Blog 2 - Chapter 2 - Kunlun Ren

Chapter 2 starts with the history of the evolution of the parametric modeling from 2D to 3D. The author introduces a brief history of two initial forms of early 3D models which are the boundary representation approach (B-rep) and the alternative approach, the constructive solid geometry (CSG), and how the two forms finally were combined together. Then this chapter delves into explaining the characteristics of or the “technologies” applied in the parametric modeling system. There are three degrees of parametric modeling. At the simplest level is parametric solid modeling which is defined as “complex shapes or assemblies defined by a few parameters”. The second degree is parametric assemblies which represent that the assembly models can updates to the shapes when parameters are changed. The most important technology for parametric modeling is full parametric modeling which “allows the parameters defining one shape to be linked through rules to the parameters of another shape”.

The author also introduces some applications of building information modeling as tools of parametric modeling systems in both building design and construction. Many companies and associations are making efforts to develop more objects behavior rules and layouts to expand the families of BIM objects. The user-defined parametric object is also mentioned in this chapter as an expanding set in BIM design applications. It allows the BIM tools to be applied in the real world when there are more limitations. Some other advantages and developing directions of parametric modeling and BIM tools are discussed such as the relational structures, drawing generation, object management, etc..

The last part of this chapter introduces BIM as organizations which include tools, platforms, and environments. BIM tools can be considered as the smallest unit in BIM organizations. It allows users to complete one specific task such as drawings production, energy analysis, error detection, etc.. BIM platform can be treated as a stage on where tools can be organized together to achieve the data generation and analysis. BIM environment has the largest scale in the BIM organization. It combines multiple platforms and tools and is usually used as a communication tool between the people who use different platforms and tools. Several products of BIM tools, platforms and environments are also introduced in this chapter. And Revit, as the leader of the BIM market, is emphasized.

Citation:

Eastman, Teicholz, et al. BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Contractors. Second Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2011.

Comments:

To Sean,
Your point of the importance of interoperability on the BIM is very interesting and I totally agree that the interoperability will play a critic role in BIM's future. From your blog, I know that it achieves the possibility of communication between different BIM tools. And it can save lots of time to unify the models' information and decrease the risk of human errors. Just like what you said in the last part, I believe with more groups efforts on building the model resources, BIM will help people save more time.

To Weiyi,
I can't agree more with you that the IPD is a very efficient way for cooperation between architects and engineers. From your blog, I learned that the evolution of cooperation process from the very traditional way, Design-Bid-Build, to Design-Build Delivery, and finally to the Integrated Project Delivery. People are making the building activities more and more efficient from both actual and potential aspects.

To Jenny,
Your point about the necessity of using BIM for the owners and facility managers is very interesting. I agree that BIM should be applied a wholelife of a building to achieve the maximum cost and time-saving. With the help of BIM, the owners and facility managers can rapidly react to feild situations or make smarter choices without facing problems in the field. And BIM also helps the owners forecast their profits and decrease the finacial risk.