How Revit Clash Detection is Used for BIM Coordination

Discover How Revit Clash Detection is Used for BIM Coordination

As construction projects become increasingly complex, the ability to detect and resolve design conflicts early in the process is no longer optional—it’s essential. At the heart of this proactive approach to coordination lies Revit Clash Detection, a critical feature within Autodesk’s BIM ecosystem.

This blog explores how Revit clash detection is used for BIM coordination, including its role in streamlining design collaboration, improving project accuracy, and enhancing communication between multidisciplinary teams. We’ll also cover the workflow, best practices, tools, and integration with other software to create a robust clash management strategy.

What is Clash Detection in Revit?

Understanding Clash Detection

Clash detection is the process of identifying and resolving conflicts where elements from different models occupy the same space or interfere with one another. These can be:

• Hard clashes (e.g., duct passing through a beam)
• Soft clashes (e.g., clearance requirements)
• Workflow clashes (e.g., scheduling conflicts)

In Revit, clash detection helps teams visualize these problems early—long before construction begins—minimizing rework, cost overruns, and delays.

Built-in Revit Tools for Clash Detection

Revit includes several native tools that support clash detection:

• Interference Check
• Copy/Monitor Tools
• Worksharing with Coordination Review
• View Filters and Section Boxes for Manual Review

While not as comprehensive as Navisworks, these tools provide a solid foundation for model coordination, especially during the design phase.

The Evolution of Revit Clash Detection

Revit was launched in 2000 by Revit Technology Corporation and acquired by Autodesk in 2002. Since then, its coordination and clash detection capabilities have grown in tandem with industry needs.

With the advent of cloud collaboration (via BIM 360 and Autodesk Construction Cloud), Revit’s clash detection workflows have become more integrated, collaborative, and accessible—making it a powerful coordination engine.

Why Use Revit Clash Detection for BIM Coordination?

1. Early Conflict Resolution

Revit enables early identification of design conflicts within and between disciplines. For example, structural engineers can quickly spot if an HVAC duct is interfering with a beam.

2. Improved Design Accuracy

By resolving spatial conflicts in the model, Revit ensures that what gets built in the field matches the design intent—minimizing expensive on-site surprises.

3. Enhanced Team Collaboration

Clash detection in Revit fosters collaboration between architects, structural engineers, MEP designers, and contractors. Everyone works from the same coordinated model.

4. Better Use of BIM Data

Revit’s parametric modeling and rich data structure allow clashes to be not just visualized but categorized, assigned, and tracked—making coordination smarter, not just visual.

5. Integration with Navisworks and ACC

Revit clash detection can be augmented with Navisworks Manage or Autodesk Construction Cloud, enabling advanced analysis, rule-based testing, and multi-model federation.

Key Revit Features That Support Clash Detection

1. Interference Check Tool

This native tool helps users:

• Select two sets of elements (e.g., ducts and beams)
• Automatically check for geometric overlaps
• View clashes in 3D
• Export reports for review and resolution

While basic, it’s a quick and effective way to identify hard clashes.

2. Copy/Monitor Tool

Used in multidisciplinary models, this feature allows teams to:

• Copy elements (like grids, levels, fixtures) from linked models
• Monitor them for changes
• Get notified when something moves or changes—avoiding conflicts
  
  
  
  
  

3. Coordination Review

This tool works with Copy/Monitor to help users:

• Review and accept changes
• Post comments for resolution
• Reject invalid modifications
• Keep teams aligned without constant meetings
  
  
  
  
  

4. Shared Coordinates and Model Linking

Accurate model linking ensures that all disciplines work in the same spatial context, minimizing coordination errors and spatial mismatches.

5. Section Boxes and 3D Views

These help visually inspect model clashes by isolating problem areas. Custom views with filters and transparency enhance clarity and issue spotting.

How Revit Clash Detection is Used for BIM Coordination

1. Preparation of Discipline Models

Each discipline—architecture, structure, MEP—works on their respective models using Revit. These are linked together for coordination using shared coordinates.

