The document discusses how RBF Consulting implemented building information modeling (BIM) techniques for the site design of Miramar College's new Student Center in San Diego, California. By partnering with U.S. CAD, an Autodesk reseller, RBF was able to utilize Civil 3D and Navisworks software to generate a 3D model of the site utilities, grading, and retaining walls. This allowed for improved coordination and helped streamline the design and construction process. The project team was able to take advantage of the 3D model for visualization, layout, and facility management purposes once completed.

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“Population growth, environmental changes and economic challenges effective and efficient conflict resolution
will continue to challenge the engineering profession. Implementing process since all parties had all electronic
solutions using newer technologies, such as Virtual Planning, Design, and hard-copy reference information
and Construction, allows the engineering profession to continue to at hand.”
meet the public’s needs at a higher level of efficiency while finding By implementing BIM techniques for the
creative ways to solve problems in a virtual format prior to construction.” sitework, the contractor was able to move
forward with confidence and perform critical
Jim McDonald, CEO, RBF Consulting early electrical relocations over the school
winter break, which required a shutdown
were also modeled using record drawings, and automatically adjusts when changes of the entire campus. The contractor is
utility mark outs, supplemental surveys and are made, driving an efficient design currently staking and trenching for work on
some potholing to expose underground process. The digital process also ensured the remaining utility systems.
An Education in Site/Civil BIM Ron Moreno, senior associate with RBF,
says, “We initiated discussions with U.S.
utilities safely. In addition to utilities, RBF
modeled the finish surface in detail to show
an accurate design that was free of human
labeling errors.”
Prince says, “Due to the dedication
of all consultants to implementing full
Miramar College’s New Student Center Reflects a Virtual Edge CAD in order to understand what would be accurate visualization and coordination of BIM on the site, RBF was able to stake
needed from various focus areas in order site grades, which included 10 site retaining Streamlined coordination the BIM coordinated site retaining walls
As envisioned by San Diego Community we’re looking to realize these same benefits to develop this “design to virtual-build” walls and raised planters. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing and electrical, chilled water, and gas
College District (SDCCD), the $33.3 million, in the site and civil design aspects of environment. With U.S. CAD’s help and Using Civil 3D software for full plan (MEP) design and construction of the systems using the layouts modeled by
70,000-sq-ft Student Center and Cafeteria the process.” input, we compiled the various workflow production, RBF generated all utility and student center was performed in a design- Gould Electric, Wiseman+Rohy Structural
Bookstore at Miramar College in San Diego, RBF serves as campus civil engineer for outlines including modified training guides, grading plan labels, including utility pipe build delivery method, while the rest of Engineers, and Pacific Rim Mechanical.”
Calif., will provide inspiration to students, the Miramar campus and is the engineer of templates to integrate already in-place data tables using the dynamic tools. RBF the project team completed design in the
faculty, visitors and, perhaps most surpris- record for many projects on the campus. company standards and digital workflow took advantage of custom developed utility traditional design-bid-build format. The Facility management
ingly, to the entire building community. Miramar College is the first project on the guides built within our design platforms.” structures, pipes and labeling to generate combined delivery method allowed the Once the student center is constructed, RBF
For the first time in the SDCCD, the project campus to utilize technology fully to achieve In addition, RBF was able to harness these seamless final plans that were comparable architect, landscape architect, structural will provide final plan form documents as
team of NTD Architecture, along with RBF full BIM on the site. same efficiencies and in-place resources to a traditional 2D set in look, feel and engineer and civil engineer time to work well as an as-built 3D model to the owner.
Consulting, an international planning, to maximize areas of BIM not yet realized, completeness, but with all the benefits of through the design on a manageable The firm is also coordinating with SDCCD
design and construction firm, will design A virtual vision such as 3D scanning, asset management dynamic 3D. schedule, while the integrated involvement to evaluate facility management software
and coordinate the building, site grading For RBF, BIM is far more than a modeling and pre- and post-construction. RBF is now John Prince, associate at RBF Consulting, of the MEP contractors allowed for direct for maintaining, repairing, locating and
and utility design using building information tool—it’s a translation of the firm’s decades on the cutting edge of BIM technology for adds, “The 3D surface eliminated the need contractor input. planning utility systems in the future.
modeling (BIM) tools and techniques. of expertise into the virtual environment. Key sitework, and is the first to implement such to manually draw elevation contours. The Prince says “The web-hosted BIM Moreno concludes, “Working with U.S.
“We have seen significant value created in RBF’s successful transition and application technology for SDCCD. software generates the grading contours coordination meetings allowed for an CAD, our goal is to find a solution that
due to energy optimization, reduction in of BIM has been to have the right tools that “By partnering with U.S. CAD so early, can work seamlessly with the Civil 3D and
change orders, end user visualization, and drive a full collaborative BIM process. we were in an advantageous position to Revit models, or with GIS software for post-
back-end utility in our ongoing maintenance In 2008, RBF partnered with U.S. CAD, an help our clients apply BIM on the site and construction applications.”
and operations that are uniquely available Autodesk Reseller, to meet its virtual design civil aspects of a project, such as Miramar The student center will be completed in
by integrating BIM into project delivery,” goals. With help from U.S. CAD, RBF relies College,” says Moreno. 2012. All SDCCD projects moving forward
says Dave Umstot, vice chancellor of on Navisworks Manage and AutoCAD will require BIM on the site.
Facilities Management at SDCCD. “Now Civil 3D. Miramar and modeling
Envisioned as a multi-service gathering
place, the Miramar College Student Center About U.S. CAD
and Cafeteria Bookstore will house the U.S. CAD is a BIM and manufacturing
campus bookstore, food services, staff industry consultant and the largest
offices and meeting rooms. Features include Autodesk Authorized Value Added
a three-story open atrium, large exterior Reseller on the West Coast. U.S. CAD
specializes in helping its customers
access ramp and bridge, and surrounding
integrate BIM, sustainable design, and
walkways and gardens. The facility will also digital prototyping technologies with-
include photovoltaic panels as an alternative in their organizations by incorporating
energy source among other energy a variety of Autodesk solutions
optimization features. In addition to typical along with implementation, training,
design and coordination items, the project BIM modeling and production, and
configuration services.
was unique in that it involved the relocation
of all major utility systems through a tight 25-
Contact Information:
ft wide corridor between two buildings.
info@uscad.com
To create a feasible design, RBF modeled www.uscad.com
the 3.2-acre site’s grading, walkways and Phone: 877-648-7223
proposed utilities in AutoCAD Civil 3D. The
existing surface and web of utility mains
USC 1 April 11, 2011 April 11, 2011 USC 2