BIM Clash Detection is the systematic process of identifying spatial conflicts between building components and systems using specialized software tools that analyze 3D model intersections. This technology-driven process identifies where building elements inappropriately intersect or violate required clearances before physical construction begins. Clash Detection improves construction projects by preventing expensive field conflicts, reducing rework costs by 5-15% of construction value, decreasing RFIs by 40-60%, minimizing change orders, and shortening schedules through improved system coordination. The process supports optimized pre-construction planning, enables greater prefabrication opportunities, and provides quantifiable risk reduction throughout project delivery while improving overall building system integration and long-term operational performance.

Our BIM Clash Detection processes identify several distinct categories of spatial conflicts that impact construction projects. Hard clashes involve direct geometric intersections between physical components (e.g., ductwork colliding with structural beams). Soft clashes identify clearance violations where components don't directly intersect but violate required buffers for installation, operation, or maintenance. Workflow clashes detect temporal conflicts where installation sequences create constructability problems. Duplicate component clashes identify redundant or overlapping elements from different model sources. Beyond these basic categories, our advanced detection processes also identify code-related conflicts (fire separation violations, accessibility issues), performance conflicts (inadequate service access, compromised system efficiency), and change-related conflicts that occur when design modifications create new interference issues across disciplines.

We implement industry-leading clash detection technologies tailored to project complexity and coordination requirements. Our primary clash detection platforms include Autodesk Navisworks Manage for comprehensive interference checking, Solibri Model Checker for rule-based spatial validation, and BIM Track for collaborative issue management. These core platforms are supplemented by specialized tools including Revizto for immersive clash resolution, Autodesk BIM 360 Coordination for cloud-based collaboration, and Trimble Connect for field-accessible clash review. For projects with specialized requirements, we employ advanced analysis tools such as Ideate BIMLink for data-driven clash analysis and dRofus for program compliance verification. Our technology approach emphasizes interoperability through open standards including IFC and BCF to ensure seamless data exchange regardless of model authoring platforms.

We implement a structured clash management methodology that ensures systematic resolution of all significant conflicts. Initially, clash detection exercises are configured with appropriate tolerance settings and filtering rules to identify meaningful conflicts while excluding minor or irrelevant intersections. Identified clashes are then categorized by severity (critical, major, minor), affected systems, responsible parties, and building zones to establish resolution priorities. Critical clashes affecting major building systems receive immediate attention through dedicated coordination workshops with key stakeholders. Our clash tracking system maintains complete documentation of identified issues, assigned responsibilities, proposed solutions, verification requirements, and resolution status. Regular coordination reports provide transparent progress metrics including clash detection statistics, resolution rates, and outstanding issues organized by priority and area to maintain accountability throughout the coordination process.

For multi-discipline projects with complex systems, we implement a structured clash detection approach that addresses both system-specific and integrated coordination requirements. Our process begins with discipline-specific model validation to ensure individual model quality before integration. We then employ a progressive clash detection sequence that first addresses major system conflicts (structure vs. large mechanical elements) before proceeding to more detailed coordination (small-bore piping, conduit runs). The process utilizes custom search sets and clash grouping to focus detection efforts on critical intersections between related systems. For highly complex areas (mechanical rooms, ceiling plenums), we implement specialized micro-coordination processes with targeted clash tests and dedicated review sessions. Throughout the process, our federated model environment maintains proper hierarchy, visibility control, and system identification to ensure clear communication of clash locations and affected components across all disciplines.

Our clash detection process follows a structured workflow from initiation through verification. The process begins with coordination planning and BIM execution plan development that establishes detection parameters, model requirements, and exchange protocols. Initial model federation brings together all discipline models in the coordination environment with appropriate alignment verification. Systematic clash detection tests are then configured and executed according to the coordination sequence, with initial focus on major systems before progressing to detailed components. Identified clashes are categorized, assigned, and tracked through our management system. Regular coordination meetings review critical clashes with key stakeholders to develop and approve resolution strategies. As design teams implement clash resolutions in their models, verification testing confirms that modifications successfully resolve identified conflicts. This cyclic process continues throughout design development and pre-construction phases, with progressively refined clash detection parameters as model detail increases.

Our clash detection services integrate with construction scheduling through specialized 4D analysis that identifies temporal conflicts in addition to spatial interferences. By linking schedule activities to model components, we perform time-based clash detection that reveals conflicts in the planned construction sequence. This integrated approach identifies situations where scheduled installation orders create impossibilities (e.g., ceiling grid installed before above-ceiling services) or where temporary conditions during construction create conflicts not visible in the final design. The process supports construction planning by validating critical path dependencies, optimizing installation sequences, identifying schedule opportunities, and verifying construction phase logistics. For complex phased projects, our time-based clash detection analyzes each major construction milestone to ensure that interim conditions maintain required clearances, access routes, and operational systems while accommodating ongoing construction activities.

Our clash detection process generates comprehensive deliverables that document both methodologies and outcomes. Standard deliverables include clash detection reports documenting test configurations, identified issues, resolution status, and verification results. These reports are supplemented by viewpoint files providing visual documentation of clash conditions with appropriate markups and annotations. For project teams, we provide clash resolution tracking logs that maintain complete issue management records from identification through closure. Coordination deliverables include signed-off interference check reports certifying that designated building areas have completed the conflict resolution process. The final coordination documentation package typically includes the composite coordination model, resolved clash viewpoints, system routing approval documents, and coordination certificates that establish the contractual reference for construction implementation. Throughout construction, we can provide ongoing clash detection services for proposed changes, generating change impact reports that identify potential conflicts created by field modifications.