BIM Practice Development For SI

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014
IDIQ Contract #F10CC10036 Task Order #: 16-00 Page 0 of 54

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Table of Contents SI Building Information Management
Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... 4
Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 6
Task Order Methodology......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Subtask 1: The BIM Inventory ...................................................................................................... 8

Fact Finding................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Defining the Business Case ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
Prototypes ................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Future BIM Inventory Opportunities .................................................................................................................................. 10
Campus BIM.................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Subtask 2: SI BIM Templates ...................................................................................................... 11

Fact Finding................................................................................................................................................................................11
Federal Agencies Employing Revit Templates ................................................................................................................................................. 11
Defining the BIM Template Business Case ........................................................................................................................ 12
Prototypes ................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
SI Revit Architectural Templates (with Spatial and Asbestos Data Support)....................................................................................... 13
SI Revit Mechanical/Plumbing and Electrical Templates (with Asset Data Support) ....................................................................... 14
Future Template Opportunities ........................................................................................................................................... 14
Subtask 3: BIM and Spatial Data Exchange ................................................................................. 15

Fact Finding............................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Existing Data Exchange for CAD to SI Explorer and CAD to Tririga ........................................................................................................ 16
Key Points on the Existing Process........................................................................................................................................................................ 16
Defining the BIM and Spatial Data Business Case .......................................................................................................... 16
Prototypes ................................................................................................................................................................................. 17
Prototype 1: Revit to CAD + Tririga CAD Integrator to SI Explorer ......................................................................................................... 17
Prototype 2: Revit to FME Workbench to SI Explorer ................................................................................................................................... 18
Prototype 3: Revit to FME Add-in to SI Explorer ............................................................................................................................................. 20
Future Opportunities for BIM and Spatial Data .............................................................................................................. 21
Subtask 4: Asset Management from BIM .................................................................................... 22

Fact Finding.............................................................................................................................................................................. 22
Defining the Asset Management Business Case ............................................................................................................ 23
Prototype Requirements....................................................................................................................................................... 23
To COBie or Not to COBie ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 24
Future Opportunities for BIM Asset Management ........................................................................................................ 26
Subtask 5: BIM Standards and Guidelines................................................................................... 27

Fact Finding...............................................................................................................................................................................27
Defining the Business Case ...................................................................................................................................................27
Prototypes ................................................................................................................................................................................ 28
Future Opportunities for BIM Standards and Guidance .............................................................................................. 29

Table of Contents SI Building Information Management
Subtask 6: BIM Wiki ................................................................................................................... 30

Fact Finding.............................................................................................................................................................................. 30
Defining the Business Case .................................................................................................................................................. 30
Prototype ................................................................................................................................................................................... 31
Future Opportunities for BIM Wiki .................................................................................................................................... 36
Subtask 7: Additional BIM Technologies and Applications ............................................................ 37

Fact Finding...............................................................................................................................................................................37
BIM Viewers and Lightweight File Formats ....................................................................................................................................................... 37
Autodesk BIM 360 Glue ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 38
Support Applications for SI Project Execution - Autodesk Navisworks and BIM 360 Field .......................................................... 39
Model Checking Applications ................................................................................................................................................................................. 41
BIM Servers ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 43
Energy Analysis with BIM .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 44
Subtask 8: Action Plan ................................................................................................................ 46

BIM Inventory.......................................................................................................................................................................... 46
BIM Templates......................................................................................................................................................................... 47
BIM and Spatial Data ............................................................................................................................................................. 47
BIM and Asset Management ............................................................................................................................................... 47
BIM Standards and Guidelines ............................................................................................................................................ 48
BIM Wiki ................................................................................................................................................................................... 48
Augmenting BIM .................................................................................................................................................................... 49
BIM Development Roadmap ................................................................................................................................................ 51
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................................................. 51
End Notes .................................................................................................................................. 52

SI Building Information Management
Executive Summary
The introduction of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology to the design and construction industry has
created significant efficiencies, particularly with regard to work process for designers and construction contractors.
The Smithsonian Institution (SI), one of the most progressive facility owners in the country, undertook this study to
determine how BIM technology might support the building owner’s work process. This is a field that is ripe for
discovery because building owners do not use BIM software directly and are thus not part of the software
developer’s marketing or development efforts.
Beginning in 2007, as BIM emerged as a core component of Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC)
practice, McGraw-Hill Construction (MHC) closely tracked adoption and business impacts of BIM in the building
industry. MGH notes that BIM expansion increased by 17% in 2007 to 71% in 2012.1 MHC’s ongoing series of
SmartMarket Reports describe BIM’s business benefits, increased efficiencies, and return on investment. In
February 2014, MHC forecast BIM’s continued expansion, particularly by contractors, in the next two years.2
The Smithsonian’s AEC consultants are adopting and using BIM for their project development efforts, even though
there are no SI requirements for it. SI is already receiving BIM deliverables, although often submitted as CAD and
PDF files. The new National Museum for African American History Museum (NMAAHC), currently under
construction, is utilizing BIM to coordinate its team of 32 consultants.
The potential for using BIM’s capabilities to develop an information-laden, 3D parametric building model to
support the SI’s facilities management practice is the subject of this study. In embarking on the study, SI
management requested that any proposed improvements be accomplished utilizing existing software and the
software capabilities of the existing staff. After discussion and analysis of interviews with SI stakeholders, the
following subtasks were identified, supported by the business objectives articulated below:
1. Subtask 1: BIM Inventory
Business Objective: Development of a BIM repository (inventory) of SI facilities information that is
consistent in completeness and formats will provide SI with highly useful resource for building
information. The initial BIM inventory will include minimum SI data requirements that can be
extended in the future. SI BIM specialists will begin to create BIMs for existing SI facilities, and AEC
consultants will provide project deliverables to support and update the BIM inventory for new
projects. This will greatly reduce the time spent on project discovery, to document existing conditions,
for programmers, planners and designers.
Solution: DCStrategies created a prototype FM-BIM of the National Air and Space Museum became
the basis for development of additional models. SI hired a BIM Specialist to develop FM-BIM for other
SI facilities.
2. Subtask 2: SI BIM Templates
Business Objective: BIM templates for use by SI BIM specialists as well as AE consultants will provide
consistently structured and formatted data that can be used by other applications and stakeholders to
retrieve spatial and asset data.
Solution: DCStrategies created four BIM templates, as well as a user guide, for Architectural, Structural,
Mechanical/Plumbing and Electrical data. The templates are being evaluated by SI IDIQ AEC
contractors.

Executive Summary SI Building Information Management
3. Subtask 3: BIM and Spatial Data Exchange
Business Objective: Existing CAD data exchange workflows are dependent on manual data entry which
is prone to errors and inconsistencies. An automated workflow using BIM will be more efficient and
complete. As a starting point, this subtask evaluated ways to exchange floor plan data and spatial
data from BIM to the existing SI Explorer application.
Solution: DCStrategies documented three work processes for exporting BIM data to SI Explorer. All
four achieve significant improvements over the existing work process.
4. Subtask 4: Asset Management from BIM
Business Objective: SI frequently needs to determine the location and attributes of MEP assets.
Creating MEP and Electrical as-built BIMs would be a prodigious effort, but the potential to obtain
accurate and consistent data on SI building components at project delivery would be a strong step
forward for the SI’s asset management practice. This subtask explored ways to exchange asset data
with SI’s Tririga Facility Center.
Solution: DCStrategies outlined the framework for a data exchange process with Tririga Facility Center.
5. Subtask 5: BIM Standards and Guidelines
Business Objective: Development of a framework for publishing BIM standards to clearly communicate
SI requirements to all stakeholders in order to implement BIM requirements consistently.
Solution: DCStrategies described the requirements and priorities needed for BIM Standards and
Guidelines
6. Subtask 6: BIM Wiki
Business Objective: Provide a framework for SI personnel to develop a web site containing facility
information that is a readily accessible interactive resource. The BIM Wiki can also be used as a
preliminary staging platform for BIM information that will be integrated into templates in the future.
Solution: DCStrategies created a prototype and a “storyboard” for the BIM Wiki. SI personnel are
developing the concept on the SharePoint platform.
7. Subtask 7: Augmenting BIM
Business Objective: Evaluate and describe COTS technology solutions that have the potential to
support SI business goals in order to inform SI planning efforts by increasing the functionality of BIM
data.
Solution: DCStrategies did a market scan of existing technologies that might support SI BIM goals for
SI’s consideration.
8. Subtask 8: BIM Action Plan
Business Objective: Inform SI BIM planning efforts by evaluating technology enhancements with the
potential to support SI business goals.
Solution: Chapter 8 describes a suggested strategy for furthering the SI BIM initiatives initiated by this
report.

Introduction
Building information modeling (BIM) is both a complex software technology and a business process that develops,
integrates, and communicates information about buildings and their components. BIM uses an intelligent 3D
virtual model and associated database to organize facility information. The challenge for building owners is to
identify the BIM information that is most meaningful to facility stakeholders across the building lifecycle and to
develop a work process that makes the information readily accessible to those stakeholders.
In an effort to use BIM technology to improve product quality and work efficiencies, the Smithsonian Institution
(SI) directed Design + Construction Strategies (DCStrategies) to explore aspects of BIM development that might
enhance the operations of the SI Office of Facilities Engineering and Operations (OFEO).
SI has standardized its BIM practice on the Autodesk Revit / Autodesk Building Design Suite of applications.
Developed in this study relate solely to Autodesk Revit. The processes and recommendations in this study solely
relate to the capabilities of Revit and supplemental tools that could enhance Autodesk Revit.
SI receives BIM data from a variety of sources. In this report, the models developed by SI’s BIM Specialist for SI’s
internal needs are called FM-BIM. The models developed by AEC contractors for new projects are called project
BIM. The models developed by AEC contractors for renovation projects, which are models of a portion of the
building rather than the entire building, are called partial BIM.
TASK ORDER METHODOLOGY

Fact Finding
To better understand SI business needs and to fully define the subtasks required to complete the study,
DCStrategies interviewed OFEO stakeholders identified by SI management. The interviews provided information
about the full breadth of OFEO practice requirements and information support needs. The interview data was used
to validate areas of inquiry and determine BIM data priorities for SI.
As goals and priorities were identified, they were studied in greater detail to provide additional information about
SI needs, best practices in other organizations, and to define a framework for the subtasks. Progress meetings
presented research findings to key stakeholders on the OFEO BIM Committee, along with prototyping results,
initial ideas and recommendations. As a result of fact finding and progress meeting reports, BIM development
efforts were further refined and focused.
Defining the Business Case

After reviewing information gathered from interviews and studies and identifying information of importance to
each stakeholder group, SI and DCStrategies identified subtasks and refined the business objectives for each. The
following topics were determined to be candidates for future subtasks:
1. Identifying methodologies for developing and deploying BIM within a “Campus Information
Management” framework
2. BIM for SI Landscape Management
3. Enhanced visual display and analysis tools for capital asset management
4. BIM for Security Management and Analysis
5. BIM for Historic Preservation

Introduction SI Building Information Management
Prototypes
In order to test the feasibility of each subtask solution, DCStrategies developed a work plan for creating
prototypes. The prototypes are described as part of the narrative of each subtask in this report.
Future Opportunities
After receiving SI approval of the prototypes, DCStrategies did additional research to identify how each subtask
could be further developed in the future. These suggestions, along with a timeline for developing the OFEO BIM
practice over the next few years, is included in the chapter for Sub-Task 8: Action Plan.

