CONCUR IMS implementation

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Concurrent Design and Engineering in Building
and Civil Engineering
CONCURBrite EuRam BE96-3016
Results
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CONCUR Presentation Directory Page

• Project Summary
• Demonstration Scenario
• Information Management System (IMS)
• Ifc Browser
• LexiCon
• Inception Modeller
• Facets (Skanska)
• PlantPower (Fortum Engineering)
• Technical, Commercial and External Exploitation
• External Results
• The Way Forward
• Partners
• European Commission Project Details and Contact
• Download area

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CONCURProject Summary

• CONCUR was aimed at exploiting the developments
  that were made in Product Data Technology
  specifically for the construction industry during
  the mid 1990s. Mechanical, aeronautical,
  automobile and maritime engineering were
  successfully exploiting the STEP advances of the
  1980s, AP225 and CIMsteel had made a start, but
  here were technologies aimed specifically at the
  wider construction industry. In particular, the
  CONCUR partners wanted to exploit the IAI-IFCs in
  the processes that were used in the pre-tender
  phases of construction.
• The CONCUR partners examined the processes and
  the information flows with the aim of using ICT
  and open standards for integration. The project
  looked at the project inception stage, the
  concept design phase with links to power
  engineering processes, the scheme design phase
  and estimating. A common thread through the
  project was the desire to use product models and
  3D modelling throughout the process and to move
  the start of modelling higher up the chain.
• Where possible, established commercial software
  was used so that the project results could be
  deployed for commercial use. Technical
  assistance was both received from and given to
  software vendors. A number of vendors were
  involved as associate partners and undertook
  major enhancements to their software to support
  the goals of the CONCUR project.
• Technically CONCUR has made major advances in
  inception modelling, using web based Information
  Management Systems, linking these systems to
  advanced object oriented Product Data Technology,
  a method for PDT model merging, a method for
  using XML to interface with a PDT database, a
  metadata schema for the IAI, a set of derived
  attributes for the IAI-IFCs, driving forward the
  creation of a lexicon of construction terms
  which will support the needs of both PDT and
  eCommerce for construction, showing that IFCs can
  be used for storing models as well as exchanging
  them, and in methods for browsing and adding to
  the the contents of IFC models.
• CONCUR has helped to move the IAI-IFCs closer to
  widespread use by using them on industrial
  information and by critiquing the IFC translators
  developed by the major vendors of modelling
  systems.
• CONCUR has demonstrated that IFCs can integrate
  the processes of different companies using
  different software applications being used for
  different purposes.
• CONCUR partners are deploying the results
  commercially and have a clearer vision of how to
  profitably extend the use of PDT further into
  their businesses.
• CONCUR has identified weaknesses and gaps in
  these technologies and has helped initiate work
  to improve and strengthen them The Way Forward.

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CONCUR Industry Need- Why Undertake the
project?

• Client Demand
• Clients are demanding higher quality, greater
  predictability of time and cost, faster project
  delivery, better documentation and better value
  for money.
• Market Differentiation
• The construction industry needs greater
  involvement in client planning, faster response
  to client requirements, better defined processes
  and MOST OF ALL SATISFIED delighted clients.
• Increasing Regulatory Drive
• Society is expecting increased safety, improved
  sustainability, reduced energy consumption,
  reduced waste, greater accountability and better
  documentation.
• Quantifying Risk
• The construction industry needs to reduce the
  cost of tendering, improve the accuracy of
  tenders and quickly quantify the risks
  associated with a new project.
• Integrate the Extended Enterprise
• The construction industry needs to integrate the
  use of information in a dynamic supply chain,
  support concurrent working in the supply chain,
  speed up the processes supporting tendering.

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CONCUR Initial Aims Goals

• Halve the cost of tendering
• Speed up the processes supporting tendering
• Improve the accuracy of bids
• Integrate the processes
• Integration of information use
• Support concurrent working

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CONCUR Project Tactical Approach

• Review Industrial Practice
• The partners rigorously examined the processes
  undertaken by commercial construction
  organisations when preparing a bid. The results
  were presented in the form of IDEF0 diagrams with
  notes. The processes include client brief,
  inception design, concept design, scheme design
  and preparing estimates.
• Implement File based Architecture for Tendering
• CONCUR prepared a mid-term demonstration which
  linked the software applications using file
  tranfers between the applications. The transfer
  files used comma separated variable, STEP
  Physical files (IAI-IFC). STEP Data Access
  Interface was also used. This demonstrated that
  interoperability was possible but was not
  commercially robust and flexible.
• Implement Client/server based Architecture for
  Tendering
• The second half of the project concentrated on
  using a web based IMS system to support realistic
  exchanges including an integration with a STEP
  database to provide a model server. Significant
  advances in using IFCs were also made. The
  results demonstration supported a realistic
  business scenario and is described in this web
  site.
• Implement Enhanced Production Software
  Applications
• The project encouraged the development of IFC
  translators by major software vendors to the
  industry, encouraged the enhancement of existing
  software to support the new ways of working
  required by the CONCUR partners, initiated the
  development of new commercial software
  applications to support the new ways of working
  and created prototype software for inception
  modelling and browsing IFC information models.
  New approaches for capturing and manipulating
  construction industry terms were also initiated.
  
• Deploy in Trials
• The CONCUR industrial showed a realistic exchange
  in a demonstration and are starting to implement
  the technology in their businesses. Taylor
  Woodrow are using the approach in their supply
  chain to integrate with architects, structural
  designers and steelwork fabricators Fortum
  Engineering are integrating their internal use of
  information and Skanska are implementing an
  integration of 3D modelling, cost estimation and
  time programming systems using information from a
  company database of resources.

