Project Assignment Brief
BLDG 3013 Digital Construction
2025
Objectives
1. Apply the essential skills you have learnt in this course for delivering a construction project
2. Independent research into an in-depth analysis into contextual
(budget, expectations, climate etc) changes’ impacts on your BIM models and dimensions of BIM
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Assessment 2- nD BIM models
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25%
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Assessment 3- Project report
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50%
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Deliverables
1. Associated BIM and dimensions of BIM files
Submit a zip file including the following files: 3D BIM model (rvt file), 4D BIM files (schedule file + simulation Navisworks file + simulation video file), 5D model files (COSTX file + report of the bill of quantities or elemental summary) as well as 7D BIM pdf file (lighting analysis, energy analysis and solar gain analysis) . See FAQ at the end of this file for some guidance on 4D and 7D preparation/procedure.
2. Report
3. Answers to three questions added to the report
Associated assessments:
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Assessment 2- nD BIM models
Item number 1 from the Deliverables list above
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25%
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Assessment 3- Project report
Items number 2 and 3 from the Deliverables list above
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50%
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Note:
Merge the report and your answers to the questions into one word/pdf file for submission in Assessment 3 - Project report.
Do not submit two pdf files for these two deliverables.
Project Brief
You have been hired asthe BIM manager for a prefab construction factory that aims to deliver prefabricated components of granny flats. The first project you come across is to build a granny flat in the backyard of a house located in Sydney, NSW (anywhere in Sydney, you choose the location) . You are required to undertake the necessary steps to produce the required design documentation, includingthe 3D model, time scheduling and simulation (4D BIM), BIM based cost estimates (5D BIM), and the BIM based sustainability reports of the granny flat (7DBIM) to be constructed.
You can choose one of the footprints demonstrated in the links below:
https://grannyflatsaustralia.com.au/floor-plans/matilda/
https://grannyflatsaustralia.com.au/floor-plans/lily/
https://grannyflatsaustralia.com.au/floor-plans/melaleuca/
You are to come up with the dimensions of the project so you can make some changes of the dimensions for the footprint you choose. For your granny flat’s roof type, consider a popular roof type you can see from Google Earth Pro for the location you choose.
An integral part of your work is to produce a BIM model. The client states that you have the liberty to choose appropriate materials, color, and embedded information for your model elements. Note that you are to choose any land allotment in Sydney as the hypothetical site for this assignment (does not need to be empty land) .
Assessment 2 - nD BIM models
• 3D BIM
3D Revit file Submission Summary
- A comprehensive 3D model was developed in Revit, incorporating all essential elements of the granny flat, including the floor, walls, doors, windows, and roof connections.
- A well-organized presentation sheet includes a rendered 3D perspective, elevation, two section views, and a floor plan.
Evaluation Criteria
- The model features complete and accurate annotations, including dimensions, room labels, and measurements.
- Drawing sheets are professionally composed, featuring at least three distinct design views.
- Both the model and sheets are clearly linked and submitted together, demonstrating a high level of detail and presentation quality.
• 4D BIM
4D BIM files Submission Summary
- Schedule file
- Navisworks file including both the BIM model and the schedule file
- Simulation video produced from the Navisworks file
Evaluation Criteria
- Completeness of project schedule
- Completeness of 4D construction simulation BIM model
- Correctness of the order of the schedule in the files and in the video
- Correct angle for the video simulation that shows the progress of constructing the whole building
• 5D BIM
5D BIM files Submission Summary
- Cost estimates file
- Costx file including the work book and the dimension groups from the 3D BIM model Evaluation Criteria
- Detailed quantity take-off from the 3D BIM model using an appropriate cost estimating template.
- Meaningful descriptions for the estimated items and a bill of quantities or elemental
summary with detailed descriptions for each item. All items (Example: Door, Window, Wall, Stair, Railing, Roof, Floor) to be included.
- Dimension groups include all the elements of the BIM model
• 7D BIM
7D BIM files Submission Summary
- A Power Point file including screen shots of all the sustainability analyses (at least two from Energy Analysis, Solar Analysis, Lighting Analysis) and all the adjustments made following the sustainability analyses
Evaluation Criteria
- Full marks will be awarded for completing two sustainability analyses chosen from Energy Analysis, Solar Analysis, Lighting Analysis and the subsequent reasonable adjustments made by the student.
