CIFE
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
CIFE Seed Proposal Summary Page
2013-14 Projects
Proposal Title: Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Calvin Kam (CIFE), Dr. Ben Schwegler
(Disney Research China), Prof. Martin Fischer (CIFE), Dr. Cheryl Chi
(Tongji Univ)
Research Staff: Helen Chen (Disney Research China); Daniel Hall,
Jieming Wei, Nanyu Zhao, Prithvi Raj Padachuri, and Sijia Tao (CIFE)
Proposal Number: (Assigned by CIFE):
Total Funds Requested:
First Submission? Yes
If extension, project URL:
Abstract:
The$ AEC$ industry$ does$ not$ have$ a$ powerful$ resource$ for$ a$ reliable$ and$ interoperable$
virtual$parts$library$that$is$relevant$to$all$stakeholders$throughout$the$facility$lifecycle.$
Current$ BIM$ parts$ libraries$ are$ limited$ within$ one$ discipline$ (mainly$ architectural),$
causing$loss$of$efficiency$and$rework$from$design$through$operation$stages.$The$single$
stakeholder$ approach$ is$ attributable$ to$ limitations$ in$ industry$ data$ standards$ (i.e.$
OmniClass).$ We$ propose$ to$ critique$ current$ parts$ libraries$ and$ industry$ standards$ and$
provide$ a$ recommended$ framework$ for$ an$ Integrated$ Virtual$ Parts$ Library$ relevant$
across$ all$ phases$ of$ a$ building$ life$ cycle.$ Embedded$ multidisciplinary$ information,$
sourced$ from$ vendors,$ users,$ and$ thirdIparty$ metrics,$ will$ provide$ relevant$ data$ with$
respect$ to$ the$ form,$ function,$ and$ behavior$ of$ the$ parts,$ which$ professionals$ can$
aggregate$ into$ components,$ assemblies,$ systems$ and$ overall$ building.$ This$ Integrated$
Virtual$ Parts$ Library$ will$ allow$ for$ a$ more$ efficient,$ collaborative,$ and$ dataIdriven$
decisionImaking$process$in$Virtual$Design$and$Construction.$!
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
1
CIFE
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
1.0 Motivating engineering/business problem
A$ cloudIbased$ or$ desktopIbased$ Building$ Information$ Model$ (BIM)$ product$ database,$
referred$ to$ as$ virtual$ parts! library,$ provides$ users$ with$ artifacts$ (referred$ to$ here$ as$
parts)$ to$ select$ and$ use$ for$ BIM.$ With$ the$ rapid$ growth$ of$ Virtual$ Design$ and$
Construction$ (VDC),$ a$ wellIdeveloped$ parts$ library$ can$ serve$ as$ a$ rich$ data$ resource,$
providing$ AEC$ stakeholders$ with$ information$ such$ as$ geometric$ properties,$ materials,$
applications,$cost$control,$quality,$warranty,$and$sustainability$metrics$that$are$relevant$
throughout$a$building’s$life$cycle.$
$
However,$the$current$parts$library$model$does$not$include$information$relevant$to$nonI
architectural$ stakeholders.$ For$ example,$ consider$ a$ window$ (Figure$ 1).$ Using$ a$ part$
library$ such$ as$ Trimble$ 3D$ Warehouse,$ an$ architect$ can$ select$ an$ agreeable$ window$
shape$ with$ a$ given$ size$ and$ depth.$ This$ selection$ is$ primarily$ based$ on$ the$ form! I$
defined$as$the$geometry$and$materials$[Clayton$et$al][2]$I$of$that$specific$part.$However,$
for$the$mechanical$engineer$conducting$an$energy$analysis,$the$selected$part$does$not$
contain$ relevant$ information$ about$ the$ UIFactor$ performance$ of$ the$ window.$ Instead,$
the$engineer$must$add$additional$information$from$an$external$database$or$specification$
section$about$the$thermal$transmittance.$For$the$general$contractor$developing$an$early$
cost$ estimate,$ labor$ and$ product$ cost$ must$ be$ added$ from$ a$ company$ database$ or$
estimator’s$experience.$These$values$attributed$by$the$general$contractor$and$engineer$
are$ dictated$ by$ the$ form$ of$ the$ window$ chosen$ by$ the$ architect.$ Should$ their$ analysis$
result$in$a$cost$or$energy$performance$not$suitable$to$the$project$owner,$the$architect$
must$now$select$a$new$form,$to$be$followed$with$another$energy$analysis$and$an$early$
cost$ estimate.$ This$ iterative$ process$ will$ repeat$ itself$ until$ an$ acceptable$ form$ is$
determined.$$
$
At$the$end$of$the$design$and$construction$process,$all$part$information$for$the$window$is$
often$lost$or$scattered$between$the$architect,$engineer,$and$contractor$and$cannot$be$
