IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP HVAC Methodology 1. Create sample project and extract info

e.g Families, Element ID, System Classification, Dimension, Quantity

2. Conversion of native .rvt file into IFC 3. View IFC file from Solibri 4. View IFC file from Revit MEP 2012 5. View IFC file from EDModel Server 6. Convert IFC into .rvt file.
Trade Tested : Cold Water, Sanitary, Fire Protection Tested By : Jeremy Loh

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection
EDM Model Server (.ifc)

Revit (.rvt)

Solibri (.ifc)

Revit (.ifc)

Domestic Water

Sanitary

Fire Protection

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

Observation #1: IFC does not specifically points out a family parameter. Instead, Family, Type and Element ID is clumped into a parameter called name

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection

Native .rvt Family
M_Elbow - Generic M_Split Case Pump - Horizontal
M_Multi-Purpose Valve - Straight - 80-300 mm Flanged

Solibri .ifc Name

EDM Model Server .ifc Name

Type
Standard

M_Split Case Pump M_Split Case Pump - Horizontal:31.55 31.55 LPS - 15.8 Horizontal:31.55 LPS - 15.8 Meter LPS - 15.8 Meter Head:31.55 LPS Meter Head Head:31.55 LPS - 15.8 Meter 15.8 Meter Head:566469 Head:566469
80 mm

M_Elbow M_Elbow Generic:Standard:Standard:56814 Generic:Standard:Standard:568140 0

M_Multi-Purpose Valve Straight - 80-300 mmm Flanged:80 mm: 80 mm:612492

M_Multi-Purpose Valve - Straight 80-300 mm - Flanged:80 mm: 80 mm:612492

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection
Observation #2: Category names for models changes when exported to IFC and viewed in Solibri or EDM MS. All categories (in IFC) when viewed in Revit becomes Generic Models

Revit (.rvt)
Pipes Pipe Fittings Pipe Accessories Plumbing Fixture / Sprinklers Mechanical Equipment

Solibri (.ifc)
Pipe Pipe Fitting Valve Flow Terminal Object

EDM MS (.ifc)
Flow Segment Flow Fitting Flow Controller Flow Terminal Building Element Proxy

Revit (.ifc)
Generic Model Generic Model Generic Model Generic Model Generic Model

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection
Observation #3: IFC in Revit loses all data while family and type parameters follows the name of the object / model as seen in Solibri / EDM MS. The Element ID in Revit (.ifc) has also changed from its original ID. Revit (.rvt)
Family Type Element ID

Solibri (.ifc)
Name Type

EDM Model Server (.ifc)

Name Object Type
M_Sink Scrub Floor:760 mmx560 mm Standard

Revit (.ifc)
Family Type Element ID

M_Sink Scrub Floor M_Flange Slip-on Steel - Class 300

760 mmx560 mm

561632

A*

Undefined

A*

A*

A*

557475

Standard

586513

B*

Standard

B*

B*

B*

557590

A* : M_Sink - Scrub Floor:760 mmx560 mm:760 mmx560 mm:561632 B* : M_Flange - Slip-on - Steel - Class 300:Standard:Standard:586513

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection
Observation #4: Pipe types when in Solibri : Follows the name of the first similar type of pipe which was drawn in Revit EDM Model Server : Shows the Element ID of the pipe type Revit
Family Type Element ID
603708

Solibri
Name Type

EDM Model Server

Name Object Type

Remarks

Pipe Types Pipe Types

PVC (261488) PVC (261488)

Pipe Pipe Pipe Types:PVC:603708 Types:PVC:603708 Types:PVC:603708 Pipe Pipe Pipe Types:PVC:610317 Types:PVC:603708 Types:PVC:610317

261488 261488

First PVC pipe drawn in Revit.

610317

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection
Observation #5: There is no colour control when viewing in Solibri / EDM Model Server.

