3D to 7D BIM Usage in HVAC

A significant amount of manpower is needed at various stages of the air conditioning industry, particularly in the building sector, from the design stage to operation and maintenance.

These stages include system design, load estimation, coordination, costing, scheduling, energy simulation, and operation and maintenance of facilities and services.

The competence needed to complete these tasks at these various phases varies. Numerous issues are brought on by a lack of coordination.

Engineers and designers can make better judgments at preconstruction due to the use of information models (BIM).

BIM provides a comprehensive solution, including everything from designing to operating and maintaining.

BIM combines 2D, 3D, 4D, 5D, 6D, and 7D models into a single module to simplify all tasks related to project completion.

BIM offers a comprehensive solution that includes system design, heat load estimation that is simple, costing and time estimation, visualization, and clash detection.

These simulation findings could assist the project in understanding the specifics of energy consumption so that it can be changed to accomplish energy conservation and maintenance.

BIM is a multi-dimensional method that can provide us with data as well as 3D, 4D, 5D, 6D, and 7D images in a shared data environment on the model.

2nd Dimension – Building Data:

With several dimensions, BIM serves as a single point of reference for information and operational activities.

The second dimension of the tool allows us to estimate the heat load, size ducts and pipes, and design ducts and pipes.

If the properties of the building envelope, such as the walls, floor, ceiling, slab, type of building typology, location of the building, activity within the building, lighting load, equipment load, number of people, etc., are provided, heat load calculations can be performed with ease.

By specifying the location of the building, it automatically takes ASHRAE requirements for dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature, humidity, etc.

3rd Dimension – A shared information model:

The entire building is completely visible in the 3D model.

Here, all of the building’s engineering parts, along with its structural and architectural parts, can be viewed in 360 degrees in a variety of view frames, including wire frame, fine, and rendered ones.

A walk through, offers us a tour of the complete building inside and out, can be used to envision the modeled building.

The tool’s ability to identify conflicts between services and building components as well as conflicts between services and services within a building is its most crucial feature.

 The model is imported into Navisworks, a different Revit plug-in that performs conflict detection and provides us with a visual indication of the clashes as well as the ability to generate reports.

This clash detection can be executed for the entire building at once or just for particular regions.

4th Dimensions – Construction Sequence:

The tool can add a second dimension – time estimation and scheduling.

When the program is fed with the tasks that need to be completed, it estimates the installation of an AC service will take 61 days to complete, from designing through testing and commissioning.

Based on the calendar days, it will independently determine the nonworking days.

This report can be plugged into Navisworks so that the work that needs to be done can be scheduled.

5th Dimension – Cost Estimation:

The most important piece of information included in the project model to continue with execution is budgeting.

Cost estimates for the selected materials and goods must be provided in order to determine the project’s budget.

As was said for the pipes and ducting, this will produce the cost assessment for the required systems in the building.

6th Dimensions – Building Performance:

The information regarding the building’s thermal performance will be shown in the sixth dimension.

The air conditioning system typically uses the most power in any conventionally air-conditioned building; therefore, by taking a little effort to reduce energy usage, will result in significant savings over time.

The primary goal of this simulation of a building’s energy use is to forecast the HVAC system’s monthly and yearly energy consumption in relation to thermal comfort and indoor air quality.

The selection and design of the HVAC system is defined with the necessary calculations and simulations performed for the selected HVAC systems, with 12 hours as operational time per day for 365 days.

7th Dimensions – Operation & Maintenance:

Another important aspect of BIM is primarily discussed, with a focus on how ARCHIBUS & Autodesk technology may significantly contribute to the maintenance of the building’s HVAC system.

In the ARCHIBUS-Revit integration, all electrical components, such as electrical panels, circuits, lighting, receptacles, control systems, and more, may be simply maintained and retrieved.

By utilizing pre-defined component standards and critical data such as the model number, power requirements, heat load, and vendor information, ARCHIBUS can quickly produce a full electronic inventory of the HVAC systems of the site.

Parameter Mapping for HVAC Equipment

Many different pieces of equipment from various categories, including mechanical, electrical, and many more, are frequently included in Revit models.

Every piece of equipment is sent with a sizable amount of parametric data already stored in it.

By synchronizing Revit settings with ARCHIBUS tables and fields, the Smart Client add-on for Revit is intended to map and capture this data.

In order to ensure that only FM-relevant data is captured and that the system is used properly, this process is carried out by a BIM specialist in advance and in a structured manner.

Final Thought:

The mobile phone has altered the technological era and made communication incredibly simple.

When the BIM is used for project production, we can observe the transformation.

Building information modeling (BIM) is a project-specific collaborative process that offers a framework for stakeholders’ interaction with the aim of streamlining administration, enhancing design, establishing data-transfer guidelines and responsibilities, and, ultimately, increasing quality while lowering a project’s production cost.

The following are advantages that can be derived from BIM:

• Enhanced project visualization and design intent communication.
•  Increased cross-disciplinary cooperation and decreased rework.
• Optimize planning by integrating a BIM 4D simulation model. Manufacturers and contractors can coordinate their teams more efficiently.
• BIM and 5D simulation models can be integrated to create a construction that is economical, efficient, and sustainable.
• By combining BIM with a 6D simulation model, the project team can reduce overall energy use and improve building efficiency.
• From the design to demolition phases, asset management can be optimized by integrating BIM with 7D simulation models.

Get in touch with the Bimpact Designs team to get expert advice on HVAC & MEPF BIM Services.