MasonryUnit

Database

MUD Website

Central

RDBMS(Relational Database

Management System)

Product search Product preview

Product search

Direct import to Building model Input data to other

automated plugins (masonry unit to masonry wall)

Exporting SQL Data to Data model schema

Eg SQL to XML or IFC (Structural Query Language used to communicate to database. eXtensible Markup Language to store and transport data. Industry Foundation Class model describing building construction data)

Manual data input Manual data edit

Data Input Data Storage Data Output Manufacturer Supplier Data Manager Trade Association (BIM-M)

MUD Data Manager BIM-M

Client Architect Engineer

General Contractor Mason Contractor

BIM Plugin

MUD Website

Translator

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14 SMART | v3.3 2017 INNOVATION | TECHNOLOGY dynamicsof masonry.com

Just as we, as kids, loved the thrill ofmuddy puddles, designers find thatsame feeling of exhilaration whenchoosing first the colors, blends,textures, unit size, bond as well asthe finish and special shapes orarticulation of the aesthetic masonrywall. So much more than simplyindicating the solid veneer just to bemasonry. FUN. MUD is the softwaretool that allows your choices to bedepicted for the walls.

Building Information Modeling for Masonry'snewest tool launches. The Masonry UnitDatabase allows architects to design usingthis simple tool. It is easy to make selectionsand visualize the completed wall. Then,effortlessly, make it entirely different. Add abrick blend or a second color. Or not. Thenshow this digital rendering to clients forapproval. What a great opportunity to “buildit (to see it) before you build it”.

BIM-M’s Newest ToolLaunchesThe Building Information Modeling for Masonryinitiative, BIM‐M, formed in 2012 is to promotethe efficient use of masonry in the design andconstruction industry. Digital tools for the next

generation of masonry systems will enabledesign development and constructionworkflows to spread the adoption of BIM‐enabled software in the masonry industry.

BIM is expanding quickly within theconstruction industry worldwide. Developmentof BIM tools for masonry to support the use ofbrick, CMU and stone as constructionmaterials is underway to facilitate masonry’s

Jeff Elder, PE, SE LEED AP

Reveling in the Joys of MUDImagine thousands of masonry colors, textures, finishes, shapes andsizes to design with – all contained in BIM-M's Masonry Unit Database

Modeling and analysis tools used by architects, engineers,constructors, managers and ownerscan read from and write to thesame information source

MUD V.1

BIM-M Technology

dynamicsof masonry.com INNOVATION | TECHNOLOGY v3.3 2017 SMART | 15

use more accurately in BIM models. As itbecomes easier and more fun to designmasonry, we can expect to see greater varietyin this aesthetic and greater efficiency in bothits design and construction workflows.

As identified in the BIM‐M best practicesguide1, current BIM models consider themasonry portions of the building as a solidblock of material with defined thickness, butcontaining no information on unit geometry.To improve these models, BIM‐M is developingobjects that provide digital representations ofthe masonry units and walls within the overallbuilding model, so that common modeling andanalysis tools used by architects, engineers,constructors, managers and owners can readand write masonry information along withinformation on other building systems.

Data AccessBIM‐M is working to create platforms wheremasonry unit models can be housed inelectronic repositories in a form that facilitatescommunication between design andconstruction disciplines without a loss of

information. The Masonry Unit Database, MUD, is a repository for industry‐standardmasonry units. Version 1 of the database isavailable through the web portal mudb.orgFigure 1.

Under the coordinated efforts of the BIM‐M

HOME

ImperialMetric

Material Size Color

SEARCH FOR MASONRY UNITS AND BIM FILESCONTACT ABOUT

Select Material Select Family Size Select Color Search

STRUCTURAL MASONRYStructural brick, block and

components for applications thatrequire strength, flexibility and

dependability. Structural units arethe foundation, literally and figuratively,for just about every building project in

the last century. Choose from manydifferent structural systems and find

the right solution for your project here.

ANCHORED VENEERSAnchored systems are used to providethe classic aesthetics and durability ofmasonry in applications where otherstructural systems are used. Masonryveneers protect structural materials

that would otherwise be degraded fromexposure to the elements. Anchored

veneers are attached to structural wallsin many ways such as steel shelves

and suspensions

ADHERED SYSTEMSAdhered systems are made up of

modular units which are designed to belightweight. These systems are often

used in conjunction with othermaterials and are held to their host

surface with mastic or mortar.COMING SOON!

