Jotne : World-class information model

-This represents a paradigm shift for the building and construction industry,- says Janne Aas-Jakobsen, Director Built Environment, Jotne EPM Technology.

-What makes EDMmodelServer' different is that it produces a digital model that is shared by all disciplines based on a non proprietary format. In other words, all the various parts of a project enter their components into the server to create an overall data model of the building. Previously, each of the various disciplines created their own separate drawings or models, now they are working on the same building information model (BIM),- she explains. The new approach is called buildingSMART.

The building industry is, like many other sectors, fragmented and covers many fields and professions. -a natural consequence of this, is highly specialised software, with each application covering only a limited part of the building information.-

There are separate programs for construction, building descriptions, CAD drawings, calculations, estimates and contracts. In addition, each profession usually has its own standards and terminology. Having lots of different standards is not in itself a problem. The problem is that the standards for information exchange do not meet in the middle'. The most common method of moving information from one phase to another is still manual data entry. It goes without saying that this is not only a time-consuming process, it also means that a lot of information is lost along the way. However, an international standard will change all this.

Det er egne programvarer for byggeprogram, byggebeskrivelser, DAK-tegninger, beregninger, kalkyler og kontrakter. I tillegg har gjerne hver enkelt profesjon sin egen standard og terminologi. Det å ha mange standarder er ikke i seg selv noe problem. Problemet er at standardene for informasjonsutveksling ikke -henger sammen-. Fortsatt er den vanligste måten å flytte informasjon fra en fase til en annen, og manuelt lese og tilpasse informasjon fra fase til fase. Det sier seg selv at dette ikke bare er en ressurskrevende prosess, men også at mye av informasjonen går tapt underveis. En internasjonal standard vil endre dette.

Open format

EDMmodelServer' uses an open format built on Industry Foundation Classes (IFC). IFC is a new format for information storage and exchange between all the parties in all the phases of the building process. It enables several participants in the same value chain to link up to and work on the same platform..

In the IFC standard, design information, product characteristics and processes are linked together with the objects they represent. A drawing is simply one way of looking at a building project. Calculations, building descriptions, space allocations and energy calculations are other possible ways of looking at the same building model. In the IFC world, all the information about the project is contained in the same model. This can require slightly more work early on in the project, when the building information model is being established, but produces significant savings as the process progresses, since the information can be reused and modified.

One shared structure

-In August 2005 Statsbygg signed an R&D agreement with a Bodø-based design team for Tromsø University College. That autumn the team designed a data model using IFC-qualified tools,- explains Ole Kristian Kvarsvik, a Senior Engineer with Statsbygg.

The various building disciplines all contributed to the data model. When it was finished we were able to look at it and run a troubleshooting exercise. We discovered things like the fact that the ventilation shafts and the electric cabling collided' with each other and that a wall and a staircase were too close. Now we can correct such mistakes before the construction work begins. That means we save a lot of time and money on projects where budgets and time limits can easily overrun.

-As a user you will not necessarily see any major changes in the applications you are using. The main difference is that you are always working on a shared model of the building. You can therefore make use of existing information about the project, and the information you add will be available to the other parties. As a basis for the building description, for example, you will be able to access masses and materials from the architect model. Changes in a design will automatically result in changes to the building descriptions and any calculations relating to the same object,- says Kvarsvik.

-This pilot points the way for Statsbygg's future efforts in the areas of planning, design, construction and facility management,- concludes Statsbygg's Ole Kristian Kvarsvik.
-Previously the different disciplines created their own drawings or models, now they work on the same building information model (BIM),- says Janne Aas-Jakobsen, Director Built Environment, Jotne EPM Technology.

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World-class information model

Open format

One shared structure