effectively$compiled$for$use$during$the$operation$and$maintenance$stage$of$the$building.$$
$
$
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
2
CIFE
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
Figure 1: Illustration of multiple stakeholder information required for a virtual window
$
The$ window$ example$ demonstrates$ three$ problems.$ First,$ the$ potential$ exists$ for$
significant$rework!during$the$window$design$process.$Considering$this$process$must$be$
repeated$for$the$doors,$walls,$mechanical$system,$etc.,$inefficiencies$may$compound$if$
initial$ formIbased$ decisions$ do$ not$ meet$ owner$ requirements,$ resulting$ in$ significant$
waste.$Second,$the$process$does$not$utilize$a$dataIdriven$approach$to$evaluate$multiple$
options$ to$ meet$ owner$ requirement$ and$ performance$ goals$ for$ the$ life! cycle$ of$ the$
building.$ Third,$ and$ most$ importantly,$ the$ necessarily$ initial$ information$ is$ simply$ not$
available$ in$ a$ machine$ interpretable$ format$ to$ select$ the$ best$ product$ for$ the$ project$
requirements.$
$
Because$ current$ BIM$ parts$ exhibit$ silo$ behavior$ focusing$ almost$ entirely$ on$ form,$ the$
current$industry$lacks$a$powerful,$centralized$source$of$reliable,$integrated$information.$
Our$research$intends$to$recommend$a$multidisciplinary$framework$for$a$new$Integrated$
Virtual$ Parts$ Library.$ We$ intend$ to$ standardize$ an$ appropriate$ representation! of$ BIM$
parts$ to$ contain$ relevant$ and$ reliable$ information$ about$ cost,$ carbon$ emission,$ and$
construction$schedule$from$a$centralized$source.$Function$and$behavior$based$decisions$
can$be$evaluated$alongside$formIbased$decisions$at$an$early$stage$in$design.$Once$the$
representation$ is$ established,$ our$ research$ will$ recommend$ a$ new$ reasoning$ process$
that$ increases$ collaboration$ among$ multidisciplinary$ stakeholders$ and$ promotes$
integrated$dataIdriven$decisionImaking.$
$
1.1 Representation
There$ exists$ an$ important$ industry$ need$ to$ reliably$ represent$ multidisciplinary$ virtual$
parts.$$In$the$window$example,$the$part$information$is$confined$within$a$single$discipline$
(architecture$in$this$case).$Each$stakeholder$involved$in$the$process$(designer,$engineer,$
facility$ manager,$ etc.)$ inputs$ information$ to$ the$ virtual$ part$ from$ various$ sources$ and$
databases$ throughout$ the$ project.$ This$ information$ is$ not$ accessible$ across$ multiple$
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
3
$
CIFE
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
disciplines$and$results$in$limited$collaboration$among$stakeholders.$In$addition,$a$change$
to$the$window$within$one$discipline$is$not$adjusted$to$the$analysis$of$other$disciplines,$
resulting$in$rework.$$
$
Furthermore,$the$current$classification$system$for$virtual$parts$tends$to$mostly$focus$on$
form.$ Although$ existing$ part$ libraries$ provide$ a$ collection$ with$ important$ architectural$
design$ and$ manufacturing$ details,$ they$ do$ not$ consider$ two$ important$ categories:$
function!and$behavior!(Figure$2)[3].$Function$represents$the$requirements$or$intentions$
for$the$part$[Clayton$et$al][2].$$Often$the$function$requirements$come$from$the$owner$or$
end$user$of$the$part.$For$the$window$example,$function$descriptors$might$include$lowI
cost,$ favorable$ energy$ performance,$ or$ bright$ materials.$ Behavior$ represents$ the$
performance$of$the$artifact$in$the$context$for$which$it$is$designed$[Clayton$et$al][2].$A$
window$may$include$predicted$behavior$such$as$the$solar$heat$gain$coefficient,$or$actual$
behavior$such$as$the$product$cost.$$
$
$
$
Figure 2: A window’s parameter attributes in existing parts libraries
$
$
We$ hypothesize$ several$ potential$ reasons$ for$ the$ limitations$ of$ existing$ BIM$ parts$
libraries:$
$
Representation!Gap.$Current$industry$data$structures$do$not$support$representation$for$
multiIstakeholder$life$cycle$information.$$
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
4
CIFE
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
Method! Gap.$ Current$ industry$ software$ does$ not$ enable$ utilization$ of$ data$ for$ $ multiI
