Improve the Productivity of Building Construction Project using Clash detection Application in Building Information Modeling

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395 -0056
Volume: 04 Issue: 03 | Mar -2017 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
© 2017, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 5.181 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 1784
Improve the Productivity of Building Construction Project using Clash
detection Application in Building Information Modeling
Mr. Swapnesh.P.Raut1Dr.S.S.Valunjkar2
1P.G. Student, Dept of civil engineering, Government College of Engineering, Karad, Maharashtra, India.
2Professor, Dept of civil engineering, Government College of Engineering, Karad, Maharashtra, India .
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Abstract:- In the 21st century, BIM has brought a
revolutionary concept in the Architecture, Engineering and
Construction (AEC) industry, which is allows constructing
building virtually before it is built on construction field. The
starting to implement of BIM at different levels in various
developed countries like USA, Australia and UK are
implementing BIM to a greater levelwhere inIndiaisintotal
contrast to status in developed countries. The Clash
Detection tool is one of the most useful application of BIM,
which is useful for the coordination of systems to make the
projects time efficient and economical. Inthispaperwefocus
the methodology involved conducting clash detection
analysis using building information modeling software. This
research also involves the concept of BIM, status of BIM in
India. As such, it is case study of a residential building which
consisting of an architectural, structural and Mechanical,
Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) BIM models and their
consequent clash detection. In this case study, commercial
software such as Autodesk Revit 2016, Autodesk Navisworks
Manage 2016 are used and also focuses on simplifying and
standardizing the process of BIM coordination using
Autodesk Navisworks software.
Keywords: Building InformationModeling,BIMsoftware,
AEC Industry, Clash Detection.
1. INTRODUCTION
In the last few years the construction industry, the
complexity of modern day construction projects has
increased and there will be no significant improvement in
the productivity of the construction industry has been
observed. Theproductivityoftheconstructionindustryhas
traditionally been much lower than thatofotherindustries
because the main reason for this shows to be the
incapability of new technologies. As other industries have
improved their productivity by using newmodify methods
and techniques, the construction industry is also applying
new technology such as building information modeling
(BIM) to assist better the productivity of construction
Project Management.
A building information model is consisting of the 3D
models of the project with links to all the required
information connected with the projects planning and
construction or operation.BIMisa 3Dmodelingwhichmay
involve 4th dimension as time (4D), 5thdimension of cost
(5D) and information database of the project , 6D
dimension is related to Facilities Management (FM) & 7D
dimension is related Sustainability.
The National Building Information Modeling
Standards (NBIMS) committee of US defines BIM as, “a
digital representation of physical and functional
characteristics of facility. BIM is a shared knowledge
resource for information about a facility forming are liable
basis for decisions during its life cycle i.e. from earliest
conception to demolition. A basic premise of BIM is the
collaboration by different stakeholders at different phases
of the life cycle of a facility to insert extract, update or
modify information in BIM to support and reflect the roles
of that stakeholder” .
1.1 Need of BIM
Building Information Modeling (BIM)is an integrated
the process of development and utilizes of a computer
generated model to simulate the design, planning,
construction schedule, cost information and clash
detection such as physical and functional characteristics
digitally before it is built. In Indian constructionindustryis
not applying the true potential of BIM tools. Lots of the
architectural and engineering firms inIndia still dependon
upon two-dimensional Computer-Aided Design i.e. CAD
drawings. This usage of traditional methods neither
expresses that the Indian designers are uninformed about
BIM technology and its capacity, because of unskilled BIM
users in the Indian AEC industry.
In traditional method of clash detection when BIM wasn’t
around, AEC professionals used to burn mid-night oil for

