How robust is solid modeling? How to model for Physical simulation?

[catchyid]

Hi,

I am building a 3d model for a skyscraper which will be used in physical simulation (e.g. pre-fracture and then destroy). I never modeled anything serious, just tried most of modelling nodes in Houdini to make sure I understand them.

I want to build a model for the skyscraper ASAP (to be used in phyiscal simulation), so I have couple choices:

a-create some boxes (to represent walls/columns/...) and use Houdini constraint networks to glue them. The problem here is I get some slight penetrations between boxes that might affect simulation when I turn them into rigidbodies. Plus, I think it's lot of work (even if I use all copy sop stuff to replicate boxes)

b-use solid modeling, e.g. cookie node, to build a wall and cut windows, dents, etc. The good thing here is it's faster than building box and glue them together and most importantly that the final mesh is one piece with no penetrations. HOWEVER, I am noticing that the cookie node does not work all the time, sometimes I get "good" results, and sometimes I get "strange" unexpected results?

My question: What is usually the best way to build such 3D models suitable for physical simulation? Should I use (a) or (b)? I might be using the "cookie" node the wrong way, is it worth to read more the documentation and know all the details needed to fix any problem?

Thanks,