BASIC INITIAL SETTINGS IN ARCHICAD FOR STRUCTURAL MODELLING

Introduction 

Building Information Modelling is one of the emerging trend in construction industry majorly post Covid. AEC industry of India contributes nearly about 11% of India's GDP with participation of 35 Billion people leading to second largest industry in India. BIM is a process to generate clash free 3D Information models through group of software's. ArchiCAD being one of the software used to create 3D informational models. ArchiCAD is developed by Graphisoft a Hungarian Company. ArchiCAD offers computer aided solutions for handling all common aspects of aesthetics and engineering during the whole design process of the built environment buildings, Interiors, urban areas etc. Let us see the procedure of constructing a structure model in ArchiCAD.

Procedure 

1. New Project Creation - Assuming you have installed the ArchiCAD 24 version in your PC Now create a new project from File option in top bar i.e. File tab (top left bar), select new option and click on New project tab. 

New Project Tab

2. Adding Story Levels -  The First step to create a structural model in ArchiCAD is to set the story levels by giving command Clt+7 the following tab as shown in picture will appear on screen. Refer levels form Architectural Elevation for Superstructure & Section from Foundation Plan for Substructure levels. The naming standards for story's will be same as that of naming standards followed in respective CAD files.

Story Settings Tab

3. Creation of Worksheets – After setting the story levels the next step is create the Worksheets. In the right corner of screen, you will see the worksheet option right click on it & select the new Independent Worksheet option the following tab will appear on screen. Name the worksheet as per requirement & create the worksheet.

Worksheet Tab

4. Adding Structural Drawings in Worksheets -  There are basically two ways to add drawings in worksheet as shown below.

Option 1 -  From top bar select File option - External Content  - Attach Xref, once done the following tab will appear on the screen. Select on Browse & add the structural drawing from saved folder in your PC. (In select missing file tab select skip all). Once the drawing is attached in the worksheet (in case drawing is not visible click on zoom out option in lower tab) right click on the drawing & unlock all layers.

Adding Drawings in worksheet by option 1

Now to set a Reference point select a point or intersection point of grids as reference point & overlap that point on ‘x’ mark in worksheet as shown in below figures.  Use command Clt+D to move the drawing.

Marking the reference point

Overlap reference point with CAD Drawing

Note this reference point will be same throughout the worksheets of buildings so as to trace drawings with same reference at different levels.

Option 2 -  From the left side bar select the Document tab - Drawing tool click on some point in the worksheet (Relink drawing tab will appear) Select on the browse option, select the unit & attach the drawing from your PC. Rest adapt the same procedure to set the reference drawing.

5. Trace the worksheet on Floor Plan -  Right click on the created worksheet & select the Trace as reference option.  Now open the story of same drawing & Click on the trace icon (Alt+F2) from top bar.

Tracing of Worksheet 

Most useful commands in ArchiCAD 

• Clt+T Command -  When you select any element & press control + T command you will find the element selected tool settings will appear on screen.
• Geometry & Positioning Settings -  Here you will find the Story settings where you can set the home story of an element settings & can also set the top story. Also here you can set the material layer & Reference Plane.

Geometry Settings

 

• Floor Plan & Section Settings -  In this part the first option would be ‘Show on stories’ which consists of two sub – options 

1. All relevant stories – It means the selected elements would be shown on all floors as trace mark for reference in editable form.
2. Home Story only – In this option the elements are visible only on home story.

• Outlines - In this function you will find the options to edit the edges colour of different elements.
• Classification & Sections – This option consists of ID & Categories option were we can feed ID number to different elements which can be used in schedules derive for quantities.

Element Selection Settings 

• Creation of Layers – The shortcut to active this command is Clt + L, once this command is active the tab as shown in fig will be displayed on the screen. To create the new layers select the option new from right corner & set a name for the layer. The layer will appear on the display board. 

Layer Creation Tab

Applications of BIM 3D, 4D & 5D in Indian Construction Projects

Indian construction industry is growing rapidly, despite of low percentage of growth due to covid impact the industry is likely to register growth of 10.7% in FY22. Indian government has come up with huge investment in Infra sector with sole purpose of uplifting the construction sector growth. However the unproductive issue is the major challenge in the sector which leads to time & cost overruns, this is where the BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING comes in picture. BIM has the capability to Visualize & Plan the project right from initial phase to final phase. 