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European Commission Project Details and EC
Contact

• CONCUR Concurrent Design and Engineering in
  Building and Civil Engineering
• Project Number BE96-3016
• Contract Number BRPR-CT96-0357
• Start date 1 February 1997
• Duration 4.5 years
• Finnish date 31 July 2001
• Man years 30 for eight partners
• Value 5 454 000 Euros
• Co-ordinating Partner Taylor Woodrow Construction
  Ltd.
• Project Manager David Leonard
• EC Project Officer Maria Cristina MAROLDA
• European Commission
• Research Directorate-General
• Competitive and Sustainable Growth
• E-mail maria-cristina.marolda_at_cec.eu.int
• Phone [phone]

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Project Partners
Construction Companies
Classification
R D Partners
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CONCURDemonstration Scenario
The CONCUR project included demonstrations of
technology using commercial software and
realistic industrial information.

• Description
• Photograph of the Demonstration Building
• The Business Scenario
• The information Flows

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CONCUR Demonstration Scenario Description

• The demonstration scenario covers the activities
  in the process of moving from a client brief to
  preparing a bid for the building to house the
  steam powered turbine/generator for a small power
  station.
• The demonstration mostly uses commercially
  available software applications and generally
  uses IAI IFCs for transferring and storing
  building and construction objects between
  partners and their software.
• Fortum Engineering perform the role of the
  principal contractor who undertakes the plant
  design with alternative solutions from civil
  engineering contractors.
• The demonstration scenario includes
• Inception Design
• Concept Design
• Scheme Design
• Programme Planning
• Preparing Cost Plans
• The innovations include
• Using IAI-IFCs for exchanging information
• Using IAI-IFCs for storing information
• Using a web based IMS which includes an IFC model
  server
• Using a web based browser for viewing and using
  IFC objects
• Using an XML interface for interfacing with IFC
  models
• This presentation shows the business activities
  being addressed, the information flows between
  the activities and further information on the
  activities which can be accessed by clicking on
  the activity boxes or information flow lines.
• A power station typical of that used in the
  demonstration shown on the photograph with the
  Turbine House ringed.

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Demonstration ObjectTurbine HouseFortum
Engineering
Turbine house
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Business Scenario
T.U. Delft
Inception Modeller
Information Flows
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CONCUR Business Scenario Description

• A flow diagram showing the business scenario for
  the CONCUR demonstration.
• A client needing a power station approaches
  Fortum Engineering for a solution and a bid.
• Fortum Engineering will be the principal
  contractor responsible for the delivery of the
  complete power station.
• Fortum Engineering undertake the design of the
  plant and equipment in the power station.
• Fortum Engineering invite Taylor Woodrow and
  Skanska to bid to design and construct
  alternative solutions for the Turbine House
  building.
• Fortum Engineering merges each of the competing
  alternative solutions for the Turbine House with
  the plant and equipment scheme before choosing
  one.
• Fortum Engineering prepares the bid for the
  client.
• .

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Information Flows
Client Brief
Bid
TW IMS
FE IMS
SK IMS
Web basedProject IMS
-
Project IMS
-
IV

ProjectWise
Project IMS
Project IMS
Project IMS
EPM-EDM
TW1
FE1
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CONCUR Client Brief

• Determining the client brief is a key role for
  the principal contractor. The client does not
  always know how to do this and usually requires
  assistance to do this. The client will have a
  business plan within which the new project will
  perform in terms of finance, operating costs,
  generating revenue and delivering a profit. The
  client requires input from the supplying
  contractor to support his business plans.
• When the client brief is fully understood and
  agreed by the client and supplier, the supplier
  can develop the scheme and prepare a bid and
  programme for delivering the project.
• There are systems for capturing client
  requirements and recording requirement revisions
  and the supplier response options. One such
  system is called Dynamic Object Oriented
  Requirement System (DOORS). This system was
  trialled in the first half of the CONCUR project
  and featured in the Mid Term Review
  Demonstration. DOORS, from Telelogic UK Ltd, can
  support the whole life cycle of a project. The
  mid term trial showed how information exported
  from DOORS could be imported into corporate
  systems
• The development of the client brief takes place
  concurrently with the Inception modelling of a
  project, the assessment of risk to the supplier
  and the effect on the potentially new project on
  the supplier business plan. Currently
  information is manually transferred between
  client brief and into inception modelling.

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CONCUR Inception Modeller

• Inception Modelling
• The developing of an Inception Support Modeller
  was one of the most research oriented parts of
  the CONCUR-project. At the start of the project
  it was quite clear that the inception stage of
  large-scale construction projects involves a
  number of heavy and interrelated information
  processing tasks. Clients have to establish the
  feasibility of the project. Facility designers
  and construction companies have to decide how to
  meet the client requirements. This means that in
  a relatively short period of time a tremendous
  amount of not well defined information and
  knowledge related to all the aspects of power
  plants has to be processed.
• It was quite clear that an Inception Support
  Modeller could be quite beneficial and
  potentially could help to support the projects
  goals.
• It was also known that, in principle, Product
  Data Technology could also be used in the
  inception and concept design stages where the
  information is normally less precisely defined.
• The solution implemented in the CONCUR-project
  focuses, as an example, on the international
  power plant market.
• The main characteristics of the approach
  implemented in the project are (1) the adoption
  of a three level approach and (2) the application
  of a hierarchy of power plant objects divided
  into functional and technical perspectives.
• The three level approach, illustrated on the next
  screen, supports the work of the clients, power
  plant vendors and construction companies in one
  dynamic system. Changes in requirements can flow
  down stream to be solved, and changes in power
  plant solutions of construction solutions can
  flow up stream to be evaluated, thus the dynamic
  system allows for non-monotonic design.
• The functional-technical object hierarchy
  supports the consistent modelling of knowledge in
  the form of rules of thumb.
• Many of the ideas and solutions explored in the
  Inception Support development tasks have found
  their way to the industrial partners.

