Monday, 17th May 2011
Revit MEP – Innovation entered the Departments of Environmental Engineering at Polish universities
First diploma thesis based on Revit MEP was written at Warsaw University of Technology. Thesis Chodor (2011)[1] under the title, Ventilation and air conditioning design of a car showroom using Revit MEP software, was developed at The Institute of Heating and Ventilation at the Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology and presented for defense in January 2011 by Eng. Anna Chodor supervised by Dr. Tomasz Klinke. The architectural model created by the Design Office Chodor- Projekt Ltd. in Revit Architecture served as the basis of the design described in the thesis by Chodor(2011). Presented work is an innovative example of a complex ventilation and air conditioning design where 3D(+) tools were used.
Pictures below show visualization of HVAC installation generated in Revit MEP 2011.
Indoor HVAC installation
HVAC installation on the ground floor
Outdoor HVAC installation (on the roof)
Outdoor HVAC installation (on the roof)– details of location and collision
Outdoor HVAC installation (on the roof)– details of location and collision
3D wireframe view of HVAC installation - a sketch Revit MEP model
BIM design- Revit MEP- sustainable design
Aspect of sustainable design becomes increasingly important. Thanks to building information modeling (BIM Revit), visualization is getting much easier, as shown above, as well as simulating and analyzing behavior of the building during its life cycle. Revit MEP provides complete and consistent building information model and built-in analytical tools help to perform energy analyses and determine energy demands of the building model. These efficient and quick analyses are carried out in a model that takes into account several factors neglected in standard engineering analyses, such as accumulation of thermal walls.
Scholze Gruppe (2011b)[4] discussed several interesting aspects of working in Revit MEP, indicating that the program is a 5D system, enabling multi-disciplinary cooperation of architect, structural engineer and MEP engineer. This article presents collaboration between architect and MEP engineer on the Revit platform. Multidimensional system, exceeding three dimensions of the 3D space can be written short 3D(+), where(+) (+1)- time = phasing, (+1)- economy-costing, (+1)- the selected feature in the use phase, and further (+ ...) - another generalized dimensions.
Thanks to Revit, flexibility unreachable in traditional methods was achieved, that practically eliminates inputting by MEP engineer architectural data for each room separately. In the discussed case, such data was contained within the architectural model built by the architect in Revit Architecture Chodor-Project (2009) [2]. During the whole designing process Revit has little sensitivity to changes made by architects, that normally force to time-consuming updating previously built model. Revit model tracks every change in architecture and construction of the building and coordinates it automatically throughout the model Autodesk (2011) [6].
Revit MEP carries out heat loss and heat gain calculations in accordance to Polish requirements
Revit MEP was used to determine gains and losses of heat in the building. Calculations in Revit MEP are based upon the American Radiant Time Series (RTS) method, as described in ASHRAE publications. [7].
Surprisingly, despite the criticism of the method (eg, Scholze Gruppe (2011a) [3]), as inappropriate to the Polish requirements – the calculations occurred to coincide with hand calculations. Compliance with the new program OZC 3D, cooperating with Revit as described on the blog Scholze Gruppe (2011a) [3], has not been verified, as during the process of designing the program was not available.
Automatically calculated heat gains from sunlight, outside temperature and infiltration turned out to be an invaluable option.
Because supplementing architectural data with energy details (mainly lighting parameters, heat gains from equipment and people) is tedious, so Revit option was used to significantly accelerate the process in two ways. In the preliminary calculations global parameters was set for the entire model, which was possible as the building in the analyzed part of the showroom and office space is rather similar and sufficient was choosing a global usage for the building and using statistical data provided by Revit. In accurate calculations more detailed data were provided by specifying individual space types (living room, office, sanitary facilities, kitchen, conference room, etc) to which Revit assigned load values statistically conditioned for the type of space. Then data were subjected to only minor revisions by performing supporting calculations.
