BIM & THE ENVIRONMENT

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1 BIM & THE AS-BUILT ENVIRONMENT

2 Cover Image: Stoke Railway Station

3 ABOUT AHR AHR is a multi-award winning building consultancy and architecture practice with a heritage dating back to We operate from strategically located offices throughout the UK and internationally. Our Geomatics team provides intelligent solutions for our clients spatial requirements and is at the forefront of developments in the field of laser scanning and reality capture. We are constantly exploring new possibilities in this area to benefit our clients. AHR is the first building consultancy and architecture led practice to be certified by BSI to deliver construction projects at BIM Level 2 for Design & Construction. This verification covers all aspects of the business, including Geomatics, Building Consultancy, Architecture, and Landscape Design. This achievement ties in neatly with the UK Government mandate that all centrally funded building projects are required to use Level 2 BIM. Commissions throughout the UK have been completed for a diverse range of public and private sector clients and key government agencies, in addition to surveys of church properties, health, education and university establishments, regional and national property portfolios. Our expertise, combined with modern techniques and technology, enables us to provide clients with a thorough and efficient service to ensure the full potential of their property is realised. Our experience ranges from domestic properties to vast industrial sites for shore line energy fields and includes specialist surveys of historic buildings. Our Building Consultancy teams provide a full range of services that also include Design and Contract Management, Professional Services, Asset and Property Management, Conservation & Heritage, and Health & Safety Consultancy. Our Architecture service delivers quality design based on vast experience in creating innovative and sustainable buildings and communities. BIM & the as-built environment / 3

4 WHAT IS BIM? An acronym for Building Information Modelling, BIM is a process of illustrating, in digital terms, all the elements that compose a building. It is an effective and efficient way of storing all the information relating to the building in one central location. A Building Information Model is a computerised, digital 3D replica of the building. WHAT IS SCAN TO BIM? All new-build AHR projects are designed using the BIM process but the benefits are equally applicable to existing buildings, as they can be scanned and a 3D digital model developed. By combining advanced surveying and Geomatics techniques, AHR is able to develop BIM models from accurate laser cloud surveys. These can be tagged with data describing the key physical properties of each element. This process may be undertaken in stages, not all of the information needs to be tagged at the outset, allowing clients to gradually increase the level of detail of the asset they hold over a period of time. BENEFITS OF SCAN TO BIM AHR provides Scan to BIM services that can be used at every stage of the property life cycle, from design through construction and asset management. Some 80% of the UK building stock in use in 50 years already exists today. Due to the vast majority of a building s cost lying in the postconstruction stages of its lifespan, a further onus will be placed on maximising efficiency. By no means an exhaustive list, benefits of Scan to BIM include: Cost Reduction Manual measurements can be subject to error and are time consuming. AHR Scan to BIM services are more cost and time effective, with fewer visits to site and completed at times that best suit the client, with minimum disruptions to staff and the public. Risk Mitigation Scan to BIM offers greater design understanding, resulting in rework reductions, and provides information on clash detection. Improved Safety Remote access reduces exposure to hazards and restricted environments. Laser scanning is noncontact and removes the need for scaffolding. Lifecycle Management - Properly set up and managed, the model enables clients to extract the information they require to operate and maintain the building throughout its life. Spatial Awareness - Creating a BIM model from the laser scan data provides considerable benefits in visualisation including the creation of a visual archive for future generations. 4 / BIM & the as-built environment

5 SCAN TO BIM JOURNEY The simplest analogy for the Scan to BIM process is that of a train journey. You might get off at a certain stop most days, but at other times you may ride the train to the end of the line. No matter how far you go, you still need to get on the same train. It s the same for Scan to BIM. Most of the time you will require full 3D models to aid in the design and to form part of an FM system. However, occasionally you may just need point cloud data for verifying models, or 2D drawings because of the limitations of your supply chain. The methodology is the same and once you have begun the Scan to BIM journey, the only decision to make is how far you need to go to get to where you want to be. Also, if you get off early there is nothing to stop you getting back on and travelling further along the line. SCAN TO BIM JOURNEY 3D LASER SCANNING 3D POINT CLOUD AHR DIGITAL PORTAL 2D DRAWINGS 3D MODELS 3D VISUALISATION BIM & the as-built environment / 5

