

General Comments:


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12. Imported / Linked CAD files:


Have Imported / Linked CAD

files been used appropriately?

Have CAD files been

exploded?

Are there any nested cad files

in families?

Have CAD files been copied

between views?

Are CAD files linked “view

specific” or entire project?

General Comments:

13. Location Management:


Has a location been specified

Are Project/Shared parameters

setup, used and named

appropriately?

It there an appropriate cross

discipline documented

process, accommodating for

building relocation?

General Comments:

14. Multi-discipline coordination setup


Is there any Multi-discipline

coordination setup

established?

Is it appropriate to the project

and team skill set?

General Comments:

15. Units and Templates


Are project units and family

units set up appropriately?

Have dimensions, text, arrow

heads, view types been set up

appropriately?

Is there a material naming

convention?

Are Line styles, weights and

patterns been set up

appropriately?

General Comments:

16. General:

General Comments:

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