Subtask 1: The BIM Inventory
FACT FINDING
Existing Models
In order to determine requirements for a BIM inventory, DCStrategies reviewed the models in the existing SI
inventory to determine the typical level of model completeness. Information gleaned from this review led to
development of prototype BIM models that became a standard for the SI BIM Inventory, and an ability to develop
a preliminary work process for improving the existing BIM inventory to a consistent level of development (LOD).
DCStrategies reviewed the existing BIM models and CAD plans in the SI files in order to establish commonalities
and gaps. This included 23 SI buildings. Our review examined the number of rooms and floors in the SI buildings
along with their overall size (gross square footage). We reviewed components included in the model and there
level of development.
Capital Project Plan
DCStrategies reviewed the SI’s Five-Year Capital Project Plan in order to identify SI buildings with large planned
renovation projects in the next few years, in order to determine which of these facilities might be prime candidates
for BIM model development.
Data from the five year plan was aggregated in a graph (shown below in Figure 1) and the National Air & Space
Museum (NASM) became the leading candidate because it is scheduled to undergo significant renovation in the
near future.
New Project Models
The BIM for the National Museum of African-American History and Culture (NMAAHC) currently under
construction, was reviewed and provided insight into how project BIMs can be transitioned into a standard SI
framework for continued lifecycle management.
Capital Project Funding by Property FY13-19

FPD + MR + OR + CON + Other Funding Sources
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 TOTAL
Figure 1: SI Properties and Capital Project Funding (in $thousands). Source SI 5 Year Capital Plan, Oct 2013

Subtask 1: The BIM Inventory SI Building Information Management
DEFINING THE BUSINESS CASE
Attributes of BIM Inventory Models
A significant goal for the BIM Inventory is to support A/E project development and reduce the need for discovery
by the project team. Currently, significant effort and expense is directed at verifying existing conditions, obtaining
accurate existing measurements, locating existing spaces and documenting existing assets. The BIM inventory is
intended to diminish the amount of effort required to establish existing conditions. Space organization and
dimensions are the baseline, but BIM Inventory models will incorporate the SI-specific set of BIM templates
(described in the chapter for Subtask 2) that will further document spatial and asset characteristics, as well as the
room locations of asbestos-containing material.
SI retained a BIM Specialist to assist in developing the BIM Inventory. DCStrategies collaborated with the SI BIM
specialist to develop a work plan for upgrading existing models to meet the standards of the BIM Inventory. SI
determined that once BIM Inventory standards were established, the first group of facilities that will be modeled
are the South Mall museums.
PROTOTYPES
The desired Level of Detail (LOD) for the initial BIM Inventory was determined to be roughly equivalent to the
information contained within SI CAD plans. These plans include architectural components only, with information
roughly equivalent to the detail provided at the schematic design phase of a project. DCStrategies edited and
supplemented the existing model of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) to create a prototype for the
BIM Inventory. Models incorporated in the BIM Inventory were called “FM-BIM”.
In order to develop a framework for FM-BIM, DCStrategies reviewed SI’s existing documentation for SI buildings
on the Mall plus other prominent and/or large facilities. The review noted if there was an existing BIM model for a
building that could expedite BIM development and, in order to prioritize FM-BIM development, the approximate
number of capital projects slated for each facility was documented. These are listed in table below.
The 19 buildings evaluated represent over 12 million gross square feet of space which is over half of SI’s overall
gross square feet of inventory, shown in Table 1: List of Prominent SI Facilities, Building Area (GSF).
Building Area Existing Capital

Property
(gsf) BIM Projects
NASM-Mall 686,713  1
Hirshhorn Museum 170,602  10
South Mall
SIB 153,826  7
Arts & Industries Building 185,788  21
Freer Museum 181,159  15
Quadrangle 388,501  19
NMAI-Mall 441,231  18
subtotal 2,207,820

NMAAHC-Mall 300,000  4
North Mall & DC
NMNH 1,483,000  3
NMAH 773,911  5
Reynolds Center 332,000  22
National Postal Museum 73,639  20

Subtask 1: The BIM Inventory SI Building Information Management
Renwick Museum 39,397 11

subtotal 3,001,947

NASM-Dulles 524,000 12

MSC-Suitland 772,780 9

Outside DC
Anacostia Community Museum 33,598  17

NMAI-Suitland 164,133 
Cooper Hewitt-Main, NY 67,199  13
NMAI-NYC 272,679 14

subtotal 1,834,389
Out of SI total of 12M+
Total 7,044,156
GSF of space
FUTURE BIM INVENTORY OPPORTUNITIES

Completing the BIM Inventory will require dedicated effort. A rough estimate of effort required to achieve initial
FM-BIM for the 23 buildings identified as significant is 77 to 113 man weeks (assuming 40 hours per week).
Variables, such as the skill level of the BIM developer, consistency and quality of the baseline building information
(BIM, CAD, PDF files or drawings), and the continuity of development effort can influence the timeline. A matrix
that details the estimated level of effort required for the initial set of SI BIMs is included in Appendix C of this
report. Additional opportunities to support the BIM Inventory are described in the chapter for Subtask 8: Action
Plan.
Campus BIM
In addition to expanding the number of facilities included in the BIM Inventory and expanding the level of detail
contained in FM-BIM, SI would benefit from a BIM framework for SI campuses. Extending beyond a single building
model, Campus BIM could provide a visual data platform to manage the land, landscape, site infrastructure, and
buildings components of the installation.
SI maintains several campuses, the largest of which is the National Zoo (NZP). NZP has a high level of capital
project activity, as well a diverse and complex set of information requirements that could be supported both by
BIM (for buildings) and GIS (for site and infrastructure asset management) technologies. Development of a
prototype for NZP was deemed too ambitious for inclusion in this task order, but is a future area of development
for SI. A use case that describes SI Campus building information requirements is included in this Appendix A of
this report.
Table 2: SI Top 5 Campuses by Building GSF (Source: SI Federal Real Property Profile 2011)
SI Campuses Buildings Buildings Structures Land

(SF) (approx #) (# assets) (# assets)
NZP-DC 752,000 152 5 89
NZP-VA 387,000 156 9 4
STRI-Tupper 117,000 11 7
SERC-Main 107,000 55 9
STRI-Barro Colorado 84,000 41 16 1

Subtask 2: SI BIM Templates
FACT FINDING
BIM templates are a well-established means of creating a standardized work environment within BIM. They serve
to foster consistency in BIM development, for both AEC project teams and support SI requirements for the model.
Templates also help expedite setup in the modeling effort.
Templates can incorporate drawing and documentation standards, data fields, terminology, model views, user
interfaces and many other items. The data contained in the templates can be readily exported to other
applications via schedules generated by BIM.
SI’s BIM standard software product, Autodesk Revit, has the capability to configure, save and deploy a standard
working environment as a Revit “template” file. Once configured, the template is saved as a Revit-format file with
the extension - “.rte “. Multiple templates can be applied to a model.
Federal Agencies Employing Revit Templates

Other federal agencies have developed BIM templates to guide development for their many ongoing projects.
These include:
 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
The Corps of Engineers have developed architectural, electrical, mechanical, and structural BIM templates
to support their project execution processes. The files can be downloaded, along with other BIM guidance,
from the USACE CAD/BIM Center’s web site.
https://cadbim.usace.army.mil/default.aspx?p=a&t=1&i=12
This subtask solution incorporated several of the standard USACE schedule views within the SI Revit
templates to provide support for project document development.
 U.S. Air Force Autodesk Revit S-File Template
The U.S. Air Force has developed a Revit template that incorporates USAF-required spatial data. The
agency’s goal is to integrate this information into the agency’s GIS system of record.
http://www.wbdg.org/references/afbim_tools.php
This subtask solution includes spatial data fields required for SI Explorer within the SI Revit Architectural
template.
 GSA Spatial Template for Revit
As the federal government’s landlord, GSA’s BIM requirements have a strong focus on documenting spatial
data in project models for eventual delivery and exchange into the agency’s space management system.
GSA’s Revit template includes views and parameters for developing spatial data, and standard GSA
conventions (in Revit pick lists) to enforce consistent data entry for room information.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/oc/offer/form?siteID=123112&id=18070429
The SI architectural template developed in this subtask includes customized views to support SI spatial
data field requirements for net floor area plan, gross floor area plan, and schedule view.

Subtask 2: SI BIM Templates SI Building Information Management
Figure 2: Revit templates - GSA Spatial (left) and USAF S-File (right)
DEFINING THE BIM TEMPLATE BUSINESS CASE

Key business goals for developing SI Revit templates are to provide a standardized
Revit work environment to foster consistency in BIM development as well as to
enforce consistency and alignment with SI standards.
In order to provide sufficient data, three types of templates are required. The
architectural template includes space data and the location of asbestos containing
material. The mechanical-plumbing template and electrical template contain asset
information. Space, asbestos and asset information are SI’s primary data needs for
both new projects and internal SI initiatives.
The SI architectural template supports SI spatial development and standards by providing SI-required data fields
for rooms and floors, along with standard area calculations. The template also provides for standardized CAD
exports in accordance with the National CAD Standard v5 and SI document conventions; and provides
standardized views and naming conventions.