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CONCUR Inception Modeller

• The three Level approach
• Further information
• Reports describing the CONCUR Inception Modelling
  work are available in the Download Area.
• Contacts at TU Delft are Professor Frits Tolman
  F.Tolman_at_CT.TUDelft.nl and Saban Ozariyildiz
  ozsariyildiz_at_ct.tudelft.nl

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CONCUR The importance of Inception Modelling

• Why Inception Modelling?
• Inception modelling is a neglected phase of
  construction projects even though it is a key
  activity. It is always done but tends to be a
  stand-a-lone manual process. CONCUR has looked
  at how company knowledge can be collected and
  presented to produce initial estimates. The work
  has not been integrated into the information
  flow.
• Initial Assessment of Projects
• Inception modelling takes place when preparing
  the client brief and results in a first
  assessment of cost, programme, resource
  requirement, cash flow and financial risk and
  ultimately whether or not a supplying company
  wants to proceed. It could easily interface with
  corporate financial and risk planning systems.
  It is potentially a customer facing tool as
  follows
• Interface with Customers
• Inception modelling can be used to support the
  client in his business planning because it can
  give him information required to help assess the
  viability of a project, namely Initial cost,
  time to complete, cash flow to first revenue, key
  figures such as floor area, maintenance cost,
  operating cost. When combined with his estimate
  of revenue potential , based on for example floor
  area, it can support his business planning.
• Initiation of Contractor Downstream Processes
• Inception modelling is a knowledge based process
  requiring access to company data on costs and
  planning. It is difficult to undertake in a
  generalised way and in concur was limited to
  numerical modelling , but without shape. However,
  it could be developed to first-guess the
  information required by downstream processes such
  as estimating and programming, and even be used
  to propose a model for structural engineering
  design and analysis. This would provide an easy
  route into starting the use of 3D modelling on a
  project and the first stages of 3D visualisation
  
• Scope for Development
• A number of the CONCUR partners have realised the
  potential of linking Inception modelling to
  Product Data Technology and plan to undertake
  further development.
• For information contact Professor Frits Tolman
  F.Tolman_at_CT.TUDelft.nl

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Plant configuration
Client Brief
FE SW
FE IMS
Project database
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CONCUR Fortum Engineering PlantPower

• Fortum Engineering use a suite of software called
  PlantPower which have been customised for the
  purpose of defining the requirements for power
  plant construction. The design procedure is
• Scoping Module
• In order to meet clients requirements, a scoping
  module called ScopePower is used for identifying
  a structure of power plant delivery. This is a
  logical layout based on KKS code, forming a
  skeleton of the information technical product
  model for further study
• Energy Balance
• Energy balance studies are made by Fortum
  Engineerings process simulation tool Solvo.
  These results are defining requirements for power
  plant processes as input data for further design
• Energy Balance Flow Charts
• In practice it means, that there is unambigious
  dependence between energy balance flow charts and
  IT product model
• Design Rules
• A knowledge module holding design rules, design
  dialogues, plant scope and and artificial
  intelligence facility based on Design is used
  for initial dimensioning of main equipment in
  order to fulfil process requirements. The results
  are presented in the main flow diagram.
• Dimensions
• Dimensioning of main equipment continues for over
  all dimensions of the site so, that suitable
  plant layout can be selected. The first cost
  estimate is carried out in order to support
  decision making at investment level
• Cost Estimation
• Knowledge modules support more detailed design on
  steam turbine plant. Cost estimation on facility
  level will define costs accurate enough for
  tendering purpose. Actual cost data is in cost
  libraries of CostPower, where the commercial
  software of CM-Pro is used on cost estimation and
  further budgeting during pre-tender phase
• Company IMS
• All design, cost estimation and scheduling
  information are stored in product model and in
  the attached relational database. In the CONCUR
  demonstration data was exchanged with IFC files
  between project partners Fortum Engineering,
  Taylor Woodrow and Skanska

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Plant configuration and layout- CONCUR / Fortum
Engineering demonstration
Scope
LOGICAL LAYOUT
Invitation to Tender
PLANT CONFIGURATION
Energy balance
PLANT LAYOUT
Main Equipment
1st Cost Estimate
CostPower
FACILITIES
Cost Estimate for BID
PLANT DATADASE

• BOQ,
• Cost Estimate,
• Time schedules,
• Procurement,
• Subcontracts

IFC
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CONCUR Fortum Eng. Building Conceptual Design

• In the CONCUR demonstration Fortum Engineering
  defined construction requirements from the
  clients requirements and distributed the
  information by VTTs Information Management
  System to other industrial partners. The used
  software was
• ScopePower
• for the definition of the delivery scope
• Solvo
• for energy balance studies
• Knowledge Modules
• for component dimensioning and layout design
• MicroStation J
• for shape modelling and for interactive part of
  3D modelling in CAD
• CostPower
• for cost libraries, cost estimation and budgeting
• Company IMS
• Fortum Engineering will be using their company
  Information Management System (IMS) for storing
  and exchanging documents and models
• Project IMS
• VTTs IMS is the Communication Module for
  information management and data exchange between
  partners in CONCUR project

