Course Title: Building Information Modelling

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Building Information Modelling

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

OENG1191

City Campus

Undergraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024

Course Coordinator: Lei Hou

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9531

Course Coordinator Email: lei.hou@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 010.012.019

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Nil


Course Description

Recent years have seen increased research and development in adopting advanced technologies in delivering unique and complex projects. Among these technologies, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is one promising contemporary approach to design and manage the information of a facility (e.g. a building), and leverages virtual digital representations as a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle.

The purpose of this course is to provide the students with the basic understanding and knowledge of the state of the art BIM and advanced technologies such as sensing and tracking (3D laser scanning, photogrammetry, etc.), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR), Unmanned Arial Vehicle (UAV) and robotics. Upon the acquisition of knowledge, this course also aims to equip students with skills to leverage these technologies to successfully complete projects.

These aims are developed in answer to the recommendations by the civil and Infrastructure Engineering Industry Advisory Committee.

This course will balance both theory and practice of BIM and ‘technologies in general’ by introducing the concepts and methodologies surrounding the use of BIM for design (3D), scheduling (4D), costing (5D) and facilities management (extended to nD). Additionally, students will gain a better understanding of both the benefits and challenges of BIM implementation by gaining hands-on experience using various BIM software tools such as Autodesk Revit (model authoring), Dynamo (parametric-driven design), Solibri (quantity take-offs), Autodesk Navisworks (3D Coordination), and Synchro PRO 4D (4D Scheduling), Autodesk Navisworks/iTWO4.0 (5D), Autodesk Recap, Autodesk BIM 360, Unity (advanced visualisation engine), etc.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for (BH077 Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Infrastructure) for students who commenced their program prior to 2023:

Knowledge and Skill Base
1.1. Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline
1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.

Engineering Application Ability
2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering solving
2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.

Professional and Personal Attributes
3.3. Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour
3.4. Professional use and management of information.

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for (BH077 Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Infrastructure) for students who commenced their program in 2023:

  • PLO1: Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and knowledge of fundamental engineering and scientific theories, principles and concepts and apply advanced technical knowledge in specialist domain of engineering. 
  • PLO2: Utilise mathematics and engineering fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to design engineering systems for complex engineering challenges.    
  • PLO4: Apply systematic problem solving, design methods and information and project management to propose and implement creative and sustainable solutions with intellectual independence and cultural sensitivity. 


On completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Identify and describe the state-of-the-art BIM and advanced technologies being utilised in the AEC industry;
  2. Command basic skills of BIM software operation for scheduling, estimating, construction, and operation and maintenance;
  3. Use cloud-based BIM, visualisation and automation tools to support effective CEM tasks;
  4. Apply BIM skills to critically reflect on the current state of CEM practices and conduct design or improvement activities in a particular industry context.


Overview of Learning Activities

With this course, students will develop an understanding of BIM and other advanced technologies as they relate to the state-of-the-art Construction & Engineering Management (CEM) practice. Specifically this course will:

  1. Introduce the theoretical conceptual framework of Virtual Design and Construction, and Operation and Maintenance;
  2. Review BIM concepts and fundamental effect on project design, cost estimating, scheduling, coordination, fabrication, installation, facilities operations, safety and other aspects;
  3. Gain understanding of the multitude of BIM and advanced visualisation/automation tools including their capabilities and limitations;
  4. Develop ability through hands-on instructions to create basic parametric models of Architectural, Structural, and MEP systems in Autodesk Revit; consolidate and coordinate multiple 3D models for clash detection and other building system planning purposes in Autodesk Navisworks, Dynamo, Solibri, Synchro PRO 4D, iTWO4.0, Autodesk Recap, Autodesk BIM 360, Unity (advanced visualisation engine), etc.


Overview of Learning Resources

Pre-recorded lectures, class discussions, group activities, self-directed learning, Canvas.

Software systems include Autodesk Revit, Navisworks, Dynamo, Solibri, Synchro PRO 4D, iTWO4.0, Autodesk Recap, Autodesk BIM 360 and Unity


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment tasks

Early Assessment Task: (Individual Assignment- architecture modelling and model configuration, due on Week 5)
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLO 1, 2, 3

Assessment Task 2: (Individual Assignment - structure modelling and clash detection; due on Week 9)
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3

Assessment 3: (Group-based Assignment - final project; due on Week 14)
Weighting 40%
This assessment supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 and 4

Submission: through Canvas

Criteria & Marking:
This assignment will be assessed utilising a holistic marking scheme.
The assignments will be returned within 2-3 weeks of submission though Canvas.