stakeholder$life$cycle$analysis.$
Adoption! Gap.$ Current$ AEC$ professionals$ and$ parts$ users$ are$ not$ embracing$ multiI
stakeholder$life$cycle$analysis$in$their$VDC$practice.$In$addition,$current$industry$leaders$
are$not$providing$adequate$time,$information,$and/or$financing$to$promote$the$adoption$
of$multiIstakeholder$life$cycle$behavior.$
$
2.0 Points of Departure
In$ recent$ years,$ researchers$ have$ investigated$ methods$ to$ improve$ performance$ and$
efficiency$ in$ the$ AEC$ industry.$ Focusing$ on$ the$ general$ process$ of$ design$ and$
collaboration$ or$ on$ the$ most$ effective$ representation$ of$ design$ components,$ these$
studies$highlight$the$importance$of$collaboration$in$the$AEC$industry$and$provide$both$a$
theoretical$and$practical$foundation$for$our$project.$
$
2.1 Current Industry Data Standards
Currently,$there$are$many$emerging$industry$data$standards$to$classify$BIM$components.$
Examples$ of$ these$ standards$ include$ Industry$ Foundation$ Classes$ (IFC),$ International$
Framework$ for$ Dictionaries$ (IFD),$ Uniformat,$ MasterFormat,$ OmniClass,$ Level$ of$
Development$ (LoD),$ Model$ Development$ Scheme$ (MDS),$ and$ Extensible$ Markup$
Language$ (XMl).$ Some$ existing$ part$ libraries$ have$ already$ attempted$ to$ apply$ these$
standards$ into$ an$ information$ creation$ system.$ For$ example,$ all$ products$ within$
Autodesk$ Seek$ are$ assigned$ to$ a$ specific$ OmniClass$ category.$ Using$ this$ framework,$
users$can$view$the$categories$of$products$available$for$project$design$and$specification.$
However,$ the$ limitation$ of$ current$ industry$ data$ standards$ stops$ short$ of$ supporting$
representation$for$multiIstakeholder$life$cycle$information.$
$
2.2 Virtual Components Consisting of Form, Function and Behavior
A$ virtual$ component$ is$ seen$ as$ a$ fundamental$ unit$ in$ the$ creation$ of$ a$ virtual$ building$
model.$ Clayton$ et$ al$ (1999)[2]$ examine$ the$ limited$ representation$ of$ the$ virtual$
component$ to$ form$ parameters$ only,$ and$ recommend$ enriching$ virtual$ part$
representation$ by$ including$ function$ and$ behavior$ parameters,$ resulting$ in$ a$ more$
efficient$design$process$that$can$better$accommodate$design$changes$and$improve$the$
selection$between$alternatives.$$
$
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
5
CIFE
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
$
Figure 3: Form, Function, & Behavior for a Window
$
2.2.1 Form
Form$is$generally$understood$to$be$the$geometry$and$materials$of$the$designed$artifact$
[Clayton$et$al][2].$For$a$typical$BIM$component,$the$form$represents$the$structure$of$the$
part.$ In$ figure$ 3,$ the$ window$ form$ parameters$ can$ include$ the$ finish$ color,$ the$ glass$
shade,$the$material$type,$or$the$nominal$height$and$depth.$$
$
2.2.2 Function
Function$ represents$ the$ requirements$ or$ intentions$ for$ the$ part$ [Clayton$ et$ al][2].$
Function$ parameters$ may$ come$ from$ owner,$ occupant,$ or$ regulatory$ requirements.$ In$
the$example$of$the$window,$function$parameters$may$include$light$weight,$low$energy,$
or$recycled$materials.$$
$
2.2.3 Behavior
Behavior$ represents$ the$ performance$ of$ the$ artifact$ in$ the$ context$ for$ which$ it$ is$
designed$ [Clayton$ et$ al][2].$ The$ performance$ can$ be$ predicted$ behavior,$ such$ as$ the$
average$service$life$described$by$the$manufacturer,$or$actual$behavior,$such$as$the$thirdI
party$ assessments$ for$ energy$ performance.$ In$ the$ example$ of$ a$ window,$ behavior$
parameters$ might$ include$ the$ actual$ cost,$ the$ solar$ heat$ gain$ coefficient,$ or$ the$
replacement$cost.$Behavior$parameters$are$often$most$useful$for$life$cycle$assessment.$$
$
$
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
6
CIFE
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
2.3 Multidisciplinary Process Integration
Flager$ et$ al$ (2008)$ [1]$ proposes$ the$ use$ of$ process$ integration$ and$ design$ optimization$
tools$ to$ support$ a$ multidisciplinary$ design$ process$ that$ can$ significantly$ reduce$ design$