identifying mistakes in the 2D drawings. But even after
doing a lot of hard work in detection of clashes before the
starting of construction, architects and engineers used to
find out design problems of high magnitude during final
building procedure. Finding of clashes quickly used to
result in rework on jobsite which used to showquitecostly
for owners. Budget overruns are instant consequences of
rework carried out by architects and engineers during
onsite construction. Due to the failure of traditional
method it is necessary to bring about a new way of
working and thinking within the construction industry So
that it requires implanting modern technology like BIM to
improving in clash detection instead oftraditional method.
2. STATUS OF BIM IN INDIA
The Indian Architecture, Engineering and Construction
(AEC) industry is one of the vital pillars of the Indian
economy. Indian AEC has vast employment opportunity.
While, real estate sector in India was the domain area of
only handful players in the 90s, now it’s changing day by
day the growth has reached to investors, developers and
global stakeholders in the growing Architecture,
Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry in the
country. Real estate is secondlargestemploymentsector in
India, after agriculture. In contrast, the India Architecture,
Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry is not using
the true potential of BIM technology .According to a recent
McGraw-Hill Construction Report, BIM implementation in
the USA extended from 55 Percentage in 2013 to over 79
Percentage in 2015 .A Survey done by Indian RICS School
of built environment and KPMG in 2014 found that
22percentage of respondent currently use BIM,
27percentage respondent reported thattheyarecognizant
and actively considering BIM utilizationinIndia. Themajor
reason for not using BIM here is the lack of technical
expertise, the professional who has heard about this
technology but doesn’t know how to use it, and most of
them are not even aware of this technology, high cost of
software, No mandate from the government for BIM
implementation ,low demand from clients and lack of
skilled or trained employees.
3. CLASH DETECTION
Clash detection remains the primary requirement of any
multidisciplinary project wherein composite design needs
to be inspected for the identification of clashes. Clash
Detection is the method of inspecting and identifying the
various interferences which frequently occurs in
coordinating process of 3D models created in different
modern software’slikeRevitArchitectural ,RevitStructural
& Revit MEP .In BIM, 3D models for different types such
like Structural, Civil, and Architectural &MEP(Mechanical,
Electrical and Plumbing). When combination of all these
different types of models to create a complete BIM model
there will be chances of clash between these elements.
In clash detection test it detects the conflicts between
different elements within 3D Building Information Model
before actually construction starts, and therefore time
optimization intheconstructionschedule, reducecostsand
change orders. By using clash detection application in AEC
industry increase the productivity of design and
construction project.
There are 3 main types of clashes
1. Hard clash:
This type of clash occurs with two objects are takingupthe
same space. Such like pipes passing through walls, lower
ceiling light. This type of information is entered in the BIM
modeling objects and hard clash provides the detection
based on the geometrical as well as on semantic and rule-
based algorithms.
2. Soft Clash/Clearance Clash
Soft clash detects clashes which occur when the object
needs more positivespatial orgeometrictolerances,spaces
and buffers within their buffer zone for improved
accessibility, insulation, maintenance and safety. For
example, an air conditioning component may require
certain clearances to allow for maintenance, access or
safety that steel beam would negate.
3. 4D/Workflow Clash:
This type of clash might involve the scheduling of
contractors, the delivery of equipment i.e. cranes,
bulldozers and materials, and general timeline conflicts.
For example, work crews arriving when there is no
equipment on site[4]. Since these objects are frequently
scheduled as temporary, demolished, or other schedule so
link them for clash detection to make sure they do not
affect to project.
3.1 Need Of Clash Detection
In traditional method organizations are the prepares
activities for the execution stage as establishing contracts
with contractors, buying materials, ensuring a good

