BIM-to-BEM processes

Feb 12, 2020

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This month, our partners STRESS s.c.a.r.l and RINA Consulting published an article that discusses the parameters of BIM-to-BEM process and the recommendations to solve the current bottlenecks of BIM adoption in the renovation market. Currently, BIM-to-BEM procedures involve time-consuming processes requiring additional input information and data corrections that should be entered manually. To overcome the current bottlenecks, the article investigates which strategies and key aspects can be optimized and standardized within the data exchange between BIM and BEM tools. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bim-to-bem-parameters-recommendations-solve-current-bim-alberto-zinno/

Furthermore, we had an opportunity to talk to our partners about the work package that is related to the BIM-to-BEM process. So far, we collected all the expertise between different parts of our consortium and worked together to identify the existing bottlenecks in BIM adoption and to develop possible solutions to improve the process. In our third BIMterview, Alberto Zinno and Fabrizio Tavaroli explains the progress of their work and what it entails. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj4fml-Htzs

Newsletter 2019

December 2019

BIM-SPEED has completed its first year with great work from our partners. Substantial developments were made on the cloud-based platform, the scope of the use cases of BIM for renovations, and innovative solutions to solve bottlenecks of BIM-to-BEM use. BIM-SPEED demo sites are putting into practice the use of latest technology to improve energy efficiency of residential renovations, while also improving inhabitants comfort. The first issue of our interactive yearly newsletter has the project highlights and a video message from our project coordinator Timo Hartmann. Link to newsletter: 

Newsletter_2019

Third consortium meeting

28-29 November 2019, Valladolid- Spain

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Every 6 months, the 22 BIM-SPEED consortium partners meet to discuss the project progress and share their innovation developments with all group. Last month was time for the Spanish technology centre CARTIF to welcome the partners at their premises in the lovely Valladolid- Spain.

The 2 days were focused on collaboration and ideas sharing. Innovations pitches looked at the developments of Kroqi platform (CSTB), BIM to BEM bottlenecks (STRESS and RINA), an interesting software solution that CYPE is developing to build the bridge from BIM models into meaningful IFC files for BEM, the use of sensors for capturing users relevant data for energy efficiency, and much more.

Our technical coordinator DEMO, prepared a great surprise for the end of the first day, bringing a nice and fun award for the voted best innovation pitch - Marco Arnesano, from UNIPVM, went home with his personalized BIM-SPEED sweatshirt.

A crucial point of this meeting was the alignment of several innovative software solutions that BIM-SPEED is developing and the cloud-based platform Kroqi. A workgroup has been created including CSTB, CYPE, UNIPVM and STRESS to give the topic the priority required.

The demonstration cases are having fantastic progress, and BIM-SPEED is willing to push it further in collaboration with the community of practice, looking at use cases for BIM for renovation. FASADA, DEMO, HOCHTIEF ViCon and Arcadis are working hard on that.

In conclusion, it was a busy year for BIM-SPEED were we managed to set up the grounds for fantastic innovations to follow. We are looking forward to the next year! 

Latest technology for as-built data capture

Demo site Berlin, Germany

The demo site at Berlin, Germany, consist in a renovation of an apartment block with 56 dwellings, built in 1960. Due to the age of the building, as built information was all on paper outdated or incomplete drawings.

In renovation projects, this lack of information can produce errors in the design, cost overrun and delays in the project. For this reason, it is important to capture properly the existing conditions of the building at the initial stage of the project to support planning and execution activities from an early point.

To reduce this risk, we started the as-built data capture conducing a high-resolution 3D survey of all exterior surfaces of the building and the internal surfaces of the technical room and a sample occupied apartment using a robotic total station in conjunction with a laser scanner. This approach reduces the time that is necessary to overall verifications, as a complete layout and scan can be made in a single set-up. The cloud point data collected allow developing a detailed as-built BIM model of the building. This model will be compared with a BIM model of the demo case that was created previously through a conventional approach, which developed the 3D model from the drawings of the building and data collected manually. 

To check the insulation of the building, we used the latest technology for thermal scanning: drones. A high-resolution camera and an infrared camera were attached to the drone which flew over and around the building, capturing multiple images in a systematic scheme. Drone-generated thermal maps are a game-changer for these kinds of inspections, this technology simplifies the scanning procedure leveraging predefined flight-plans, scanning the surfaces in a semi-automatic way.

The drone was used for the thermal scanning of the rooftop and some regions of the façades of the building, which allowed the identification of specific areas of the roof and façade possibly affected by moisture. The results obtained may encourage the replacement of the insulation membrane.

The latest technology used to survey the building gave the project team accurate information that will reduce risks during works on site and support better decision making about this renovation project, leading to higher energy efficiency. 

Register to BIM- SPEED Industry day webinar

Industry Day 24-October 2019, Webinar

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Are you interested to know more about the methods and tools that BIM-SPEED is developing to facilitate BIM adoption in residential renovation projects in order to increase the energy saving potential in your projects?