Zoning ( assigning spaces similar to each other in one zone) is a powerful Revit tool, because it allows to carry out simulations optimizing the building by monitoring the air quality in certain spaces within its defined zones. In such model, we can arbitrarily select equipment such as air conditioners, heat pumps and air handling units that controls temperature, humidity and air quality in spaces assigned to separable or common zones. Zoning mechanism allows to control the airflow to given spaces and modify it depending on heat load changes. Furthermore, each zone can be controlled via different systems, for instance kitchen and dining area are controlled by a dedicated outdoor air system and the rest of the building by a VAV system working in accordance with the office schedule from 8.00 to 18.00.
Green Building Studio
In the face of increasing demands on the design process, carrying out only HVAC cooling and heating load analysis is not fully satisfying. Management of energy resources becomes more important and information about the environmental impact of building and life-cycle energy consumption is necessary.
Energy analysis of building made in Revit MEP is possible through option that exports building information via gbXML to a third-party analysis application.
An interesting third-party program is Green Building Studio (Autodesk (2010)[5]).
If energy zones were already defined in Revit and heating and cooling load calculations have been carried out for the considered model, the vast majority of data required for energy analysis is already defined.
Green Building Studio (GBS) [5] is based on three data sources:
1) model defined in Revit MEP (all the building geometry comes from this model, including data about the rooms and the object orientation),
2) the additional data set by the designer in GBS, including the location of the object at the geographical point on Google Maps,
3) regionalized data, obtained by GBS by importing data from the nearest meteorological station, and also statistical (correlation) data for the region and type of the object, if any needed information weren’t provided.
Service GBS provides quick simulation associated with:
• calculation of annual energy cost and lifecycle energy costs (over 30 years),
• calculation of annual energy consumption (electricity and gas) and lifecycle energy consumption
• calculation of peak electricity demand,
• the possibility of using solar energy or wind energy calculation,
• analysis of water use,
• carbon emission calculations,
• estimating natural ventilation potential,
that is, in principle, all the energy and environmental analysis required by modern technology.
An extremely valuable tool is the possibility to compare several design solutions
(the program simultaneously analyzes several models) to choose the best solution on the condition of listed above energy-ecological parameters.
Article was written in cooperation with the Design Office Chodor- Projekt Ltd. Kielce.
Bibliography:
[1] Chodor Anna (2011), Projekt wentylacji i klimatyzacji salonu samochodowego z wykorzystaniem programu Revit MEP, Engineer’s Thesis, Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, The Institute of Heating and Ventilation, supervised by Dr. Tomasz Klinke, Warszawa, styczeń 2011
[2] Chodor-Projekt (2009), Design Office, Projekt architektoniczny salonu samochodowego. Model Revit Architecture, Kielce, 2009,
[3] Scholze Gruppe (2011a), New software, blog Revit MEP Club,
[http://revitmepclub.blogspot.com] [accessed on 12-04-2011],
[4] Scholze Gruppe (2011b), Revit MEP – from 3D to 5D, blog Revit MEP Club,
[http://revitmepclub.blogspot.com] [accessed on 12-04-2011],
[5] Autodesk (2010) Inc, Green Building Studio 2010 User Guide, NY, 2008,
[http://www.advancedsolutionsonline.com/pdf/products/greenbuild_with_revit.pdf]
[6] Autodesk(2011) Inc, User's Guide, Revit MEP 2011, NY , April 2011
[http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/revit_mep_2011_user_guide_en.pdf]
[7] Spitler, J.D., D.E. Fisher. (1999). Development of Periodic Response Factors for Use with the Radiant Time Series Method. ASHRAE Transactions. Vol. 105, No. 2, pp. 491-509.
Ph.D. Eng. Tomasz Klinke, Warsaw University of Technology
Eng. Anna Chodor,
Ph.D. Eng., Eng. Arch. Leszek Chodor, Kielce University of Technology
Friday, 08th April 2011
New Software
First diploma thesis based on Revit MEP was written at Warsaw University of Technology. Thesis Chodor (2011)[1] under the title, Ventilation and air conditioning design of a car showroom using Revit MEP software, was developed at The Institute of Heating and Ventilation at the Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology and presented for defense in January 2011 by Eng. Anna Chodor supervised by Dr. Tomasz Klinke. The architectural model created by the Design Office Chodor- Projekt Ltd. in Revit Architecture served as the basis of the design described in the thesis by Chodor(2011). Presented work is an innovative example of a complex ventilation and air conditioning design where 3D(+) tools were used.