cycle$ time$ and$ improve$ product$ performance.$ The$ authors$ emphasize$ the$ necessity$ of$
adequate$design$information$and$consistency$of$parametric$information$representation$
across$different$disciplines$before$they$make$decisions.$Flager$et$al’s$study$addresses$the$
importance$of$tool$and$information$integration$across$all$disciplines.$
$
2.4 Existing BIM Parts Libraries
In$Winter$Quarter$2013,$Sijia$Tao$(2013)$[3]$conducted$an$independent$study$on$existing$
BIM$ parts$ libraries$ for$ CEE# 212C# Advanced# Industry# Application# of# Virtual# Design# and#
Construction.# Her$ preliminary$ investigation$ finds$ the$ significant$ development$ over$ the$
past$ decade$ of$ several$ prominent$ part$ libraries$ such$ as$ Autodesk$ Seek$ (Figure$ 4),$
SmartBIM$(Figure$5),$Trimble$3D$Warehouse$(Figure$6)$and$GRAPHISOFT.$$
$
Figure 4: example of current Autodesk Seek part library [5]
$
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
7
$
CIFE
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
Figure 5: example of SmartBIM user interface [6]
$
$
Figure 6: example of current Trimble 3D warehouse part library search interface [7]
$
$
The$ use$ of$ these$ libraries$ increases$ work$ efficiency$ for$ architects$ by$ providing$
categorized$ design$ choices$ sometimes$ linked$ to$ direct$ manufacturer$ information.$
However,$ with$ the$ increasing$ demand$ for$ lean$ project$ delivery$ and$ the$ dramatic$
development$in$BIM$technology,$the$current$libraries$reflect$several$limitations$through$
the$life$cycle$[4]$of$a$project$(Figure$7).$In$particular,$the$stored$BIM$parts$reflect$only$
one$major$attribute$(form)$of$the$AEC$industry$instead$of$referring$to$all$of$them,$which$
results$in$collaboration$deficiency$across$different$disciplines.$
$
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
8
CIFE
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
Figure 7: Performance for existing parts libraries
$
3.0 Method
Within$one$year,$we$will$investigate$and$critique$the$organization$of$the$existing$virtual$
part$ libraries,$ propose$ the$ framework$ for$ the$ next$ generation$ of$ virtual$ part$ libraries,$
and$begin$a$validation$of$our$framework$using$industry$and$academic$resources.$$
$
3.1 Deconstruct Industry BIM into a Virtual Parts Library
First,$ we$ must$ determine$ the$ limitations$ of$ the$ existing$ virtual$ part$ library,$ specifically$
looking$at$the$current$representation$of$information$and$the$reasoning$to$catalogue$the$
parts.$$
$
We$begin$our$investigation$through$deconstruction.$Using$industry$resources$from$CIFE$
industry$supporters,$we$will$take$apart$an$existing$industry$BIM$(Figure$8)$for$one$hotel$
project$ and$ one$ restaurant$ project.$ Looking$ at$ the$ use$ of$ all$ BIM$ (architectural,$
structural,$ construction$ sequence,$ estimating,$ commissioning,$ etc.)$ involved$ in$ the$
design,$construction,$commissioning,$and$operation$of$the$project,$we$will$create$a$postI
project$virtual$part$library.$The$deconstruction$process$will$be$coupled$with$interviews$
of$the$design$and$construction$team$for$the$project$to$provide$further$context$for$the$
project.$$
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
9
$
CIFE
$$
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
Figure 8: Deconstruction of an example project from a CIFE member
$
3.1.1 Understanding Representation
We$ have$ seen$ how$ current$ industry$ lacks$ integrated$ virtual$ parts.$ We$ intend$ to$
understand$the$information$that$is$represented$for$all$disciplines.$In$other$words,$what$
critical$ information$ will$ be$ relevant$ at$ some$ point$ during$ the$ process$ of$ design,$
construction,$ and$ operation?$ By$ determining$ this$ information,$ we$ can$ create$
parameters$to$embed$this$information$within$the$virtual$part.$$
$
Our$ deconstructed$ BIM$ will$ reveal$ an$ extensive$ Parts$ List$ referencing$ all$ components$
modeled$such$as$doors,$windows,$and$columns.$In$addition$to$identifying$the$parts,$we$
will$ focus$ on$ understanding$ the$ information$ deficient$ for$ each$ of$ the$ parts.$ By$
comparing$the$virtual$part$library$for$the$deconstructed$BIM$model$to$existing$available$
