Metropolia University of Applied Science
The project is a residential building analysed with Eurocodes and British Standards (BS). The aim of the project is to exchange the data betweeen architecture and structural engineer using the OpenBIM concept. After achieving the architectural and structural models, the geometric data and internal forces are exported to MATLAB for optimization using concept of Genetic Algorithm. The optimization is done to achieve best cost for the building and best carbon emission efficiency. The cost efficient and embodied carbon emission efficient models will have different structural element dimensions and reinforcement which will provide asssistance in decision making.
The architectural modelling is performed in Archicad with preliminary calculations and then the model is exported as an IFC file to the Structural analysis software DLubal RFEM for analysis. The model geometry and internal forces are exported to MATLAB using .csv file format for optimization. The optimized data is updated in Archicad and RFEM models. The updated files are exported to solibri for clash check between architectural and structural models. Finally, the updated model's IFC from Archicad is used in Naviswork for construction planning and visualization for people involved in the project.
The BIM framaework provided a high level of clarity between architecture and structural engineer for the project. The exchange of data was done effectively and efficiently between them.
The project is not realized. It was done for the purpose of research.
Area = 1250 square meters
Floors = G+5
Number of 3BHK flats = 18
Numbr of 2BHK flats = 36
The architectural modelling is done in ArchiCAD by an architect and then the model is exported as an IFC 2x3 file for the structural analysis in Dlubal RFEM software. The model is analyzed using Eurocodes and British Standards (BS). The reinforcement is calculated in different modules of the RFEM software i.e. RF-Concrete Surfaces, RF-Concrete members and RF-Concrete columns. The geometric data from ArchiCAD and internal forces from RFEM are exported to MATLAB in excel or .csv file format. The design procedure is carried out in MATLAB using many variables and optimize the dimensions and reinforcement of the structural members. The data between Manual design, RFEM and MATLAB result is compared to see the efficiency achieved. The MATLAB results have shown a reduction in cost and embodied carbon emission in beams and further work is still going on for slabs and columns. The tradeoff can be analyzed between a cost-efficient and embodied carbon emission efficient model which makes it easy for the decision makes to decide the best-suited model. After the best model is selected it is update in the RFEM and ArchiCAD. The clashes between core elements can have a huge problem on site and increase the cost of the project with lot of time wasted. Therefore, the Solibri tool is extremely helpful in putting the structural and architectural model together and checking if there is and clash of elements between them according to the rules which can be changed as per the project requirement. The clashes between them is fixed by the architect and structural engineer. The model is further exported into Navisworks for the construction planning by project manager. The Navisworks helps in adding the time frame tot eh project making it a 4-dimensional workflow. Also, the animation of the construction can be established in the Navisworks for better visualization.