2. Running an Interference Check

Using Revit’s built-in tools, clash tests are run between relevant categories, such as:

• Ducts vs. Beams
• Pipes vs. Walls
• Electrical vs. Plumbing

Results are reviewed in the model and documented in schedules or exported for issue tracking.

3. Reviewing and Assigning Issues

Detected clashes are reviewed manually or with coordination views. Project teams then:

• Annotate or tag the issue
• Assign it to the responsible team
• Track changes and verify resolution

This may be done within Revit or using Autodesk Construction Cloud.

4. Re-running Tests After Fixes

Once changes are made, interference checks are re-run to ensure issues are resolved and no new ones have been introduced.

5. Collaboration via Shared Models

Using Revit Cloud Worksharing, teams can work on a single model in real-time, reducing version conflicts and ensuring a synchronized coordination workflow.

6. Export to Navisworks for Advanced Testing

When more complex clash rules are needed (e.g., rule-based grouping), Revit models are exported to Navisworks Manage for deeper analysis.

Best Practices for Clash Detection in Revit

1. Run Tests Frequently

Regular interference checks during the design phase prevent issues from compounding later.

2. Define Categories Clearly

Avoid checking unrelated elements—define logical category pairs like duct vs. beam, or pipe vs. slab.

3. Use Naming Conventions

Standardized naming of models, views, and issues makes tracking easier and avoids confusion.

4. Leverage View Filters

Use view templates and filters to isolate clash-prone elements, such as ceiling-mounted equipment, to spot overlaps visually.

5. Coordinate Early and Often

Early-stage clash detection avoids costly downstream changes. Involve all stakeholders before construction documents are finalized.

Benefits of Using Revit Clash Detection for Coordination

• Improves model accuracy and constructability
• Reduces field conflicts and change orders
• Encourages collaborative workflows
• Enables leaner, data-rich models
• Integrates smoothly with other Autodesk tools
• Cost-effective for design-phase coordination
  
  
  
  
  

Limitations of Revit Clash Detection

• Basic compared to advanced tools like Navisworks
• Doesn’t group or prioritize clashes automatically
• Lacks rule-based clash testing (e.g., clearance zones)
• Manual tracking unless integrated with ACC
• Requires experience to interpret complex results
  
  
  
  
  

Revit Clash Detection vs Navisworks Manage

Revit is ideal for early design-phase clash detection. Navisworks shines during multi-model coordination and detailed analysis in construction planning.

Case Studies: Revit Clash Detection in Action

Hospital Project in Singapore

Revit was used for clash detection between MEP systems and structural walls. The team reduced rework by 45% and minimized RFIs due to well-coordinated models.

University Campus in Canada

Architectural, MEP, and structural models were combined in Revit using shared coordinates. Over 300 clashes were resolved before tendering, saving $180,000 in change orders.

Integrating Revit with Other Tools

1. Navisworks

Export RVT files to NWC or NWD formats for detailed clash analysis. Teams can use Navisworks to group, prioritize, and visualize conflicts in federated models.

2. Autodesk Construction Cloud

ACC adds cloud-based issue tracking, model coordination dashboards, and mobile access to Revit’s clash workflows. Perfect for remote and multi-office teams.

3. BIM Track / BIMcollab

Third-party tools can link to Revit for enhanced issue tracking, dashboards, and assignment automation.

Who Should Use Revit Clash Detection?

• Architects – To validate spatial layouts
• MEP Engineers – To resolve system overlaps
• Structural Designers – To detect intrusions into framing
• Contractors – To anticipate and prevent site conflicts
• BIM Coordinators – To manage centralized clash workflows
  
  
  
  
  

Conclusion

Effective BIM coordination starts with identifying and resolving design conflicts as early as possible—and Revit’s clash detection tools provide just that. From basic interference checks to full-scale multidisciplinary coordination, Revit equips project teams with the power to collaborate more intelligently.

By understanding how Revit clash detection is used for BIM coordination, firms can cut down on costly errors, improve buildability, and drive smarter decision-making throughout the construction lifecycle. Whether used alone or integrated with Autodesk Construction Cloud or Navisworks, Revit remains a cornerstone of any efficient BIM strategy.

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