PROTOTYPES
DCStrategies developed four separate Revit templates to support the following A/E disciplines: architectural,
mechanical/plumbing, electrical, and structural, along with a user’s guide explaining common features for all
templates and distinct features included for each discipline.
All templates include:
• Units of measure - configurable for either Imperial or Metric BIM development
• Views:
- Standard views: floor plans, ceiling plans, elevations
- Schedules
- Sheet views (and an organizational framework for the sheets)
• Object parameters for SI data fields
• CAD standards object styles, line styles, and line weights, annotations (NCS 5.0 standards)
• Standard SI title blocks, standard sheets
• Project information (supporting standard sheet documentation)
Figure 3: RoomArea spatial plan view in the NASM model - applied with the SI Revit Architectural Template
SI Revit Architectural Templates (with Spatial and Asbestos Data Support)

As shown in Figure 3 above, the architectural template includes dimensional and space attribute
information. It also includes a field that notes if asbestos-containing materials occur in the space. The
templates do not contain any customized families of objects such as doors, windows or columns, nor do
they contain material definitions as the Revit default templates were deemed sufficient.

SI Revit Mechanical/Plumbing and Electrical Templates (with Asset Data Support)
The Mechanical/Plumbing and Electrical templates include asset information, indicated in Figure 4 below.
General
Asset
Information
Equipment
Spec
Information
Location Info
Figure 4: Revit mechanical/plumbing plan highlighting one asset and its parameters for SI asset data
The SI maintains a list of over a hundred items to track for its overall asset management requirements.
DCStrategies intended to include a pick list (which Revit terms a “key schedule”) of all the names and
MasterFormat codes for these items within Revit to assist in data entry. Unfortunately Revit, at this time, does not
support key schedule functionality for multi-category schedules, such as those required to support asset
schedules within the SI Revit templates.
FUTURE TEMPLATE OPPORTUNITIES

SI has begun utilizing the templates for its internal development of SI building models, beginning with the NASM
BIM development. SI has provided template-based BIMs to AEC teams with active project to get feedback. The SI
BIM templates and user’s guide should be reviewed and updated as needed, based experience within OFEO SI BIM
practice, and as SI BIM practices and guidelines evolve.

Subtask 3: BIM and Spatial Data Exchange
Figure 5: SI Explorer view of the NASM First Floor Plan - spatial data view
FACT FINDING
With a real property portfolio of over 760 buildings and structures, including over 20,000 rooms and 12 million
square feet of space, the Smithsonian has long utilized technology to manage spatial data for its globally
dispersed facilities. SI Explorer, a customized web-based geodatabase application is the primary resource for
accessing SI spatial data, including floor plan layouts. The organization’s facilities management system of record,
Tririga Facility Center (FC), is the repository for the SI’s spatial data tables, and processes are in place for it to
synchronize that data with SI Explorer, and CAD.
Technologies that include CAD and GIS have helped to improve spatial management, but manual processes and
redundancies remain. At present, after SI CAD files are updated to reflect new or renovated spaces for SI facilities,
spatial data extracted from CAD is provided to Tririga and the data and graphics are formatted and delivered to SI
Explorer. The introduction of Building Information Model (BIM) at the SI will impact the current CAD-based
interchanges with Tririga and SI Explorer.
To incorporate BIM in lieu of CAD for SI spatial data management, and also find improvements over current work
processes for spatial data exchange, DCStrategies reviewed the current SI workflows. We diagramed the steps the
SI currently follows to extract spatial information from project CAD deliverables and exchange that information to
the SI’s geodatabase, SI Explorer. The current process is based on Autodesk’s AutoCAD application configured with
Tririga’s CAD Integrator add-in tool. The add-in serves to collect spatial data from the CAD drawing and exporting
the data to the Tririga FC database.
The current workflow to incorporate new spatial data from CAD files into the SI spatial system of record, Tririga
Facility Center, is accomplished using a plug-in tool for that AutoCAD, the Tririga CAD Integrator. The add-in is
employed by a CAD user to trace over the floor plan drawing (“polylining”) to outline gross and rental floor areas,
room areas and perimeters.

Subtask 3: BIM and Spatial Data Exchange SI Building Information Management
Existing Data Exchange for CAD to SI Explorer and CAD to Tririga
Figure 6: Existing workflow to transfer spatial data from CAD (into Tririga) and to the SI Explorer GIS application
Key Points on the Existing Process

The following steps in the current process were identified as inefficiencies that could be eliminated in a BIM-based
workflow:
• Current tedious, time-consuming steps to manually trace over rooms and area perimeters
would be eliminated by BIM.
• Manual tracing of room and area perimeter boundaries introduces the probability of human
error, inconsistencies and reduced accuracy of the data. BIM automates the calculations of
spatial calculations.
• CAD files need to be manually checked for adherence to standards before exporting to GIS,
which increases the time and effort required for the process.
DEFINING THE BIM AND SPATIAL DATA BUSINESS CASE

The most important goals for spatial data exchange from BIM to GIS are:
• Replicate the existing CAD export process from Revit, and enhancing it by utilizing the spatial
fields provided by the SI Revit Architectural template developed in Subtask 2
• Introduce additional efficiencies to the process
• Research, recommend and test options to enhance the BIM to SI Explorer workflow, by
utilizing third party software
• Test the proof-of-concept methodology for a BIM to SI Explorer data exchange workflow(s)
using the National Air & Space Museum (NASM) model developed in Subtask 1

Figure 7: NASM Floor Plan with Room Objects
[Note: Refer to Appendix D for a more detailed review of the Revit prototyping effort and the proposed
workflows]
PROTOTYPES
Prototype 1: Revit to CAD + Tririga CAD Integrator to SI Explorer

Because Revit has the native capability to export CAD format files from the model, replicating the current process
exactly is straightforward. However, the use of BIM introduces efficiencies by using Revit’s capability to affiliate
data fields (parameters) with components in the model. A room “object” in BIM is not solely the geometry of the
space, but affiliated attributes, including parameters such as area, volume, and perimeter. Gross and rental floor
area “views” also can be easily configured in Revit.
Figure 8: Proposed workflow from Revit to SI Explorer
To test the workflow to SI Explorer, DCStrategies used the NASM model developed in Subtask 1, enhanced with
additional detail for this exercise. The detailed testing log and description of enhancements can be found in
Appendix D).

Results from the Revit to CAD using Tririga CAD Integrator to SI Explorer Workflow
(Prototype 1)
The tested workflow demonstrated several benefits over the existing process:
• The BIM process eliminates the need for tracing rooms and floor outlines, currently required,
by directly exporting CAD files from Revit floor and area plans from the SI Revit architectural
template.
• The BIM process eliminates the need to manually move elements into specific layers, as is
done now with CAD. Currently, project teams organize their project CAD files to suit their
production needs whereas the SI needs the elements in a specific layer, and generally
different organizational framework in order to export the data to SI Explorer. The Revit export,
with the architectural template, creates a CAD file that organizes all of the elements in the
correct layers for SI requirements. No extra or unnecessary layers are created in this process.
• The export process from Revit establishes the “units” setting for the files. This eliminates the
current requirement to manually scale CAD drawings into millimeters (the dimensional setting
utilized by SI Explorer geodatabase. CAD deliverables typically are not developed with
millimeters as their base dimensional units).
• Revit will attach spatial data to the (exported) polylines. This data is utilized in the Tririga CAD
Integrator step of the workflow, to export the data fields from the AutoCAD drawing’s room
polylines to the Tririga Facility Center table for spatial data.
Prototype 2: Revit to FME Workbench to SI Explorer

In lieu of using the Tririga CAD Integrator, DCStrategies developed another prototype using Feature Manipulation
Engine (FME) Workbench from Safe Software, Inc. This application provides capabilities to convert, restructure, and
integrate data from one software format to another. It is particularly well suited for converting the Revit file format
directly to the format used by SI Explorer (ESRI ArcInfo).
Figure 9: Proposed workflow Revit to SI Explorer via Safe Software's FME Workbench application
Safe Software’s capabilities were not fully explored in this prototype exercise, but include the following:
• FME can automate the steps currently employed to manually attach Facility Center data to
space entities utilizing the Tririga CAD Integrator plug-in application. This feature would
minimize translation errors and also provide a faster translation process.

• FME transfers BIM/CAD data from a Autodesk Revit model to formats usable in SI’s ESRI-
based GIS application, SI Explorer.
• FME can manipulate very large and complex datasets which is potentially very valuable for SI.
• FME can be configured to perform the following actions in one step - Extract, Translate and
Load (ETL):
- Extract a specific set of information from Revit
- Reformate it
- Combine this data with facility management data in a Excel format file
- Translate it to the required GIS format (ESRI Arc Info) usable by SI Explorer
• FME can convert, restructure, integrate and distribute Autodesk Revit data for use in more
than 325 different formats. Additional uses of FME that could be relevant to the SI’s workflows
that were not tested during this task order, including:
- Extracting 2D floor plans for use in CAD applications (in lieu of Revit’s CAD export facility,
the advantages/disadvantages of this option have not been investigated in this task order)
- Performing calculations using dimensions contained in BIM data
- Importing descriptive information from BIM datasets into spreadsheets
- Integrating and transforming 2D and 3D data to create informative 3D models in GIS
Figure 10: FME Workbench work session showing a configuration for data extraction from Revit and translation to an ESRI
geodatabase format

Results from the Revit to FME to SI Explorer Workflow (Prototype 2)
FME Workbench must be configured for the specific translation process being accommodated. The software
toolkit does not provide pure ‘out of the box” functionality because translation requirements are highly variable.
DCStrategies configured FME Workbench for the SI’s Revit to ESRI translation requirements, and tested the process
successfully. The FME configuration files are included in the Task Order deliverables.
The most significant advantage to using FME in the Revit to SI Explorer Workflow is its capability to eliminate the
current manual process of attaching Tririga Facility Center data for each room to the respective CAD room
polyline.
DCStrategies did not test the exchange of spatial data within BIM to the Tririga Facility Center.
Prototype 3: Revit to FME Add-in to SI Explorer