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Building Conceptual Design- CONCUR demonstration
of Fortum Engineering/VTT IMS
LOGICAL LAYOUT
Invitation to Tender
PLANT CONFIGURATION
Scope
PLANT LAYOUT
Energy balance
1st Cost Estimate
Main Equipment
FACILITIES
Cost Estimate for BID
FE/VTT IMS

• BOQ,
• Cost Estimate,
• Time schedules,
• Procurement,
• Subcontracts

Documents
Product model
Data exchange

• STEP/IFC

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CONCUR Fortum Internal IMS Information
exchange

• Most companies have an internal information
  management system
• To support their internal engineering and
  business processes.
• They also have internal protocols for exchanging
  information between software applications.
• The protocols are usually based on proprietary
  native exchanges because they are information
  rich.
• Why use open standards?
• Even though open standards are less rich than
  proprietary native standards for exchange they
  offer a common denominator when exchanging
  information with other companies, especially when
  active trading relationships are short.
• Proprietary standard are not particularly good at
  handling objects that are not supported by that
  software. At best they import and export the
  objects without altering them. At worst they
  corrupt them of just lose them so that they are
  not available for downstream activities. This
  usually happens at the interfaces between
  different engineering or business disciplines.
• There are internal advantages to using open
  standards when using different types of software
  or purchasing new software.
• Why use a web based IMS?
• Easy universal access.
• Partner companies like web based project IMS
  systems because they feel that they have a share
  in its ownership.
• The web based systems can be transferred to the
  client to support downstream life cycle support.
  

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IMS Upload
Client Brief
FE IMS
Project database
ProjectWise
EPM-EDM
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CONCUR Web based Project IMS (Information
Management System)
VTT Building Technology, Finland

• Summary
• IMS System Structure
• IMS User Interfaces
• IMS Main Functions
• Uploading Downloading documents
• Model Merging
• XML Access

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IMS Architecture
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SummaryWeb Based Project IMS

• Used for information sharing between all project
  participants
• Can be hosted on a web site located anywhere
• Based on Bentley ProjectWise document management
  system and incorporates the Express Data Manager
  software from EPM Technology
• Combine functionalities of a document based
  system with product model server
• Used IFC based models for exchanging information

• Further information
• Reports describing the IMS system are available
  in the Download Area
• Contact at VTT is Maria Nikolaenkomaria.nikolaenk
  o_at_vtt.fi

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IMS system structure
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IMS user intefaces
Document managment system interface
Web interface
Documents,situated in choosen folder
Interface to upload, documents merge models
in the system, XML browsing
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IMS user InterfaceViewing models in 3D
VR window
Available methods for the selected objects in VR
window
Document related to the selected object
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Main functions of IMS
IMS
Upload files to doc mgt system
Download files from doc mgt system
Link file toa product modelobject
Merge product models
Extract partialproduct model data
Store product model
End user
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IMSUpload files Diagram
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IMP user interfaceUpload files
SelectAdd file
User enters metadata
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IMS Model Merging Diagram
User
EPM-EDM
Start situation Source model
files reside in ProjectWise End
situationMerged model file is stored in
ProjectWise
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IMS user interfaceModel Merging form
Select Merge models
User enters metadata
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IMS product model server XML interface
VTT Building Technology, Finland
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IMS - XML interface
Requestobjectdata
Object properties in XML format
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CONCUR EPM Technologys Express Data Manager
(EDM) - 1

• How has CONCUR used EXPRESS Data Manager version
  4.0 ?
• IMS support EXPRESS Data Manager is used by
  the CONCUR project to implement a Product Model
  Server (PMS) as an integral part of the Project
  Information Management System (IMS). The IMS is
  responsible to ensure consistency between the
  contractual document management system and the 3D
  project database stored in the PMS according to
  the IAI IFC151 specification. The PMS provides a
  facility for selective viewing, download and
  upload of 3D project data and their link to the
  contractual documents.
• CONCUR is making use the ultimate object
  technology Objects are defined as industry
  standard objects in IFC and the ISO Express-X
  language is used as a data manipulation language
  (DML) for improving the capability of these
  objects - independently of any particular
  software system.
• Project database functionality
• Partial download Using a 3D browser (Promote)
  to select IFC objects to download using P21 and
  XML
• Upload and merge Import IFC objects and merge
  the result using P21 and XML..
• XML Access to IFC Models EDM provides an access
  interface to objects, their attributes and
  properties based on XML to enable the integration
  with material take-off applications in Excel and
  similar.
• IFC Browser - EDM provides the object database
  used by the TNO IFC Browser application which can
  view IFC models and be used to add, edit and
  extract the properties and attributes of the IFC
  objects in the models.
• Calculation of derived Attributes - EXPRESS Data
  Manager provides a virtual machine that
  interprets all Express and Express-X executable
  statements. CONCUR has used this capability to
  add semantics to the IFC151 schema by adding
  Derived Attributes such as volume and surface
  area of the IFC 1.5.1 objects. This is a
  convenience to any application that does not
  include a geometric engine.
• Further information
• Reports describing the CONCUR Projects use of
  Express the Data Manager are available in the
  Download Area.
• Contacts Maria Nikolaenko at VTT
  maria.nikolaenko_at_vtt.fi, EPM Technology website
  Jorulv Rangnes at EPM Jorulv.Rangnes_at_epmtec
  h.jotne.com

40
CONCUR EDM and CONCUR - 2
CADModellingSystem
OtherApplication Type
Project (IMS)ProjectWise
IFC Browser
OtherModellingSystem
EPM-EDM
Generation ofDerived Attributes
XML Access byMS-Office products
Express XModel Merging
Services from EDM

