CE 51901 - Building Information Modeling for High Performance Buildings

Credits and contact hours:

  • 3 credits
  • LEC/50min per mtg/3 mtgs per week/16 weeks per term (LEC/50/3/16).

Specific course information:

  • Catalog description: The objectives of this course are: (1.) to introduce fundamental concepts of architectural engineering design to develop a deeper understanding of what constitutes our built environment; (2.) future of designing buildings: introduction to Building Information Modeling (BIM), BIM as a process, benefits and problems with a focus on interoperability and building performance-based simulations; (3.) to learn how to apply architectural engineering design and BIM principles towards obtaining high-performance buildings.
  • Prerequisites: Graduate standing with an undergraduate degree in engineering or consent of instructor. Qualified undergraduate students may enroll with consent of instructor.
  • Course status: Technical elective

Specific Goals for the course:

  • Student learning outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    • Understand architectural design principles and their impact on choice of building systems, such as: form, space, organization, circulation, proportion, and scale.
    • Apply knowledge of BIM concepts and applications, BIM software (REVIT), and usage of BIM tools in architectural engineering.
    • Identify how BIM can support and improve multi-criteria assessment of high- performance buildings.
    • Evaluate the interoperability between BIM-based model and Building Performance Simulations (BPS).
    • Become conversant with language used by architects and BIM modelers to enhance collaboration and improve technical communication within large project teams in industry.
  •  Relationship of course to program outcomes
    • Outcome 1: An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
    • Outcome 5: An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.

Assessment Methods:

Homework Assignments, Course Project, and Readings, Reflections & In-Class Discussions.

Description of Assessment Methods:

(1.) Homework Assignments: Multiple homework assignments will be assigned throughout the semester.  The assignments will be structured as technical reports.  All assignments are due at the beginning of class for the assigned day. Homework assignments should be completed individually.  Students must submit their assignment in the form of an electronic PDF (filename: LastName_FirstName_HW_No.pdf).
(2.) Course Project: You will work individually to explore the integration of architectural engineering design and BIM with a building performance topic of your interest.  Deliverables will be submitted throughout the semester.  A final written report will be due at the end of the semester.  Everyone will give an oral presentation to their classmates during the last week of class.
(3.) Readings, Reflections & In-Class Discussions: Readings from the peer-reviewed literature on contemporary issues related to architectural engineering design, BIM, and their application to high performance buildings will be assigned weekly.  You will have one week to complete each reading and prepare a one-page reflection on the topic.  In-class discussions will be held on Fridays.  The aim of these assignments is to help you think more broadly about build-environment.

Final Grading Criteria:

The overall course grade will be weighted as follows:
Homework Assignments: 40%
Course Project: 40%
Readings, Reflections & In-Class Discussions: 15%
Attendance: 5%
The plus/minus grading system will be used (e.g., 96.7% and up = A+; 93.3% to 96.7% = A; 90.0% to 93.3% = A-; 86.7% to 90.0% = B+; 83.3% to 86.7% = B; 80.0% to 83.3% = B-).

Library Resources:

Online access to the following scientific journals is preferred. Sacks, R., Eastman, C., Lee, G., and Teicholz, P. (2018). BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Designers, Engineers, Contractors, and Facility Managers. 3rd Edition, ISBN: 978-1-119-28755-1. Available as e-book and hardcover on www.wiley.com. 1st edition of the book (2008) is available in the Purdue Libraries.