part$ libraries$ such$ as$ Autodesk$ Seek,$ we$ can$ better$ critique$ and$ compare$ the$
information$missing$from$current$industry$libraries.$
$
In$addition,$we$observe$that$current$libraries$are$typically$organized$along$the$format$of$
current$ industry$ classes$ such$ as$ Construction$ Specifications$ Institute$ (CSI),$ American$
Institute$ of$ Architects$ (AIA),$ OmniClass,$ or$ Level$ of$ Development$ (LoD).$ Our$
deconstruction$ methods$ seek$ to$ understand$ the$ motivation$ behind$ these$ methods$ of$
organization.$ We$ will$ ask$ if$ the$ current$ industry$ classes$ are$ conducive$ to$ sharing$
information$ relevant$ to$ the$ life$ cycle$ of$ the$ component.$ In$ addition,$ how$ does$ the$
organization$ of$ information$ within$ a$ part$ influence$ how$ industry$ software$ is$ able$ to$
analyze$or$categorize$that$specific$part?$$
$
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
10
$
CIFE
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
3.2 Reconstruct the Framework for a Virtual Part Library
After$ a$ thorough$ deconstruction$ investigation,$ we$ will$ envision$ what$ a$ reconstructed$
part$ library$ will$ require.$ Our$ research$ will$ propose$ a$ representation$ and$ reasoning$
system$ that$ will$ allow$ users$ to$ efficiently$ retrieve$ reliable$ part$ information.$ One$
example$of$a$process$map$for$a$reconstructed$Integrated$Virtual$Parts$Library$is$shown$
in$Figure$9.$$
$
$
$
$
$
Figure$9:$Proposed$virtual$Parts$Library$process$that$adds$“Group$&$Integrate”$to$the$
traditional$process)$
3.2.1 Reconstructing Representation
Our$ research$ will$ determine$ the$ correct$ data$ to$ be$ standardized$ and$ represented$ to$
facilitate$accessible,$reliable$life$cycle$information.$We$will$examine$categories$such$as$
cost$ range,$ dimension$ accuracy,$ assembly/schedule$ range,$ and$ operation$ and$
maintenance$ requirements.$ Using$ parameters$ across$ form,$ function,$ and$ behavior$
metrics,$our$research$will$recommend$a$representation$structure$with$rich$interoperable$
data$relevant$for$the$life$cycle$of$the$building.$$
$
If$ current$ industry$ classes$ provide$ an$ adequate$ organization$ system$ to$ represent$ the$
essential$ data,$ we$ will$ make$ recommendations$ to$ increase$ life$ cycle$ reasoning$ within$
the$current$structure.$If,$as$we$suspect,$current$industry$classes$do$not$incorporate$an$
adequate$ form,$ function,$ and$ behavior$ organization$ system,$ we$ will$ research$ the$
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
11
CIFE
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
appropriate$organization$for$a$new$breakdown$structure$and$provide$recommendations$
to$logically$embed$the$standardized$parts$within$this$new$breakdown$structure.$
$
3.2.2 Reconstructing Reasoning
After$determining$what$information$is$to$be$represented,$we$first$must$determine$how$
to$ make$ the$ information$ valuable$ and$ functional$ to$ users.$ One$ problem$ with$ current$
virtual$part$libraries$is$that$they$provide$extensive$data,$but$lack$tools$to$inform$decision$
making.$ The$ current$ filtering$ system$ has$ hundreds$ of$ filters$ under$ different$ types$ of$
categories$ that$ unnecessarily$ complicate$ user$ decisions.$ To$ address$ this$ problem,$ we$
will$research$and$recommend$an$intelligent$filtering$system$that$will$assist$users$in$the$
decision$making$process.$$
$
3.2.3 Examples of Reasoning
JPL$and$NASA$have$used$Parts$List$to$develop$space$vehicles$successfully$for$more$than$
40$years.$The$Electronic$Parts$Engineering$Office$begins$the$selection$procedure$of$parts$
by$ establishing$ the$ intended$ purpose$ of$ each$ part,$ considering$ its$ space$ environment$
and$mission$life.$The$parts$that$meet$all$the$requirements$in$terms$of$cost,$risk,$and/or$
schedule$ are$ then$ selected$ and$ their$ acquisition$ process$ is$ initiated$ (Figure$ 10).$ This$
process$ has$ been$ a$ highly$ effective$ multiIstakeholder$ approach.$ We$ will$ use$ this$
reasoning$as$an$example$for$developing$a$similar$framework$in$the$AEC$industry.$
$
$
$
$