• Further information
• Reports describing the CONCUR Projects use of
  the Express Data Manager are available in the
  Download Area.
• Contact at VTT is Maria Nikolaenko
  maria.nikolaenko_at_vtt.fi Jorulv Rangnes at EPM
  Jorulv.Rangnes_at_epmtech.jotne.com

41
CONCUR Express Data Manager (EDM)- 3

• What is EPM Technology EDM?
• EXPRESS Data Manager (EDM) is a suite of
  applications providing an out-of-the-box solution
  for easily creating data-models conforming to
  international standards.
• EDM's pick-and-place icon driven user interface
  allows anyone to easily learn EDM's data modeling
  methodology.
• Once familiar with EDM, the user can quickly
  implement data-models in conform-ance with ISO
  10303 (STEP), and other standards like IAI,
  STEP/NC, OIL GAS and P-LIB making use of XML,
  Java and other environments.
• How can EPM Technology EDM help construction
  industry users?
• EDM helps users to take a great leap towards cost
  efficient and reliable use of ICT in their
  organizations.
• EDM helps users to take ownership of their
  product data by using a single data source based
  on standards.
• EDM helps users to apply a unified methodology
  and a set of products that take them from concept
  to solution.
• EDM can assist users in the change of the design
  world from 2D to a 3D object based environment.
• The interoperability and re-use of building
  models will translate to increased collaboration
  amongst industrial partners.
• In particular the knowledge stored in IFC based
  building models could be used for facility
  management and other purposes during design,
  construction and after the building project is
  completed.
• Further information
• Reports describing the CONCUR Projects use of
  the Express Data Manager are available in the
  Download Area.
• Contact at EPM is Jorulv Rangnes
  Jorulv.Rangnes_at_epmtech.jotne.com

42
CONCUR Express Data Manager (EDM) - 4

• What can EDM do?
• A powerful object-oriented database management
  system capable of being a users single source of
  information.
• A web enabler due to its thin-client technology.
  Complete applications written in EXPRESS and
  EXPRESS-X are fully executed by the
  EDM-expressVM (Virtual Machine) within the
  database. These applications are controlled
  through local EDM interface calls.
• A unified methodology for product data solutions.
  All functionality of the system is configured by
  EXPRESS and EXPRESS-X schemas, which are the ISO
  and industry standards for information
  requirement specifications.
• An EXPRESS-G modelling environment which uses
  EDM visual-Express to design users data models
  and to publish them, for example on the web.
• A Rule Engine to define a users corporate
  knowledge by constraining information models
  using the rules capabilities of EXPRESS and
  EXPRESS-X.
• A standards solution in its support for EXPRESS
  (all statements, expressions, built-in functions
  and procedures), Part 21, and SDAI.
• Further information
• Reports describing the CONCUR Projects use of
  the Express Data Manager are available in the
  Download Area.
• Contact at EPM is Jorulv Rangnes
  Jorulv.Rangnes_at_epmtech.jotne.com

43
CONCUR Express Data Manager (EDM) - 5

• Whats new in EDM version 4.5
• EXPRESS-X implementation has been extended -
  among others with full exception handling - to be
  the one built-in database control language
  (including EXPRESS) for EXPRESS Data Manager
  4.5. It provides the user with functionality and
  performance for building entire applications on
  top of the users information models at reduced
  costs for programming and maintenance. With the
  one language for modelling, storage, and use of
  information models, the user avoids technology
  compatibility problems.
• The Business Object layer of EXPRESS Data
  Manager 4.5 hides the complexity of an
  underlying data model and adds application
  specific functionality. The Business Object
  defines views and methods for the underlying
  database by means of the powerful EXPRESS based
  Query and Update Language in EXPRESS Data
  Manager 4.5. Business Objects are created on the
  server instead of locally, enabling thin clients
  and reducing network traffic. Business Objects
  tailor the same underlying information to the
  needs of the many disparate applications of data.
  
• The Query and Update Language of EXPRESS Data
  Manager 4.5 is using EXPRESS-X. Any EXPRESS-X
  logical expression can be passed to a query as a
  parameter. This functionality is fully comparable
  to SQL.
• Further information
• Contact at EPM Jorulv Rangnes Jorulv.Rangnes_at_epmt
  ech.jotne.com

44
Develop Scheme Skanska
Client Brief
FE IMS
SK IMS
Project database
ProjectWise
EPM-EDM
45
CONCURSkanska Design Development

• Skanska download the Conceptual Model and
  supporting documentation for the Turbine house
  from the project database.
• Skanska design a scheme and prepare a cost plan
  and construction programme using ArchiCad,
  MS-Project and bespoke software from Solibri.
  They use their company IMS during this process.
• The end result is uploaded to the Project
  Database as IFC-SK1 plus information such as the
  cost plan and construction programme.

46
Turbine House Building Scheme
47
Turbine House in ArchiCad
48
Facets

• Project development with split vision
• Adina Jägbeck, Lennart Klintmalm - Skanska Teknik
  AB
• Pasi Paasiala - Solibri OY

49
Introduction 1 Facets

• Skanska Teknik has since 1999 worked on the
  development of a new tool to combine information
  about the different aspects of a project. The
  purpose and functionality of the system have been
  defined by Adina Jägbeck and Lennart Klintmalm.
  It has been named "Facets".