Pictures below show visualization of HVAC installation generated in Revit MEP 2011.
Indoor HVAC installation
HVAC installation on the ground floor
Outdoor HVAC installation (on the roof)
Outdoor HVAC installation (on the roof)– details of location and collision
Outdoor HVAC installation (on the roof)– details of location and collision
3D wireframe view of HVAC installation - a sketch Revit MEP model
BIM design- Revit MEP- sustainable design
Aspect of sustainable design becomes increasingly important. Thanks to building information modeling (BIM Revit), visualization is getting much easier, as shown above, as well as simulating and analyzing behavior of the building during its life cycle. Revit MEP provides complete and consistent building information model and built-in analytical tools help to perform energy analyses and determine energy demands of the building model. These efficient and quick analyses are carried out in a model that takes into account several factors neglected in standard engineering analyses, such as accumulation of thermal walls.
Scholze Gruppe (2011b)[4] discussed several interesting aspects of working in Revit MEP, indicating that the program is a 5D system, enabling multi-disciplinary cooperation of architect, structural engineer and MEP engineer. This article presents collaboration between architect and MEP engineer on the Revit platform. Multidimensional system, exceeding three dimensions of the 3D space can be written short 3D(+), where(+) (+1)- time = phasing, (+1)- economy-costing, (+1)- the selected feature in the use phase, and further (+ ...) - another generalized dimensions.
Thanks to Revit, flexibility unreachable in traditional methods was achieved, that practically eliminates inputting by MEP engineer architectural data for each room separately. In the discussed case, such data was contained within the architectural model built by the architect in Revit Architecture Chodor-Project (2009) [2]. During the whole designing process Revit has little sensitivity to changes made by architects, that normally force to time-consuming updating previously built model. Revit model tracks every change in architecture and construction of the building and coordinates it automatically throughout the model Autodesk (2011) [6].
Revit MEP carries out heat loss and heat gain calculations in accordance to Polish requirements
Revit MEP was used to determine gains and losses of heat in the building. Calculations in Revit MEP are based upon the American Radiant Time Series (RTS) method, as described in ASHRAE publications. [7].
Surprisingly, despite the criticism of the method (eg, Scholze Gruppe (2011a) [3]), as inappropriate to the Polish requirements – the calculations occurred to coincide with hand calculations. Compliance with the new program OZC 3D, cooperating with Revit as described on the blog Scholze Gruppe (2011a) [3], has not been verified, as during the process of designing the program was not available.
Automatically calculated heat gains from sunlight, outside temperature and infiltration turned out to be an invaluable option.
Because supplementing architectural data with energy details (mainly lighting parameters, heat gains from equipment and people) is tedious, so Revit option was used to significantly accelerate the process in two ways. In the preliminary calculations global parameters was set for the entire model, which was possible as the building in the analyzed part of the showroom and office space is rather similar and sufficient was choosing a global usage for the building and using statistical data provided by Revit. In accurate calculations more detailed data were provided by specifying individual space types (living room, office, sanitary facilities, kitchen, conference room, etc) to which Revit assigned load values statistically conditioned for the type of space. Then data were subjected to only minor revisions by performing supporting calculations.
Zoning ( assigning spaces similar to each other in one zone) is a powerful Revit tool, because it allows to carry out simulations optimizing the building by monitoring the air quality in certain spaces within its defined zones. In such model, we can arbitrarily select equipment such as air conditioners, heat pumps and air handling units that controls temperature, humidity and air quality in spaces assigned to separable or common zones. Zoning mechanism allows to control the airflow to given spaces and modify it depending on heat load changes. Furthermore, each zone can be controlled via different systems, for instance kitchen and dining area are controlled by a dedicated outdoor air system and the rest of the building by a VAV system working in accordance with the office schedule from 8.00 to 18.00.
Green Building Studio
In the face of increasing demands on the design process, carrying out only HVAC cooling and heating load analysis is not fully satisfying. Management of energy resources becomes more important and information about the environmental impact of building and life-cycle energy consumption is necessary.
Energy analysis of building made in Revit MEP is possible through option that exports building information via gbXML to a third-party analysis application.
