Understanding the Project Lifecycle: Clash Detection

This is the fifth in a series of 7 blogs that demonstrate DesignCell’s Project Lifecycle and the advanced tools used to accelerate projects and achieve quality with smoother projects, fewer changes, on-time, on-budget, and on-schedule. 

Developers Benefit from Our Use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to Coordinate Multiple Disciplines and Ensure Any Conflicts are Resolved Before Construction Begins in Phase 5: Clash Detection.

When multiple disciplines are working on the same project, it is crucial to ensure that the individual building components fit together so that the final plans are free from conflicts. Our Revit BIM 3D models help us compare and coordinate designs from different disciplines to identify specific places where different elements may overlap and create compatibility problems. We can set views for all disciplines in our template, providing a visual view of each discipline’s components.  

When the project is in the final stage and nearing completion—around 90% complete—we run a clash detection of the entire model, which includes Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing. This will show us any issues between the models of the different disciplines by issuing a report of detected conflicts.

When major conflicts are detected, the BIM software categorizes the issues and sends a notification to the relevant consultant for resolution. Minor conflicts with components, which can be adjusted in the field, can be filtered out and discarded.

Once each discipline corrects its linked 3D model to ‘sync’ with the main Architectural model, a notification comes back to the Project Manager letting them know the conflict has been resolved.

Utilizing the clash detection feature within the Revit BIM software, it provides an additional level of review and coordination to limit conflicts in the field. By checking for collisions or ‘clashes’, numerous design coordination items are corrected and that our combined plans, including all disciplines, are constructible.

In our next blog, we will discuss Phase 6 in DesignCell’s Project Lifecycle: Autodesk Build. Check back here for updates.