ARTRA Field-BIM & Facilities Management Plant & Asset Lifecycle Management

Conditioned Survey BIM.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is generally associated with new building projects. Now, BIM techniques are being adapted for the Conditioned Surveys of existing buildings and infrastructure. A Condition Survey provides an assessment of the physical property conditions at a given point in time by indentifying deficiencies & maintenance issues with structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, safety and security systems. Maintenance care contracts can include the periodic monitoring and testing of the building and site systems. A BIM based Conditioned Survey can provide property owners and engineering consultants with a complete digital information source and report where all findings, test results, calculations, detailed narrative and photographs are available through a 3D BIM. Some of the advantages include the ability to better analyse historical data, plus the means to capture field information in more detail and with greater consistency. Over time the result is a complete BIM information source that clearly defines the property condition and can be used to increase or decrease the suggested market value of a property.

CASE STUDY – PILOT SCHEME In November 2010, Vinci Construction and ArtrA Ltd undertook a pilot project to asses the suitability of using BIM for the Conditioned Survey of the Wycombe Swan MSCP (multi-storey car park) which opened in November 1992.

Wycombe Swan MSCP

Operated by Wycombe District Council and holding a ‘Safer Parking Award’, the car park provides 330 parking bays including spaces for disabled drivers and motorcycles. The buildings systems have been upgraded over the years to include CCTV.

ArtrA

is an enterprise solution for asset & plant lifecycle management, construction management and FM (facilities management). At its core ArtrA is a database management application with a graphical front end using Navisworks Active-X technology. The system is built around a SQL database that can be easily integrated with other database

applications. ArtrA provides the means to collate an entire project bundle of information & documentation into a single manageable resource that can be handed over or transferred between project stakeholders throughout the design, construction, fit-out, FM and lifecycle phases.

CREATING THE BIM MODEL The first step in the Field-BIM process was to commission a BIM. The work was undertaken by Dutch based www.BIMPRODUCTS.net who used EliteCAD Architectural BIM software to create a model from a set of 2D general arrangement & section drawings.

MSCP Model created using EliteCAD AR BIM/CAD

The model building process took one week and the BIM was delivered in several formats including DWG, IFC and as a Navisworks file (500kb) for ArtrA Field-BIM.

MSCP Model delivered as a Navisworks file for ArtrA Field-BIM

LIFECYCLE BIM MODELLING Creating a ‘Conditioned Survey’ ready BIM required a new approach to model building. The model had to be created in such a way that surveyors could easily reference structural items in the field back to the model and add information in the correct locations. All objects in the model were ‘cut’ into individually selectable pieces; columns and beams were ‘split’ vertically or horizontally into sections, whilst the slabs, soffits and walls were ‘cut’ into a grid in accordance with the parking bays.

For more information visit www.artra.co.uk Email [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 1883 621170

ARTRA Field-BIM & Facilities Management Plant & Asset Lifecycle Management

BIM INTELLIGENCE

PRE-DEFINED DEFECTS DATABASE

Each BIM object was given 5 attributed values to identify and locate all structural parts of the MSCP;

Prior to defining the contents of the Conditioned Survey BIM database, Vinci engineers identified a list of structural components requiring inspection such as slabs, soffits, beams, columns, ramps, walls, edge copings, fixings & supports, drainage etc. For each of these, a list of ‘possible’ defects was compiled including cracking, spalling, leaking, ponding, compaction, rust staining, damage, de-bonded waterproof coating, peeling paint etc. Other information to be collected included probable cause i.e. impact or malicious damage, corrosion or weather related, expansive reaction, curing occurrence etc, as well as effects such as exposed reinforcement, loss of cover and structural implication.

[1] Level (B – 9), [2] Type (column, beam, wall, soffit, deck, ramp etc), [3] X-grid, [4] Y-grid, and [5] Zone.

BIM TAGS & PROPERTIES

Conditioned Survey Model – ‘cut’ for Field-BIM

The instructions concerning the nature of information required were supplied as a series of emails, documents and through discussion. They were defined in ArtrA’s database as a set of (59) Tags and (128) Properties, a process that was completed in one day.

These attributes were used to link ArtrA’s SQL database with objects in the BIM.

SEARCHING THE BIM

On-site

By using a combination of the attributes, ArtrA users can conduct drill-down model searches such as ‘find all soffits on level B, zone A’, or; show all columns and decks in zone B for level 3’. This functionality allows documentation, and information captured in the field to be in the correct place.

ArtrA set-up

Instruction

TAG INPUT FORMS ArtrA defect Tags & Properties are presented to the user as a series of Tag-Input-Forms whose contents are completed by field engineers as/when a defect is identified on-site.

Search results for all columns & deck objects Level 6

BIM INFORMATION IN A DATABASE The significant difference between a design BIM and a Lifecycle BIM, is that whereas information is extracted from a design BIM it is added to a Conditioned Survey BIM. In a design BIM, information is held in a CAD model such as Revit, Tekla etc. For a Conditioned Survey BIM, defect information captured from site is stored externally in a (SQL) database and then linked to the BIM.

ArtrA Conditioned Survey Tag-Input-Form

For more information visit www.artra.co.uk Email [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 1883 621170

ARTRA Field-BIM & Facilities Management Plant & Asset Lifecycle Management

Tag-Input-Forms help to ensure that all the information required from site is captured according to a set of standards and nothing is forgotten. They also ensure a high level of data consistency when a number of engineers are working on the same project at the same time, allowing for the production of meaningful management reports.

to the correct location. A list of all associated defect tags is shown, plus any linked documents and photographs.