Solibri (.ifc)

EDM Model Server (.ifc)

Domestic Water

1) Pipes & Pipe Fittings Orange 2) Plumbing Fixtures / Sprinklers & Valves Pink 3) Mech. Equipment Gray

1) Pipes Green 2) Pipe Fittings Blue 3) Valves Orange 4) Plumbing Fixtures / Sprinklers Light Brown 5) Mech. Equipment Dark Brown

Sanitary

Fire Protection

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection
Observation #6: Graphical representation of insulation is missing. Insulation data is still intact (except when viewing ifc in Revit).
PWI PWI

PWOI

PWOI

PWOI

(.rvt) Revit
PWOI Pipe without Insulation PWI Pipe with Insulation

(.ifc) Solibri

(.ifc) EDM Model Server

(.ifc) Revit

*notice how the pipe elbow has a insulation cover and the rest doesnt

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection
Observation #7: Parameters relating to pipe connectors are automatically converted from metric to imperial Parameters
Tank Radius Tank Height Outlet Radius Outlet Diameter Leg Height Handrail Length Handrail Distance Cap Radius Bottom Radius Bottom Height

Revit (.rvt)
289 mm 889 mm 25 mm 50 mm 401 mm 305 mm 305 mm 321 mm 578 mm 77.4 mm

Solibri (.ifc)
289 mm 889 mm 0.082 0.164 401 mm 305 mm 305 mm 321 mm 578 mm 77.44 mm

EDM Model Server (.ifc)

289 mm 889 mm 0.082021 0.164045 401 mm 305 mm 305 mm 321 mm 578 mm 77.437317 mm

*M_Mixing Tank_Bottom Dish was used as an example

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection
Observation #8: Electrical Data & Flow Pressure (where applicable) has been converted to an unknown unit, th Flow rate is converted from metric to imperial.
Family : M_Hose Reel Cabinet Surface Mounted Type : 25 mm Revit (.rvt)
Flow Pressure Flow Rate 34400.00 Pa 2.52 L/s

Solibri (.ifc)
10,485.12 0.089 ft3/s

EDM MS (.ifc)
10485.12 0.088993 ft3/s

Family : M_Split Case Pump - Horizontal Type : 31.55 LPS 15.8 Meter Head Revit (.rvt)
Apparent Load Voltage Pump Speed 81000.00 VA 460 V 1150 RPM

Solibri (.ifc)
871876.744 4951.399 1150 RPM

EDM MS (.ifc)
871876.743753 4951.398792 1150 RPM

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection
Observation #9: Plumbing fixtures loses all data except Family, Type (EDM Model Server), & Element ID when exported to IFC

A typical model would have such data as shown on the left.

(Continue to next slide)

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection
Observation #9: Plumbing fixtures loses all data except Family, Type (EDM Model Server), & Element ID when exported to IFC

Data such as PSET_Revit_Type_Identity Data and others go missing.

(Continue to next slide)

*Viewing in Solibri

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection
Observation #9: Plumbing fixtures loses all data except Family, Type (EDM Model Server), & Element ID when exported to IFC

The only data available for plumbing fixtures.

*Viewing in EDM Model Server

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection
Observation #10: Drain outlet hosted at L2 Slab is shown as a L1 item in Solibri and EDM MS.

Viewing in Revit (.rvt)

(Continue to next slide)

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection
Observation #10: Drain outlet hosted at L2 Slab is shown as a L1 item in Solibri and EDM MS.

Viewing in Solibri (.rvt)

Viewing in EDM MS (.rvt)

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection
Observation #11: EDM MS has an extra set of data that Solibri does not have which refers to the type parameter (in Revit).

Viewing in Solibri

(Continue to next slide)

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection
Observation #11: EDM MS has an extra set of data that Solibri does not have which refers to the type parameter (in Revit).

Viewing in EDM MS

IFC CONVERSION ISSUE

MEP Plumbing (Domestic Water & Sanitary) & Fire Protection
1) Loss of data when exporting to IFC is minimal. Loss of data during importing IFC into Revit is extensiove. 2) EDM Model Server has a slightly better mapping method than Solibri in which the type of the model is mapped correctly. 3) IFC files are not good for Mechanical / Electrical analysis 4) Revits mapping of IFC data (both importing and exporting) requires more improvement, thus rendering it especially useless in importing IFC data. 5) Viewing all models in IFC may be confusing as there is no colour control available to differentiate based on system. 6) Each IFC viewer has their own method of mapping IFC data. Therefore, this method should be explained by the vendor. 7) Training to understand how IFC works and how a certain program maps IFC data is essential in order to ensure parameter is channeled to the right data. x

1 0 1 1
x x x x x

Conclusion

In relation to Observation #