6 LASER SCANNING The laser scan data is a valuable resource in its own right. In the first instance it is an accurate 3D representation of the building and will aid in visualising the project. As all the data within the point cloud is spatially correct, dimensional information can be extracted directly from it. AHR has the capabilities to re-process the data so that it may be imported into BIM software for comparison to as-built models or to provide background information for alterations or refurbishment. For existing buildings, AHR uses digital surveying techniques to create a 3D point cloud model which is then used as the basis for a BIM model. Laser scanners are used to create a point cloud model together with complete visualisations. The rapid site data can be captured at 1,000,000 points per second and each point is accurate to +/- 3mm. Information is gathered over a greatly reduced time period without a reduction in quality or accuracy of information. During the data collection phase of the Scan to BIM process, AHR has the ability to capture a 360 degree spherical image of all items within the line of sight of the laser scanners. These images can be either in colour or black & white depending on conditions and survey specifications. 6 / BIM & the as-built environment

7 LEEDS RAIL STATION LASER SCANNING LEEDS / UK Client Network Rail There are well established plans to increase passenger traffic through Leeds Rail station with a target growth expected to increase movements by 69% within 20 years. As part of these plans AHR was commissioned to investigate how the station may be developed in the short/medium term with the key themes of Approach, Movement and Retail. In order to minimise disruption to the station and guarantee accuracy, it was decided to laser scan the building over several nights. The use of advanced laser scanning has meant that we have been able to bring the building into our BIM packages. This information has then been used to develop the scheme from early sketch concepts to rendered images of the design proposals. This model will be developed further as required through the course of the scheme to produce working drawings for the contractor and it will allow us to co-ordinate sub-contractor information. BIM & the as-built environment / 7

8 CREATING 3D MODELS OF THE AS-BUILT ENVIRONMENT The Building Information Model is the most comprehensive survey model available. It is built entirely within the BIM software environment which contains the level of data and intelligence defined by the client. Acurate laser cloud surveys of an existing building can be tagged with data that describes the key physical properties of each element. This process may be undertaken in stages, with parameters defined by the client according to their current needs. Not all of the information needs to be tagged at the outset, allowing building owners to gradually increase the level of detail of the asset they hold over a period of time. At all times, there is a single location for all building data, avoiding the need to cross-reference several sources of information and so eliminating duplication of tasks. This information may allow clients to quantify any element of interest, be it the area of a room or the cost of replacing the brickwork. AHR models can also be orientated to the Ordance Survey grid, allowing clients to use the full functionality of the BIM platform. Upon completion of a project, the client is handed a BIM Model. This is more than a set of drawings; this is a true digital representation of the building embedded with all the information required for the rest of its useful life and beyond. The BIM contains a wealth of information such as materials, condition, FM items and specifications, all useful tools for clients with property portfolios in management of their asset. If the information is managed correctly it could be used to calculate life cycle costs and form the database for an FM system. The BIM Model has many other benefits including accurate data that can be called on as projects come on line. 8 / BIM & the as-built environment

9 WATERLOO RAILWAY STATION LONDON/ UK Client Network Rail AHR was commissioned by Network Rail to deliver an asbuilt BIM model, in line with the major refurbishment and redevelopment plans to the retail units at Waterloo Station, London. The extensive remodelling works were planned in order to maximise retail opportunities and improve the station environment on the southern half of the concourse. The asbuilt BIM model was required in order to provide the client with a to-scale prototype of the intended works to enable them to both certify its feasibility and aid its development. The appointment came following the successful delivery of previous works at the station, including a utility mapping project and a topographical survey, documenting the arch level plans, sections, and elevations. In order to avoid disruption to the station staff and passengers, AHR used non-intrusive laser scanners to collect the necessary data. Not only did the scanners allow the information to be collected with minimum interference to the public, they also enabled the team to gather precise data, without the requirement for complicated calculations, which would have otherwise been necessary on elements such as the curvature of the arches. The to-scale, as-built BIM model was delivered to deadline and provided the client with a comprehensive and accurate visualisation of the future refurbishment and remodelling scheme. BIM & the as-built environment / 9