Facets deals with information from CAD, cost
estimation and process planning. Or, rather, it
allows the user to create otherwise
sub-understood relations between the various
aspects, and display them. The development
started as a part of a EU-supported project -
Concur. The system has been built by Solibri OY
and is certified for import of ifc 2.0 from CAD.
It contains functions for two different project
stages.
Facets Site Developer functions for the concept
phase The use context for Facets Site Developer
is the very early project phase. The prerequisite
for using Facets in this stage is that one needs
to graphically investigate different alternatives
for accommodating a space requirement schedule on
a site and, at the time, calculate investment
costs and rental levels based on rough estimates
of. Facets Site Developer was developed during
the spring of 2001 in cooperation with a group of
project developers in Skanska Hus, - Ingela
Lindholm and Anders Rådestad.
Facets Scheme Design functions for scheme
phase The use context for Facets Scheme Design is
co-ordination between design, cost estimation and
process planning. The system imports
CAD-information in IFC-format, while cost recipes
and process schedules are imported as databases.
By relating building objects to cost items,
recipes and activities the system automatically
creates, on-line, quantity take-off item and
activity, calculation of recipe based costs and
displaying building a 4D-view of time
schedules. The functions in Facets Scheme Design
were developed during 2000 and 2001 in
cooperation with a production group within
Skanska Hus, including Katrin Eriksson.
50
Introduction 2Such phase, such requirements
Facets context
Concept Scale - 11000 Tme -1 Info - 1
Scheme Scale - 1100 Time -10 Info - 1 000
Working docs Scale - 110 Time -100 Info - 1 000
000
Pre-study
Design - procurement
Programme
Run - Maintain
51
Introduction 3All aspects in every phase

• Scheme phase -
• Worked model with spaces and building objects
• Architectural design, cost estimate, time
  schedule
• Coordination between knowledge fields
• Reuse of key figures

• Concept phase -
• Quick run through
• Customers area and function req
• Site possibilities
• Volume studies
• Time frame and economical picture
• Alternatives

Instant control! Face to face!
Professional tools! Standard exchange format!
Experience
52
Concept phase the target is to achieve a well
studied project suggestion, with the client, here
and now.

• What is needed?
• What does the site allow?
• Do we have the space?
• Is it attractive?
• How much is it?
• Test another idea?
• Move on to next phase?

In other words Complete basis for decision
faster
53
Facets Site Developer - all in one box
Aesthetic
The boxes contain links. Use the back arrow to
return to this page
Site
Function
Experience based figures
Space use
Sketch ..
Skiss 3
Skiss 2
Skiss 1
Economy
Rent
54
Result of using Facets Site Developer Project
suggestion at client meeting

• Coordinated aspects (built spaces, space use,
  rent)
• Experience from previous projects (key figures)
• More alternatives investigated (volume studies,
  space use, construction period, effects of
  interest rate...)
• Informative presentation (birds eye,
  3D-sketches, rent/m2)
• Direct communication with client
• Interactive way of work

? Good basis for decision ? Good definition for
next phase
55
Scheme phaseThe target is to facilitate
coordination between professionals

• Product definition building objects and spaces
  with geometry and other attributes
• Quantity take-off adjusted to cost structure
  (t.ex. BSAB, project divisions ....)
• Cost estimation with different requirements
  degree of detail (e.g. recipes for walls,
  key-figures for HVAC, quotation sum for
  painting... )
• Time schedule appropriate to planning needs
  (e.g. phases production activities with
  concerned building parts)
• Every party works based on the same, updated
  information

In other words coordinated professional project
information for procurement and detail design
56
Facets Scheme DesignCoordinate information from
professional tools
Cost
Time
Test project
Method
Recipe
Product
The boxes contain links. Use the back arrow to
return to this page
57
Result of using Facets Scheme Design Product
model with several aspect

• Product definition from CAD(now ifc 2.0 import
  of architectural drawings Planned also
  building services)
• Cost calculation based on cost databases (now
  recipe databases through odbc e.g. Mängda,
  Planned through ifc)
• Time schedule from project planning software
  (Now database access to MS Project Planned
  ifc)
• Relations between products, costs and activities

? support for project leaders need of
coordination designed ? costed ? planned
58
Develop Scheme Skanska
Client Brief
FE IMS
SK IMS
Project database
ProjectWise
EPM-EDM
59
Develop Scheme Taylor Woodrow
Client Brief
TW IMS
FE IMS
SK IMS
Project database

ProjectWise
Project IMS
EPM-EDM
60
CONCURTaylor Woodrow Design Development

• Taylor Woodrow download the Conceptual Model and
  supporting documentation for the Turbine house
  from the project database.
• Taylor Woodrow design a scheme and prepare a cost
  plan and construction programme. Taylor Woodrow
  show how the full IAI-IFC schema can be viewed
  and used as a source of information for
  generating a cost plan and how specification
  information can be included in the model. Taylor
  Woodrow use the estimators desktop software to
  assist with this task.
• Taylor Woodrow use their company IMS during this
  process
• The end result is uploaded to the Project
  Database as IFC-TW1 plus information such as the
  cost plan and programme
• A view of the major structural components of the
  Taylor Woodrow solution is shown in the IFC
  Browser Viewer screen shots.
• .

