BIM Methodology Applied in Structural Design: Analysis of Interoperability in ArchiCAD/ETABS Process

The Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology considers the re-presentation of the building as a virtual BIM model and its main concept is to centralize all the information generated throughout the development of the project. Structural design involves a set of tasks, namely, structure definition, structural analyses, and after the generation of drawings and technical documentation. In all processes, it is required confidence in data transferred be-tween the BIM systems used, and to support this, a high level of interoperability is claimed. The present study aims to evaluate the degree of interoperability between the BIM-based platforms, ArchiCAD (Graphisoft), Revit (Au-todesk), and ETABS (CSI). Two-way data flows between these systems were explored using distinct transfer strategies: add-in applications; Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard data format. The research made allows identifying the most appropriate procedure to be adopted by structural engineers, given the interoperability limitations verified, enabling the establishment of a practical guide of sequential procedures on the development of structural designs using BIM tools.


Introduction
The activity associated with the Construction industry is widely supported by technology, which has recently achieved innovative advances aimed at various sectors of the sector. However, the process of developing multi-specialties within a complete project requires the realization of a sequence of phases assigned to different technical teams and using distinct tools. The information that is required on the development of each stage, is interpreted essentially from technical drawings, often leading to omissions and data inaccuracies and therefore, to some inconsistency in the final product.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodology has been implemented in all domains of the Construction industry around the world. The BIM concept is based on the generation of a single virtual model representative of the building, composed of the distinct specialties involved in a project and of all the information created throughout the building lifecycle [1]. Currently, the BIM concept and the technology associated constitute the main work platform, having provided an incremental collaborative capacity of communication among the design team and supporting an easy information delivery [2]. Within engineer enterprises, the adoption of BIM has led to significant changes in internal organization, in order to admit collaboration centralized in a single BIM model, supporting the different disciplines of a building design [3].
The elaboration of a structural project involves a set of sequential steps, each one requiring specific tools: • The establishment of a structural solution, that is carried out essentially over the digital drawings of the architectural project; • The structural analyses, that is performed in a structural calculation system; • The generation of the technical drawings composed of plants and detailed reinforcements.
In a traditional Computer Aided Design (CAD) mode of work, although some automation is recognized in the process, there is often a considerable volume of repetition, omission, and misinterpretation of data [4]. Within a BIM environment, supported by advanced technology tools available, the structural design can be developed with more effective integration of steps. However, current practice shows that a full, complete, and rigorous data transfer is still problematic. In order to minimize the limitations related essentially to the interoperability capacity, recent researches have been pointing in two directions:

Background Research
The most recent reports concerning the adopting of BIM within structural engineering and design points essentially to collaboration, interoperability, and level of development (LOD): • The review bibliographic work of Vilutiene et al. [5] demonstrates "that research on BIM applications for structural engineering has been constantly growing with a sudden increase after 2014", but "the number of studies on structural engineering and BIM is still quite low" when compared with other • In addition, Musella et al., [8] revel a BIM perspective concerning the managing of structural information after a seismic event occurred in a building, pointing strategies "to mitigate the catastrophic effects of earthquakes on the occupants of a building, as well as improve the management of the emergency that inevitably ensues". In the study, the authors required to openBIM platform based on the standard data format IFC, in order to organize all the information, existed, produced, and changes caused by the seismic action.
As so, both the interoperability ability of the tools available and the type and quantity of information assigned to a BIM model, are the most relevant aspects that have been explored, analyzed, and discussed concerning structural engineering in BIM [9]. The present study intends to contribute in a positive way to a better knowledge of how to use BIM platforms in the structural sector [10].
The BIM methodology is often related only to its most visible aspect, the three-dimensional (3D) geometric representation. However, the BIM virtual model, created along the design process, is composed of parametric objects that, in each case, are selected from the BIM system library and adapted to the real characteristics of the building. The parameters of the objects used on the modeling process are related to the geometry type (wall or column), but also to the physical properties of the materials applied (brick or concrete). The BIM digital model of a building is first designed with the architectural component and after updated with the information related to other disciplines such as structures and network systems (air conditioning or water supply) [11].
Depending on the project stage, the BIM 3D model may encompass some or all of the specialties. At any phase, it is possible to obtain, by access to the database contained in the created model, different types of drawings, cuts in perspective, or tables of quantities of building components and materials. The consult and management of the model information support the designer in his activity, allowing to be evaluated, in a sustained way, the results of the different alternative Journal of Software Engineering and Applications solutions for the project. In addition, using the model database several tasks, usually designed as nD dimensions of BIM, can be defined: construction planning (4D BIM) [12]; budgeting (5D BIM) [13]; energy analysis (6D BIM) [14]; management and maintenance (7D BIM). The scope of the applicability of BIM has been recognized, with positive results, by a growing range of professionals in the sector. The advantages of BIM have been reported, not only in relation to the design phase of the different specialties but also on monitoring the construction planning, on estimation cost, or after on the management and maintenance of the building [15].
BIM-based systems present features providing easy access to the model database, leading to adequate communication between the professionals involved, in visual terms and correction of the information transferred, allowing to achieve collaborative projects and, therefore, to obtain an optimized final product. The development of collaborative projects, involving various actors, requires that the systems used, allow a high level of interoperability. The problem of interoperability is an aspect of ongoing research, with the aim of achieving incrementally more efficient stages.
The interoperability concept refers to the ability of one tool to operate with the information created by other systems. The International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI) [16] established, in the 90 s of the XX century, the first standard data format for the exchange of product model data, allowing designers to transfer file. Later, the IFC standard was created, presenting an internal organization according to a multi-level hierarchy, suitable for facilitating access to the database of the BIM models. The BuildingSMART entity incorporates, in 2005, the AIA association, and currently it is composed of 450 organizations from 18 countries being responsible for developing standards related to data transfer (IFC), processes (Information Delivery Manual, IDM), and terminologies (International Dictionary Framework, IFD).
However, currently the commercial software, with the ability to read the IFC format, still admits only some interpretation of data, as the optimal level of efficiency has not yet been reached. The present study analyses the level of interoperability verified on the use of distinct BIM systems, on the elaboration of the structural design of the building case.

Methodology
In order to clarify BIM-based tools allows a superior performance supporting the development of the structural project, the present study aims to identify the main potentialities and limitations associated with the process. Two techniques for data transfer were tested, using add-in or the IFC standard, and the main remarks were carried allowing to list an appropriate guide of operation for structural engineers. As a methodology: As a result, the main advantages found are evidenced by taking care of the existing limitations, allowing to be established an appropriate procedure for action in the structural design sector, which can be followed, in the implementation of the BIM in engineering offices.

Case Study Description
The case study considered is a hotel building located in Algarve, Portugal. The

Structural Model Created in ArchiCAD
Within the architectural model provided, created in ArchiCAD (Graphisoft) software, some elements of structural characteristic were identified: the floors, represented by composite structures, referring to the link between the concrete slab and the coating; the architectural walls, also represented by the same type of parametric object, as they integrate pillars in their composition. However, in a BIM context, these elements present a very limited parameterization, since they do not allow the assignment of material, the identification of objects as structural characteristics, or the correct dimension of the structural slab that is distinct from the architectural floor.
In order to complete and adjust the model of structures, some additional elements were defined in ArchiCAD. Figure 2    (CSI) enterprise, a system widely disseminated in structural engineering offices.
In the present study, the IFC format was used as the data export mode, from the modeling system to the calculation system. Although during the transfer procedure, some ifcObject, like IfcColumns, IfcWalls or IfcSlabs were specifically selected to be transferred, inconsistency errors were detected after transfer.
Namely, a large number of adjacent elements become disconnected, requiring a specific check and adjustment. This additional work is time-consuming, but it is necessary to obtain a correct analytical model (Figure 4).
It was found that the transfer process is very limiting. So the strategy of proceed with the structural design was then oriented to the use of a modeling system more compatible with the ETABS application, the Revit (Autodesk).

Structural Model Created in Revit
The structural model defined in ArchiCAD was transferred to Revit, using the ArchiCAD connection an Autodesk Revit extension, made available by Graphisoft. After the model is transferred, 32 warnings were detected, requiring a detailed analysis of the geometry, mainly, the connections between elements. In Revit, all unconnected nodes were fixed. Journal of Software Engineering and Applications The materials, concrete C30/37 and steel A500 NR, were defined in ArchiCAD associated with a reduced set of parameters, and when transposed to Revit only the attributes related to graphic texture of the materials were identified. In addition, a column was found positioned in erroneous orientation and the slab layer of the architectural floor was not identified as a structural component ( Figure   5). It was necessary to make some adjustments over the parametric objects with incorrect geometry and physical properties values.
In Revit, the structural elements can be represented according to an analytical view, discretized through linear elements (beams and columns) and surfaces (slabs), by using the Structural Analysis feature. All analytical elements become automatically associated with the correspondent cross-section area and inertias.