Figure 10: Parts reasoning process for Jet Propulsion Laboratory [9]$
$
$
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
12
CIFE
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
$
$
3.3 Framework
The$virtual$library$intends$to$change$the$way$industry$views$BIM$components.$Through$
our$ research,$ we$ intend$ to$ design$ the$ framework$ for$ an$ ideal$ parts$ library$ that$
incorporates$ information$ required$ by$ all$ stakeholders$ of$ the$ AEC$ Industry.$ We$
understand$that$the$framework$design$is$a$tedious$process$and$will$not$be$completed$in$
one$year$of$research.$Instead$our$intention$is$to$lay$the$theoretical$groundwork$in$one$
year$with$the$goal$of$completing$the$framework$within$three$years$time.$
$
3.4 Relationship to CIFE goals
Our$ research$ will$ contribute$ to$ the$ broad$ CIFE$ vision$ of$ improving$ virtual$ design$ and$
construction$ (VDC).$ Specifically,$ we$ will$ improve$ the$ AEC$ industry$ through$ increased$
reliability$of$BIM.$The$parts$library$will$use$the$Product,$Organization,$Process$model$of$
CIFE$ and$ contribute$ to$ CIFE’s$ Measurable$ Breakthrough$ 2015$ Objectives$ for$ schedule$
performance,$cost$conformance,$and$sustainability.$
$
3.4.1 Schedule Performance
The$Integrated$Virtual$Parts$Library$will$allow$AEC$stakeholders$to$make$better$decisions$
faster.$Instead$of$the$traditional$process$where$an$architect$selects$a$part$based$on$form,$
and$ then$ a$ construction$ manager$ examines$ for$ constructability$ or$ cost$ conformance,$
this$ lean$ design$ process$ will$ reduce$ redesign$ and$ value$ engineering$ delays.$ The$
Integrated$Virtual$Parts$Library$will$enable$a$streamlined$decisionImaking$process.$
$
3.4.2 Cost Conformance
The$Integrated$Virtual$Parts$Library$leverages$cost$knowledge$during$the$early$decision$
phases$ of$ the$ project.$ This$ additional$ information$ reduces$ the$ risk$ of$ overshooting$
target$budgets$during$the$design$stage.$
$
3.4.3 Sustainability
Unlike$ existing$ part$ libraries,$ the$ Integrated$ Virtual$ Parts$ Library$ will$ specifically$
represent$energy$and$life$cycle$parameters$including$their$predicted$and$actual$behavior.$
This$ information$ will$ be$ accessible$ to$ multiple$ stakeholders$ to$ maximize$ opportunities$
to$advocate$sustainable$performance.$
3.5 Industry Involvement
The$ Integrated$ Virtual$ Parts$ Library$ project$ is$ proposed$ as$ a$ collaboration$ between$
Stanford$University,$Walt$Disney$Imagineering,$and$Tongji$University.$$
$
$
$
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
13
CIFE
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
3.5.1 Disney Research China
Disney$Research$China,$part$of$the$research$and$development$group$of$The$Walt$Disney$
Company,$ intends$ to$ establish$ a$ new$ research$ laboratory$ in$ Shanghai,$ China.$ The$
Shanghai$laboratory$will$focus$research$on$Sustainable$Design$and$Engineering$and$the$
interaction$ between$ the$ natural$ and$ built$ environments.$ By$ focusing$ on$ energy$
efficiency,$heat$transfer,$water$and$waste$treatment,$ecosystem$functions$and$services,$
transportation,$ and$ other$ urban$ design$ and$ development$ elements,$ the$ Shanghai$
laboratory$seeks$to$improve$the$efficiency,$health,$reliability$and$resilience$of$the$built$
environment$and$enhance$the$quality$of$life$for$its$inhabitants.$The$Shanghai$laboratory$
also$will$focus$development$on$lean$design$methodology$and$computational$tools$such$
as$BIM$and$VDC.$Because$the$goals$of$the$Integrated$Virtual$Part$Library$directly$line$up$
with$ those$ of$ Disney$ Research$ China,$ Walt$ Disney$ Imagineering$ has$ been$ an$ active$
member$driving$this$research,$providing$CIFE$researchers$access$to$the$WDI$projects$and$
experiences$in$both$US$and$China.$
$
During$ the$ summer$ of$ 2013,$ Disney$ Research$ China$ has$ agreed$ to$ sponsor$ research$
assistants$from$Stanford$to$work$on$the$Integrated$Virtual$Parts$Library$at$its$Shanghai$
lab$or$at$Stanford$University.$The$funds$provided$by$Disney,$if$augmented$by$CIFE$funds,$
will$help$continue$the$research$into$Autumn$2013$and$beyond.$$
$
3.5.2 Tongji University, Shanghai