USING ARTRA FIELD-BIM

These bookmarks help engineers who may be unfamiliar with the site to obtain a detailed overview of existing maintenance issues and provide access to all the relevant information.

The survey was conducted in the normal way, i.e. by methodically ‘walking’ the site to record new defects, and monitoring exiting conditions. But instead of making handwritten notes on drawings & clip boards, the information was entered through the predefined Tag-Input-Forms and tablet PC. Conditioned Survey Bookmark List

Multiple ‘defect’ tag-input-forms are linked to a slab object

DATA CAPTURE PROCESS The process is straightforward; when the engineer finds a defect, the same object is highlighted in the model by clicking on it. Once identified, a list of defects is presented to the user who selects the relevant tag and then fills out the Tag-InputForm. ArtrA is a multi user system. The captured information is uploaded to the server and merged with the main database at the end of each working day when the tablet PC’s are ‘docked’.

ArtrA zooms to pre-existing defects via ‘bookmarks’

PHOTOGRAPHS ArtrA allows digital photographs to be linked to objects in the BIM. This process is automatic when the photograph is taken through a tablet PC equipped with the necessary in-built technology, (e.g. Motion Series). When a hand-held digital camera is used (as in this case), the engineer records the DSC image number in the tag-input-form and manually links the image later.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION Prior to the (BIM) site survey, the previous five years recorded ‘Conditioned Survey’ defects were added to ArtrA. This was accomplished by re-entering the annotation on 2D drawings & handwritten notes as ArtrA tags and properties, and linking them to the corresponding structural objects in the model; a process that was completed in a few days.

ARTRA BOOKMARKS Existing defects were saved as a ‘Bookmark’ view and named. ArtrA Bookmarks provide a means for quickly finding and reviewing the nature and locations of pre-existing defects. When a ‘Bookmark’ is selected on the tablet, ArtrA will zoom

Lifecycle ArtrA BIM for Conditioned Survey

For more information visit www.artra.co.uk Email [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 1883 621170

ARTRA Field-BIM & Facilities Management Plant & Asset Lifecycle Management

LINKING DOCUMENTS TO THE BIM Prior to conducting the BIM-based survey, the previous 5 years survey drawings and documents were linked to the model. This was done by searching for the appropriate items and linking the relevant document bundles onto the search results.

Document being marked up in ArtrA using Autodesk Design Review

In addition to marking-up drawings, it is possible to take snapshots of the model and mark them up to provide extra clarity or to reinforce the information captured in the tags.

Design drawings linked to the model in ArtrA

So in order to link the structural drawings for the ground and basement floors to the model, a search was run for all items in those floors, and then the drawing(s) dragged and dropped onto the results.

Marked-up ArtrA snapshot

REPORTING Information captured from site can be reported in several tabular or thematic formats depending on what is required. Because the information is held in a SQL database, reports can combine (BIM) model data with information captured from site and filtered accordingly. Existing Survey Drawing Added to ArtrA Field-BIM

In addition to linking the design drawings, PDF’s of previously marked-up surveys were also added to the model to help ensure no information would be missed or overlooked.

MARKING UP DOCUMENTS ON-SITE For those occasions where it is necessary, or desirable to mark-up drawings in DWF or PDF, ArtrA is configured to open linked documents with suitable applications such as Autodesk Design Review. Conditioned Survey report – all defects January 2011

The ability to drill down into the data allows detailed reports to be created such as ‘list all defects to the deck (slab), on all levels in zone B, that have occurred after a given date’

For more information visit www.artra.co.uk Email [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 1883 621170

ARTRA Field-BIM & Facilities Management Plant & Asset Lifecycle Management

FIELD-BIM TRAINING COURSES ArtrA training for Field-BIM managers is usually held in two sessions over four days. However, the engineers involved in this pilot/case study received only a single days training. Following this, they were able to create and modify database tags & properties to suit their requirements, enter 5 years of previous survey results into the system and then link all relevant drawings & documentation to the model.

Historical record of column cracking

Reports can be output to Excel where they may be further processed or generated directly from the SQL database.

THEMATIC REPORTS Any information in the database can be portrayed thematically in colour via the model to visually locate it within the structure, and communicate the extent of an issue.

Field engineers using ArtrA on tablet PC’s normally require a 4 hour training course, although in this instance no training was provided and the engineer was self-taught; a testament to ArtrA’s simplicity and ease of use.

TABLET PC’s Different tools & hardware devices are required if BIM is to be used in the Field. They must be easy enough for engineers, site foreman, & facilities managers to use, provide full access to all design information and documentation, and have the ability to capture data. ArtrA Field-BIM runs on tablet PC’s specifically designed for field use; being durable, resistant to water & dust and with high visibility screens. They are also suitable for use whilst wearing protective gloves & clothing.

Location of pigeon nesting to front façade (Red)

ArtrA’s thematic colour coding can be used to create near instant management, status and progress monitoring reports, or to identify items scheduled for maintenance, as well as highlighting critical test results.

For more information on ArtrA Field-BIM visit www.artra.co.uk or contact us below

ArtrA Ltd Bourne House, 475 Godstone Road, Whyteleafe, CR3 0BL, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1883 621170 Email: [email protected]

Thematic view showing location of defects

For more information visit www.artra.co.uk Email [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 1883 621170