Revit Model Transferred to ETABS (CSIXRevit)
The export process of Revit model to the calculation system can be performed using two procedures: by using the CSIXRevit add-in, available in the modeling tool; or based on the IFC standard. While in the first process, the native format of Revit is recognized directly by ETABS, using the IFC option, the structural model is first archived in Revit as an IFC model, and after it is transferred to ETABS (Figure 7).
In ETABS, a detailed model analyses was again carried out, making it possible to identify some errors and the required corrections were performed (Figure 8): • The slabs, although modeled with the curvature required in the architecture, lead to a discretization in finite elements as an irregular partition, which led, in a first test, to complex and time-consuming calculations. An alternative feature was applied concerning replacing the curvature of the slab boarder as a set of straight panels simulating an approximate configuration of the existing curved line; • Again, the connection between the structural wall and the slab element was punctually disconnection, and it was necessary to rectify all incurrences; • In the foundation slab presents distinct thickness for the purposes of puncture resistance, but after transferred they were identified as voids defined in the slab. The solution of the problem consisted of modeling the slab in contiguous panels, with different thicknesses, in order to represent the zones of simple and reinforced slab.
The refinements carried out over the transferred model contribute to achieve a consistent analytical model, suitable for being used on ETABS system, where the analysis of the structure is executed.

Revit Model Transfer to ETABS (IFC)
The export of the Revit model to the calculation system was also analyzed using the IFC format. In Revit, the analytical structural model is first saved as an IFC model, and after it is transferred to ETABS. In Revit, the IfcObjects to be exported were selected, identified as IfcColumns, IfcWalls, and IfcSlabs, and also obtained the quantity of each type. Then, the model is transferred and a detailed check was made, allowing the identification of a few inaccuracies (Figure 9): • The slabs, which present curvature in the border edges that were simplified by a set of adjacent panels, are not fully recognized in the analytical model;

Structural Analysis
The main objective of the structural analyses is the definition of a structure that resists the applied loads and combination of loads, so that the structure does not admit collapse (ultimate limit states, ULS) or excessive deformability (service limits states, SLS). In this analyze it was followed the current Portuguese regulations and the Eurocodes available.
According to the standard NP EN 206-1, the type of structural concrete suitable for being applied in an area near the sea is concrete C30/37. Additionally, the A500NR material was selected as a cleaning concrete. The physical proprieties of the materials were associated with the selected parametric objects using the ETABS interfaces ( Figure 10).
As ETABS did not retain the geometric characteristics of the analytical model, transferred from Revit, it was necessary to re-establish the pre-dimensioning of the structural elements in this system, using the ETABS interfaces.

Dimensioning
The determination of the efforts in the structure was carried out from a 3D analytical model with six degrees of freedom per node ( Figure 11   • Around the shell elements representing the slab foundation, elastic supports were materialized by springs with stiffness defined according to the characteristics of the soil; • Each structural element was associated with appropriate mechanical characteristics resulting from its geometry and the properties of the materials used. The next step is to apply the loads and required combinations of loads over the analytical model, performed in ETABS: • The permanent load relating to the structural own weight (PP) are automatically assumed by system, using the volume weight of the reinforced concrete, with a value of 25 kN/m 3 ;

Reinforcements Detailing
ETABS enables the determination and graphical presentation of stresses and deformations and calculates the required reinforcement areas by element. In relation to the slabs of the floors, a base reinforcement composed of a square mesh consisting of 12 mm rods away from 0.2 m was adopted, arranged on both sides of the slab, and depending on the moments obtained, for the heaviest actions, the additional reinforcements required were established ( Figure 12).
ETABS determines also the area of reinforcement necessary for all beams and columns. It was found that the geometry of a column was insufficient, requiring to increase its cross-section, so that the required reinforcement percentage did not exceed a value of 4% of the cross-section area. ETABS presents interfaces allowing the defining of the reinforcements detailing in all structural components ( Figure 13).   Although ETABS has a higher capacity of production technical drawings, the information of the reinforcements detailing are not eligible to be exported in IFC format and ETABS does not present extensions to support the transfer of IFC models. Then, the reinforcements data should be performed later only in Revit, or even in ArchiCAD. However, in the present study the result of the structural analyses, namely, diagrams of stresses and deformations and areas of required reinforcements, were admitted to be transferred from ETABS first to Revit and after to ArchiCAD.

