Clash detection: A process that removes design discrepancies! Over the past twenty to thirty years Building Information Modeling has emerged as one of the most significant tool for architects and engineers in relation to building construction. Its potential is much beyond the general assumptions of design and construction professionals when it comes to tackling the complexities of a building process. Simplification of one of the most daunting task that is ‘construction’ would not have been possible without the application of Building Information Modeling technology. Clash detection which an integral part of BIM is highly valuable for design and construction professionals as it helps them in identifying design conflicts between architecture, structure and MEP elements and then allows them to resolve them.
BIM software used in clash detection has the ability to detect every minor conflict between model elements which can cause design changes during actual construction if not detected during preconstruction. Navisworks visualizes every design error and allow design and construction professionals to predict its consequences if not resolved in advanced. Architects, engineers, design
consultants and modelers review the models and predict project outcomes with the assistance of Navisworks. When project outcome is predicted well advanced in time it can also be controlled by taking necessary measures, for example if clashes are detected their consequences can also be predicted in terms of their potential to affect project productivity. And hence solutions are provided for the conflicts accordingly by design and construction professionals. All the conflicts identified by the team executing clash detection are listed in a table within Results column and they are also grouped automatically by the software according to their potential to affect the project that means depending upon their seriousness they are divided into the groups. When it comes to providing accurate solutions to these conflicts design and construction professionals handle them according to their impact that means clashes which can have severe impacts on the project are sorted out first. In this way different group of clashes are provided with effective solutions which can help in averting rework in future. In this way clash detection helps in improving the design by identifying and solving all the design discrepancies much before they become accountable for rework.