10 AHR DIGITAL PORTAL (ADP) The AHR Digital Portal (ADP) is a secure web based portal through which survey data and images can be accessed remotely by the client. The AHR survey team can embed the scanned data set within each of the relevant images. A key plan of the whole survey area, including each of the observation positions for navigation purposes, can be created. Each project contains a brief description and a geo-referenced link that will take the client directly to an overhead view of the site if activated, useful for understanding the project s relationship to the surrounding topography. The system has been designed with a previously unachievable level of flexibility to allow the client complete control of the survey data and ultimately how, to whom, and when, it is to be distributed. Clients may choose to scan and hold the geometry through the use of the ADP until they have decided which areas of the structure are to be included within the overall project. A successful project requires quality, accurate and reliable base information. This work flow allows the design team to have this information from the outset and have access to it remotely aiding in collaboration, the ideal which underpins the whole BIM process. The main benefits of the ADP are: - Remote access to all survey data - Password locked for security - Speed of data availability - No increase in hardware costs - Portable system possible through Wi-Fi enabled tablets - Unlimited user access - Off-site data storage solution - No software costs as all done through existing web browsers - No IT support required as the system is managed by AHR 10 / BIM & the as-built environment

11 WAVERLEY RAILWAY STATION EDINBURGH / UK Client Network Rail AHR s Geomatics team was appointed to look at various survey options open to the client regarding the planned remodelling of an historic part of the station. As the architects responsible for the design options are a BIM only practice it was decided that the survey information needed to be delivered in such a way that it would fit into the BIM workflow. It soon became obvious that the best way to visualise and work with the area would be in a 3D environment. With its highly accurate and flexible deliverables, the AHR Scan to BIM process is ideally suited to a project of this type. All survey data is captured through the use of terrestrial laser scanners giving unparalleled levels of accuracy in the field. This form of data capture is also non-contact, meaning the delicate surface and objects that make up the fabric of the structure are left untouched and undamaged, not to mention the reduction of risk from working only at ground level. Speed of survey is another one of the many benefits with the process. The historic concourse took less than hour to return the results illustrated here, a fraction of the time required by traditional methods. The completed data set is then used as a basis for the creation of the Revit survey model. As the models are built entirely within the Revit environment they inherit all the characteristics of any BIM with the expected families. Objects may be edited, interrogated and eventually scheduled as the project moves forward and the need arises. The final deliverable is the AHR Digital Portal (ADP). At the time of data capture, the laser scanners take digital images to form a spherical photograph of all they can see. Network Rail can view these photographs through the ADP via a secure web connection. Embedded within the photographs is the scan data which allows Network Rail to extract co-ordinates, dimensions and area values directly. As this system runs from AHR s dedicated server there is no software install, all that is required by Network Rail is a flash enabled PC and access to the internet. The ADP is a perfect solution for remote working as it brings all the site data direct to our client s desktop. The AHR Scan to BIM workflow fulfils and exceeds all the survey needs of the client with an unmatched level of flexibility and quality. BIM & the as-built environment / 11

12 EXTERNAL INFORMATION MODEL AHR is aware that external factors can have an immeasurable impact on the very design of the building, dictating everything from its footprint to position on the site. This is where the External Information Model (EIM) comes into being. The EIM is effectively a Building Information Model when it moves outside the building envelope and into the wider environment. An EIM is constructed using the same methodology as BIM and as such contains all the component elements and their relevant information, allowing the user to leverage the same advantages from EIM as BIM. You can expect to see all the general topographical data as well as the underground utilities, all of which will have been accurately surveyed and modelled as true 3D objects. The EIM can be commissioned either as a stand-alone element or as part of the Scan to BIM suite of deliverables. As all data is captured to the same co-ordinate grid, an EIM and a BIM will link seamlessly together. 12 / BIM & the as-built environment