Disney$ Research$ China$ and$ Stanford$ will$ also$ collaborating$ on$ the$ Integrated$ Virtual$
Parts$Library$with$Tongji$University$in$Shanghai,$China.$Disney$and$CIFE$will$collaborate$
with$a$sixteenImember$team$of$researchers$from$Tongji$to$share$data$and$collaborate$in$
deconstruction$ activities.$ This$ research$ collaboration$ accounts$ for$ the$ cultural$ and$
professional$diversity$in$AEC$practice$between$the$United$States$and$China.$$
$
3.5.3 Additional Industry Involvement
Professor$ Calvin$ Kam’s$ involvement$ with$ CIFE$ members$ and$ the$ industry,$ such$ as$ the$
General$ Services$ Administration$ (GSA)$ and$ the$ American$ Institute$ of$ Architects$ (AIA),$
provides$additional$opportunities$to$test$the$Integrated$Virtual$Parts$Library.$GSA$has$a$
rich$knowledge$of$BIM$and$will$bring$another$industry$perspective$on$the$creation$of$an$
efficient$ parts$ library.$ Professor$ Calvin$ Kam$ and$ Professor$ Martin$ Fischer$ have$ been$
involved$ in$ many$ CIFE$ member$ organizations$ and$ their$ expertise$ with$ BIM$ in$ the$
Construction$Industry$will$be$highly$leveraged.$
$
In$ order$ to$ better$ validate$ our$ new$ framework,$ we$ would$ hold$ workshops$ with$ CIFE$
industry$ members$ and$ Stanford$ University$ students$ to$ demonstrate$ the$ ability$ of$ the$
new$framework$to$solve$problems$associated$with$current$parts$libraries.$The$feedback$
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
14
CIFE
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
and$ recommendations$ they$ provide$ will$ be$ used$ to$ improve$ the$ framework$ for$ the$
proposed$parts$library.$
$
We$ will$ also$ work$ with$ any$ interested$ CIFE$ member$ organizations$ that$ wish$ to$ be$
involved$with$our$research$effort.$
$$
4.0 Research plan, schedule and risks
Research$ for$ the$ Integrated$ Virtual$ Parts$ Library$ will$ begin$ in$ Spring$ 2013$ with$ the$
deconstruction$ of$ two$ existing$ Disney$ projects$ (one$ hotel$ and$ one$ restaurant).$ $ In$
Summer$ 2013,$ two$ to$ three$ Stanford$ researchers$ will$ travel$ to$ China$ to$ work$ with$
Disney$ Research$ China$ at$ the$ new$ Shanghai$ laboratory.$ $ In$ Autumn$ 2013$ and$ Winter$
2014,$ the$ research$ collaborators$ will$ focus$ on$ identifying$ information$ gaps$ in$ current$
parts$libraries$and$industry$data$standards.$In$Spring$2014,$initial$findings$and$next$steps$
will$ be$ presented$ at$ an$ industry$ workshop$ for$ CIFE$ members.$ The$ schedule$ and$
milestones$are$summarized$in$Table$4.1.$$
$
4.1 Research plan
$
Task!
Number$
Task(s)$
Tentative$
Deadline$
NA$
Initial$Preparation$
July$2013$
1.!!
!$
Summer$Internship$in$Shanghai$(2I3$
Researchers)$to$work$on$project;$Deconstruct$
existing$buildings$to$understand$problems$$
[funded$by$Disney$Research$China]$
August$2013$
2.!!
!$
Survey$about$industry$demand;$Research$on$
existing$libraries$
October$2013$
3.$
Research$about$existing$building$classes$and$
determine$relationship$with$existing$parts$
libraries$
December$2013$
4.$
Industry$workshops$to$provide$
recommendations$to$CIFE$members;$Journal$
publications$
$March$2014$
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
15
CIFE
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
5.$
Recommendations$to$software$providers;$
Initiate$framework$for$new$parts$library$
May$2014$
6.$
Apply$for$additional$funding$to$further$the$
research;$Continue$building$framework$for$
proposed$parts$library.$
July$2014$
$
4.2 Risks
The$ primary$ risk$ associated$ with$ the$ project$ is$ to$ harmonize$ among$ many$ existing$
industry$ data$ standards$ in$ order$ to$ determine$ an$ applicable$ data$ standard$ that$ can$ be$
adopted$across$different$global$practices$(i.e.$for$Disney$projects$in$the$United$States$vs.$
Disney$ projects$ in$ China).$ This$ is$ essential$ in$ order$ to$ promote$ the$ framework$ for$ a$
virtual$parts$library$that$incorporates$a$life$cycle$approach.$We$plan$to$mitigate$this$risk$
by$coming$up$with$a$new$industry$data$standard$(from$the$ground$up)$that$interoperates$
with$other$existing$data$standards,$rather$than$editing$or$reIusing$existing$standards.$
$
