The process of automatically identifying conflicts between elements in different discipline models. When the MEP engineer's duct runs through the structural engineer's beam, clash detection flags it - digitally, in the model - before it becomes a costly problem on site.

Clash detection is run in tools like Autodesk Navisworks or Solibri. There are three types:

• Hard clash - two elements physically occupying the same space
• Soft clash - two elements violating a required clearance zone
• Workflow clash - a sequencing conflict (something scheduled before its prerequisite is complete)