STRUCTURALCONCRETE

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ADHEREDCONCRETE

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Input Pages forParametric Units

Web

Shape Generator

DXF DGN RFA

Validation

MASONRY UNIT DATABASE VERSION 2INCLUDES CUSTOM UNITS

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Specification forModeling Custom

Masonry Units Parametric Units

Custom Units

Figure 1 ‐ Version 1 MUD Portal mudb.org

Figure 2 – MUD Implementation: Inputs, User Accessand Masonry Unit Storage

Plug‐In

1 bimformasonry.org/pdf/bim‐for‐masonry‐modeling‐buildings‐in‐autodesk‐revit.pdf

BIM-M is developing objects thatprovide digital representations ofthe masonry units and walls.

The BIM-M initiative is led by an Executive Committee whosemembers are sponsors:• International Masonry Institute (IMI)• International Union of Bricklayers &

Allied Craftworkers (IUBAC)• Mason Contractors Association of

America (MCAA)• National Concrete Masonry

Association (NCMA)• The Masonry Society (TMS)• Western States Clay Products

Association (WSCPA)• Brick Industry Association (BIA)

Guided by Georgia Institute ofTechnology Digital BuildingLaboratory as BIM-M ConsultantBIM-M Coordinator: David BiggsBIM-M Consultant: Russell Gentry,

Georgia TechIndustry Consultant: Art Theusch

Sponsoring Contributors:• Adams / an Oldcastle Company• Anguleris Technologies / BIMsmith• Biggs Consulting Engineering• Cast Stone Institute• Collaborative Consulting Group• Concrete Masonry Association of

California and Nevada• Georgia Institute of Technology• Hanley-Wood LLC• Hohmann & Barnard• Interstate Brick• Masonry Association of Florida• Mason Contractors Association of

Alberta Canada• Mason Contractors Association of

Michigan• Mason Contractors Association of

St Louis• Masonry Institute of America• Masonry Institute of Michigan• Masonry Institute of St Louis• Michigan Mason Contractors’

Association• National Building Granite Quarries

Association• New York State Concrete Masonry

Association• New York State Structural Masonry

Coalition• North Carolina Masonry

Contractors Association• Northwest Concrete Masonry

Association• Oneonta Block | Duke Concrete

Products• Charles Pankow Foundation• SMART|dynamics of masonry• SPEC Mix

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16 SMART | v3.3 2017 INNOVATION | TECHNOLOGY dynamicsof masonry.com

Initiative, Cad Technology Center (CTC), withtechnical support from the Georgia Instituteof Technology, has developed the databaseand a website to house the Masonry UnitDatabase and facilitate the ease of searchingMUD by non‐database experts. Overall MUDstructure is shown in Figure 2.

Primary components of MUD v1 include:

• Relational database schema, adapted fromGeorgia Tech and implemented by CTC,stores masonry unit information

• Masonry unit input web pages act as a back‐end for entering masonry units into MUD

• User‐facing web pages provide access toMUD, including browsing of masonry unitsand the downloading of BIM and CAD files

• Revit application generates masonry unitsfrom parameters stored in MUD allowingfor direct import of masonry units intoRevit as families

• Set of commonly‐used masonry units fromthe concrete masonry, structural claymasonry and veneer clay masonry families,populate the database Figure 3.

Figure 38" Concrete Masonry Units in MUD

The MUD user portal provides a singlewebsite and access to the database thatcontains models of the most commonlyused generic shapes, colors and sizes forconcrete and clay masonry units. Themodels contain both geometric and materialproperty data and can be exported from thedatabase to all commonly‐used BIM andCAD applications.

MUD: Digital Tool for MoreExpressive MasonryThe MUD is organized to allow users to browsethrough an extensive range of masonrymaterials Figure 4. In Version 1, the databasehas been populated with commonly usedunits in the concrete, structural clay andveneer clay industry segments. In version 2,the vision is that MUD will contain geometryfiles for all masonry materials includingcustom masonry, tile, hardscape and evenmasonry accessories. Expansion of the

BIM-M TECHNOLOGY

Version 1 of the database is availablefree through the web portal mudb.org

Future Development of MUDA geometric interface that can create three‐dimensional (3D) representations of themasonry unit objects has been developedand a plug‐in for direct access to thedatabase through Autodesk Revit is provided.

MUD Version 2, currently in development,will provide a means of generating andimporting complex masonry shapes that

dynamicsof masonry.com INNOVATION | TECHNOLOGY v3.3 2017 SMART | 17

database is dependent on the support of themanufacturers from these industry groups.

