The University of Texas at Austin

Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

CE 395 R7 & ARE 376 – Building Information Modeling for Capital Projects
Spring 2017
Unique: 15650 (for CE 395 R7) & 15077 (for ARE 376)

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Fernanda Leite

ECJ 5.302
Phone: (512) 471-5957
e-mail: Fernanda.Leite@austin.utexas.edu

TEACHING Yuanshen Ji
ASSISTANT: Location and contact info to be announced in class

MEETINGS: Tuesdays 12:30-3:30PM, ECJ 2.218

Thursdays 12:30-2:00PM, ECJ 2.218

OFFICE HOURS: Dr. Leite: by appointment only

Teaching Assistant: by appointment only

I encourage students to come see me to address any questions or concerns about the
course material or other issues. If you are unable to see me in my office hours, please
send me an email and we can schedule an appointment at a convenient time for both of us.
If you are unable to come to my office, the next best method to get in touch with me is by
email.

WEB PAGE: You will find the online materials for this course at the Canvas web site at:
https://canvas.utexas.edu/

COURSE CATALOG DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on the skills and information needed to effectively
use an existing Building Information Model (BIM) in plan execution for a building construction project. This is a
project-based course where students gain knowledge on the implementation of BIM concepts throughout the
lifecycle of a building, from planning and design, to construction and operations.

PREREQUISITE: Graduate Student standing or ARE 323K for Undergraduate students

ACADEMIC/LEARNING GOALS: This course will give students an overall understanding of Building
Information Modeling (BIM) concepts throughout the lifecycle of a building, from planning, design, construction
and operations.

By taking this class, you will be able to:

(1) Define BIM;
(2) Describe workflow in using BIM in the building lifecycle;
(3) Perform model-based cost estimating;
(4) Perform 4D simulations;
(5) Apply BIM to reduce error and change orders in capital projects;
(6) Evaluate and communicate your ideas related to the use of BIM in the building life cycle.

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
 Eastman, C.; Teicholz, P.; Sacks, R.; Liston, K. (2011) BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information
Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers and Contractors. New York: Wiley. 626 pp.

Spring 2017 1
  ENR. The most widely read trade magazine for the architecture/engineering/construction industry. In recent
years, it has become more “journalistic” and less technical. All issues of ENR are posted on the web at
http://www.enr.com. Hard copies are in the Engineering library. Published weekly. Note: the various yearly
lists of the largest engineering and construction firms are useful for job hunting!
 ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management. This is a professional journal published
quarterly. Copies are available in the Engineering library. You can also access the journal publications
since 1999 by accessing http://scitation.aip.org/coo/ from any computer on campus.

TOPICS:
(1) Introduction to BIM
(2) Model-based Cost Estimating
(3) Construction Scheduling and 4D Simulation
(4) Design Coordination
(5) BIM to the Field

SOFTWARE DEMONSTRATIONS:
In-class demonstrations of software tools will be presented. They are intended to provide students with first
introductions to the tools and give them a “jump start”, not to fully train students on the use of tools. Students will
require self-study before they will be able to work effectively with the tools

GRADING:
Grade components will be weighted as follows in the computation of the final course grade:

For CE 395 R7 For ARE 376

Participation 10% (instructor’s discretion) Participation 10% (instructor’s discretion)

Case Study 10% Case Study 15%
Quizzes 15% (individual weights vary) Quizzes 30% (individual weights vary)
Homework Assignments 45% (individual weights vary) Homework Assignments 45% (individual weights vary)
Synthesis Report 20%

The correspondence of letter grade to numerical grade is:

A: grade ≥ 93
A-: 90 ≤ grade < 93
B+: 87 ≤ grade < 90
B: 83 ≤ grade < 87
B-: 80 ≤ grade < 83
C+: 77 ≤ grade < 80
C: 73 ≤ grade < 77
C-: 70 ≤ grade < 73
D+: 67 ≤ grade < 70
D: 63 ≤ grade < 67
D-: 60 ≤ grade < 63
F: grade < 60

As the plus/minus system allows fairer grading, assigned grades will strictly follow calculated scores.

GRADE DISPUTES:
Your grades will be posted on Canvas and you should check there often to make sure that the posted scores are
correct. Any grade disputes need to be made in written to the instructor up to 5 calendar days after the date the
graded material has been returned in class or posted on Canvas (whichever occurred first), regardless of whether the
student in question was present in class or not. No dispute will be accepted after the deadline.

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COURSE/INSTRUCTOR EVALUATIONS:
An evaluation of the course and instructor will be conducted at the end of the semester using the approved UT
Course/Instructor evaluation forms.