FME Workbench can convert BIM files to over 300 different formats, but Safe Software also developed a plug-in
specifically designed to export specially formatted files from Revit (Safe Software’s *.RVZ format) to ESRI’s ArcMap
software, using FME connections. This capability was tested to see if eliminating FME Workbench created
additional efficiencies.
Figure 11 : Proposed workflow Revit to SI Explorer via Safe Software's FME plug-in application for Revit
DCStrategies tested the FME Revit Plug-in application with the NASM model, and was successful in exporting the
Revit room elements to the SI geo-database format, in both 2D and 3D formats. The translation successfully
transferred:
• 2D closed room polylines from Revit room objects
• All of the data associated with each room in the Revit model (room parameters)
• 3D room geo-database layer with all the associated room data
However during our brief testing, we were unsuccessful in getting the FME Revit 2014 add-in to transform the
complete 3D NASM Revit model with textures into the ESRI ArcScene geo-database. This might be due to the
large model file size, which is larger than the 32-bit FME application could handle, or alignment between the FME
add-in, Revit and ESRI application.
SI uses a 32-bit ESRI GIS installation for SI Explorer because there is no 64-bit ESRI GIS currently on the market.
The SI Revit application is 64-bit as required by the recommended 64 workstation that supports Revit.
DCStrategies utilized FME’s 64-bit plug-in application to align with Revit but could not use the 64-bit FME plug-in

for fully translating the NASM Revit model with textures into a 32-bit ESRI ArcScene geo-database. It is entirely
possible that Safe Software can develop a solution for this issue.
Results from the Revit to FME Plug-in to SI Explorer Workflow (Prototype 3)

This workflow provides eliminates multiple steps from the exchange process although our testing of a large Revit
model (the NASM model) failed the translation.
If this option looks promising, workflows to exchange spatial data with Tririga FC will need to be prototyped, since
it eliminates the Tririga CAD Integrator from the process, so a new process for that exchanging data with Tririga FC
will need to be incorporated in the workflow. Due to time constraints, DCStrategies did not test data exchange
with Tririga FC utilizing the FME plug-in.
FME software tools and customized plug-ins developed with the Revit API can offer opportunities for further
automation to the SI, and can be prototyped to provide increased efficiencies to the spatial workflow process, and
other requirements, such as SI Asset Data exchanges, Revit to lightweight BIM workflows, and other to be
determined.
Figure 12: Screen shot of Safe Software FME Connections add-in for Revit in ArcGIS/Arc Catalog
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIM AND SPATIAL DATA

The success of this effort in the future is intertwined with the growth of FM-BIM (see Chapter 1), the deployment
of a BIM Server (Chapter 6) and other enhancements to SI’s space management process. As the SI Revit template
and the spatial standards included within it are enhanced, they must be tested as part of the data exchange work
process. The Chapter 8 Action Plan describes additional goals for BIM and Spatial data.

Subtask 4: Asset Management from BIM
FACT FINDING
The ability to locate and understand the attributes of facility assets is a recurring need for SI’s planning, design,
operations and maintenance work flows. BIM’s capability to affiliate data with model components offers the SI the
potential to collect key asset information at project delivery from the construction contract. At present, the SI is
not collecting asset management information at project turnover.
The key to fully utilizing Revit for asset management rests on the capability to exchange data from Revit with
external applications, particularly with an organization’s asset data system of record, such as SI’s Tririga Facility
Center. Revit provides several options for data exchange as listed below.
Table 3: Revit options for exporting data
Revit Export Option Description
Revit Export to Reports-Schedule Revit command option to export schedule data to a text delimited
file.
Revit Export to ODBC Revit export command that provides the capability to export data
to an ODBC connected resource such as MS Excel
Autodesk Revit DBLink Add-in Utility application for exporting, linking and managing project
application parameters in Revit with an external database (such as Access or
SQL) for asset tracking and management. (Available from the
Autodesk Subscription Center3).
Revit API (application program interface) The Revit .NET based toolkit supports customized program
development with any .NET compliant language including Visual
Basic.NET, C#, and C++/CLI.
Creating full MEP and Electrical as-built BIMs would be a prodigious effort, and may not be practical. However,
exporting asset information from the project BIM could easily be accommodated by Revit’s standard schedule
export capabilities (via delimited text files). This export format can provide SI with final asset data at project
completion, for eventual intake Into the Tririga FC asset management system.
Another option for a more automated workflow can be developed using a customized plug-in to Revit that is
created with the Revit API software toolkit. The plug-in tool could provide for automated data validation, aligned
with SI requirements, and could transfer data directly into Tririga, which is not possible with text files. The Tririga
import process for text or spreadsheet data involves much manual checking and alignment before intake into that
application’s data tables.
To fully support SI asset management with BIM, it is imperative that the mechanical/plumbing and/or electrical
templates are utilized correctly. Otherwise, asset data will not be consistent with SI requirements and data
definitions.

Subtask 4: Asset Management and BIM SI Building Information Management
DEFINING THE ASSET MANAGEMENT BUSINESS CASE

Collecting accurate information about new assets
entering the SI inventory after project completion, will
provide several benefits, serving to:
• alleviate the current manual discovery
process of new assets by OFMR personnel;
• jump-start the management of those assets
in the Tririga work order management
system, and
• assist the SI in maintaining an
accurate and complete asset
inventory for ongoing lifecycle
management tasks
Figure 13: View of a Revit mechanical model

with SI asset data list in the background
PROTOTYPE REQUIREMENTS
The workflow developed for spatial data exchange, as part of Subtask 3 can be adapted and tested for asset data.
Although time constraints prevented testing for this subtask, the following are recommended initial tests:
• Developing BIM with the mechanical/plumbing or electrical template and 3D MEP objects,
supplemented with the appropriate asset data exported from Facility Center.
• Test Revit’s the following output workflows:
- From Revit Schedules, export to delimited text files, import to MS Excel
- Optionally, test utilizing Revit’s Export via ODBC to Excel or Access
- Optionally, download the Autodesk DBlink add-in application for Revit, install and test
connectivity from a model to a MS Access test database
• During the testing, review the SI Revit templates’ Asset Schedule for alignment with ongoing
OFEO asset management initiatives. Required fields may change and the template may need
to be updated.
At the start of project development, the SI will provide the A/E with asset data for use in developing the project
BIMs. The models will include relevant SI assets, both existing and new, as required by the scope of the project.
Assets in the project BIMs will be developed as 3D component objects, and will have a set of SI data fields
(parameters) affiliated with each. These parameters are set up in the BIM by the SI BIM Mechanical/Plumbing and
Electrical templates. The final format for delivering the asset data from the BIM deliverable must be determined.
With regard to developing a plug-in application to automate the data transfer from Tririga FC to BIM, DCStrategies
has developed a similar Revit add-in application to quickly populate Revit models with generic asset objects and
customized data attributes. This application reads data from a spreadsheet file to create generic BIM objects for

each asset and populates each object with the correct asset data, and locates each component in the correct
room.4
There are many ways to develop a Revit tool customized for SI’s work processes, data specifications and
interoperability requirements. Unfortunately, there are no out-of-the box solutions that would provide
interoperability of Revit data with Tririga IWMS applications.
To COBie or Not to COBie

The Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie) is a data exchange standard for organizing
information gathered during the building design and construction process in a framework that can be transferred
to the owner’s operations and maintenance (O&M) team.
COBie covers all information that can be included in project deliverables, which is wide ranging and may include
such items as maintenance schedules, warranty information, parts lists, shop drawings, material samples. COBie
has traditionally been focused on organizing information in a project workbook (MS Excel-based), which is
organized in a standard series of worksheets (or tabs) to contain different areas of project information.
COBie is being developed under the auspices of the buildingSMARTalliance (bSa)5. In recent years, much attention
has been focused to align COBie with BIM, and to provide a framework for developing COBie data within the BIM.
It’s important to note however, while BIM can include multiple component sets of the overall COBie framework,
additional information deliverables are accommodated within the COBie standard.
Figure 14: Image of a COBie-formatted spreadsheet, noting tabs that can be populated from Revit

COBie Functionality within Revit
Revit does not include native functionality for COBie, however, Autodesk has developed an add-in application that
6
provides basic functionality for developing and exporting COBie data from Revit . The add-in creates the
parameters for COBie, applies them to components in the model, and sets up the schedule views required by the
COBie framework. The tool also provides the capabilities to export the Revit COBie schedules to an Excel file
organized in the COBie format.
A new COBie Extension for Revit (plug-in application) was released in January 2014 (version 1.0.5142.29264), and
has been reviewed by DCStrategies for this task order. Autodesk’s 2014 utility has been totally reworked from
7
previous versions . Our testing found the application to generally function well, but its export process to write
Revit data to a COBie-formatted spreadsheet seemed unduly slow. For the testing, we employed a relatively small-
sized Revit model that was compiled from Autodesk sample models. This was a much smaller model/building than
most of the SI facilities. We also tested the plug-in capabilities with a larger BIM - the SI NASM model. We found
that the critically-needed COBie export process failed (the application hung, overnight, and was terminated). We
did not pursue additional testing or troubleshooting.
Figure 15: 3D coordination view of NMAAHC’s “HVAC Skeleton” from the project Revit model, illustrating the detail involved
in a whole building engineering model.

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIM ASSET MANAGEMENT

To better inform its asset management practices, the SI can direct its BIM Specialist as well as project AEC team to
utilize SI Revit templates to develop asset data in upcoming SI project BIMs, and in the process:
• Establish a base BIM development standard within OFEO
• Develop, among the SI’s AEC project teams, the practice of developing BIM workflows and
deliverables for SI, including asset information
• Enhance the SI BIM data base, and Tririga FC, with new asset information from project
deliverables
Additional methods for developing BIM asset management are described in Chapter 8.

