What is clash detection?
Summary
Clash detection checks a 3D model for objects that overlap or come too close, so that collisions are found in the design instead of on site.
Hard and soft clashes
- Hard clash: two objects physically overlap, for example a pipe through a beam or two pipes through each other.
- Soft clash or clearance: the objects do not touch, but there is not enough space, for example for insulation, for operating a valve, for maintenance or for fitting the bolts of a flange.
What is checked
- pipes against pipes, equipment, steel and the building;
- the outside of the insulation instead of the bare pipe;
- clearance zones around valves, equipment and access routes.
A model of the building or of other disciplines, for example in IFC, is added as a reference. For an existing installation, a point cloud from a scan shows the current situation.
Working with the results
Clash detection gives a list. Each clash is assessed: solved in the design, accepted, or not a real clash, for example a pipe that passes through a sleeve on purpose. Checking regularly during the design keeps the list short.
In FlowCAD3D
Clash detection checks pipes, components, equipment, reference models, insulation and clearance, with a clickable list that shows each clash in the model. Point clouds are part of the check. Routes calculated between two points are checked for clashes as well.
Start with FlowCAD3D
Engineer € 169 and Fitter € 119 per user per month, excluding VAT; cancellable per month.