BIM DIMENSIONS

• BIM 3D - BIM 3D refers to "Information Modelling or Information Model" were 2D drawings are converted into 3D models with inclusion of 3 geographical dimensions (x, y, z). This enables the user to visualize the project in all there parameters. 
• BIM 4D - The fourth Dimension of BIM is "Time" were the schedule details are added to the 3D model (LOD 300) to create Planned Vs Actual Simulations, Various forms of Look ahead's in terms of Project progress, Material requirements & Labour requirements. 
• BIM  5D - The fifth Dimension of BIM is "Cost" were the cost details are added to 3D model. It helps to predict budgets at initial stages as well as helps to track project in terms of cost till the completion stages. 

BIM WORKFLOW (3D, 4D & 5D) 

BIM WORKFLOW

BIM Workflow is divided in two parts 1. Pre-Construction Phase & 2. Construction Phase, explained in detail in following Steps

Part 1 - Pre-Construction Phase

Step 1: 2D CAD Drawings Requirement

Initially we require all sets of detailed designs or Good for Construction 2D CAD drawings of all disciplines (Architecture, Structure & MEP). Once these drawings are avaliable it is very important to store them in proper data management systems like BIM 360 Docs which helps to track the revisions of particular drawing. 

Step 2: Schedule Development 

As per the project scope the schedule model is prepared were activity sequence is created and relationships of project progress are assigned to them with duration i.e. Planned Dates, further the Actual dates are updated as per the project progress. The main objective of creating a project schedule is to analyze the activity sequences, resources requirement, duration of project & schedule constraints. Once the approved schedule from client side is avaliable Naming standards for Model development are prepared that helps in smooth linking of 3D model with Time aspect.

Example of Naming Standards of Substructure works

WBS L1 - Tower Name

WBS L2 - Structure Works

WBS L3 - Sub Structure 

WBS L4 - Basement 3 (Floor Names or Level Names)

WBS L5 - Element Names (Columns, Beams, Staircases, Ramps, Slabs, Footings etc.)

Step 3: Model Development 

Once the drawings are avaliable models are developed discipline wise by the respective modelers. The Request for Information i.e. RFI are created and send to respective discipline consultants in case of any discrepancies in drawings. Also it is very important to provide model with the assigned naming standards as per the project schedule. Clash detection process is conducted once all 3 disciplines models are avaliable. Clashes encountered in the process are resolved and a Clash Free coordinated model is created. 

Modelling Software's -  Revit, ArchiCAD, Civil 3D, Buildertrend, BIM Object etc.

Clash Detection Software's -  Navisworks, Bexel Manager, Solibri etc.

Step 4: Attaching Time Aspect to 3D Model

After the development of Constructible Model we are in position to link project schedule with 3D Model. As we have given the naming standards in 3D model as per project schedule it becomes very easy to link the dates in software's like Autodesk Assemble, Bexel Manager etc. In the attached image below we can see on the right side all model properties are arranged where as on left side imported project schedule can be seen. Linking both of them with planned and actual dates helps to get various reports as mentioned below - 

1.  Planned Vs Actual Simulations.
2. Monthly Look Ahead Plans.
3. Monthly Labour & Material Requirements (when Labour Constants are avaliable from site team).
4. Monitoring of Milestones.
5. Critical Path Monitoring.

Software's - Bexel Manager, Assemble, Synchro etc.

Link Rules tab from Bexel Manager 
Source - Bexel Manager Website

Step 5 -  Attaching Cost Aspect to 3D Model

Cost attachment is bit difficult task than attaching time aspect to the model. If the cost is attached in the schedule itself it becomes very easy to link the cost items with model & schedule elements. But when we get the cost through Budget it is a lengthy process. We need to create a cost classification as per the schedule activities. Also the cost needs to be adjusted of the non model elements like Anti Termite Treatment to milestones costs. Once the cost are classified  as per schedule elements we follow the same procedure to link cost with model elements. Linking both of them with planned & Actual costs helps to get various reports as mentioned below - 

1.   Monitoring of Schedule invoice.
2.   Monitoring of Planned cost with Actual cost.
3.   Preparation of Job Cost report.
4.   Monitoring of Schedule Direct & Indirect Cost.
5.   Monitoring of Sale Projections.

Software's - Bexel Manager, Assemble, Synchro etc.