POLICIES:
Assignments:
The student is responsible for all reading assignments and class handouts whether or not covered in class or listed on
the syllabus. All assignments are due at the beginning of the period assigned and those turned in late will count
off 10% per day (no exceptions!). Late period begins 10 minutes after class start time (e.g., if class starts at 9:30am,
any assignment turned in after 9:40am is considered late). My goal is to return all graded assignments to students
within two course-weeks from the date submitted. For all group assignments, peer evaluations may be
conducted and grades for each individual team member will be proportional to their peer assessments.

Quizzes:
Quizzes are closed book, closed note evaluation. Quizzes will cover part of the class material (subjects will be
announced in class), assigned readings and guest lectures. Quizzes may include problems, definition/matching,
multiple choice, and short answer questions as appropriate to the material covered.

Class Participation and Attendance:

Class participation grades are based on the instructor’s perception of student interaction and active participation in
the classroom. It is important that you are familiar with the course material as the course evolves. Your ability to
answer questions and discuss the material will be part of the overall participation evaluation. Therefore, you should
review class material ahead of time. Regular attendance is expected and encouraged. Your attendance will be used to
evaluate your participation grade. I consider a student missing more than one week of class without excuse to be a
serious participation problem. In some cases, I will petition the Office of Student Affairs to drop students from the
course who have excessive absences and may withhold the entire participation grade at my discretion for
participation problems. Each student is responsible for all material and administrative instructions given during the
lecture period.

Personal Problems:
If you have illness or personal problems that will affect your performance during the course of the semester, please
let me know as soon as possible. “After the fact” provides little protection unless there are extreme circumstances. I
have an answering machine, a fax machine, and an e-mail address if you need to get in touch with me after hours.
Do not hesitate to use them.

Scholastic Dishonesty:
IMPORTANT! Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties,
including the possibility of failure in the course and dismissal from the University. Since dishonesty harms the
individual, all students, and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.
For additional information on these items see the Dean of Students website, and University General Information
Catalog, at: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/, and http://catalog.utexas.edu/general-information/the-university/.

Students with Disabilities:

The University of Texas at Austin provides, upon request, appropriate academic accommodations for qualified
students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement,
Services for Students with Disabilities, 512-471-6259 (videophone: 512-410-6644) or
http://diversity.utexas.edu/disability/

Privacy – Web Based Class Sites:

Web-based, password-protected class sites may be associated with all academic courses taught at the University.
Syllabi, handouts, assignments and other resources are types of information that may be available within these sites.
Site activities could include exchanging email, engaging in class discussions and chats, and exchanging files. In
addition, electronic class rosters will be a component of the sites. Students who do not want their names included in
these electronic class rosters must restrict their directory information in the Office of the Registrar, Main Building,
Room 1. For information on restricting directory information, see:
http://www.utexas.edu/student/registrar/catalogs/gi00-01/app/appc09.html.

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Dropping the Class:
Undergraduate Students: From the 1st through the 12th class day, an undergraduate student can drop a course via
the web and receive a refund, if eligible. From the 13th class day through the university’s academic drop deadline,
a student may Q drop a course with approval from the Dean, and departmental advisor.

Graduate Students: From the 1st through the 4th class day, graduate students can drop a course via the web and
receive a refund. During the 5th through 12th class day, graduate students must initiate drops in the department that
offers the course and receive a refund. After the 12th class day, no refund is given. No class can be added after the
12th class day. From the 13th through the 20th class day, an automatic Q is assigned with approval from the
Graduate Advisor and the Graduate Dean. From the 21st class day through the last class day, graduate students can
drop a class with permission from the instructor, Graduate Advisor, and the Graduate Dean. Students with 20-
hr/week GRA/TA appointment or a fellowship may not drop below 9 hours.

Computer Usage:
Students are expected to be proficient on a personal computer and to be able to use word processing and spreadsheet
programs such as Word and Excel. Familiarity with the Civil Engineering Learning Resources Center (LRC) is
assumed. The web-based UT Canvas system will be used extensively to coordinate class assignments and
disseminate course information, including class notes.

IMPORTANT DATES:
No classes on March 14 and 16 due to Spring Break. February 1 is the last day to drop a class for a possible refund.
April 3 is the last day to change the course to/from credit/no credit or pass/fail. April 3 is the last day an
undergraduate student may, with the dean’s approval, withdraw from the University or drop a class except for urgent
and substantiated, nonacademic reasons. May 5 is the last day a graduate student may, with the required approvals,
drop a class or withdraw from the University.