An interesting third-party program is Green Building Studio (Autodesk (2010)[5]).
If energy zones were already defined in Revit and heating and cooling load calculations have been carried out for the considered model, the vast majority of data required for energy analysis is already defined.
Green Building Studio (GBS) [5] is based on three data sources:
1) model defined in Revit MEP (all the building geometry comes from this model, including data about the rooms and the object orientation),
2) the additional data set by the designer in GBS, including the location of the object at the geographical point on Google Maps,
3) regionalized data, obtained by GBS by importing data from the nearest meteorological station, and also statistical (correlation) data for the region and type of the object, if any needed information weren’t provided.
Service GBS provides quick simulation associated with:
• calculation of annual energy cost and lifecycle energy costs (over 30 years),
• calculation of annual energy consumption (electricity and gas) and lifecycle energy consumption
• calculation of peak electricity demand,
• the possibility of using solar energy or wind energy calculation,
• analysis of water use,
• carbon emission calculations,
• estimating natural ventilation potential,
that is, in principle, all the energy and environmental analysis required by modern technology.
An extremely valuable tool is the possibility to compare several design solutions
(the program simultaneously analyzes several models) to choose the best solution on the condition of listed above energy-ecological parameters.
Article was written in cooperation with the Design Office Chodor- Projekt Ltd. Kielce.
Bibliography:
[1] Chodor Anna (2011), Projekt wentylacji i klimatyzacji salonu samochodowego z wykorzystaniem programu Revit MEP, Engineer’s Thesis, Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, The Institute of Heating and Ventilation, supervised by Dr. Tomasz Klinke, Warszawa, styczeń 2011
[2] Chodor-Projekt (2009), Design Office, Projekt architektoniczny salonu samochodowego. Model Revit Architecture, Kielce, 2009,
[3] Scholze Gruppe (2011a), New software, blog Revit MEP Club,
[http://revitmepclub.blogspot.com] [accessed on 12-04-2011],
[4] Scholze Gruppe (2011b), Revit MEP – from 3D to 5D, blog Revit MEP Club,
[http://revitmepclub.blogspot.com] [accessed on 12-04-2011],
[5] Autodesk (2010) Inc, Green Building Studio 2010 User Guide, NY, 2008,
[http://www.advancedsolutionsonline.com/pdf/products/greenbuild_with_revit.pdf]
[6] Autodesk(2011) Inc, User's Guide, Revit MEP 2011, NY , April 2011
[http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/revit_mep_2011_user_guide_en.pdf]
[7] Spitler, J.D., D.E. Fisher. (1999). Development of Periodic Response Factors for Use with the Radiant Time Series Method. ASHRAE Transactions. Vol. 105, No. 2, pp. 491-509.
Ph.D. Eng. Tomasz Klinke, Warsaw University of Technology
Eng. Anna Chodor,
Ph.D. Eng., Eng. Arch. Leszek Chodor, Kielce University of Technology
Friday, 08th April 2011
Algorithms applied in program Revit MEP improve heat load calculation, which are followed by American standards and are not useful for European conditions.
Sankom Company prepared for mechanical engineers new software which assists with heat load calculation (followed by EN 12831) and energy characteristic (followed by z EN ISO 13790:2009) for buildings designed in Revit MEP. Sankom Company offers 3 versions:
2. Auditor BCC plugin for Autodesk Revit which is an supplement in preparing analysis of heat and humidity followed by EN ISO 13788:2003
3. Auditor OZC 3D which is a full version of software that is able to download data from program Revit, then make heat load calculation followed by European Standards and prepare energy certificate and analysis of heat and humidity. This version is directed to mechanical engineers.
Using this modules require architects to prepare model followed by specific drawing standards. These hints (handbook about preparing model in gbXML) are attached to bought software.
At the moment we are testing and analyzing this software. We will inform about conclusions and cautions soon.
Scholze Gruppe
Tuesday, 08th March 2011
More improving tools for Revit MEP have
appeared on market.
Tools from group EASY-Tools improve time saving by less clicking to reach intentional point. Next groups of tools are in being in progress.
FILTER TOOLS
Tool for selection and elements filtration followed by different criteria.