13 VISUALISATION Whilst the as-built 3D models contain all the geometric information and base meta data you are likely to require for your BIM workflow, they do generally still look like white box models. Through the AHR dedicated modelling team, it is possible to move these models into a more photo-realistic environment, allowing for an even greater understanding of the building. The extraction of renders is nothing new from 3D models but these are static single views that cannot be changed easily and are time consuming to create. Although a render gives an accurate representation of the vista from which it was taken, they do not give a realistic view of the building as a whole. It is here where AHR innovation can be applied to create kinetic renders. Through the use of advanced gaming technology, kinetic renders allow you to navigate throughout the whole building whilst maintaining the photorealistic appearance of the model. The advantages are numerous. An important benefit is the ability to view from any position within the building, allowing for potentially unlimited renders to be extracted in real time. Another is the ability to create a 360 fly-through videos of the building compatible with virtual reality headsets. Kinetic renders can be packaged and delivered to run on PC, ipad and most smart phones. For refurbishment projects, the as-built model will be used as a base for the new layout and design. Once again, AHR innovation can help as we can take the proposed model back from the designers and push it through our gaming engine to create a kinetic render of the proposed layout and materials aiding the design team to communicate their vision back to their client. BIM & the as-built environment / 13

14 THE FUTURE OF BIM As we march towards 2019 and BIM Level 3, AHR sees an even greater integration of the Scan to BIM process than in existence today at Level 2. The industry is developing an increased understanding of the BIM process and the benefits leveraged from increased collaboration in the digital world. The question becomes how we can improve site-based activities and extract the same efficiencies. Once again AHR s forward thinking is brought to the fore with its use of the latest technologies. The development of a workflow which allows co-ordinates from models to be directly imported into site based surveyors instruments gives the surveyor the ability to transpose model elements to site and to survey as-built objects and transfer them into the digital model for verification. On the topic of verification, the next logical step along this road is the laser scanning of the structure as it is erected. As the scan data lies in the same co-ordinate world as the model, auditing, verification and clash detection can take place with the model from site flagging up any issues at a far increased rate. All this is done through a combination of cloud technologies and expert personnel based both within the office and on site. Capturing vast amounts of information quickly is where laser scanning excels, lending itself perfectly to the capture and recording of FM plant and associated assets. AHR, through the use of a cloud solution, has the ability to capture your assets, whether it s during or post construction and add these to the existing as-built model. This as-built BIM is created through the merging of the central design model and the progressive scanning of the structure. This asset information in turn can be imported into something as simple as an app by the contractor for use at handover stage or to create a robust data drop for the integration into a full blown FM system with bi-directional links to the as-built BIM. Rest assured, whatever challenges the future may raise, AHR has the expertise and incumbent technology to modify the challenge into an opportunity to drive forward and once again raise the bar. 14 / BIM & the as-built environment

15 OUR OFFICES CONTACTS London 5-8 Hardwick St London EC1R 4RG T +44 (0) Birmingham Alpha Works Alpha Tower Suffolk Street Queensway Birmingham B1 1TT T +44 (0) Bristol 8th Floor Clifton Heights Triangle West Bristol BS8 1EJ T +44 (0) Glasgow Savoy Tower 77 Renfrew Street Glasgow G2 3BZ T +44 (0) Huddersfield Norwich Union House High Street Huddersfield HD1 2LF T +44 (0) Leeds 7 Brewery Place Brewery Wharf Leeds LS10 1NE T +44 (0) Manchester Parsonage Chambers 3 The Parsonage Manchester M3 2HW T +44 (0) Shrewsbury Victoria House, Victoria Quay, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 1HH T +44 (0) GLASGOW MANCHESTER SHREWSBURY LEEDS HUDDERSFIELD BIRMINGHAM LONDON BRISTOL Allan Hunt Director BSc MRICS allan.hunt@ahr.co.uk Lee McDougall Director AM CICES lee.mcdougall@ahr.co.uk BIM & the as-built environment / 15

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