Assessment 3- Project Report
The report will include a series of sections that are broken down into the following key areas:
Report Section 1: Make sure you also discuss the site logistics, according tothe land of your choice in Sydney.
Report Section 2: 3D BIM. This includes topography and architectural model, along with title blocks to use as design drawings.
Report Section 3: 4D BIM Simulation
Report Section 4: 5D BIM Cost Estimation
Report Section 5: 7D BIM Sustainability Design. This includes energy, solar and lighting analysis in accordance with LEED requirements.
And
Section 6 - In-depth analysis: Answer only three questions from the questions listed for this section. Make sure to relate your answers to your BIM models and design from the previous sections (1-5) in this Project assignment.
Report Details
The full report you are to produce will act a learning journal for you with a maximum of
2700 words, consisting of the following sections:
Report Section 1 (max. 200 words)
This section should include a map of the location of the land and discussion on the following:
• Project scope and site logistics Report Section 2 (max. 300 words)
In this section, you are to detail the 3D model of the granny flat. In particular, you should consider the following when producing your 3D model:
• 3D model of the topography linked to your architectural models (everything should be linked together)
• Appropriate 2D annotated section drawings showing details of the building, with appropriate title blocks
• Appropriate plan views, with room details.
• Appropriate 3D views
Since dimensions have not been specified in the plans, you have the liberty to adopt appropriate measures that are realistic. In terms of material types and textures for model elements, you are entitled to use any appropriate material which you deem fit, so long as the choice makes sense.
Report Section 3 (max. 200 words)
In this report section, you are required to document your steps that explain to a client the predicted scheduling of the project, through producing a 4D construction simulation of your 3D BIM above using Navisworks. In particular, you should pay attention to the following:
• Integrate the 3D model with a project schedule by defining appropriate selection sets
• The simulation clip created (mp4 file format) should be 15s long (take snap shot)
• A timeline isto be imported to Navisworks using MS Project or Excel Report Section 4 (max. 500 words)
In this section, you are required to document your learning journey to describe how a reasonable cost of your project can be generated, based on the 3Darchitectural model created in Section 2. This is to be achieved using CostX or Revit, using your 3D model.
In particular, you should pay attention to the following:
• Ensure you set up an appropriate rates library in CostX. You can use a common cost database such as Rawlinsons. It is expected that you have multiple rate components when setting up your rates library (i.e. labour cost + material cost etc) .
• There are many options for creating dimension groups in CostX. The easiest is through a template
• Your estimate needs to be based on a 3D model. 2D cost estimation will not be accepted (take snap shots and insert in your report)
Generate professional cost estimation reports form. CostX and report the results in your report submission.
Report Section 5 (max. 700 words)
An integral part of a project is the sustainability analysis conducted to ensure high performance of the design. Make sure to add a few scenarios so that you achieve a green scenario for energy performance of the design. Justify which changes in your initial BIM model results in better outcome for energy saving in your best scenario. Include a diagram/graph of your scenarios’ energy performance. Two analyses (among three sustainability analyses you have learnt in this course) are sufficient for this section. Please note your discussion in this part needs to be more specific to choosing only a few factors that have a significant impact on building costs and are also reasonable.
Report Section 6 (max. 800 words)
In this part, you demonstrate your ability to analyze how your model should be modified with changes in the location, climate, budget, scope of project etc. Choose three questions from the list below to answer and include at the end of your report.
Section 6 questions - answer only three questions among the questions below (foryour answers, correctness of the answers is important not the number of words):
Q1.If you are asked to save $14,000 on the cost of your granny flat, can you still maintain the sustainability of the granny flat based on your BIM-based sustainability analysis in Insight? Add screenshots from your Project report or BIM model to support your answer to this question.
