Survey - Coordinating linked models alltogether

[Anonymous]

If we have an Architectural model containing 4 linked files,

1. Structural model.
2. HVAC.
3. Plumbing.
4. Eectrical model.

And ofcourse each model has its own outlets that are either hosted on the ceiling or the walls.

How can we coordinate between them ti be able to relocate all their outlets on the ceiling. 

for example if a lighting fixture overlaps an HVAC outlet.

or if a lighting fixture is not placed correctly on the 60x60cm tiled ceiling

Thank you very much for taking time to answer.

[Anonymous]

Hey Omar

What is your role in this project? Are you the architect, receiving a Structural, HVAC, Plumbing and Electric model from an external partner?

If that is the case, i would say this is a matter of project management in terms of making sure that your contract clearly states whose responsibility it is to make sure that things are placed where they should be.

For instance: If the electrical engineer has access to your architerctural model - then it is his responsibility to make sure that his fixtures are positioned correctly in the ceiling - not yours. If they are not, he should simply redo his electrical model.

If your firm is doing all of the above models, i would strongly recommend combining some  of them. In our firm we generally work with 4 models in total for a project: Architectural, Structural, Technical Installations and (if applicable) landscape.

Having HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical in one model called "Technical Installations", instead of in 3 different ones, makes sure that you can collision test before linking them in the architectural model, thereby avoiding a lot of the obstacles you are having now.

Sincerely

Max

[Anonymous]

  Dear Omar Ashraf,

  1)   Firstly, we advice each model has all the other models linked inside it:

        Eg:   Architecture Model  ---- Linked Struct, Elec, MEP

                MEP Model              ---- Linked Arch, Struct, Elec

  2)   Model check :

  2A) Visually : if possible everybody analyses if there are elements overlapping etc.

  2B) Interference check:  Has an option for second column to assign the linked file and assign certain elements you think they are more prone to give you collisions ( like electrical outlets vs. air diffusers).

  3)   Navisworks check:  Can assign collisions between elements in separate files.

  Hope this helps, Dan