The Evolution of the Autodesk® Revit® MEP

Design Model to Fabrication and Beyond

Brett Perez & Geoff Thew
Senior BIM Coordinators – A.G. Coombs Pty Ltd
Class summary

This class shows the evolution of design-to-fabrication workflows within an integrated project delivery team.

By adopting the BIM-MEPAUS Autodesk Revit MEP software add-in, the design model is efficiently passed
through to the construction team for development into a constructible LOD 400 model.

Within a single Revit MEP model, services are coordinated and approved for construction while data sets
are used for procurement. The model is used for ductwork fabrication using Autodesk® Fabrication
CADmep™ software in an integrated workflow.

Using Autodesk® Navisworks® Manage, the lead coordinating contractor completes the final coordination
using the federated model and finalizes site point positioning set outs using positioning points embedded in
the model. The model is passed to the site team and used to support installation.

The class demonstrates the workflow through real-life projects, providing practical insights into the multiple
benefits that can be used by adopting these workflows.
Key learning objectives

At the end of this class, you will be able to:

Develop strategies to transform design models to constructible ones by

refining the content throughout the BIM cycle

Manage subcontractors' models to enable full-scale coordination

Link a CAD-MEP database to Revit families to enable fast and accurate
conversions and a range of BIM-to-field applications

Describe key success factors for using Revit MEP within integrated
project delivery teams
Introduction

Brett Perez

Senior BIM Coordinator – A.G. Coombs

Over 17 years experience in Australian and
International MEP consultancies.

Now heads up BIM modelling team

Focusing on taking Revit design models through to
fully coordinated constructible models providing the
platform for BIM enabled project teams and supply
chain work flows

Involved in the development and implementation of
the BIM-MEPAUS Revit MEP Add-in template

Piloting of the Revit to CADmep workflow enabling
a range of site based positioning, fabrication and
procurement processes

Regularly presents to head contractors and clients
on how the Design to fabrication workflow enables
a successful, collaborative project

Geoff Thew

Senior BIM Coordinator - A.G. Coombs

25 years experience in Design & Construction

Diverse experience includes working in
Contracting and Consulting firms & Autodesk
resellers

Delivering major implementation and training
programs, most recently leading BIM Management
and coordination

An expert in engineering design software,
including Revit, Navisworks, CADmep & BIM to
Field applications

Drives productivity improvements in the workplace

Significant driving force in global leading initiatives
such as BIM-MEPAUS as a technical adviser &
workflow developer
 U.S.A Australia
Area 3,717,812 sq. Miles 2,967,909 sq. Miles ~ 80%

Population 317,000,000 23,000,000 ~ 7%

A.G. Coombs Pty Ltd

Established 1945

Whole of life Building Services specialists

HVAC, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, Fire, Building Technologies

All Technical systems from Concept & Design to Operation

Innovative Delivery, Engineering led

500+ Staff & technical personnel

Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane

National Capability
Sydney = 4.6 million
Melbourne = 4.2 million
Brisbane = 2.1 million
ACT = 300k
----------------------
11.2 million

48.5% of population
BIM-MEPAUS Initiative

Concentrated on practices, model standards and workflow

solutions

Engage all disciplines and their respective supply chains

Bring together the best software developers and service

providers and then establish service level agreements

Redefine model content scheduling for supply chain

integration
BIM-MEPAUS Initiative

Work to resolve the technical issues and reduce

complexity to create a productive work environment for all

Centralized website and industry hub for information

BIM to Market approach
BIM to market approach

Identify the market process

Public / Private sector

Responsibility (Construct only / D&C / IPD)

State process

Evaluate the skill / BIM Knowledge of

The client

Head contractor / Builder

Sub-contractors
BIM to market approach

Key points

Match staff with deliverable expectations

Understand client requirements

Establish Head contractors deliverable requirements

Identify skills gap in sub-contractor team
Software
Software

Identify software applications best suited for deliverable

expectations

Prefabrication detailing

BIM 360 Field

Revit all the way?

Add-ins
Objectives
Objectives

“........The single most devastating consequence of

modernism has been the embrace of a process that
segregates designers from makers.”
Objectives

Utilise and leverage the Design models

Create a constructible Revit Model

Fully coordinate and construct in the Virtual world

Construction installation strategies

Leverage the model for BIM-to-Field

Maintenance & FM

Estimating & Procurement

Workflows
Utilise and Leverage the Design models

Efficient & effective design management

Utilise and Leverage the Design models
Utilise and Leverage the Design models

Efficient & effective design management

Design validation
Utilise and Leverage the Design models
Utilise and Leverage the Design models

Efficient & effective design management

Design validation

Value engineering
Utilise and Leverage the Design models
Utilise and Leverage the Design models
Utilise and Leverage the Design models

Efficient & effective design management

Design validation

Value engineering

Pre-fabrication evaluation
Utilise and Leverage the Design models
Utilise and Leverage the Design models
Create a constructible Revit Model

Use a constructible component library (BIM-MEPAUS)

Create a constructible Revit Model
Create a constructible Revit Model

Produce accurate Earlier works delivery package

Create a constructible Revit Model

Spatial allowance

(image: access zone for AHU & or FCU A/P 3D box)

Create a constructible Revit Model

Apply design enhancements

Constructability component

Access evaluation

Construction strategies

Commissioning access

Servicing & maintenance
Create a constructible Revit Model
Co-ordination
Coordination phase

Set the ground rules

Sub-contractor BIMX plan

Meeting location & frequency

Services zoning strategy

Model distribution & frequency
Coordination phase

Image of 2 week coordination cycle

Coordination phase

Set the ground rules

Obtain updated sub-contractors models

Hopefully differ from consultants..........but not too much!

Assess quality / LOD
Coordination phase

Clash detection process

Run initial tests

Assign ‘easy/quick fix’ clashes pre-meeting

Review “multiple service involvement” clashes in coordination
meeting

Assign final clashes & issue reports
Coordination phase
Coordination phase

Sign off coordinated constructible Revit model

Issue a completion statement (Locks-down positions of trades)

Add minimal detail & submit for approval
Coordination phase

Approval drawing with minimal detailing

Coordination phase

Sign off coordinated constructible Revit model

Produce hanger points

Coordination phase
Coordination phase

Check & adjust against “as constructed / installed”

3D laser scan of structure

First in services (Fire & Plumbing)
Coordination phase

Check & adjust against “as constructed / installed”

Installation strategies

Construction sequencing
Construction
Construction phase

Detailing

For Fabrication only

Revit or CADmep+ ?
Construction phase
Construction phase

Import from Revit into CADmep

.RIFF files

Design line
Construction phase

Key points

Model elements connect

Correct service/system identification

Export separate insulation runs

Tight / complex areas may not always convert in design line

Services need to be mapped correctly
Construction phase

Final Clash detection

Latest Sub-contractor models

Pre-fabrication frames

Manufacturers equipment

Fabricate!
Construction phase
Field
BIM in the Field

Communicate the intended construction strategy

BIM 360 Glue

Provide additional information

Embedded information

Measurements

Problem solving & Clash resolution

Clash reports
BIM in the Field
BIM in the Field
Procurement
Procurement
Scheduling
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned

Proven workflow

Project needs to commit to full BIM, not partial or lonely BIM

Real leveraging of BIM goes well beyond clash coordination

BIM execution plans are the key

Client expectations can’t outweigh team ability

Technology is your friend

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