In recent years, many Australian AEC firms have felt the sting of avoidable errors. Let’s say pipes cutting through beams, HVAC clashing with lighting, or trades walking off-site due to misaligned timelines. The root of these issues? A lack of structured BIM clash detection.
Without a proactive approach, these problems sneak into construction phases. Then, blowing out budgets and pushing timelines into chaos. Even when Building Information Modeling (BIM) is adopted, it’s often too late in the game, leaving little room for strategic coordination.
At Interscale, we’ve witnessed how getting BIM clash detection right really changes the game. Yup, you can turn a reactive firefighting approach into proactive quality management. Let’s walk through how you can make this work for you.
What is BIM Clash Detection?
BIM clash detection is the process of identifying and resolving physical or functional conflicts within a building model, before they become real-world problems.
The idea is prevention at scale. A clash is where two building elements, let’s say, a duct and a beam, shouldn’t occupy the same space, but do. Sometimes, the problem is subtler, like when a maintenance path around equipment is too tight. Either way, finding BIM clash issues early means you can resolve them in the virtual space rather than during construction. All to saving time, cost, and stress.
The processes above are powered by BIM clash detection software. The software checks for overlapping components, inadequate clearances, and sequencing errors within 3D models.
Who’s in charge of the clash detection process? Typically falls to BIM coordinators or managers, professionals skilled in tools like Navisworks or Solibri. In some cases, an external consultant can be the one in charge.
The benefits of BIM clash detection are:
- Significant reduction in errors and costly rework
- Substantial time and cost savings through early conflict resolution
- Enhanced cross-disciplinary collaboration and communication
- More accurate project timelines and sequencing
- Streamlined construction processes and increased productivity
- Improved site safety through advance identification of hazards
Types of Clashes in BIM
Knowing the different types of clashes in BIM can help your teams sort, prioritise, and fix the conflicts that pop up. Generally, we group them into three main buckets:
- Hard Clashes: The clash occurs when two components physically intersect. Think of a duct running straight through a concrete beam. These clashes are typically the easiest to detect. You can use BIM clash detection software, and are often resolved early in the process.
- Soft Clashes (Clearance Clashes): These occur when there’s not enough space between elements, even if they don’t touch. For example, if a water heater doesn’t have the required clearance for servicing. Or maybe a pipe is too close to the insulation. These require custom rule sets in your clash detection platform to find.
- Workflow Clashes (4D/Sequencing Clashes): These relate to project timing and logistics. Installing drywall before the cables go in? That’s a workflow clash. By linking models with the project schedule, what we call 4D modelling, you can simulate construction sequences and spot timing conflicts before they become costly errors.
BIM Clash Detection Software
Finding BIM clashes hinges on the right tools, and there’s no shortage of BIM clash detection software to choose from. Here are the go-to platforms our team at Interscale works with:
- Autodesk Navisworks Manage: The gold standard for model aggregation and clash detection. It brings together files from Revit, ArchiCAD, Tekla, and more into a federated model.
- Revit: While it’s primarily a BIM design modelling tool, Revit has its own interference check. This lets designers do initial Revit clash detection within their work before the formal BIM coordination.
- Solibri Model Checker: Known for its smart, rule-based BIM model checking, Solibri goes beyond basic clashes. Solibri is great for complex soft clashes and code compliance.
- Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC)/BIM 360: With its Model Coordination module, ACC allows multiple teams to publish and review models in a shared space. This approach is so perfect for collaborative clash management.
- Revizto: Popular for visual issue tracking and communication, tightly integrated with clash coordination workflows.
- Trimble Connect & ClashMEP: Trimble brings solid cross-disciplinary support. Meanwhile, ClashMEP focuses on specific system conflicts, like mechanical and electrical.
Choosing the right BIM clash detection software depends on your project’s complexity and team setup. And each tool has its sweet spot. Platforms like Navisworks and ACC are common, but being able to work across different software is still important.
Best Practices for Effective BIM Clash Detection
While BIM software is crucial, effective BIM clash detection requires a structured process, clear communication, and adherence throughout the project lifecycle. For us, a good structured process of BIM clash detection starts early in the design phase. Run checks regularly (say, weekly) alongside model updates.
Regular BIM coordination meetings are key. Then, set clear rules upfront. Also, you need to define tolerances for soft clashes, like maintenance clearances or code requirements, to avoid drowning in irrelevant alerts. This cuts down the noise and hones in on what matters.
Then, federate models systematically and properly. All to ensure all disciplines’ inputs align in a single and coordinated model. Use consistent coordinates, naming conventions, and ensure the latest versions are included. From there, you need to run clash tests strategically.
Prioritise critical systems, like structural vs. MEP, before sweating the small stuff. Review results carefully, filtering out noise and creating clear BIM clash detection reports with visuals to pinpoint issues.
Assign ownership for each clash and track resolutions using software tools. Integrate this with broader BIM model checking to ensure data-rich, accurate models. This is where a thorough BIM audit can make all the difference.
It highlights structural inconsistencies or outdated elements that could otherwise disrupt clash detection workflows. Collaboration is key here. You need to use coordination meetings to hash out complex clashes and keep everyone aligned.
These steps turn clash detection into a proactive quality control tool. And that’s how we do it at Interscale. So, if you want our BIM integration services to embed these best practices into your workflow, let’s talk. Whether you’re setting up your first federated model or fine-tuning clash rules across multiple consultants, we’re happy to discuss it. Start by booking a free BIM coordination session with Interscale here.
Your Next Steps
BIM clash detection is the difference between catching design flaws in a model and scrambling to fix them on-site. So, don’t let clashes derail your next project. If your current process still feels reactive or if clashes are slipping through the cracks, it’s time for a reset.
