16212 Digital Design and Construction 1

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Handbook description

This subject examines 3D design coordination, construction modelling and documentation. It investigates the role of the project manager and construction contractor in digital design and construction, and explores the knowledge they require to effectively manage, supervise and participate in construction projects enabled by building information modelling technologies. The subject familiarises students with synchronous and asynchronous design communication and collaboration tools and their impact on building design and production. Students develop an understanding of the extent to which information modelling systems facilitate the generation, representation, rationalisation, materialisation and fabrication of design artefacts in collaborative and multidisciplinary design settings. Students are therefore provided with a foundation in 3D modelling principles and procedures before developing skills in the coordination of the design work of project team members using linked models. Students develop an understanding of how to read and coordinate architectural, structural and service design models; undertake 3D model reviews and interference checking; and learn how to model construction details and produce electronic construction documentation. Technical and communication skills are practised in different digital environments, including computing lab, digital workshop and interactive construction environment. Current issues surrounding the use of building information modelling in construction are discussed.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students will be able to:

a. understand and be able to read and interpret 2D documentation and 3D models
b. understand the typical problems encountered with 2D documentation and new 3D information modelling approaches used by project team members to generate, represent, review, and produce building designs
c. utilise building information modelling software for design communication and multidisciplinary model coordination
d. understand and discuss building information modelling workflows and standards
e. understand and utilise 3D modelling, information exchange, model coordination, and model conflict procedures
f. undertake basic interference checking so as to identify construction problems and resolve conflicts

Contribution to course aims and graduate attributes

1. Personal
a. engage in independent research and self-motivated learning
b. work effectively in project teams and foster team relationship building
c. work effectively within multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environments

2. Academic/Intellectual
d. demonstrate digital technology literacy and competency

3. Professional
e. effectively manage digital design and construction processes and workflows
f. be adaptable to emerging methods of project delivery, collaboration and digital construction

Teaching and learning strategies

Weekly on campus: 1 hr lecture and 1hr tutorial supplemented by online learning.

The learning activities in this subject involve a variety of face-to-face lectures, digital workshops, tutorials and online teaching strategies. Lectures involve face-to-face content delivery employing the use of media and electronic resources to enhance the theoretical delivery of the subject. Regular tutorials will help students’ technical skills and enhance students’ understanding of each topic. Emphasis will be placed on independent student pre-reading of lecture material to facilitate greater understanding of each lecture topic area. The tutorial program utilises BIM software applications and 3D modelling exercises to link theory and application. Students are further supported through the use of UTS Online offering subject material and information and moderation with the subject coordinator.

UTS requires all students to attend classes regularly. A minimum of 80% attendance is a requirement of this subject. It is the student's responsibility to attend lectures, workshops and computer lab sessions and carry out all assignment work in this subject. Student attendance will be recorded during lecture and tutorial sessions and participation in discussion sessions will be tracked. Students will be required to spend more time than the listed computer lab hours to finish course work. This may depend on a student's aptitude for computer software and grasp of architectural and construction principles.

Content

a) Overview of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and design documentation
b) Building Information Modelling (BIM) and 3D design modelling principles and procedures
c) Modelling the construction elements typically placed by structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical system designers
d) Construction documentation principles and procedures
e) Building information workflow and model progression
f) Construction systems, coordination and analysis
g) Model coordination and interference checking (clash detection) including locating placeholder elements in a preliminary design model, linking models and copying shared levels, grids, and reference planes, coordinating model elements relevant to the design work of specific disciplines
h) Reviewing models so as to conduct and interference checking to look for conflicts

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Model Coordination

Assessment Item 2: Construction Modelling and Documentation

Assessment Item 3: Digital Design and Construction Communications

Required texts

1. Hardin, B. (2009), BIM and Construction Management - Proven Tools, Methods, and Workflows, Sybex
2. Selected Readings (to be provided)

Recommended texts

1. NSW Technical & Further Education Commission, Open Training & Education Network (1999), Standard Drawing Symbols, Abbreviations, Graphical Representation
2. Eastman C, Teicholz, P. Sacks, R. & Liston, K. (2008), BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers and Contractors, Wiley
3. Williams, T. (2009), Construction Management - Emerging Trends & Technologies, Thomson Delmar Learning
4. Wilkinson, P. (2007), Construction Collaboration Technologies - An Extranet Evolution, Routledge
5. Stein, DJ (2010) Residential Design Using Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011, SDC Publications
6. Mastering Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011, Sybex

Other resources

Revit Architecture User Guide - downloadable available upon installation of Autodesk Revit Architecture.
Navisworks User Guide - downloadable available upon installation of Autodesk Navisworks.
For Autodesk software downloads, see: http://students.autodesk.com/