61
Turbine House Building Scheme
62
Develop Scheme Taylor Woodrow
Client Brief
TW IMS
FE IMS
SK IMS
Project database

ProjectWise
Project IMS
EPM-EDM
63
CONCUR Ifc Browser

• Client Server JAVA application which uses the
  Microsoft Internet Explorer to view Ifc 1.5.1 in
  HTML and VRML
• Works on a network, intranet, extranet or
  internet. Can work with a modem connection.
• Minimal system requirements UNIX or Windows with
  freeware plug-ins for viewing.
• Uses Ifc data stored in an EPM Technology Express
  Data Manager database on the server
• Undertakes IFC to HTML translation on the client
• Undertakes IFC to VRML (3D) translation on the
  client
• Independent of proprietary modelling systems

• Further information
• Reports describing the IFC Browser work are
  available in the Download Area.
• Contacts at TNO are Peter Bonsma
  P.Bonsma_at_bouw.tno.nl Michel Böhms
  M.Bohms_at_bouw.tno.nl

64
CONCUR Ifc Browser Architecture
NT4.0/W2K
Unix/Microsoft
IfcBrowser Java Server
RMI/HTTP

IfcBrowser Java Client
Running in Java-enabled Internet Browser
Generates
EXPRESS-to-Java/SDAI Generator in Java
Here MS IE5 Sun Java 1.2 Plug-in
Meta-data (DD) Access
IFC-data (MD) Access
EDM Supervisor
65
CONCUR Ifc Browser- Screen shot
66
CONCUR Ifc Browser Functionality

• Browse through the complete IFC 1.5.1 structure.
• Browse through the complete model.
• Show HTML or 3D based on every possible IFC
  object selection, object selection help tools
• Make a selection by hand in the modeltree
• Select all objects in the model based on a
  certain subset of the IFC 151 structure
• Filter out specific object types within the
  current selection
• Add properties to the objects on the server
  through the client.
• Show derived properties from an IFC object
  selection.
• Highlight a certain selection in the current 3D
  view.

• Further information
• Reports describing the IFC Browser work are
  available in the Download Area.
• Contacts at TNO are Peter Bonsma
  P.Bonsma_at_bouw.tno.nl Michel Böhms
  M.Bohms_at_bouw.tno.nl

67
CONCUR Ifc Browser Details

• All data is password protected
• Data is managed by EPM Express Data Manager (EDM)
  object database.
• Which is accessed by the TNO Java/SDAI binding
  which is
• Built on top of the third layer in the EPM
  Technology SDAI Toolkit using the Java Native
  Interface
• The base product developed by TNO and CSTB (VRML
  generation) in the Esprit VEGA Project.

• Further information
• Reports describing the IFC Browser work are
  available in the Download Area.
• Contacts at TNO are Peter Bonsma
  P.Bonsma_at_bouw.tno.nl Michel Böhms
  M.Bohms_at_bouw.tno.nl

68
CONCUR CONCUR Ifc Developments

• PDM MetaData Structures for Documents
• Ifc Derived Attributes
• Ifc Model Merging
• Ifc Property Sets

• Further information
• Reports describing the IFC Browser work are
  available in the Download Area.
• Contacts at TNO are Peter Bonsma
  P.Bonsma_at_bouw.tno.nl Michel Böhms
  M.Bohms_at_bouw.tno.nl

69
CONCUR PDM Meta data Structures for Documents

• End users require metadata to automate the
  sorting, finding, storing and exchanging of
  files and documents.
• The CONCUR Project has specified a simple PDM
  schema for documents for use in the project IMS.
• The schema is in line with Ifc 2.0
• A simplified version has been incorporated in Ifc
  2x
• Metadata Criteria
• LINK - Easy link to PDT (Ifc 1.5.1 compliant in
  1999)
• SIMPLICITY - Simple to understand and implement
• NEEDS - Satisfying the CONCUR Demonstration
  industrial need
• SUPPORT - IT vendor support
• Analysed solution and described on the next
  sheet.
• The CONCUR schema is being used by IT vendors in
  ProCure

• Further information
• Reports describing the IFC Browser work are
  available in the Download Area.
• Contacts at TNO are Peter Bonsma
  P.Bonsma_at_bouw.tno.nl Michel Böhms
  M.Bohms_at_bouw.tno.nl

70
CONCUR PDM Metadata Development

• CONCUR analysed 3 different Metadata solutions
  before preparing the CONCUR Schema
• STEP PDM Schema 1.1 (by the PDM Implementers
  Forum- Usage guide for the STEP PDM Schema, Jim
  Kendrick ERIM/PDES Inc. and Markus Hauser,
  ProSTEP GmbH, May 1999)
• IAI Ifc 2.0 CD
• New CONCUR specific, top down approach (using
  Document Classification work prepared by Steve
  Race in 1999)
• Analysis Summary

• Further information
• Reports describing the IFC Browser work are
  available in the Download Area.
• Contacts at TNO are Peter Bonsma
  P.Bonsma_at_bouw.tno.nl Michel Böhms
  M.Bohms_at_bouw.tno.nl

71
CONCUR Ifc Derived Attributes- Why?

• IAI-Ifc contains direct data on building elements
  such as
• Height, Width, Length
• However, users are also interested in properties
  like
• Volume, Surface Area, Area
• So CONCUR extended the standard Express Ifc 1.5.1
  schema with derived property values which can be
  derived using the shape representation in Ifc
  1.5.1
• The EPM Technology Express Data Manager database
  can calculate the Derived Attributes in real time
• The TNO IfcBrowser can view them via the client
  interface, calculating them on the server when
  the user requests them.

• Further information
• Reports describing the IFC Browser work are
  available in the Download Area.
• Contacts at TNO are Peter Bonsma
  P.Bonsma_at_bouw.tno.nl Michel Böhms
  M.Bohms_at_bouw.tno.nl

72
CONCURIfc - Model merging Why?

• Commercial modelling software applications
  support their own specific disciplines and
  sometimes ignore or lose information from other
  disciplines!!!
• End users often need to combine models from
  different disciplines
• End users often need to mix and match alternative
  solutions
• CONCUR developed a simple Model Merging technique
  using Express-X
• The technique can merge models complying with the
  same Ifc schema
• If the construction and related industries are to
  exploit object modelling to the full, they will
  need sophisticated model merging technology.
• CONCUR has not addressed the legal,
  responsibility ownership or model locking issues
  associated with multiple users taking parts of
  models, modifying them and merging the results
  back into the model.
• The model merging is controlled by the Web based
  project IMS system and undertaken by the EPM-EDM
  database.