Subtask 5: BIM Standards and Guidelines
FACT FINDING
The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is a complex, high-end design project
for a new SI facility. The project team is utilizing BIM to develop, detail and document the building design. The
NMAAHC model provides a robust example of utilizing current BIM technologies for multi-disciplined project
development.
Although BIM was not a contract requirement for NMAAHC, the project design model was used as the point of
reference for SI BIM requirements, based both on elements that were included -- and not included, in the model.
One significant challenge presented by the NMAAHC BIM, is how this very large and complex federated model
can be transitioned (i.e. simplified) to be useful to the SI as an FM BIM. The design model aggregates models from
the multiple AE practitioners in the project team.
DCStrategies reviewed the in-progress
design model to determine how the
BIM could be optimized for SI use
after project completion. Our analysis
found:
• Redundant families of
objects
• Elements not modeled or
organized optimally8
• Alignment of work sets
(groupings of
components) are ad hoc
and geared towards
specific team
responsibilities and scope
Figure 16: Sectional view through the NMAAHC Revit project model
of development - these
will not be the organization needed by an SI FM BIM.
These issues are likely common to many AEC project BIMs, and can be addressed in future processes
developed to process project BIM deliverables into SI FM BIMs.
Refer to Appendix E for a more detailed discussion of DCStrategies review of the NMAAHC project model.

Guidance and standards provide benchmark information for project teams or internal staff responsible for
developing BIM. Documenting SI requirements is a necessary precursor to enforcing those requirements.
Guidelines and standards should include requirements important to SI, and nothing else. Integrating BIM
requirements into existing contract documents or design standards would avoid the resistance often encountered
when a new set of standards are introduced.
For a technology that is evolving as rapidly as BIM, guidelines and standards will, of necessity, require frequent
revision. Publication and formatting of BIM standards and guidelines should consider this fact. The goal is to
provide adequate guidance on technical practices, yet not create additional burdens on staff focused on core SI

BIM Standards & Guidelines SI Building Information Management
endeavors. Another goal for BIM standards development is to avoid prescribing processes that are the normal
domain of the design or construction teams.
Appendix I contains links to existing resources for BIM guidelines, the majority of which are intended for use by
project teams for the purpose of delivering a project. There are very few BIM guidelines that prescribe owner
requirements.
The BIM Project Execution Plan (PxP) requirements are typically developed by the project team, but SI may
wish to include requirements for specific data deliverables.
PROTOTYPES
A checklist to verify the completeness of a BIM’s development is a valuable tool, yet one that can be highly
variable, depending on current standards of the organizations, its aspirations and intent for BIM and the
experience of the BIM team and reviewers.
Included in the SI Revit Templates User’s Guide, developed for Subtask 2, provides a basic checklist for reviewing
the level of completion for Revit models. Appendix F also contains a separate listing of the checklist.
Software is available to validate and check the contents of BIM. See Subtask 7 for information about the newly
developed Revit 2014 Model Checker.
Figure 17: High level diagram of SI BIM project flow

BIM Standards & Guidelines SI Building Information Management
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIM STANDARDS AND GUIDANCE

Of primary importance is the articulation of SI requirements in SI contract documents so that AEC’s provide the
necessary information in project BIMs. Developing a standard protocol for design review of project BIMs should
be established. File management and naming standards will also be important standards. The Chapter 8 Action
Plan includes additional suggestions for further developing BIM standards and guidance.

Subtask 6: BIM Wiki
FACT FINDING
OFEO accesses facilities information from numerous data archives and software applications. Its data resides in
multiple databases, project archives, shared drive folders holding reports, spreadsheets, CAD and PDF drawing
files, SharePoint sites; as well as in enterprise systems such as Tririga FC, SI Explorer, Document Locator and now
BIM.
During the stakeholder interviews, many OFEO professionals expressed interest in the concept of a easily
accessible, web-based “portal” that could aggregate building information from multiple in-house sources, and
would provide OFEO practice groups a common forum for information on SI facilities.
Figure 18: The landscape of information data systems, applications and tools employed within OFEO

A collaborative intranet site, given the working title of the “BIM Wiki”, would establish a medium, on which, a
diverse range of meaningful information on a single Smithsonian facility could be presented. The site would
aggregate, as much as possible, information from existing resources and repositories already in use throughout
OFEO.
Using Microsoft SharePoint, a technology platform that the SI has utilized for many purposes throughout the
organization for the BIM Wiki was endorsed as a good suggestion. Once fully deployed, the BIM Wiki will be
accessible not only from the desktop, but from mobile devices as well, giving SI personnel the ability to readily
reference it in the field.

BIM Wiki SI Building Information Management
PROTOTYPE
For this task order, DCStrategies developed a series of conceptual web pages to illustrate multiple possibilities for
a building information “portal”.
A few key features deemed important for the site are:
• Provide links and quick access to OFEO data
resources such as Document Locator that are
“pre-configured” to point to the information for
that particular building
• Utilize visual elements such as floor plans,
graphics, photos to add interest
• Provide a building calendar that aggregates
activities for that building from other SI
SharePoint Calendars
• Sites for each building might want to incorporate
unique graphics, materials to distinguish the site
from other facilities (e.g. use sandstone
backgrounds or headers for The Castle pages)
• Incorporate a social media feature, such as a
discussion thread, to introduce more interactivity
into the site, and feedback from SI in-house
expertise about the building.
“BIM Wiki” is the working title used in this task order for the
intranet web-based application or “portal” for aggregating SI
building information. Wiki functionality, and the graphics and
functionality discussed in this report, may or may not be
incorporated in the initial deployment of the site. Figure 19: Conceptual layout of a possible building
"Wiki" page

Site Home Page
The BIM Wiki sites will need a top level web page to organize and provide links to the individual building “sites”.
The following graphic displays a home page concept using the “Windows 8” graphic paradigm, but any highly
visual approach could provide an interesting overview to the overall site.
Additional links on the site’s home page could be provided to sub-pages, such as a FAQ/Help wiki page for the
site as a whole, to key information initiatives such as BIM, or links to key data sources such as SI Explorer or
Facilities Digital Records.
Figure 20: Mockup of a possible SI BIM Wiki Home Page

Building Home Page
The BIM Wiki for an individual SI facility could be one page or a set of pages, depending on the amount of
information to be included. The mockup below, for the National Air & Space Museum, includes three pages, each
with different collections of information about NASM, including
• SI Explorer view - set up to view the property
• NASM Document Locator shortcuts to NASM drawings
• Shortcuts to NASM Project Folders via Document Locator
• NASM calendar (aggregates events from other SharePoint Calendars)
• SharePoint functions, such as Search, Help
• Subpage(s) + links to affiliated buildings (Hazy, Garber)
• Pre-project Planning information and links to the IFT SharePoint site for NASM
• Social Component e.g. SharePoint Communities
Figure 21: Mockup of a possible NASM Building Site Home Page

Building Sub-pages
The web-site for a particular building contain any number of sub-pages, with many options for configuration.
Some of the possible information panels that could be posted on the page include
• Building facts, the building “profile”
• Construction history
• Reports, such as the Historic structures report (HSR)
• Listing of the architectural elements and materials within the building
• Links to photo archives for the building
• Historic features - HSR report, or photos of these element
Figure 22: Mockup of a possible sub-page for the NASM ”BIM Wiki” showing additional information that can be
incorporated onto the site.

Figure 23: Mockup of another option for a sub-page within the NASM “BIM Wiki” site
Sub-pages within the overall building site could also display information from OFEO practice areas: OFMR,
Smithsonian Gardens, OSHEM, OPS, OBATS, Master Planning, and Historic Preservation. Data panels could include
information on a range of topics for the building, including (but not limited to):
• O&M data such as Facility Condition Indices or metrics - graphic reports
• Energy & Sustainability information - reports, LEED initiatives, energy use statistics
• IFT information - potentially cross-listed from the IFT SharePoint sites
• Training information - links to other sites, training videos or manuals, external resources
• SI Gardens information - plans, inventories, best practices, building-related specifics
• Master plans - current publications or ongoing initiatives for the building

Wireframe of the Site Development
The diagram below provide a rough sketch of the possible build-out for the “BIM Wiki” domain, with pages for
each significant SI facility, and sites for SI campuses.
Figure 24: Wireframe sketch of the build out for SI Building Wiki web sites
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIM WIKI

As SI develops, deploys and uses the BIM Wiki, suggestions for enhancements or improvements will come from its
users. Additional suggestions for enhanced functionality are described in the following chapter - Subtask 8 Action
Plan.

Subtask 7: Additional BIM Technologies and Applications
FACT FINDING
DCStrategies reviewed and tested a range of software applications for this task order which included:
• Translation (ETL) Software for Revit to ESRI Data Exchanges: Safe Software’s FME Workbench
and FME Revit Exporter Add-In Application for Revit 2014 (Reviewed in Subtask 3 of this
report).
• BIM Viewers - Methods, technologies, and file formats to view lightweight versions of Revit
models, focusing on the Autodesk Glue application
• BIM Servers - Applications to manage a portfolio of building information models
• BIM Model Checker - Autodesk’s add-in application for Revit that performs a check of the
model against standards (USACE)
• BIM Project Support Software - Applications being utilized by AEC firms to expedite and
model coordination and verify project information deliverables (Autodesk Navisworks and
Autodesk BIM 360 Field. The Revit Add-in Application COBie was discussed in Subtask 4 of
this report)
BIM Viewers and Lightweight File Formats

In order for OFEO personnel to view Revit models, and potentially annotate project BIMs, BIM viewers and
lightweight file formats are vehicles to accomplish those activities without requiring SI personnel to master the
complex Revit application
Lightweight File Formats
 PDF
PDF is an open file format originally developed by Adobe. 3D PDF has been adopted by Bentley
(Autodesk’s competitor for BIM software) as their lightweight BIM export format. Adobe has
divested support and further development of 3D PDF to tetra4d.com.
DCStrategies and SI tested the conversion of Revit models to 3D PDF, and determined that it
provides a good facsimile of the original Revit model. 3D PDF models could easily be distributed
via standard PDF files. Tetra4d provides a plug-in for Revit to execute the conversion. Note that
Safe Software also can convert Revit files to PDF (this was not extensively tested). Additional
vendors also provide support for 3D PDFs including Bluebeam, 3DA Systems, and potentially
other firms we haven’t identified.
 DWF and DWFx
The Design Web Format (DWF) was developed by Autodesk to distribute rich design data to
facilitate viewing, review, printing or annotation independent of the original authoring
applications (AutoCAD, Revit). These files are highly compressed, thus smaller and faster to
rd
transmit and access. Beside Autodesk applications, there are 3 party products that make use of
the format. DWFx is a newer format based on XML.