Join our first INDUSTRY DAY WEBINAR on the 24^th October at 10am

Registration is free. Just log in and learn from BIM-SPEED experts. On the day we will talk about best practices of using BIM in residential renovation projects with the focus on high performance buildings, and provide guidance and advice. Get involved!  https://www.bim-speed.eu/en#

Agenda for the day:

• Introduction to BIM-SPEED, by Prof. Dr. Timo Hartmann, Technische Universität Berlin
• BIM strategy at ARCADIS, by Andrew Victory, Arcadis
  
• Building performance bench-marking and energy efficiency assessment by Prof. Marco Arnesano, Università Politecnica Delle Marche
• Overview of BIM-SPEED pilot projects, by Agnieszka Łukaszewska, FASADA
• Presentation of Spanish demonstration case, by Oskar Bell Fernández, Vivienda y Suelo de Euskadi, S.A.
  

Great progress at demonstration sites

Spain and Bulgaria

Since the launch of our project in November 2018, our consortium partners are endeavouring to realise the energy-efficient housing renovations in the EU. Thanks to them, BIM-SPEED is running on wheels.

Hot summer months were the perfect time for completing the thermal scanning. With the help of our partner Architectural Spies, successful thermal surveys were carried out in both Bulgarian demo site (Varna) and Spanish demo site (Vitoria-Gasteiz). In Varna, a total of 256 scans (204 interiors and 52 exteriors) were made. These scans are to be integrated with the additional building data to understand the energy behaviour of the demo site. For Vitoria-Gasteiz, another scanning is planned this winter. A final thermal scanning after the actual renovation will determine the real quality of the insulation of the building.

Furthermore,  we have completed a detailed survey of every apartment regarding the ventilation, carpentry, and condensations in Vitoria-Gasteiz demo site. In combination with 3D scanning data and the 3D model developed by our partner LKS, the survey will provide relevant building details to produce a BEM (Building Energy Model). In addition, the 3D model images have also been facilitating smooth communication between the community and our project. "An image is worth more than any word."

BIMterview Prof. Timo Hartmann

BIM-SPEED Project Coordinator

BIM-SPEED second GA meeting

Jul 01, 2019

​In May 2019, our partner Scientific and Technical Center for Building (CSTB) hosted the second consortium GA meeting in Nice, France. Our second meeting was meaningful time to reflect on the core value of BIM-SPEED, and to look into the new development in our project and platform. We focused on the use and demonstration cases to discuss the solution that BIM-SPEED will bring to the housing renovation markets. So far, all of the deliverables were successfully delivered. During the meeting, our partners shared creative ideas and valuable opinions to ensure all the objectives are met for the upcoming deliverables.

The BIM-SPEED solution is based on the KROQI Cloud platform which was a centre point of the discussions. We are testing the platform integration architecture with our demonstration cases. So far, the platform is proving to offer great features for BIM adoption in housing renovation market.

Furthermore, there were innovation pitches from each work package leader. WP leaders presented the main innovative outcomes of each work package and how these outcomes can support or enhance the processes of a renovation project. The integration of GIS into renovation project, the development of a BIM passport, 3D Scan to BIM, comfort eye tool and the AR/VR technology were discussed as focal points and all partners engaged in the discussion with passion and enthusiasm. It was a constructive meeting and we believe that BIM-SPEED is on the right track for the energy-efficient housing renovation in the EU.

Spanish BIM-SPEED Demonstrator

Mar 11, 2019

The BIM SPEED project has selected two buildings in Victoria-Gasteiz, Northern Spain, as demonstration sites. These were both built in 1958. First demonstration site is a four story residential building with eight flats, a garage and a bar in the ground floor in a U Shape. The external walls are made from double layer of brick with an air cavity in between. The second demonstration site is a 5 story residential building with 12 flats, with a storage room and a bar in the ground floor in an H Shape.  Most of the main external walls are made from double layer of brick an air cavity. Others just are composed of a simple layer of brick without any cavity. Both buildings are not insulated and have poor energy performance with condensation and humidity problems.

The buildings are also Lighthouse demonstrators in a SmartEnCity project funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 691883). The renovation activities within SmartEnCity project will contain insulation of the building envelope with focus on façades and roof and connecting the dwellings to a new District Heating system based on biomass energy. During the BIM-SPEED project, new tools and solutions supporting as-built data acquisition, designing, energy simulation and construction works will be implemented.

BIM-SPEED has started!

29-30 November 2018, Brussels, Belgium

On the 29th and 30th of November 2018 the BIM-SPEED kick-off meeting was held in Brussels, Belgium. During the 2 days all partners got to know eachother, and we also met our project officer for the first time. After meet&greet sessions with coffee and snacks and a short look back on how the project was conceived, we got to dive into the subject matter.

During several brainstorm sessions we exchanged ideas and came up with concepts for challenges within the project. It was great to see the level of enthusiasm and all the questions exchanged. A very fruitful meeting, and we are looking forward to a successful 4-year project!