The$ industry$ interviews$ conducted$ to$ determine$ the$ requirements$ of$ an$ ideal$ parts$
library$may$be$subjective.$To$offset$this,$we$will$conduct$a$large$quantity$of$surveys$with$
representation$ from$ multiple$ stakeholders$ whose$ roles$ are$ distributed$ across$ the$
project’s$lifecycle.$
$
Another$risk$is$that$the$deconstruction$of$the$BIM$for$a$single$project$may$not$represent$
industry$ reality.$ Deconstruction$ of$ both$ a$ restaurant$ and$ a$ hotel$ provides$ examples$ of$
two$ projects$ with$ different$ functions.$ Even$ so,$ it$ is$ important$ to$ the$ Integrated$ Virtual$
Parts$Library$is$tested$using$several$types$of$projects$before$determining$the$prototype$is$
scalable$and$ready$for$industry.$
$
5.0 Research Deliverables to CIFE Members
$
1)$Journal$publications$focusing$on$our$findings$during$the$deconstruction$process,$and$
our$ critique$ of$ the$ current$ database$ standard$ with$ recommendations$ for$ a$ future$
standard.$
2)$Industry$workshops$to$share$the$research$findings$with$CIFE$Members.$Two$to$three$
workshops$ in$ the$ spring$ of$ 2014,$ accessible$ online$ via$ gotomeeting.com$ for$ remote$
members,$ will$ provide$ insight$ on$ the$ need$ and$ framework$ for$ a$ more$ informative$
Integrated$Virtual$Parts$Library$and$will$solicit$industry$expert$opinions$and$feedback.$
3)$Overview$of$current$industry$data$standards,$including$their$ability$and$limitations$to$
facilitate$ collaboration.$ Provide$ recommendations$ on$ how$ to$ improve$ existing$ data$
standards$or$recommendation$for$the$creation$of$a$new$industry$data$standard.$$
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
16
CIFE
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
4)$ Recommendation$ to$ software$ vendors$ regarding$ adoption$ of$ current$ or$ future$
industry$standards$to$facilitate$reliable,$dataIdriven$life$cycle$BIM$assessments.$
5)$Academic$integration$and$scope$integration$with$the$curriculum$of$CEE#212A,#212B,#
and# 212C# Industry# Application# of# Virtual# Design# and# Construction$ and/or$ CEE# 241#
Manage#Fabrication#and#Construction.$
$
6.0 Next steps
Should$ our$ first$ year$ of$ research$ confirm$ our$ initial$ intuition$ I$ that$ the$ AEC$ industry$
would$be$served$through$the$creation$of$a$new$Integrated$Virtual$Parts$Library$I$we$will$
seek$additional$funding$to$expand$our$recommended$framework$into$a$prototype$for$a$
comprehensive$ new$ virtual$ library.$ Additional$ funding$ will$ also$ provide$ opportunity$ to$
work$ with$ industry$ data$ standards$ organizations$ to$ refine$ or$ expand$ the$ relevant$ data$
standards$ and$ information$ classes.$ We$ will$ undergo$ several$ iterations$ of$ testing$ and$
feedback$to$determine$if$the$developed$prototype$for$an$Integrated$Virtual$Parts$Library$
is$ scalable.$ Once$ determined$ ready,$ we$ will$ seek$ partnerships$ with$ CIFE$ members,$
professionals,$and$technology$vendors$to$establish$the$Integrated$Virtual$Parts$Library$as$
a$ comprehensive$ warehouse$ for$ BIM$ components$ that$ is$ essential$ to$ the$ AEC$ design$
process.$$
References
[1] Forest Flager, Benjamin Welle, Prasun Bansal, Grant Soremekun, & John Haymaker (2008).
Multidisciplinary Process Integration & Design Optimization of a Classroom Building. CIFE
Technical Report #TR175
[2] Mark J. Clayton, Paul Teicholz, Martin Fischer, John Kunz (1999). Virtual components
consisting of form, function and behavior. Elsevier Science B.V.
[3] Sijia Tao (2012). BIM parts library. CEE 212B
[4] UCLA-NSF (1996). Social Aspects of Digital Libraries.
http://is.gseis.ucla.edu/research/dig_libraries/UCLA_DL_Report.html
[5] Autodesk Seek virtual part library. http://seek.autodesk.com
[6] SmartBIM virtual part library.
http://184.72.61.214/SmartBIMObjectFinder/ObjectFinder.aspx#area=2
[7] Trimble 3D Warehouse virtual part library. http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/
[8] Graphisoft virtual part library. http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/object_depository.php
[9] Jet Propulsion Laboratory. http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/
<Integrated Virtual Parts Library—Parts List Definition>
17