Cross-submodel consistency preservation in multi-scale engineering models

In recent years a tendency toward the adoption of parametric modeling capabilities has been observed in the AEC industry. These capabilities facilitate the design and enable engineers to capture design intent and reduce errors that would otherwise occur when manual changes are performed. In the modeling of large infrastructures engineers usually divide their models/projects into a set of submodels to improve access and performance. However, maintaining the consistency across these submodels is a major issue. Even though the actual parametric CAD systems are able to establish implicit dependencies between the operations produced in the modeling process, these dependencies are not enough when the model/project is split into several submodels. This paper introduces two novel methods, which enable automated consistency preservation across the split submodels. The first method links scalar values, used in orientation vectors or positioning coordinates, by means of global parameters. The second method links topological information using a master/slave approach. To assess and compare the suitability of the methods they are applied in a real-world case study pertaining to a subway tunnel project in Munich, Germany. We discuss the drawbacks and benefits of both methods.