Basic function of FILTER in Revit selects elements by category (Mechanical Equipment, Pipes etc). Application Filter Tools is able to choose each element from different families and categories. Marking elements is much easier when choosing elements from list without searching families in entire drawing. Moreover this application improves saving marking in memory.
Basic function of FILTER in Revit selects elements by category (Mechanical Equipment, Pipes etc). Application Filter Tools is able to choose each element from different families and categories. Marking elements is much easier when choosing elements from list without searching families in entire drawing. Moreover this application improves saving marking in memory.
PARAMETER TOOLS
Tools for editing family parameters in project.
This application scopes chosen families and shows its parameters. In one place we can change them or add new (for example: information about the price).
Such generated table can be exported to .xml file or copied and pasted to Excel.
This application scopes chosen families and shows its parameters. In one place we can change them or add new (for example: information about the price).
Such generated table can be exported to .xml file or copied and pasted to Excel.
EXPLORERLEIN
Tool for quick edition (like in Office) of elements and their properties (for example colors).
HELFERLEIN
Tool for quick hiding architecture elements like dimensions, levels, section, windows, etc. This application helps hiding each elements not only in current view or project but also save constantly global setting for next projects.
More information you may find by contacting Revit MEP Club.
More information you may find by contacting Revit MEP Club.
Scholze Gruppe
Monday, 28th February 2011
From now on presentation of Revit MEP in
three languages
three languages
Lack of long publication results from possibility of translating into three languages.
Right now we are having this possibility which will allow to cooperate with more clients and access to more variety of information.
After so far discussion and consultation we confirm fact that despite rising participation mechanical installation in building costs skill of handling Revit MEP needs to be improved comparing with structure and architecture module. On the other hand more design offices are obliged with order to complete designing in 3D. This is an opportunity for such orders in world market.
With our partners we are preparing following points:
- Organizing periodical and direct practical exchange of experience in scope of handling Revit MEP.
- Elaboration of additional applications to improve handling Revit MEP.
- Putting in order current and designing libraries.
- Works on designing and testing modules for calculation based on local standards and regulations.
- Describing conditions and internet connections while working on the same central file in different locations.
- Improving tools to apply system 5D or b.i.m.
Scholze Gruppe
Monday, 21st January 2011
Revit MEP - from 3D to 5D
Three-dimensional designing is in very dynamic progress. Structure branch, which is leader in this scope, uses greatest benefits from three-dimensional designing.
In architecture branch possibility of presentation to the client realistic and with photographic quality visualization, including natural and artificial light. This presentation should help with making proper decisions while conception phase.
Derivative of this issue is idea of 5D designing (bim or bimm), which provide generation from graphic model time data (schedule) – 4D and costs data (cost calculation) – 5D. Each change or correction in graphic model is automatically followed with calculation elements.
From range of programs only Revit is able to integrate all branches, which is a condition of 5D system.
The other important advantage of Revit is possibility of parallel designing, which is working on the same file from different locations. One of familiar Austrian Offices has support from colleagues in Austria
Revit MEP is used for designing mechanical, electrical and plumbing installations. Revit MEP is relatively lower advanced and there are few examples of 3D branched projects with complete finishing.
Revit MEP must be highly implemented.
While formation of Revit MEP Club we hope for intensive experience exchange between users.
Very few offices, which decided for intensive implementation of Revit, hermetically separates with acquired knowledge as market coin.
On contrary to these offices we prefer exchanging our experience with other implementation units of Revit. The main reason of such exchange is to omit losing time while solving the same problem in different places.
We are also planning to organize workshops and seminars for exchange of shortcuts and designing progress.
Other issue to be discussed is to make missing families for Revit MEP. We are explaining requirement of families for mechanical installation designers. These families should include diagram elements with technical parameters. Families for architects should include realistic image, for examples for radiators and other visible mechanical installation elements.
We present examples of discussed issues below.
Scholze Gruppe
Mechanical installations in 3D - parts of building partitions removed
Mechanical installations in 3D - parts of building partitions removed (boiler room)
Sector of mechanical installations in 3D
Brandoni radiator – Milwaukee
Brandoni radiator – Rado QD
