This article uses a newly constructed residential building in a certain city as a case study to explore the practical application of BIM technology in building water supply and drainage design. The building is a high-rise structure consisting of 6 units, with a total area of approximately 34,300 square meters. It has 30 floors in total, including 2 underground parking levels. Above ground, there are 28 floors, each with a height of 3 meters, while the underground parking garages have a height of 4 meters.
The building’s water supply and drainage system comprises three main components: the domestic water supply system, the domestic drainage system, and the indoor fire protection system. These systems constitute the core elements of the building’s water supply and drainage design and construction. The construction team has implemented BIM technology in the design and construction phases of all three systems, including BIM modeling for the domestic water supply system, indoor fire protection system, and domestic drainage system. The details are as follows.
BIM Modeling of the Domestic Water Supply System
Before starting the BIM modeling process, on-site investigations were conducted to gather the most accurate and reliable data, including the building’s floor area, total height, and the site’s geographic information. This ensures the BIM model’s data parameters for the domestic water supply system are precise.
Given that the building is a high-rise, BIM technology was used to create intuitive and visual 3D images, tables, and data models for the domestic water supply system design. Additionally, Revit software was employed to calculate key parameters such as pipeline embedding, material selection, hydraulic characteristics of the water supply network, and water storage equipment specifications. When necessary, the three-dimensional area and volume of the underground parking garage were also calculated before proceeding with BIM modeling of the domestic water supply system.
Finally, the 3D drawings were exported to facilitate visual review and coordination among designers, constructors, and managers. To ensure the system’s safety, pipeline connection sealing tests and collision detection tests were performed after modeling.
BIM Modeling of the Indoor Fire Protection System
The indoor fire protection system is another critical component of the building’s water supply and drainage infrastructure. Its BIM modeling involves detailed data calculations, including pipe embedment depth, spacing between pipes, and distances between fire hydrants and pipes.
Initially, Revit was used to create a 2D diagram of the indoor fire protection system. This was followed by constructing a 3D model using BIM technology, which included nozzle and pipe system models. This approach allowed for clear visualization to check for any pipe collisions within the fire protection system.
BIM Modeling of the Domestic Drainage System
In high-rise residential buildings, the domestic drainage system plays a vital role in ensuring operational efficiency and safety. BIM modeling enables a clear visualization of the drainage system’s structure for designers and construction workers, facilitating the prompt identification and resolution of issues.
The design and construction team, aiming to meet the needs of designers, construction personnel, and management simultaneously, used Revit or CAD software to convert the 3D model into detailed drainage plans for each floor after successful BIM modeling. They also exported 2D annotated drawings, allowing staff unfamiliar with BIM technology to quickly understand the pipeline layout and address problems efficiently.
—Excerpt from “Analysis of BIM Technology Application in Building Water Supply and Drainage Design” by Cheng Jincheng
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