BIM‐M’s expectation is that once data forthe models is available, third party vendorswill be motivated to create design softwareenhancing the use, optimization, ordering,scheduling and installation of masonry units.BIM‐M’s objective is to also decreasecontractor costs associated with generating

StructuralUnits

AdheredVeneers

AnchoredVeneers

Thin Brick Tile

MUD

Cast Stone Cut Stone Hardscape Accessories

Figure 4 ‐ Organization of Masonry Units in MUD

ClayThru‐Wall

Concrete Clay Manufactured Stone ArchitecturalGranite

CMU

StandardModularNorman

...

4 inch6 inch8 inch

shop drawings, construction scheduling,cost awareness, safety and improvedcommunications between contractors,designers and owners.

This effort will facilitate the expansion of themasonry industry through data sharing,increased safety, productivity, schedulingand life cycle awareness.

• Tradesmen’s Master Estimator, with On- Screen 3D Estimator (OS3DE) allows you to take-off your masonry walls and render them directly on the fl oor plan(s) in 3D.

• Take a virtual tour through the fi nished project and see how the building is put together. Review and catch any costly mistakes before you submit your bid!

• Tradesmen’s offers an .IFC export for your projects that require a model for BIM. There is no need to seek out and pay an outside service thousands of dollars for each project requiring a BIM model.

1-800-494-5911See for yourself at:

www.tradesmens.com

Masonry Computer Estimating That Does It All ... in 3D!

7 916 "

15 916 "

3 916 "

MUD – You will soon be playing in it!

are not easily represented as rectangularprisms. In this version, the data model willbe expanded and workflows developed thatwill allow manufacturers to house theirunits in MUD. Manufactured stone andgranite cut stone will also be incorporatedin this phase.

Finally, MUD Version 3 is the coordination ofspecific manufacturers’ units and data into

the database. The greatest challenge of thisphase will be in identifying a third party capableand willing to manage and keep the databaselive and up‐to‐date. This phase is intended to beself‐funded through contributions byparticipating manufacturers. Phase 3 isexpected to begin in 2018.

AcknowledgementsDevelopment of the Masonry Unit Databaseis underwritten by the BIM‐M Initiative and it’s sponsors along with support from the Charles Pankow Foundation.

Special recognition and thanks goes to theMUD Development Committee:Wyatt Crane of CTC; Russell Gentry, Georgia Tech;Mark Swanson, IMI; and Nicholas Lang, NCMA.

Jeffrey L Elder, PE, SE,LEED AP, general sales manager forInterstate Brick in UTand HC Muddox in CA,is nationally recognizedfor his role in the designand promotion of hollow

clay structural brick for the past 30 years. He is anexecutive member of BIM-M and project chair ofthe Unit Masonry Committee responsible for theMasonry Unit Database. He has served for thepast 25 years as Technical Chairman for theWestern States Clay Products Association, thestructural research arm of the brick industry. He isa member of The Masonry Society and has activelyparticipated in The Masonry Standards JointCommittee, Masonry Alliance for Codes andStandards, ASTM, and is listed in TMS SpeakerDirectory. He has also authored or co-authorednumerous magazine articles, technical documentsand publications about brick. Elder holds aMaster’s Degree in Civil Engineering / Structuresfrom Brigham Young University, Provo UT.jeff.elder@interstatebrick.com | 801.280.5290.

Figure 5 – Structural Clay or Thru‐Wall Unit in MUD

BIM-M TECHNOLOGY

Join industry leaders modeling masonry for greater efficiencyDeliverables Guide for Mason Contractors• Improve

work processes• Supply chain

management

Presentations offered by Fred Kinateder

Deliverables Modeling• Material Quantities for

purchase orders• Shop Drawings• Virtual Mock Ups• Create RFI for unworkable

details/constructability issues• Layout• Rebar size and placement• Heights and coursing• Lift drawings/working

drawings/ work instructions• Equipment and scaffold

requirements• Site logistics

Learn from the Experts how to take first steps | next steps

10 BIM-M Articles from SMART|Archived at dynamicsofmasonry.com

Learn How to Compete on the new playing field of modeling • Increase masonry's competitiveness• New efficiencies of masonry

through modeling• Design Tools for modeling masonry

Level of DevelopmentWall Systems LibraryMasonry Unit Database (now available)

MasonryiQModeling Masonry to Integrate

with AutoDesk Revit bimformasonry.org