Harnessing Navisworks Software for Effective BIM Clash Detection

BIM (Building Information Modeling) has elevated the ease of construction for AEC professionals. Technological advancements in the construction industry have caused the emergence of Navisworks software. Known for its exceptional clash detection abilities in 3D BIM models, this leading-edge tool helps identify issues such as walls blocking doors, ducts running through beams, or pipes going through structural elements. 

Navisworks software offers multiple benefits, such as detecting clashes before the beginning of construction, which saves time and costs. Additionally, manually checking issues in a model is a slow and tedious task, and it is possible to miss a critical issue. Hence, using this program assists AEC professionals a lot. In this write-up, let’s learn more about this software.

Types of Clash Detection with Navisworks Software

Hard Clash

A hard clash is also known as a geometric clash. A physical collision, or building systems or elements interfering with each other, causes this clash. For example, a duct or pipe coming in the way of a structural beam, affecting the installation or functionality of both or one of them, can be termed as a hard clash. Navisworks software is vital for identifying such issues, as it assesses building components’ 3D models and detects the problems.

To resolve the hard clashes, designers have to make changes to the design, such as resizing or repositioning building elements, to resolve the issue. Coordination among the project stakeholders plays an important role in eliminating hard clashes. They have to keep in mind that project requirements are not compromised due to the changes in design.

Soft Clash

In a construction project, soft clashes or non-geometric clashes emerge due to coordination, sequencing, or other non-physical problems. For instance, signs of a soft clash are the conflicts between the installation sequence of MEP systems and the workflow of other trades, which can cause delays and inefficiencies. Detecting soft clashes is not an automated process, and project stakeholders have to communicate and collaborate to identify such clashes. 

Efficiency in project management and coordination is paramount for resolving such clashes, which lead to aligned workflows, schedules, and project requirements. Along with the use of Navisworks software, design teams and contractors can talk proactively to facilitate the detection of soft clashes and move the project forward.

4D Clash

The occurrence of 4D clashes happens due to conflicts in the scheduling or sequencing of a construction project’s timeline. Here, the clash detection and resolution process involves the dimension of time (4D BIM). For example, if the construction specialists install the building components before the structural modifications are completed, it causes issues in the construction sequencing, hence a 4D clash occurs. 

To detect this type of issue in Navisworks software or project management tools, one has to integrate project schedules or construction timelines with them. Professionals adjust the construction schedules to resolve 4D, as it paves the way for an appropriate sequencing of conflicting issues. 4D clash resolution leads to a decrease in delays and maintains project progress once the construction activities align with project milestones and dependencies. 

Best Strategies to Enhance Clash Detection Efficiency in Navisworks Software

Match with BEP (BIM Execution Plan)

The clash detection must align with the guidelines of the project’s BIM Execution Plan (BEP). Detailed data about the model requirements, coordination schedules, and quality control processes are a part of BEP. Hence, a project’s clash detection strategy must align with that. Professionals can maintain consistency with the BEP by setting the rules early and saving them as templates.

Additionally, to simplify sharing standardized setups with various teams and projects, it is recommended to import and export clash tests as XML files. Revolving the clash detection workflows around BEP keeps everything structured, easy to audit, and predictable.

Using Discipline to Establish Clash Tolerance Thresholds

There is no equality in every clash. It is possible that flexible systems, such as duct insulation, can accept a few small overlaps; on the other hand, there is zero tolerance for structural clashes. Professionals can filter out minor problems by setting discipline-specific clash tolerances early. This way, they can focus on the most important clashes.

Additionally, teams do not get overwhelmed due to unwanted noise in the clash outcomes. The primary focus of the professionals should be on critical or large elements such as stair cores, elevators, or structural frames. Addressing the bigger issues mitigates the risk and facilitates in-depth clash identification.

Using Consistent Names and Grouping Similar Items Together

The first step to better coordination is the organization of clash results. Smart Navisworks software users strive to group the clashes using consistent and descriptive names, instead of giving them random names. For instance, ‘Hard Clash_pipe coming in the way of a structural beam’ is a clear name.

Hence, the project teams can move forward to address the issues without misunderstanding them. Furthermore, clash tests become cleaner and simpler to manage once professionals use agreed disciplines, systems, and trade breakdowns to categorize elements effectively in the models.

Arrange Regular Meetings for Clash Resolution

Identifying clashes is not the full job done, as addressing the issues is necessary. Hence, regular meetings for clash detection play a significant role. These meetings enable the teams to shed light on the grouped clash results, pick the ones requiring instant attention, and assign the tasks to the team members to resolve them. In this process, project stakeholders can leverage tools such as SwitchBack, as it helps them switch from Navisworks software to Revit and eliminates slowness in the process.

Synchronizing Viewpoints and receiving notifications about the clash updates is easy with access to collaboration tools such as BIM 360 Glue. Effective and well-organized meetings lead the teams to work on construction efficiently.

Steps to Generate Clash Reports in Navisworks Software

• Go to the Home tab and open Clash Detective. After running the clash tests, go to the Results.
• To report the relevant clashes in Navisworks software, use a filter and group them. Grouping using filters such as location, priority, and system makes the report to the point, and it is easy to find issues.
• To explore the reporting options, click Report. This software allows exporting of clashes in various formats, such as Viewpoint reports, XML, or HTML. 
• Before beginning the export process, customize the report. In the case of creating a formal report, it is recommended to add comments, screenshots, and clash statuses.
• Find out how the team can use the report, then select the output format. If there is a requirement for importing the clashes into another program, such as BIM Track, XML works well. On the other hand, it is advisable to go for HTML to access clear visuals.
• After following the above steps, the report is ready to be saved and shared. 

Conclusion

It is easy to understand that having a firm grasp of the Navisworks software skills is essential for modern-day professionals to attain successful outcomes on construction projects. Navigating the complexities of clash detection is easy by harnessing this software and staying updated with the emerging trends in the BIM industry. 

In the future, Navisworks software will have a critical role, and mastering this tool will unlock new doors of exciting opportunities for professionals as well as young architects and engineers.

FAQs

Q 1: How to filter clashes in Navisworks?

Ans: Go to Scene View or Selection Tree to select items. Now, click on Filter by Selection in the tab of the Clash Detective Window Result. After that, select None and turn off Filter by Selection. Finally, the Results tab will show only the clashes according to the selected items.

Q 2: Which software is best for clash detection?

Ans: Here are some of the finest tools for clash detection:

• Navisworks software.
• Revizto.
• Allsite.ai.
• SimSolid.
• Visicon.

Q 3: What are the three Navisworks file formats?

Ans: The three native file formats of this tool are as follows:

• NWF
• NWD
• NWC

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