Interoperability supports the exchange of data across multiple BIM applications. The three major categories of data exchange are platform-to-tool, tool-to-tool, and platform-to-platform. Platform-to-tool refers to translations between the design model and an analysis tool. A tool-to-tool exchange is a limited extraction of data from the model for visualization and review. Both of these types of exchange are one-way (information flows only from the model) and so are relatively straightforward. Platform-to-platform is much more challenging because not only data but the requisite rule sets for managing that data must be translated across platforms. In addition, information has to be able to flow both ways so that changes in one application will automatically update in the other (Eastman).
Interoperability is critical for achieving better collaboration across the disciplines. The ability to make changes to a model and have them automatically propagate throughout all of the systems associated with that project enhances coordination and reduces communication errors (Hamil). Currently, the difficulty lies in managing multiple representations of a project while separate disciplines work in different software packages that lack sufficient cross-platform integration. This can result in loss of integrity of the model or incongruities in the systems, necessitating extensive manual corrections. In order to facilitate data exchange, there is a push to implement consistent exchange standards for mapping information across different software platforms (Hofbauer). Two open data standards that have seen widespread acceptance in the industry are Green Building XML (gbXML) and Industry Foundation Class (IFC) (Hamil).
Proprietary interests are a major roadblock to implementing true interoperability in BIM. Woodie Rush of technology network ReproMax observes, "Vendors want to sell their own version of BIM software; designers are reluctant to entrust 'their model' to the construction team, a process which cascades down the project team to include even subcontractors and suppliers." As the technological capabilities of BIM data sharing grow, so do legal questions and concerns about intellectual property theft (Hofbauer).
Tyler brought up in his blog post that the development of interoperability in BIM lags far behind the technological advances in individual fields. As the building industry grows increasingly multidisciplinary and the benefits of integrated design are recognized, the ability to effectively share model information between platforms will only become more crucial.
References
Eastman, Charles M. BIM Handbook : A Guide To Building Information Modeling For Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers And Contractors. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2011. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 20 Jan. 2014.
Hamil, Stephen. "Building Information Modelling and Interoperability." NBS. Apr. 2012. Web. 20 Jan. 2014. <http://www.thenbs.com/topics/bim/articles/bimAndInteroperability.asp>.
Hofbauer, Randy. "Crossing Platforms." 4 Apr. 2011. Web. 20 Jan. 2014. <http://www.newmill.com/pdfs/BIM-crossing-platforms.pdf>
It seems like so many aspects of the construction industry lags behind the available technology. I think it has a lot to do with the monetary investments needed on behalf of all parties. While a large architecture firm can make the investment into BIM, smaller subcontractors will still not be able to make that investment. Otherwise, I couldn't see how the old light-table checking for overlaps would have lasted as long as it has.
ReplyDeleteYou brought up an interesting point about designers needing to trust the models. It are me think how many people will be working on this model: if the wrong one is chosen, the whole project struggles. Then instead of saving time and money, it ends up causing frustrations or blips during construction.