Additional Technologies SI Building Information Management
In using lightweight BIM file formats, the SI should consider:
• Translating Revit files to either of these lightweight formats is a one-way street – it is not
possible to directly import or translate PDF or DWF files into a Revit model - which may
impact processes for authoring, publishing and managing another additional category of 3D
information, along with the BIMs
• Safe Software has capabilities for handling DWF and PDF translations. If SI invests in FME
Workbench, it could also be useful in processes translations to these formats
Figure 25: 3D PDF version of the NASM Revit model
Autodesk BIM 360 Glue

BIM 360 Glue9 is an online cloud-based BIM coordination and management application10. A relatively new, and
rapidly improving product, the software aims to make BIM accessible to a wide variety of users, on the desktop
and on mobile devices. Autodesk offers Glue add-in applications for AutoCAD, Civil 3D and Navisworks, as well as
Revit.
DCStrategies tested the Autodesk Glue add-in functions within Revit and successfully exported NASM model views
to the Autodesk 360 cloud (in the Autodesk DWF file format). Interestingly, the model is not exported as a whole
entity. The user specifies views, either 2D or 3D, in the Revit model to export, so it was helpful to pre-set areas of
interest, such as the IMAX auditorium, that would be accessed in the Glue app. We accessed the cloud-based
model on an iPad using the free Autodesk Glue app, and also on the desktop (with a downloaded Glue
application). The desktop access was somewhat more robust in its functionality.

The DWF format would be more advantageous to employ than PDF, since it operates seamlessly from within Revit
and other Autodesk applications. Also, Autodesk’s development efforts are focused on creating applications that
leverage lightweight BIM utilities, such as Glue, that use the DWF format. Both formats could be used for different,
yet-to-be determined purposes.
Figure 26: Autodesk Glue screen shot showing the 3d NASM IMAX theater, and (at right)
list of properties for a seat object, and a PDF document a user had attached to the seat.
The Glue model retains its real-life scale and 3D (if the exported view is 3D), and components in Glue retain a set
of properties. Glue users can navigate through and around the model, calculate dimensions, annotate the model,
select objects and view their properties, and add an attachment to objects. We easily attached sample product
files to objects in the auditorium model view, and were able to view those attachments in subsequent work
sessions. It’s not clear if there is a limit to the type of file that can be attached - we were successful attaching and
viewing both PDF and DWG file types.
Support Applications for SI Project Execution - Autodesk Navisworks and BIM 360
Field
SI’s AEC consultant teams may employ additional BIM-related applications in their project development process.
Two applications that work in sync with Revit are Autodesk Navisworks and Autodesk BIM 360 Field.

Autodesk Navisworks
As with Revit, this software is a component within Autodesk’s Building Design Suite that SI has established as its
BIM platform. Navisworks is generally considered as project review software for AEC professionals, offering the
capability to integrate multiple data files into one 3D forum. It offers a key capability for synchronizing multiple
models created by diverse disciplines or functions in a project. It supports over 30 file formats, not only Revit, but
also CAD, point clouds, Bentley and many other engineering and design files.
A primary use for Navisworks is performing clash detection analyses of the multiple building components
comprising the design. Construction companies are significant users of this software. Finding clashes between
components before construction provides significant cost savings and efficiencies for the project.
Navisworks has a free, downloadable viewer (Navisworks Freedom). If the SI’s project consultants provide
Navisworks files, this application could be useful for reviewing issues.
The software also provides capabilities for quantification, as well as visual project scheduling including, called “5D”
by some BIM vendors (this included 3D model plus other “Ds” for schedule data and cost information). 5D
scheduling with BIM is very useful for visualizing phased projects.
Figure 27: Navisworks screen captures showing (top left) a

clash detection review of a building model, and (top right),
a 5D project scheduling review. Images from Autodesk's
Navisworks product page.
Autodesk BIM 360 Field

This is a separate and distinct software product from Autodesk’s BIM 360 Glue, but like Glue is a cloud-based
application. Autodesk Field is accessible from the desktop, but is primarily directed for use on site via mobile
devices. BIM 360 Field (formerly Vela Systems) is positioned as construction field management software providing
field data oversight functions.
Some of features BIM 360 Field provides are to:
• Markup and annotate photos and plans
• Connect equipment with object model information
• Distribute updated documents to the project team
• Document construction issues
• Update equipment records in the field
• Track issues in 2D and 3D

The SI’s project team may be using this application on their projects, in which case, access to the SI review team
might provide additional insight to the CMs for project delivery. Additionally, the SI might have QA, safety,
commissioning, issue sign-off and asset tracking requirements - either as part of a construction project or for
Figure 28: iPad screenshots of Autodesk BIM 360 Field - water pump commissioning (above) and QA/issue resolution (right)
ongoing O&M that BIM 360 Field can help manage. Autodesk offers a 30-day free trial of the software for review.11
Model Checking Applications

Model checking applications are a means to verify SI model development.
BIM Model Checkers
Visual model checking by experienced AEC professionals with BIM expertise is one way vet the completeness of a
BIM, but is a tedious process and subject to human variability. Revit’s model checker add-in lacks functionality and
doesn’t have a well-developed rule base.
Solibri, a Scandinavian software developer, has a Model Checker which has been on the market since 1999. The
Solibri Model Checker reviews BIM files in the IFC (Industry Foundation Class) format12 against a rule base that is
created by the end user. (The software does include about 300 pro-forma based rules to assist in developing the
rule base).
Revit 2014 Model Checker
Autodesk has developed a new Revit add-in application - the USACE Revit Model Checker -to verify that a Revit
13
model aligns with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers BIM requirements, commonly referred to as Attachment F .
This document lists contract requirements for building information models developed for USACE projects.
The Revit Model Checker checks the following components in the model:
• Spaces
• Walls & Curtain Walls
• Doors, Windows, and Louvers
• Roofs
• Floors

• Ceilings
• Furniture
• Mechanical Piping
• Plumbing
• Fire Protection Systems
DCStrategies tested the Revit Model Checker with a sample BIM provided with the add-in14 (the tested model
passed the model check), and with the Smithsonian NASM model (which failed the check - not surprisingly since it
was not configured to align with the requirements of USACE Attachment F). The add-in is simple to use, intuitive
and returns results for the analysis process quickly.
In a brief discussion, Autodesk stated that the model checker has been developed with intent that it could be
reconfigured to meet other organization’s BIM standards, if they differ from the USACE Attachment F criteria. Note
that the reconfiguration must be done by programmers, not by non-technical end users.
Figure 29: Screen from a Revit work session showing Revit Model Checker add-in commands (in the red box) and a “Check
Report”, which shows results from a model check
The USACE Attachment F document could provide a reasonable framework on which to base a SI BIM Contract
Requirements document, along with the USACE Minimum Modeling Matrix (M3), referenced in the USACE
Attachment F document.
Additional screen shots of the Revit Model Checker utility and sample output from the testing can be found in
Appendix G of the report.

BIM Servers
As the Smithsonian BIM portfolio and practice matures, it will be faced with the challenge of managing not only its
core of building models of record, but multiple renditions of BIM files including:
• SI Facility BIM of Record (“FM BIM”) - verified, most up-to-date version of the BIM, and a
possible organizational framework that maintains separate BIMs for each discipline
(architectural, mechanical/plumbing, electrical, structural, civil/landscape)
• FM BIMs in development - BIMs that are in the process of development (in-house), regularly
updated
• Superseded FM BIMs archive - BIMs that have been updated to reflect new conditions
• SI FM BIM files superseded by annual updates to Autodesk Revit (e.g. archives of SI Revit 2014
files after use of Revit 2015 has been mandated)
• Project BIM deliverables, including the “as-built” project BIM(s) - Revit and other formats such
as Navisworks, DWF, IFC, gbXML, 3DS Max, SketchUp, point cloud, 3D DWG, PDF, and other
formats)
• SI lightweight BIM files - versions of SI FM BIMs of Record in DWF or PDF formats (those not
actively stored in the cloud, if Glue is in use)
• Energy models
• SI BIM templates, object libraries, materials
BIM Servers for Facilities Management
BIM requirements and workflows for owner organizations differ from those for AEC’s project-centric practices. At
this point in time, BIM is underdeveloped for owner-centric facility management solutions, and this is true in the
area of BIM Servers as well. Most, if not all, commercial or open source BIM servers are designed to support
ongoing AEC design and construction project BIM development and information sharing.
Facilities organizations need to manage BIM files for the full facilities lifecycle, of which project execution is one
component. Some important considerations FM BIM server technology would accommodate:
• Support for multiple ongoing BIM projects, requiring a versatile check-in/check-out facility,
and archiving
• Support for the multiple file collections and types, as discussed above
• A strong data component, to access and update data within the BIMs, including the capability
for automated interoperability with enterprise data systems (Tririga, SI Explorer)
• Robust administration and security capabilities that align with the SI established IT
requirements and government requirements
Current BIM Servers
DCStrategies did a market review of BIM server technologies for this task order. For reference, the following table
lists significant BIM Server applications currently available and in-use in the AEC industry (Revit or Open-source
based).
Table 4: BIM Servers
BIM Server Description

Application
Autodesk Revit Application to support server-based worksharing of Revit projects across a wide area network.
Server Software is available for download with to those having a Autodesk Revit Subscription.

IMAGINiT Clarity Software package that enhances the base Autodesk Revit Server application with added
collaboration/communication, PM, reporting, exporting, and monitoring/system management
capabilities.
http://www.imaginit.com/software-solutions/building-architecture/imaginit-clarity-connect
Gehry GTeam Cloud-based platform to support AEC project collaboration and review, and includes functionality
to review 3D model, multiple file types. Product literature makes a nod towards owner use,
without much detail. http://www.gteam.com/
M-Six Veo Relatively new software venture that promotes a platform to create a shared digital repository
that includes BIM along with metadata, documents and photos in a cloud based environment.
They promote the solution for FM. Worth watching to see if it gains traction with any FM
organizations. https://www.m-six.com/learn
BIMserver.org European open source initiative, managing a development effort for what is essentially a kit-of-
parts for customizing a BIM server.
Energy Analysis with BIM

OFMR conducts regular energy analyses of its facilities. BIM models of SI facilities could provide excellent support
for these efforts. There are multiple options for modeling energy performance, but they are depend on well-
formed data model. DCStrategies has included a brief overview for Revit energy modeling best practices in this
report’s Appendix J.
Revit Modeling Practices for Energy Analysis
The Revit model must be well-constructed so that all of the spaces/rooms in the model are defined, and the
building is fully enclosed. With buildings as large and complex as those in the SI portfolio, this can require a
rigorous review by the Revit modeler. Revit’s gbXML Export functions provides, both visually and through a listing
of issues, a means to check and clear issue areas before export.
Green
Building
Studio
Figure 30: Revit gbXML export menu

and export paths
At present, the workflow to transfer a Revit gbXML file into a DOE-2/eQuest or EnergyPlus format file via
Autodesk’s Green Building Studio (GBS) application - which imports the gbXML file and can output DOE-2 .inp file.
GBS is a cloud-based application built upon on the DOE-2 whole building analysis engine (as is eQuest). A
subscription to GBS is included in the Autodesk Building Design Suite (the application suite that includes Revit).

