Clash Detection in BIMcollab: Enhancing Virtual ICE Sessions

In the rapidly evolving world of construction and engineering, virtual Integrated Concurrent Engineering (ICE) sessions have become essential for efficient project delivery. BIMcollab plays a key role in enhancing these sessions by providing a structured issue management platform that supports real-time collaboration across multiple disciplines.

Virtual ICE sessions bring together project stakeholders to collaboratively review, identify, and resolve issues early in the design and coordination process. These meetings reduce rework and improve design quality—particularly when paired with structured clash detection workflows.

Why BIMcollab for Virtual ICE?

BIMcollab is designed for Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows and helps teams track, manage, and resolve design issues with precision. It integrates with major BIM authoring tools and Common Data Environments (CDEs), making it a robust tool for ICE sessions.

Key benefits include:

Centralized issue tracking in the cloud
Integration with Revit, Archicad, and other BIM Software via IFC
Live updates during coordination meetings
Visual issue markups on BIM models
Role-based assignments with deadlines and priorities

Setting Up BIMcollab for ICE

Before hosting a virtual ICE session, it’s crucial to set up your BIMcollab environment properly:

Create and Configure Your Project: Start with a structured project setup. Invite all relevant consultants, define issue types, and align the naming conventions with ISO 19650 where applicable.
Integrate Authoring and Review Tools: Sync BIMcollab with software like Navisworks for clash detection or Revit for authoring. The BCF Manager plugin enables users to view and resolve issues directly within their modeling environment.
Enable Model Sharing: Use BIMcollab Twin or a shared CDE (e.g., Dropbox, ProjectWise) to distribute the latest models prior to the session. This ensures everyone reviews the same version.

Conducting the Virtual ICE Session

A well-run ICE session using BIMcollab typically follows three phases:

Before the Session

Review all outstanding issues in BIMcollab Nexus to prepare for the meeting.

Review Outstanding Issues: Go through unresolved issues in BIMcollab Nexus.
Set the Agenda: Prioritize topics and identify which clashes or RFIs to focus on.
Log Issues Early: Team members should pre-log issues with clear titles, descriptions, and model views.

During the Session

Collaborative Review: Use screen sharing and BIMcollab's live issue creation to walk through model views together.
Assign Responsibilities: Tag team members, define issue types (e.g., clash, design change), and set deadlines.
Use Visual Context: Navigate to clash viewpoints or section cuts directly through the BCF Manager.

After the Session

Track Progress: Monitor resolutions within BIMcollab. Use filters and color coding to check progress by discipline or location.
Distribute Reports: Export and share PDF reports summarizing session outcomes, issue statuses, and deadlines.

Best Practices

Define Issues Clearly: Use screenshots and viewpoints to avoid misinterpretation.
Standardize Tags: Apply consistent tags to help filter issues by trade or location.
Keep the Platform Updated: Ensure that resolved issues are closed and progress is regularly logged.
Establish Communication Protocols: Use comments for updates and clarifications rather than relying on email.
Train All Participants: A brief onboarding session helps all parties understand how to use BIMcollab effectively.

Conclusion

Using BIMcollab to facilitate virtual ICE sessions empowers project teams to collaborate more efficiently, resolve issues faster, and ensure model coordination is kept under control. It’s not just about detecting clashes—it’s about closing them out with accountability.

If you're ready to implement BIMcollab in your next ICE session, our team of BIM Managers is here to help you get started.