coordination and assembly order of the different systems
of a project. The most clashes are recognized when the
contractor receives the design drawings and everyone is
on-site and working. it is compare 2D designs to each
other to find conflict clashes between the specialty
designs. Because the specialty contributors i.e. structural
engineers , MEP engineers etc. develop their designs
separately, so when comparing these designs on different
drawings is a process easily overlook clashes. The
contractors require to see that the detailing of structural
elements, plumbing, electrical lines, attachment and other
component is done well. If there issomemistakeinofthese
clashes result change orders then these effects on cause
delay in project, design modifications, materials costs and
budget overruns. Using BIM and the Clash Detection
application enables potential problems to be identified
early in the design phase and resolved before construction
begins with more effective.
4. SOFTWARE USE FOR CLASH DETECTION
There are several companies who offer clash detection
software for the AEC industry. Following are some
software's which is use for clash detection in BIM
1. Revit
Revit is database structure and object definition modeling,
is a effective modeling software the preferable work
practice is of course when all the modeling is performed
internally within Revit .In order to satisfy the specific
needs of the diverse types of specialist for Revit, Autodesk
distributed the product into three types – Revit
Architecture, Revit Structure and Revit MEP. Revit
software gives clash detection abilities where objects
clashes with each other are highlighted for improvement.
This capability is however, limited in that it does not
develop reports, trace Clashes, Status Clashes ,Set Rules,
Custom Clash Test, Clearance Tests, Time Based Clashing
or track changes[5]
2. Bentley Navigator
Bentley Clash Resolution allows user to identify sets of
business or graphical elements and to detect geometrical
clashes between these object element sets. The user can
after that interactively and graphically review these
clashes, mark up particular clashes, and allocate them for
action. Clash results can be grouped, marked up and
exported to a GPS system or Excel spread sheet. [7]
3. Solibri Model Checker
Solibri Model Checker(SMC)softwarefindspotential faults
before actual work start on site . It is advanced clash
detection tool which is consisting BIM and accessibility
compliance, deficiency detection, model comparisons and
full information take off. The checking of Solibri Model
Checker is done on the basis of rules grouped into related
“rule sets”. This can be viewed as “design spell checking”.
One of most noticeable advantages of Solibri Model
Checker is to be viewed in the original BIM authoring
application, permitting them to be fixed more easily and
quickly [1]. By using Solibri Model Checker BIM
stakeholders can manage costs, delivery timings and
maintenance work.[7]
4. Autodesk Navisworks
The Autodesk Navisworks products helps architecture,
engineering, and construction teams to develop better
control over the outcome of their projects. With
Navisworks solutions, detailed design models can be
combined and reviewed by all project stakeholders,
serving users to benefit from thecompetitiveadvantagesof
building information modeling (BIM) workflows. The
Autodesk Navisworks software provides a Clash Detection
module that checks BIM model and showsanyareas where
items interfere, or “clash”, with each other. This BIM tool
allow to set up the rules, Identify clashes ,Generate
Reports, Trace Clashes, StatusClashes,ManageClashes,Set
Rules ,Custom Clash Test, Clearance Tests ,Time Based
Clashing. The Autodesk Navisworks software family offers
three products(Autodesk Navisworks Manage, Autodesk
Navisworks Simulate, Autodesk Navisworks Freedom) to
provide project stakeholders with the right tools to help
collaborate, coordinate, and communicatemore effectively.
5. METHODOLOGY
The methodology involved collecting three model
files of type “.rvt” (Autodesk Revit 2016) for the three
models i.e. architectural and structural and MEP model.
Three separate clash tests were conducted:
1) Architectural Model versus Structural Model (ARVs ST),
2) Architectural Model versus MEP Model, (AR Vs MEP)
3) Structural Model versus MEP (ST Vs MEP).
The software was set to detect only hard clashes,
with a tolerance of 0.0 mm. There are many BIM software

available in market which is useful for design and
construction professionals to increase the productivity of
the project, but in this case study software used for clash
detection process is Autodesk Navisworks Manage 2016
etc. Autodesk Navisworks Manage greatest strength is
clash detection. Due to this software detecting collisions
during design, in real time, gives the BIM stakeholder a
very efficient method to improve coordination among
multiple building systems and ultimately avoid costly
remedies after drawing completion and during
Construction phase. Following are the steps for clash
detection process.
1. The first step in this case study is to import all the Revit
2016 files i.e. MEP, structural and architectural files into
Navisworks which is use in clash detection process .For
clash detection process in Navisworks, it is required to
import 3D Revit files into Navisworks or export files from
Revit to Navisworks.
2. In the next step in clash detection process converts all
the recently imported rvt files into Navisworks file format
that is .nwf file format which is shown in Figure no 1
Fig.1 Converting Revit file into NWC format
3. Once all rvt files are transformed into nwf file format we
can be simply opened in Navisworks software and then
clash tests carry out by using rvt files.
4. For performing clash tests in Navisworkssoftwarepress
the ‘Clash Detective’ tool.
5. After that we can simply click on to ‘Select’ tab that is
located within clash detective tool inNavisworkssoftware.
6. Next step is click on ‘Select’ tab then two different
columns will appear on computer screensoselectdifferent
model elements which have the chances of conflictingwith
each other which is shown in figure no 2. For example
structural element can interfere with MEP element, so in
one column we should select ‘structural element’ and in
other column we should chose ‘MEP element’ and then
simply click on ‘OK’ to run clash test.
Fig 2. Clash detection process by Navisworks
7. After the clashes between structural element and MEP
element can be easily recognized. After that for
inspection its results, we must go to Results tab.
8. Autodesk Navisworks automatically gives a status to
each clash for future use .So after that the Clash Detective
tool that keeps on updating the status of the clashes after
they are identified and are listed within Results tab which
is shown fig 3