Q2.Imagine you are working in a BIM design company and your designed BIM model has
gained interest for application to other cities worldwide. Your BIM manager asks you to replicate the BIM model for use in suburbs of London and Toronto. You only have one week to do so. You need to prepare 3D, 4D, 5D and sustainability analyses for the granny flat in these countries within that week. What are the major changes you need to make for your granny flat’s 3D, 4D, 5D and 7D BIM to prepare a design appropriate for these two cities? Explain how the location of the granny flat impacts its price. Support your answer by adding screenshots of your Project assignment report.
Q3.What are the main changes for the sustainability analysis (lighting, solar gain and energy optimization) of your building when you:
• increase or decrease the size of the windows;
• change the shape of the roof;
• rotate the building; and
• add plants on any side of the building.
Please explain each of the scenarios above by adding manual sketches or screenshots from your granny flat’s BIM model.
Q4.Discuss the affordability vs sustainability of your granny flat’s BIM model if you
• use sustainable materials for the granny flat; and
• introduce different roof shapes for increasing solar gain.
You don't need to make these changes in your BIM model for this question. Only discuss and add screenshots of your current model from your granny flat.
Q5.Will you be able to construct a more sustainable building of your granny flat (e.g., by using more sustainable materials) by only spending extra $15,000 compared to the initial cost of your granny flat’s BIM model? For your answer to this question, use data and cost estimations from your own granny flat models.
Notes:
2). In order to be able to complete Report Section 3-6 you will be required to have a 3D model from Section 2 ready.
3) . Although Report Section 1 will have to appear first in your final submission report, it is advised that you write it at the end to ensure that you have a full grasp of the modelling required for the full project.
4) . Indicate the number of questions that are going to be answered in section 6. If the questions are copied and pasted in your submitted file, they won’t be counted for the number of words that need to be written for section 6.
5) . The report needs to be typed up. No scanning is allowed for the report content.
6) . You will need to have snap shots throughout the report to demonstrate that some/all of the assessment checklist items mentioned above have been attempted.
7) . In order to achieve objective 2 you need to:
• research on the ways you can increase the sustainability of your own model by changing the materials or the design of the house, sth like climatic design of your own model.
• research on sustainability vs affordability.
• sustainable materials impact on the building price
FAQ: How to do 4D and 7D forthe this project assignment?
For 4D BIM of your major project, please prepare a construction plan via Project software and save it as mpp, then convert it to mpx using the link given in Moodle and also, accessible below:
https://products.aspose.app/tasks/conversion/mpp-to-mpx
make sure to consider schedule for all the spatial components of your 3D BIM model in this plan. The mpx file can then be used in Navisworks to be added to your 3D BIM Model.
In order to bring your 3D BIM model in Navisworks, you need to save it as nwc using nwc exporter plugin in Revit or export it as dwffile. Both nwc and dwf files can be read by Navisworks. Save the Navisworks file and export the animation file for submission.
For 7D BIM in Major project, please use the tutorial instructions to apply on your 3D BIM model and make three analyses i.e. energy optimisation, day lighting and solar access.
See the link below from minute 35 to see how to interpret the results of Insight for your energy optimisation and how you can decrease the energy cost for your Building model.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CrG6hw1Wdo&t=3010s
add screenshots of these analyses in your report.
Use of AI for this assignment.
For this assessment task, you may use AI-based software to research and prepare prior to writing your assessment. You are permitted to use standard editing and referencing functions in word processing software. This is limited to spelling and grammar checking and reference citation generation in the creation of your submission. You must not use any functions that generate or paraphrase or translate passages of text, whether based on your own work or not.
Please note that your submission will be passed through an AI-generated text detection tool. If your marker has concerns that your answer contains passages of AI-generated text, you may be asked to explain your work. If you are unable to satisfactorily demonstrate your understanding of your submission you may be referred to UNSW Conduct & Integrity Office for investigation for academic misconduct and possible penalties.
Due Date
nD BIM models: 8th August 11:55pm
Project report: 10th August 11:55p
Resources
• BLDG3013 Moodle course content
• How to interpret Insight results?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CrG6hw1Wdo&t=3010s
• Rawlinson book OR any price book/resource
• Climatic design and sustainability standards:
https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/design-climate
https://pp.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/development-and-assessment/basix
https://www.usgbc.org/leed