Spring 2017 4
 SCHEDULE:
Note: The course schedule is subject to changes. Any changes in the course schedule will be communicated in advance and
posted in the course Canvas web page.
Week Date Topic Reading Due Assignment Due
(available at
Canvas)
1 Jan 17 Lecture 1: Overview of Course Organization; Case Study
12:30- and Synthesis Report overview
2:00pm
Lecture 2: Introduction to Building Information Modeling;
Example Case Study
Jan 19 Lego Class Exercise
12:30-
2:00pm
2 Jan 24 Lecture 3: Model-based Cost Estimating Chapter 1, BIM
12:30- Handbook
3:30pm Lab: Hands-on 3D Modeling (Autodesk Revit Architecture) Lab tutorial

Lab: Hands-on Model-based Cost Estimating (Assemble) Lab tutorial

Jan 26 Lecture 4: History of CAD Chapter 1, CAD/
12:30- GIS Integration
2:00pm
BIM LoD discussion LoD reading
3 Jan 31 Teams to work in lab on HW1

Feb 02 Lab: Hands-on Model-based Cost Estimating – time for Lab tutorial
12:30- questions
2:00pm
4 Feb 07 Group Presentations: HW1 (groups 1 and 2 to present) HW1 (Group): Model-based cost
12:30- Hartmann et al. estimating
3:30pm Lecture 5: Project Scheduling and 4D Simulation 2008
Feb 09 Guest Lecture on Model-based Cost Estimating, Dulles
12:30- Alexander, Vice President, Americas, Exactal
2:00pm
5 Feb 14 Quiz 1
12:30-
3:30pm Lab: Hands-on 4D Simulation (MS Project, Autodesk Lab tutorial
Navisworks, and Synchro 4D)
Feb 16 Teams to work in lab on HW2
12:30-
2:00pm
6 Feb 21 Lecture 6: Design Coordination Leite et al. 2011
12:30-
3:30pm Lab: Hands-on 4D Simulation – time for questions Lab tutorial
Feb 23 Lab: Hands-on Design Coordination (Autodesk Lab tutorial
12:30- Navisworks)
2:00pm
7 Feb 28 Guest Lecture & Mock Design Coordination Meeting,
12:30- Thomas Hook and Matthew Reyes, Linbeck Construction
3:30pm
Mar 02 Group Presentations: HW2 (groups 3 and 4 to present) RS Means and Blueprints due to
12:30- instructor; HW2 (Group): 4D
2:00pm Simulations

Case Study presentations (groups 1-2 to present) Case Study (groups 1-2)

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Week Date Topic Reading Due Assignment Due
(available at
Canvas)
8 Mar 07 Case Study presentations (groups 3-4 to present) Case Study (groups 3-4)
12:30-
3:30pm Lab: Hands-on Design Coordination – time for questions Lab tutorial Synthesis Report outline
(Individual, for CE 395 R7 only)
Safety-focused Site Visit 9:30-11:00am: EERC
construction site, on campus, led by Kirby Kuntz, Project
Manager, Hensel Phelps
Mar 09 Individual Meetings with Graduate Students on Synthesis
12:30- Report in Leite’s office
2:00pm
9 Mar 14 No class – Spring Break
Mar 16 No class – Spring Break
10 Mar 21 Group Presentations: HW3 (groups 5 and 6 to present) HW3 (Group): Design
12:30- Coordination
3:30pm Lecture 7: Construction Progress Monitoring Technologies Golparvar et al.
2009 (sections 1-
Case Study presentations (groups 5-6 to present) 2 only) Case Study (groups 5-6)
Mar 23 Quiz 2
12:30-
2:00pm Lab: Hands-on Point Cloud (Autodesk 123D Catch) Lab tutorial
11 Mar 28 Site Visit: EERC construction site, on campus, led by
12:30- Kirby Kuntz, Project Manager, Hensel Phelps
3:30pm
Mar 30 Lab: Hands-on Point Cloud – time for questions Lab tutorial
12:30-
2:00pm
12 Apr 04 Guest Lecture on BIM use at UT’s Graduate School of
12:30- Business Project, DPR Construction
3:30pm
Group Presentations: HW4 (groups 7 and 8 to present) HW4 (Group): Point Cloud
Apr 06 Lecture 8: BIM to the Field Turner White
12:30- Paper & BIM
2:00pm Forum Overview

Lab: Hands-on Site Layout Planning (Dynamo) Lab tutorial

Safety-focused Site Visit 9:30-11:00am: UT Graduate

School of Business, on campus, led by: DPR Construction
13 Apr 11 Teams to work in lab on HW5
Apr 13 Lab: Hands-on Site Layout Planning – time for questions Lab tutorial Synthesis Report Draft (optional)
12:30-
2:00pm
14 Apr 18 Teams to work in lab on HW5
Apr 20 Group Discussion: HW5 (all groups) HW5 (Group): Site Layout
12:30- Planning
2:00pm
Case Study presentations (groups 7-8 to present) Case Study (groups 7-8)
15 Apr 25 No class
Apr 27 Tour of Texas Advanced Computing Center Visualization
12:30- Lab (POB 2.404a)
2:00pm
16 May 02 Quiz 3
12:30-
3:30pm Lecture 9: Last lecture – BIM Challenges
May 04 No class 12:30pm: Synthesis Report
(Individual, for CE 395 R7
only)

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