Design-to-design exchange of bridge models using IFC: A case study with Revit and Allplan

This paper presents a case study of exchanging bridge models between two commercial modeling applications using the vendor-neutral format Industry Foundation Classes (IFC). Particular emphasis is put on investigating the modifiability of the received geometry, a major aspect of design-to-design exchange scenario. The case study is based on two BIM models of a bridge at two different design stages provided by professional engineering consultancies. The paper describes the current IFC configuration options in the analyzed BIM design tools and the related mapping mechanisms. Next, the executed case study is presented, including the preparation of the BIM models for exchange, configuration of the IFC interfaces and mappings, and recognized geometric modifiability cases of imported building elements. Due to lacking support, the IFC 4 Design Transfer View cannot be used, yet. However, in the Revit-to-Allplan design-to-design exchange scenario, the IFC 2x3 Coordination View 2.0 serves as a suitable fallback solution. On the other hand, the exchange in the opposite direction (Allplan-to-Revit) does not seem viable for now. In both cases, the coordination scenario using the coordination views IFC 2x3 CV 2.0 is realistic, resulting however in limited modifiability of the received geometry. and Allplan was performed, focusing on the modifiability of geometry after the exchange of professional BIM models. To this end, models were exchanged in both directions. Additionally, IFC configuration options of these BIM design applications and the related mapping mechanisms have been analyzed in detail. The insights gained are documented in this paper. 1.3 Structure of the paper This paper is organized as follows. Section 2 provides background including the latest advances in IFC in the context of infrastructure projects, geometry, exchange scenarios, and Model View Definitions. Section 3 discusses the current state of the IFC configuration options of the analyzed BIM design tools and the related mapping mechanisms. Section 4 presents the executed case study, including the preparation of the BIM models, configuration of the IFC export and import functions and mappings, recognized geometric modifiability cases and the results. Finally, Section 5 discusses the presented results.