Automatic generation of fabrication drawings for façade mullions and transoms through BIM models. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deng, Min; Gan, Vincent J.L.; Tan, Yi; Joneja, Ajay; Cheng, Jack C.P.
• Is Part Of: Advanced engineering informatics. Volume 42(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Building information modeling -- Computer-aided design -- Fabrication drawing -- Façade mullion and transom -- Layout design; Computer-aided engineering -- Periodicals; Engineering -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 620.00285
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aei.2019.100964
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-0346

Abstract

Highlights: Automatically generate fabrication drawings for mullions and transoms using BIM. Developed a methodology to fit slender front views on any drawing templates. Obtained sufficient section views based on improved graph theory. Proposed a systematical approach for automatic generation of dimensions. Achieved consistent drawing formats for multiple drawings using clustering. Abstract: Fabrication drawings are essential for manufacturing, design evaluation and inspection of building components, especially for building façade structural components. In order to clearly represent the physical characteristics of the façade structural components, a large number of section views need to be produced, which is very time-consuming and labor intensive. Therefore, automatic generation of fabrication drawings for building façade components (such as mullions and transoms) is of paramount importance. In this paper, attempts have been made to develop an efficient framework in order to automatically generate fabrication drawings for building façade structural components, including mullions and transoms. To represent the complex physical characteristics (such as holes and notches) on mullions and transoms using minimum number of drawing views, a computational algorithm based on graph theory is developed to eliminate duplicated section views. Another methodology regarding the generation of breaks for top views is also proposed to further improve the quality of drawing layouts. The obtained drawing views are then automatically arranged using a developed approach. In addition, primary dimensions of the drawing views focusing on the physical features are also generated. Furthermore, in order to maintain the consistency of drawing formats across multiple drawings, a methodology is proposed to determine the scaling factors of the drawings by using clustering technique. In an illustrative example, the proposed framework is used to generate the fabrication drawings for a typical BIM model containing façade structural components, and saving in time is observed.