Open Building Information Modeling (OpenBIM)

Overall Course Objectives
The course develops the participants’ understanding of building information modeling (BIM). The course provides insight into BIM’s theoretical basis and specifically reviews how open specification processes and models are composed. The course works with the basic concepts, objects, classes and ontologies that together create BIM. The starting point is open BIM systems, classification systems and formats where the basic model can be manipulated freely. Since then, further complexities have been incorporated into BIM, where both interdisciplinary and synchronous manipulations must be handled. The course focuses on being able to produce a building model basis and benefit from other people’s information. During the course, linked and coupled objects are examined, including parametric and dependent variables. The course is designed to build up a deeper knowledge of methods, standards and tools that include BIM. Along the way, knowledge of modeling tools used for Computational Design & Engineering is gained.
See course description in Danish
Learning Objectives
- Apply principles and concepts according to the building information modeling concept (BIM) in an open and transparent context
- Use digital tools to produce a model with information relevant to construction and energy design in buildings
- Apply basic methods for application of parametric objects
- Use models to exchange digital information and extract data in order to generate value-creating insight into construction – for example, a financial estimate and environmental consequences of design and material choices
- Produce and use complex data models at different levels of information and compare these with classification and agreement bases typically used in practice
- Use digital exchange formats between applications and between building project partners
- Perform basic digital controls in disciplinary/aggregate models
- Collaborate in a structured manner with other partners in a construction project
Course Content
The course examines the theoretical basis for the process/working method known as openBIM. Emphasis is placed on how models and formats are constructed and how semantic models with information about buildings and their building components are handled. During the course, BIM models are built from scratch based on IFC specifications. Objects such as beams, columns and layered components, including external walls, are built according to standards. During the course, a building project (in the form of an open BIM model) with greater complexity is developed, where both constructive and energy engineering considerations are used. This model is being prepared for data exchange in relation to various requirement specifications used in Danish and international practice. The course covers Danish and international guidelines and open neutral standards used in construction for data exchange. It also describes classification systems that are widespread in Danish construction. Model consistency, model control, collision control and rule-based control systems are investigated and used in the project.
Recommended prerequisites
41901/41902/41911, Alternatively, other introductory BIM-related courses
Teaching Method
Lectures, individual assignments, and group assignments.