Number of Pipe/Structure in a network BREACHED. Workaround.

I've been googling on the web to find out the maximum pipe/structure allowed in Civil3d but I don't seem to be able to find an answer. I did get an answer from a local reseller that the maximum pipe/structure allowed is 500, to which I'm not sure whether it is 500 nos each for pipe and structure or combined number of pipe and structure should not be above 500. In any case, I've encountered errors when the combined numbers of pipes and structures reached 500 or above. The error reads "Unable to apply pipe depth query to current structure. The default structure height will be used."

Figure 1

To be honest, 500 is not much, and the limitation is kinda annoying. I'm working on a very large site and to have the nos of pipe/structure limited to 500 is akin to having a site of not more 4 roads for each network. My site contains the following networks:

1. Storm network
2. Sewerage network
3. Drainage network
4. Electrical network
5. Telecommunication network

The planning and coordination of those underground utilities for such a large-scale project was extremely challenging. Therefore, I wanted to have an integrated 3D model which will detect collision points that are almost impossible to detect without such simulation. The site I am working on is about 1,000 hectare (approximately the size of 1,200 of football field). I ended up having about 20 drawings for each zone (the site is separated into 4 zones) of the networks mentioned and not to mention the daunting task of referencing all the drawings together. Yet, I managed to pull it off as it is still faster to do it in Civil3D than the old conventional 2D method.

Back to the earlier question. What to do when you encountered the errors mentioned in Figure 1? Many times, when you reached the limit of 500 nodes, you may still need to refine the design by moving/adding manholes and pipes around. However, when you try to insert a new structure, the structure size doesn't look right and you are not allowed to change the structure part by using the swap part command.
The workaround for this is to copy any existing structure/part in the existing drawing and move it to the pipes which it belongs. Then, you will need to reconnect the pipes to the structure. It is tedious but, at least it works and what matters is the end results. You may need to change the values of the invert levels. Once you have completed all the networks, you can compile them into one drawing by using the data shortcuts. Then you can use the interference check feature to detect collision.

BIM in Malaysia (What exactly is that!!!)

As the title suggests, I wanted to know how many of my fellow Malaysians in the AEC industry actually know about BIM (Building Information Modeling)? BIM, although not something new in the US, UK and Europe, it is still in its infant stage in Malaysia. There are local resellers representing the companies behind the marketing of BIM like Autodesk but its lacking momentum. A google search on "BIM Malaysia" proof my point, the BIM word is still very much unknown to the AEC industry in Malaysia. I applaud our honorable Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib on his effort on promoting innovation amongst Malaysians, yet, when will the AEC industry here catch up with the BIM technology that has taken the AEC industry to a new height?

McGrawhill Construction defines BIM as: The process of creating and using digital models for design, construction and/or operations of projects, while Wikipedia defines BIM as: The process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle. Typically it uses three-dimensional, real-time, dynamic building modeling software to increase productivity in building design and construction. The process produces the Building Information Model (also abbreviated BIM), which encompasses building geometry, spatial relationships, geographic information, and quantities and properties of building components.

Being a Civil Engineer by profession, I would prefer to look at the word Building as a verb as in "Building" and gathering information that integrates all pertinent data into a model. Some would call it Civil Information Building (CIM); in any case, the gist is that BIM has many tangible benefits when it is implemented correctly. However, the situation in Malaysia is that most civil engineering consultancy firms still adopt the legacy method of performing design, calculation and analyses manually and producing drawings in 2D. Though these methods are great in the early stages of design, it will become a nightmare when there is a change in design. One will have to start doing design and drafting all over again. Although, there are some remarkable and talented engineers who have developed programs to bypass these menial tasks, sadly these individuals either quit or being headhunted into bigger international firm. I myself has often became frustrated in trying to bring changes in the local AEC industry to adopt the BIM technology, to move into vertical products, to convince the management that BIM is just not about producing pretty 3D images for visualization, but its about the information contained in the 3D model which reflects integrated and coordinated changes when design changes. It's also about the culture of the company when the company is not ready to support such collaboration. The situation is sad and it does seems that I will be banging my head on the wall to try to make it work and still have people come up to you saying, its not going to work or worst, the manager expect to see model to be built instantly with a click of mouse!

Creating collaborative teams of Architects, Engineers, Contractors and Managers will be ideal and I will be delighted to come across a local firm whom are willing to go to that path. Perhaps, for the young engineers, they want to avoid the steep learning curve, for draughtperson, the BIM technology seemed rocket science while management aren't ready to invest. Kevin Loader once wrote: "If you're not riding the wave of change, you'll find yourself beneath it"