• Further information
• Reports describing the IFC Browser work are
  available in the Download Area.
• Contacts at TNO are Peter Bonsma
  P.Bonsma_at_bouw.tno.nl Michel Böhms
  M.Bohms_at_bouw.tno.nl

73
CONCURIfc - Model Merging Philosophy
74
Merge Concept Scheme
Client Brief
Model Merger
TW IMS
Fortum Eng.
MERGE Skanska models
FE IMS
Model Merger
SK IMS
Project database

ProjectWise
Project IMS
EPM-EDM
TW1
FE1
75
CONCURModel Merging Rationale

• The civil engineering companies have delivered
  alternative building solutions to the project
  database. The project database will have the
  facility to maintain the confidentiality of
  information where necessary.
• Fortum Engineering can view both alternative
  schemes and can merge either with the original
  conceptual design for the plant and equipment or
  with an alternative design for the plant and
  equipment. It is also possible for Fortum to
  merge models for other parts of the plant into
  the same model.
• Model merging requires the EPM-EDM part of the
  project database. Model merging instructions are
  assembled via a web based form.
• The EPM-EDM software can also be used to extract
  individual objects from the Models.
• The merged models have been loaded into the
  project database as IFC FE1SK1 and IFC FE1TW1.
  After the merging has been completed, the source
  and merged files are deleted from EPM-EDM.
• The next view shows merged models.
• .

76
Ifc Model Merging Views
77
CONCUR Ifc Property Sets

• Part of the content in IFC files is put in the
  properties.
• Property Sets can be defined to combine several
  properties in a subgroup.
• This way we can define relations between
  different properties.
• This saves a lot of space because we can refer to
  a specific property set instead of a set of
  references to properties
• A property set can have 0 to many properties.
• One property can be found in several property
  sets.

• Further information
• Reports describing the IFC Browser work are
  available in the Download Area.
• Contacts at TNO are Peter Bonsma
  P.Bonsma_at_bouw.tno.nl Michel Böhms
  M.Bohms_at_bouw.tno.nl

78
Merge Concept Scheme
Client Brief
TW IMS
FE IMS
SK IMS
Project database
-

ProjectWise
Project IMS
Project IMS
EPM-EDM
TW1
FE1
FE1
FE1
SK1
TW1
79
Compare Scheme Solutions
Client Brief
TW IMS
FE IMS
SK IMS
Project database
-
Project IMS
-
IV

ProjectWise
Project IMS
Project IMS
Project IMS
EPM-EDM
TW1
FE1
80
Turbine HousePlant Skanska Building Solution
81
Turbine HousePlant TW Building Solution
82
CONCUR Compare Scheme Solutions

• Compare Solutions
• The different solutions offered by the building
  and civil engineering contractors are compared.
  
• Try Combinations of Models
• Model merging offers the opportunity to try
  different combinations of plant and building
  models. For example the mechanical engineering
  plant model may have changed or the principal
  contractor may want to try a new arrangement in
  an existing building model or try an existing
  plant arrangement in a different building. This
  could could occur when buildings are designed for
  a specific country or climate.
• Choose the Most Appropriate Solution
• The principal contractor chooses the most
  appropriate combination to incorporate in the
  bid.

83
Bid
Client Brief
Bid
TW IMS
FE IMS
SK IMS
Project database
-
Project IMS
-
IV

ProjectWise
Project IMS
Project IMS
Project IMS
EPM-EDM
84
CONCUR Bid to Client

• The bid to the client usually includes
• The Proposed Scheme Solution
• In the past, proposed scheme solutions were
  usually described on drawings which were
  contractual documents. In the future it is
  expected that this information will be presented
  as models which can be re-used. The models can
  be used to create views (drawings) for
  construction purposes. Models are presenting
  challenges to how contracts are written and
  undertaken. CONCUR has explored some of the
  practical technical requirements.
• Cost Plan
• All bids require a price. How this is provided
  varies from country to country and even varies
  for different types of construction project.
  Although detailed bills of quantities are still
  prepared for pricing, the construction industry
  is tending to use cost plans which are easier to
  prepare and use. They also relate to the object
  oriented way of thinking and working. A typical
  UK Cost Plan format for commercial buildings is
  shown which will be recognisable to most of the
  European construction industry. Taylor Woodrow
  and Skanska, in particular, have addressed how
  models can support the preparation of cost plans.
  External software partners have developed this
  further.
• Programme
• The bid usually includes a programme for
  executing the work. Fortum Engineering and
  Skanska have developed this aspect during the
  project.
• Specifications
• Specifications are a key component of bids. This
  is the speciality of STABU. The TNO IFC Browser
  can be used to insert specification information
  relating to building objects into the models.
• Schedules
• Schedules of principal components such as doors
  and windows. Schedules can be created from the
  information models
• Company Supporting Information
• Financial Statements
• Health Safety Plan including Construction
  Design Management (CDM) risk assessments
• Quality Plans and Company Procedures
• Company Policies on issues such as safety,
  sustainability and environmental protection

85
CONCUR Typical Cost Plan
86
CONCUR LexiCon

• LexiCon Description
• A collection of common conc