Energy Modeling Within Revit
Autodesk Revit provides capabilities to conduct energy simulations within the application itself. It provides
commands to exchange the working model with the Autodesk Green Building Studio cloud-based application, and
return results to the current Revit work session.
More detailed analyses and additional capabilities can be accessed within the subscription based GBS software.
Autodesk provides documentation and frequent updates on all of these features on its websites and blogs.15 The
software has been undergoing many upgrades and enhancements in the past few years - check back often for
updates.
In addition to “Whole Building Energy Analysis” tools, Autodesk Revit (and its free Vasari modeling application)
provide functions to perform what it terms a “Conceptual Energy Analysis” (CEA). This process provides a method
to quickly model and analyze a building without all of the detailed information required for a whole building
energy analysis. Using a CEA approach can provide owners of a portfolio of buildings a quick means to baseline
the energy performance of multiple buildings, without a lot of effort, and also study alternatives for improvement
quickly, at a macro level.
DCStrategies quickly modeled the NASM building at a simple level of detail (LOD 1) and used the CEA tool to
quickly base performance data. (We did not check the energy data against actual performance numbers, as the
study was to model a building without existing drawings and create a model that could be processed by the
energy analysis program, GBS).
Figure 31: Energy analysis functions in Revit, employing Autodesk’s Green Building Studio for a range of energy and
sustainability analyses and report functions

Action Plan SI Building Information Management
Subtask 8: Action Plan

This study developed an initial framework for FM BIM at SI. The primary objectives were 1) to integrate BIM within
the SI’s spatial data management practices, 2) provide improved documentation for SI’s project teams; and 3) to
envision a concept for enhancing overall collaboration on, and information resources for SI buildings. This study
produced encouraging results that should be sustained, expanded and further enhanced. SI management is
encouraged that BIM practice development will improve staff efficiency and effectiveness. Continuity and
persistence in developing the BIM practice is important in order to maintain momentum and institutional
knowledge.
Implementing the strategies described in this report will be a significant undertaking. In order to make this
process manageable, DCStrategies recommends that SI designate development of each subtask to one of the IDIQ
AEC teams. In this manner, the overall BIM strategy will become more integrated with SI projects and, if every IDIQ
contractor is working collaboratively on the BIM strategy, it will create a professional community of interest that
will facilitate adoption of BIM requirements on future projects. The action plan has independent recommendation
for each subtask which mixed, accelerated or deferred, depending on SI priorities.
Creating a professional community of interest for SI’s BIM practice will minimize the amount of direct interaction
required of SI personnel and BIM authoring tools, such as Autodesk Revit, which are highly technical and complex
applications.
BIM INVENTORY
In order to develop an inventory of FM-BIM models to serve as accurate (project) record documents for SI space
management, or supporting future revitalization projects, DCStrategies created a preliminary standard for FM-BIM
using the National Air and Space Museum (NASM).
SI’s BIM Specialist is developing additional FM-BIMs for the 20 or so most prominent SI facilities. SI should
designate an AEC team to provide quality control oversight of this work as well as to provide suggestions for
additional information to include in FM-BIM. By working with practicing AEC firms, the SI BIM Specialist will gain
insight into modeling techniques and the AEC consultants will become familiar with the goals of FM-BIM.
FM- BIMs in the BIM inventory will be developed over time. During this development period, SI will provide “in-
process” FM-BIMs to project teams. When providing an FM-BIM to project teams at kickoff, there will need to be
requirements in place to verify the spatial and asset data within the FM-BM. Projects with BIM requirements and
no FM-BIM provided, will need to have the asset and spatial data provided from Tririga FC, along with SI Revit
templates. A process to integrate the deliverables of a partial building project BIM (renovation project) into the FM
BIM of Record will be needed.
The next important goal for the BIM Inventory is development of a process and standards by which project
deliverables can be readily converted to FM-BIM. Processes for integrating project BIM deliverables need to be
established, including best practices to cull down project BIMs into a standard FM BIM level of detail are needed
Future goals are to develop prototypes for FM-Campus BIM, FM-Security BIM, FM-Landscape BIM, FM-Historic
Preservation BIM and other specialized SI BIM needs.

BIM TEMPLATES
A key area of interest for SI was acquiring better data for: a) space attributes, b) the location of asbestos-
containing materials, and c) MEP assets attributes, including locations. DCStrategies incorporated these
requirements into customized SI Revit templates to improve data in these key areas in the future and to support
future information exchanges with Tririga Facility Center.
DCStrategies created four Revit templates, along with a user guide, to provide a format and structure for both A/E
teams working on new projects and SI’s BIM Specialist to incorporate into FM-BIM. The data in the templates will
support consistent asset and space information in FM-BIM, and consequently, provide comprehensive data at
project completion for support of continued facilities management requirements. As AEC teams use the templates,
they should be enhanced and improved. SI should designate an AEC team to oversee the development and
delivery of BIM templates and revisions to the user guide.
BIM AND SPATIAL DATA

A significant pain point for SI is the current workflow for exporting SI spatial data from CAD to the SI facilities
management systems-of-record, SI Explorer and Tririga Facility Center. DCStrategies developed workflows that
replicated the results of the current workflow, but were far more efficient.
Additional testing and additional improvements are possible. As the SI Revit template and the spatial standards
included within it are enhanced, it needs to be tested as part of the data exchange work process. Safe Software’s
FME Workbench application can provide additional improvements to expedite the Revit to SI Explorer process
(with custom configuration), but will need further review with for fully testing and vetting data exchanges the
Tririga FC database. The newly released FME Revit Exporter 2014 Add-in can eliminate multiple steps from the
exchange process and significant improvements, but need further study and coordination with Safe Software.
SI should designate a firm with technology expertise to oversee and manage improved data exchange.
BIM AND ASSET MANAGEMENT

The BIM templates for Mechanical/Plumbing and Electrical support the development of key data attributes within
project BIMs and FM-BIMs. This study determined that the use of COBie in these templates would add
unnecessary complexity for both the SI and the project team at this time. COBie may be revisited in the future,
when SI’s BIM practice is more established and COBie BIM tools have been further refined through industry use.
SI should designate an AEC tem to conduct additional research and testing for asset management within FM-BIM
and as a deliverable requirement for project teams. Key requirements to be determined are the protocol for
providing asset data and FM-BIMs to design teams at project initiation, reviewing asset data during project
development, accepting asset data and project completion and integrating that information into FM-BIM, and
exchanging asset data from the project BIM deliverable to the Tririga FC asset management database. The goal is
to establish the FM-BIM development standard within OFEO, develop BIM asset workflows for SI’s AEC project
teams, and enhance the BIM Inventory and Tririga FC, with new asset information from project deliverables
DCStrategies recommends that the SI reserve action on adopting COBie for BIM at this time. COBie adds a
significant amount of complexity for both the owner and its AEC project teams. The SI will be better poised to
apply its resources in developing its BIM inventory, practice standards, and initiating project deployments. Since
the SI is not employing COBie in support of overall project delivery, BIM COBie has no driving rationale for
immediate adoption.

However, optimal data exchanges between Revit and Tririga for asset data should be handled by a Revit API add-in
application, not via spreadsheet or text format files. Follow-on studies could specify, design and develop a Revit
add-in for this purpose as well as study Safe Software’s FME in more detail.
BIM STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES

There are a significant number of BIM standards published by other organization that have requirements for the
development of project BIM. SI can leverage and adopt these existing BIM standards, available from industry
groups and other federal agencies, where applicable to support SI goals. The standards and guidelines that SI
should develop that are unique to SI include:
• Articulating SI requirements in SI contract documents so that AEC’s provide the necessary
information in project BIMs.
• Naming standards and delivery requirements for FM BIMs that might include FM BIMs in
development, lightweight FM BIMs, as-delivered/built project BIMs, and a host of other
permutations. The workflow will become more complex as FM BIMs are provided for project
development, yet continue to be enhanced in-house or received back from other projects.
This area is a study in itself and should be overseen by an AEC consultant.
• As each facet of BIM practice evolves and is enhanced, documentation of assumptions and
requirements should be provided and integrated into a master document.
• Rules for how SI maintains and archives separate architectural, mechanical/plumbing,
electrical, structural FM-BIMs (as well as fire protection and security models). Basic standards
detailing the level of development and file management of these models will need to be
outlined.
• OPDC project review processes for project BIM and FM-BIM need to be established.
• Directions and guidelines for incorporating additional software functionality, such as
Autodesk Glue 360 should be developed if these systems become part of the standard SI
workflow.
BIM WIKI
SI has already started development of a BIM Wiki intranet site. The incorporation of capabilities to keep the site
interactive and dynamic, such as collaboration features, videos, and social media features that could also serve to
make the BIM Wiki a means to crowd-source the expertise of OFEO on the site for building-related issues and
information needs. Incorporating 3D features from BIM to SharePoint is a technical challenge, but new features
may be emerging to integrate views of the SI BIM inventory into the websites in the near future.
Next steps for SI, once the initial BIM Wiki is deployed, include:
• Determine which collaborative features to introduce interactivity within the site and deploy
them. Include a means to reach out to the many practice areas within OFEO for building-
related issues and questions
• Consider future research and pilot projects to introduce building models and 3D snapshots to
the site(s), to provide a realistic virtual model and improve building understanding

