Design-to-design exchange of bridge models using ifc: A case study with revit and allplan

This paper presents a case study of exchanging bridge models between two commercial modeling applications using the vendor-neutral format Industry Foundation Classes (IFC). Particular emphasis is put on investigating the modifiability of the received geometry, a major aspect of design-to-design exchange scenario. The case study is based on two BIM models of a bridge at two different design stages provided by professional engineering consultancies. The paper describes the current IFC configuration options in the analyzed BIM design tools and the related mapping mechanisms. Next, the executed case study is presented, including the preparation of the BIM models for exchange, configuration of the IFC interfaces and mappings, and recognized geometric modifiability cases of imported building elements. Due to lacking support, the IFC 4 Design Transfer View cannot be used, yet. However, in the Revit-to-Allplan design-to-design exchange scenario, the IFC 2 × 3 Coordination View 2.0 serves as a suitable fallback solution. On the other hand, the exchange in the opposite direction (Allplan-to-Revit) does not seem viable for now. In both cases, the coordination scenario using the coordination views IFC 2 × 3 CV 2.0 is realistic, resulting however in limited modifiability of the received geometry.