Fig 3 Clash Detective showing the results tab
9. Further, for creating report of clash test click on
Report tab and creating report on .XML file format which
is shown in fig 4 and fig 5
Fig 4 Clash Detective showing the report tab
Fig 5 : Clash report generated by Navisworks
10. Clashes can be resolved by changing position of
particular element i.e. figure no 8 shown that clash can
be resolved by changing slope of pipe.
Fig.6 Clash between pipe (Green) and Structural
Beam (Red)

Fig 7.pipe position before clash resolving
Fig 8 .Resolving clash between pipe and beam by
Changing slope of pipe
6. CONCLUSION
1. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is rapidly growing
within the AEC industry where its current implementation
shows great effects on projects in terms of performance,
time and cost.
2. In Indian construction industry is not applying the true
potential of BIM tools. Indian AEC industry is not aware
about BIM technology and its capacity and they are
unskilled BIM users.
3.Using Clash detection in this case study instead of
traditional method detects the conflictsin3DModel before
actually construction starts of building so that it is useful
for to decrease coordination errors, human errors so that
results in high level of accuracy of models. So this will be
avoiding re-work on jobsite.
4. Autodesk Navisworks makes the clashdetectionprocess
faster and easier along with completely reducing thescope
of human errors during its execution. Design clashes that
occur between building elements are successfully
identified by Navisworks andtheyaretimelysolved.Hence
complete elimination of design errors, optimize time and
cost is very important for AEC industry before actual
construction starts on jobsite.
5. Hence, implementation of clash detection tool is very
important for error-free construction project helps to
optimize time in the construction schedule and minimize
the overall cost of project at the construction stage
REFERENCES
1. W. Guangbin and Wei L, "Exploring the High-
efficiency Clash Detection between Architecture
and Structure", International Conference on
Information Management and Engineering,
Singapore,2011.
2. McGraw-Hill Construction. Smart Market Report:
The business value of BIM for construction in
Major Global markets, 2014.
3. A. Sawhney ., “State of BIM adoption and outlook
in India”, RICS school of built environment, Amity
University, May 2014.
4. G. Bhamre , A. Patil and S. Pataskar. ,“Cost and
Time Optimization for ConstructionofResidential
Building by Clash detection in Building
Information Model(BIM)”, International Research
Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET),
Jan 2017,Volume: 04, Issue:01, pp:550-553.
5. N.Mistry and H.Rathod, ''Softwares for Building
Information Modeling (BIM) Project Management
and Controlling'', International Journal of
Scientific Research & Development, 2014,Vol. 2,
Issue 10, ISSN : 2321-0613.
6. E. Berdeja.,"Conflict analysis in a BIM based
design”.
7. Websites: www.solibri.com,
www.vicosoftware.com, www.bentley.com

BIOGRAPHIES
Swapnesh. P. Raut received his
BE degree in civil engineering
from shivaji University
(Maharashtra) in 2015, pursuing
the M.Tech degree in
Construction Management from
Government College of
Engineering, Karad, Maharashtra.
His research interest is Building
Information Modeling.
Shriniwas Valunjkar received his
PhD degree in civil engineering in
2000, the M.Tech degree in
engineering control from
Hydraulics & Water Resources
Engineering, Housing & Town
Planning, BE degree in civil
engineering.

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