AUGMENTING BIM
There are a myriad of different ways that SI can augment BIM with supporting technologies, but an FM-capable
BIM server is a priority. Currently, Revit files are stored on the shared OFEO Q: drive, and named according to the
current standard practices. SI should designate a team to explore the options for acquiring and deploying a BIM
server. A summary of the potential enhancements currently available to SI to support BIM are summarized below.
Lightweight BIM and Autodesk Glue

The SI has considered 3D PDF exports of BIM and can easily create these models now using Autodesk BIM 360
Glue. This capability may be useful for communicating building information in a 3D format to SI project clients,
and other non-technical audiences. The initial review of Autodesk BIM 360 Glue using the NASM model highlights
many compelling features with that product that should be investigated further. Autodesk’s BIM 360 applications
(notably BIM 360 Glue and BIM 360 Field) are cloud-based, and SI may need to verify that these technologies
comply with the organization’s security requirements.
A lightweight BI format standard can offer SI a useful means to communicate model views to non-technical clients
and project coordinators. The Autodesk Glue application is emerging as a compelling solution that is fully
integrated with Revit, and capable of offering a lightweight format for reviewing project and FM issues, one that
can be deployed on mobile devices.
Construction Management - Autodesk Navisworks and BIM 360 Field

Autodesk Navisworks and Autodesk BIM 360 Field may offer capabilities to verify and improve asset data delivery
and field checking, which can be explored further. SI can use these programs to perform clash detection reviews
in-house because Navisworks is included in their Autodesk software suite.
Navisworks has capabilities to integrate multiple models. In the future, this may be useful if SI needs to review its
existing building models with other data (including point cloud surveys). If SI develops a methodology to integrate
a partial building model from a renovation project into its FM model of record, Navisworks may play a role.
SI revitalization projects, like NASM would be good candidates for 5D scheduling visualization.
Model Checking
The new Autodesk Revit Model Checker add-in application, based on USACE Attachment F criteria, functions as a
useful utility for BIM quality assurance. It might offer SI a valuable means to check its models, and should be
reviewed further. In order to implement a model checker in practice, SI need to:
• Develop a base set of SI BIM Standards to utilize. USACE’s Attachment F and M3 is a good
starting point, but additional customization is needed. Alternatively, SI could utilize the add-in
with the understanding that it provides a review based on USACE requirements, which might
be different than SI’s BIM requirements.
• Prototype the Model Checker with an SI project BIM would provide insights the capabilities of
this tool
A model checklist has been included in this report’s appendix as an initial reference for SI’s use. DCStrategies
believes that anything short of an automated application that utilizes a developed set of guidelines will not
provide adequate model checking.

BIM Servers
BIM Servers are repositories for BIM files and BIM data that allow models to be shared, archived and retrieved. SI
does not have a BIM server. SI uses a file naming and folder organization structure for storing Revit files which
conforms to current standards for CAD. This framework will serve to organize the files until BIM Server
technologies for FM mature and until SI accrues so much BIM data that the current process becomes unwieldy.
SI should establish a means for monitoring the development of BIM Server technology. In the interim, SI can
extend its current file organization framework to managing its BIM data. During this development phase, SI can
develop its life cycle requirements and detail work flows for BIM management which will form the basis for a BIM
Server specification.
The naming requirements developed as part of the continuation of Subtask 4: Asset Management for BIM
will need to be established to control the versioning and naming of Revit files being developed in-house.
A corollary naming convention to support SI Revit files developed for separate disciplines
(Mechanical/Plumbing, Electrical, Structural, and possibly Civil/Landscape) is also desirable.
Energy Modeling
OFMR has experience in conducting DOE-2/eQuest energy analyses, further testing could be done with the newly
developed SI Revit models. This could also help verify the models’ completeness for whole building energy
analyses.
SI should assign energy modeling review to an AEC consultant whose charge would be to explore a broader range
of energy and sustainability analyses capabilities, especially for the Zoo facilities. A process for measuring
greenhouse gas emissions, water use and other sustainability metrics, in addition to energy and fuel usage, may
also help SI better understand facility performance.

BIM DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP
Figure 32: Conceptual timeline for development of the SI BIM practice
The schedule lays out a conceptual timeline of activities for developing building information modeling practices at
the Smithsonian. The chart is organized in areas that generally reflect the topics outlined in this report. (The
timeline was developed in Excel and is provided with this task order’s deliverables as a separate file: SI BIM
Development Roadmap.xlsx, for further use and modifications by the SI).
CONCLUSION
This BIM study effort produced encouraging results that must be sustained, expanded and further enhanced in
order to be meaningful and valuable to SI. SI management understands that BIM practice development will
improve staff efficiency and effectiveness, but a disciplined and effective implementation is challenging given the
time and budget constraints of the agency. Using the talent readily available on project teams, IDIQ contracts and
other professionals who are familiar with SI processes and standards will help to facilitate implementation.
SI’s work in this realm can become a model for other organizations, many of which are struggling with similar
issues. DCStrategies was pleased to be part of this study and looks forward to seeing SI succeed.

End Notes SI Building Information Management
End Notes
1
McGraw_Hill Construction, “The Business Value of BIM in North America” (2012) http://bimforum.org/wp-
content/uploads/2012/12/MHC-Business-Value-of-BIM-in-North-America-2007-2012-SMR.pdf
2
McGraw_Hill Construction. “Business Value of BIM for Construction in Major Global Markets SmartMarket
Report” (2014). http://analyticsstore.construction.com/index.php/smartmarket-reports/GlobalBIMSMR14.html
3
Autodesk Subscription Center website is at https://subscription.autodesk.com
4
A video of the application can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvcQ8Wq8IPg
5
The buildingSMARTalliance is a council of the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS). Reference the NIBS
COBie project web site at http://www.nibs.org/?page=bsa_cobie
6
COBie Utility website documentation: http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/cobieextension/help/index.html. Note
that the plug-in is not publically available at the time this document was compiled, but was obtained by
DCStrategies through Autodesk.
7
Autodesk’s Revit 2014 COBie Add-in application is currently available for download (free of charge) at
http://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/interoperability. Note that Revit add-in applications must be of the same
version as the Revit version being used (i.e. Revit 2014 requires “2014” add-ins).
8
In the NMAAHC model, DCStrategies wanted to remove “placeholder” 2D lighting and mechanical components
from the architectural model to improve its performance. Ideally, these elements, which were placed by the
architectural BIM team for reference when developing the model, should be removed when replaced by 3D
elements by discipline teams using Revit's copy monitor feature. If the architectural team wants to keep the 2D
reference elements, they should be put in different work sets so that they can be easily handled. Unfortunately
in this model, the reference elements for engineering components were created as generic models and were
not separated out and placed in the correct worksets, thus making it quite difficult to separate them out from
the generic architectural elements.
9
For more information reference the BIM 360 Glue help site at http://help.autodesk.com/view/BIM360/ENU/
10
For more information reference the BIM 360 Glue help site at http://help.autodesk.com/view/BIM360/ENU/
11
Refer to the Autodesk BIM 360 Field website for more information at http://www.autodesk.com/products/bim-
360/features/bim-360-field/all/gallery-view
12
The Industry Foundation Class or IFC format is a neutral data format (i.e. not vendor specific), to describe,
exchange and share information typically used within the building and facility management industry sector,
and is supported by the buildingSMARTalliance. Some organizations require deliverables in IFC format since it
is vendor neutral. The IFC framework has gained much more acceptance in Europe than in the U.S. Revit
support data exports to the IFC format. For more information on IFCs, reference the IFC Wiki at
http://www.ifcwiki.org/index.php/Main_Page
13
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers BIM Contract Language (BIM requirements), commonly known as
“Attachment F”, can be downloaded from the USACE CAD BIM Technology Center website, at
https://cadbim.usace.army.mil/BIMContractRequirements

End Notes SI Building Information Management
14
The Revit Model Checker add-in, developed for Autodesk by CADD Microsystems is available for download at
http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/industry-solution/revit-model-checker
15
In particular, reference Autodesk’s Building Performance Analysis blog at:
http://autodesk.typepad.com/bpa/2013/03/revit-2014-release-news-new-building-performance-analysis-
features.html , or the help website at https://gbs.autodesk.com/GBS/Help


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Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

IDIQ Contract #F10CC10036 Task Order #: 16-00 Page 0 of 54

Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... 4

Subtask 1: The BIM Inventory ...................................................................................................... 8

Subtask 2: SI BIM Templates ...................................................................................................... 11

Subtask 3: BIM and Spatial Data Exchange ................................................................................. 15

Subtask 4: Asset Management from BIM .................................................................................... 22

Subtask 5: BIM Standards and Guidelines................................................................................... 27

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Subtask 6: BIM Wiki ................................................................................................................... 30

Subtask 7: Additional BIM Technologies and Applications ............................................................ 37

Subtask 8: Action Plan ................................................................................................................ 46

End Notes .................................................................................................................................. 52

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

TASK ORDER METHODOLOGY

Defining the Business Case

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Capital Project Funding by Property FY13-19

FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 TOTAL

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Building Area Existing Capital

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Anacostia Community Museum 33,598  17

FUTURE BIM INVENTORY OPPORTUNITIES

SI Campuses Buildings Buildings Structures Land

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Federal Agencies Employing Revit Templates

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

DEFINING THE BIM TEMPLATE BUSINESS CASE

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

SI Revit Architectural Templates (with Spatial and Asbestos Data Support)

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

FUTURE TEMPLATE OPPORTUNITIES

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Key Points on the Existing Process

DEFINING THE BIM AND SPATIAL DATA BUSINESS CASE

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Figure 7: NASM Floor Plan with Room Objects

Prototype 1: Revit to CAD + Tririga CAD Integrator to SI Explorer

Figure 8: Proposed workflow from Revit to SI Explorer

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Prototype 2: Revit to FME Workbench to SI Explorer

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Prototype 3: Revit to FME Add-in to SI Explorer

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Results from the Revit to FME Plug-in to SI Explorer Workflow (Prototype 3)

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIM AND SPATIAL DATA

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Revit Export Option Description

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

DEFINING THE ASSET MANAGEMENT BUSINESS CASE

Figure 13: View of a Revit mechanical model

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

To COBie or Not to COBie

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIM ASSET MANAGEMENT

Design + Construction Strategies 30 April 2014