Shanghai Tower
BIM Application
In this project, BIM has been used to visualize in 3D and analyze the building performance for decision-making. In Revit, designers built up the tower model entirely, and shares the data with mechanical, electrical and structural engineers. Engineers access the design data and geometric sizes directly from the BIM model, and send them directly to the design software for calculations and analysis. Through visualizing the virtual building through the 3D model, engineers can better monitor construction process and follow the schedule. What’s more, all the professional subcontractors and equipment suppliers are required to communicate through the BIM platform.
For a skyscraper, design phase and construction phase are important, but its lifecycle is of more significance as the longer lifecycle, the better the return on investment. Thus, the facility management needs the BIM process to help them plan efficiently and manage scientifically. Innovative ideas in design give rise to innovative creations in the AEC industry. Through the application of BIM technology, people can create a new process for mechanical and electrical installation by stringing together the entire supply chain from manufacturers to equipment suppliers, and to construction units.
Fig 1. Framing Shanghai Tower management structure & progress based on BIM technology (Ge, 2012)
Design Phase
In the initial design phase of the Shanghai Tower, in order to build a freestyle tower, it is necessary to choose suitable 3D software. Currently, in China, Autocad is used to draw 2D pictures, 3DSMAX and Maya are for rendering and making animation, Sketchup is widely used to build models, but it is weak at dealing with hook face. After comparison, architects finally select Rhinoceros to build the hook face, together with Grasshopper to control the shape shifting. At the same time, Rhinoceros Scripts is used to create surface quickly (Chen & Zhang, 2012).
Fig 2. The model that built by Rhino and Grasshopper (Chen & Zhang, 2012)
During the stage to deepen the working plan design, BIM focuses on the coordination among architects, structural engineers, electrical and mechanical engineers, etc. Revit Architecture, Structure, MEP platform are selected in this program. Through adding building information such as structure, materials and sizes, an intact 3D model is reconstructed.
The problem is that national working plan audit standard is based on 2D, so BIM cannot be the final basis of construction. Thus, hoop face separation is adopted to transform data, and curtain wall structural line is reconstructed. Also, the model is export from ETABS with EXR format, and then being imported into Revit.
Fig 3. Model resonctruction (Chen & Zhang, 2012)
As a whole, the design phase is improved by multi-discipline collaboration and visual design management.
Fig 4. Parametric design (Ge, 2012)
In order to achieve sustainable design, light pollution, indoor natural lighting, underground natural lighting and building wind environment are all analyzed.
Fig 5. Building performance simulation (Ge, 2012)
Construction Phase
In collision detection, visual 3D model makes it clear for the architects to observe the collision conflicts. Navisworks can modify the model to lower the possibility of mistakes and omissions.
In pipeline integration, 3D pipeline system can reflect real space condition. Take the equipment layer as an example, because of there are a lot of purlins, the space for pipeline to go through become changeable. By building 3D pipeline equipment model, it is easy to detect the design conflicts among each major, and all the people involved can get the feedback to conduct adjustment and modify the model.
Fig 6. Collision detection (Ge, 2012)
Via simulation, construction plan is also adjusted until it gets to the best situation, the advantages include improving construction management efficiency, saving time and reducing cost. For the lean fabrication, pre-assemble simulation enhances efficiency in steel work; For the curtain wall, its design and installation are adjusted on the basis of pre-fabrication and pre-assemble simulation; For MEP, the efficiency and quality of design and prefabrication benefit a lot from detailed design and simulation by BIM; For decoration, BIM-based design improves its quality and reduces site work. Moreover, BIM also helps monitoring the site better together with 3D scanning.
Fig 7. BIM applicatin in construction phase (Ge, 2012)
Facility Management Phase
With the help of BIM, facility management effectiveness is enhanced. BIM also improves the practice of accident warning and emergency management .
Fig 8. Evacuation routing optimization (Ge, 2012)
Video: The role of BIM application in Shanghai Tower
Summary
BIM provides an excellent modernized tool for the design, construction, management and investment control of the whole project. However, some difficulties still exist, such as the national standard is still 2D, and the data currency among different software is limited. People in the AEC industry should pay attention to these problems, and try to solve them.
In 2013, this project got Excellent BIM Application Awards. All in all, BIM accelerates the whole design process, plays a significant role in construction phase, and will contribute to the future operation.