Transfer from ETABS to Revit
The transfer process from ETABS to Revit is supported in the export feature available, the add-in Revit Structure.exr File. In Revit, the initial model is now updated with the imported data and a detailed check is required in order to re-define the elements that were added, omitted, and changed in relation to the initial model.
Revit allows an overlapping view formed by the transposed and the initial models. It allows the engineer to analyze the structural solution in both stages before and after dimensioning. In this process Revit automatically detects the inconsistencies and errors originated, having been verified some incoherencies related to elements presenting slightly in relation to their axis or inaccuracies in nodes that are not joined. A thorough assessment of each error has been carried out and accordingly, the necessary adjustments and corrections have been made.
Once the check is complete, it is possible to conclude that the structural model in Revit did not admit significant changes, having, for the most part, warnings and errors, the origin of simplifications made in the analytical model in ETABS, to facilitate dimensioning and accommodate the changes required in geometry of some elements. On the updated Revit model, the reinforcement detailing should be carried out. According to recent reports [17] [18], this BIM task is still conducted under an evident limitation of interoperability.

Transfer from Revit to ArchiCAD
Once the Revit model upgrade process is complete, it is then transposed to the ArchiCAD system. The process is executed using the export functionality available in REVIT. After this process is finished, ArchiCAD is allowed to compare the initial and the imported models using the Option Mark Up Tool, and different colors are assigned to the elements, enabling the visual identification of the deleted, generated and modified elements. All changes were analyzed concerning geometry and the parametric objects contained ( Figure 15). In it, several adjustments were made in order to support the analysis results.

Results and Discussion
The study analyzed the processes involving two-way data flows of information between the BIM systems required for the development of the structural design. Journal of Software Engineering and Applications Figure 15. Structural model represented in its initial, updated and overlaped stages.
The main perspective was to evaluate the degree of interoperability capacity verified in several steps throughout all processes, namely, structural generation, structural analyses and reinforcements detailing. The selected case study is a building for hotel use. The complex architectural configuration presented requires a specific structural solution suitable to accomplish all the architectural constrains. As the architectural project was developed in the ArchiCAD (Graphisoft), a BIM-based system, the structural model was also initially created in the same tool, using the architectural references. However, some adjustments at the floor levels were required as well as correction on structural elements connections and on the association of materials to the parametric objects used. The model is then transferred to the structural analyses tool, the ETABS (CSI), and a few consistency errors were detected and adjusted, denoting that the interoperability capability verified is inefficiency. It was therefore necessary to provide the use of an intermediate platform, the Revit (Autodesk).
The interoperability assessment was analyzed at different stages of information transfer: between ArchiCAD and Revit, according to distinct procedures, using add-in and IFC format; between Revit and ETABS; and, later, in the inverse way, between ETABS, Revit and ArchiCAD. After each transfer, a deep analysis was made over each transferred model, in relation to the consistency of the analytical geometry and the physical properties, preserved, omitted, or changed. After the structural analysis is performed in ETABS, the model of structures is transposed to Revit and after to ArchiCAD in order to obtain a single BIM model, updated and correct, with the information created in the structural design phase.

Conclusions
The main conclusion of the study can be formalized in a practical guide when the architecture design is provided in ArchiCAD and the structural analyses, is developed using ETABS: • Transfer the Revit model to ETABS and a new re-evaluation of its consistency and properties must be made; • The structural analyses must be realized in ETABS and, in accordance with the results, the reinforcements details drawings must be obtained; • Finally, the final structural model must be transferred to Revit, using the add-in mode, and after to ArchiCAD.
This text summarizes the main aspects related to the interoperability analysis related to the three BIM base systems, most frequently used, in structural projects, being presented the limitations found, referred to the solution strategies, and identified the benefits. The advantages are essentially related to the easy initial modeling and with some ability to transfer information post-calculation between software. Finally, it is noted that the biggest limitation concerns the inefficient interoperability that still exists, concerning structural engineering.