Building Information Modeling (BIM) revolutionizes the way construction projects are planned, designed, constructed, and managed. Essentially, BIM is a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a building or infrastructure. It integrates various aspects of a construction project, including geometry, spatial relationships, geographic information, quantities, and properties of building components.
Simply put, BIM is a virtual 3D model with which architects, engineers, contractors, and others can collaborate effectively throughout the project lifecycle. This allows for improved visualization, coordination, and analysis of the building design and its components, promoting smoother communication and decision-making.
BIM remains one of the pioneering elements that transform the approach to designing, building, and operating buildings. At the threshold of 2024, BIM trends are directed toward unprecedented efficiency, collaboration, and sustainability within the construction sector.
What is BIM?
BIM, an acronym for Building Information Modeling, refers to a digitized detailed process aimed at developing an in-depth 3D model of your structure. These models help you know the structure in detail before the actual construction. The model includes information on the construction material, ASMEPF connections, dimensions, how different parts interact with each other, physical and functional characteristics & other details of the structure to help contractors, stakeholders, architects, engineers, designers & clients visualize and suggest changes to the structure being constructed.
This reduces chances of error in the construction process, saving the cost, time & material use for the structure. According to International Journal of BIM & Engineering Science-IJBES, UK makes best use of BIM technology by holding the lead of the world. Nearly 70% of construction professionals used BIM on their projects in 2019 and the rest who were not applying it were generally aware of it’s importance and how to use them. These models also apply during maintenance and renovation processes of the building.
Building Information Modeling, also known as BIM, refers to a form of building design technology that begins by creating an intelligent 3D model.
The most advanced BIM software systems include a database of all the information related to buildings, and with the intelligent data about construction sequencing, cost, and lifecycle management, they permit document management, collaboration, and simulation throughout the entire lifecycle of a project.
The idea here is simple: if everyone involved can see exactly what a site is going to look like and have all relevant information available in one centralized, actionable repository, it can help the team:
Explore design options
Create visualizations that help stakeholders understand what the building will look like
Develop the design documentation
Modern building information modeling systems are not just providing digital versions of physical plans, but a single source of truth from which all users can view, alter and improve upon those plans for smoother design, construction and operation.
1.Thermal, electrical, and mechanical characteristics of a building
2.Identifying potential issues and devising solutions for the same
3.Evaluating the geometry of the spaces and the associated costs
4.Choosing the most cost-effective set of materials and instruments
5.Operations and maintenance of completed real estate projects
BIM Objects – Definition & Use
BIM objects, or Building Information Modeling objects, are the different models of real-life parts of the building or the structure. These objects give a detailed view and description of walls, doors, windows, internal structures, different ASMEPF connections & other components. It allows engineers, contractors, architects & stakeholders to understand building model and structure in detail. These are created using Revit, Navisworks, Tekla & other such software.
This also helps estimate the cost of the material, maintenance schedules, amount of time required, performance, dimensions & every other technical and non-technical detail.
Benefits of BIM
Improved Teamwork and Interaction
In this way, the team is able to work on the project simultaneously as all of them are updated about the changes made in the file, improving teamwork.
Better Visualization and Design Quality
3D models in BIM help in visualizing design before its construction, reducing chances of on-spot errors and design defects.
Lower Costs and Enhanced Efficiency
Detection of flaws sooner helps reduce mistakes, ultimately reducing cost and this also contributes to pre-planning of the structure to get a better outcome.
Better Project Administration
The BIM designs and processes help to maintain building structure from the start till renovation, or future demolition of building. This facilitates long-term asset management.
Ecological Viability and Energy-saving
Using energy efficiency and environmental impact analyses, BIM facilitates the design of greener buildings. Along with lowering expenses and environmental impacts, it also optimizes energy usage.
Adherence to Regulation and Hazard Assessment
By incorporating rules into the design process, BIM guarantees adherence to local construction requirements and lowers risks by identifying design flaws early on and averting expensive mistakes and delays.
Important conclusions from a recent Dodge Data & Analytics survey of contractors are that using BIM increased Return on Investment (ROI). The following conclusions were made from the survey telling “A 25% increase in labor productivity, a 25% decrease in labor, a 5% reduction in the final construction costs, and a 5% increase in the speed of completion.”
Have you wondered what goes into the edifices that are being built lately? What is the technology that gives impeccable strength to the skyscrapers?
Building Information Modelling Technology or BIM technology can be defined as the digital representation of the physical and functional properties of a Building. It is also a shared information resource and a database of knowledge for people involved like Architects, Engineers, Construction, and Operation (AECO) professionals. This exists from the conception of the idea for a project until the end i. e. demolition.
So What is Building Information Modelling(BIM)?
In short, Building Information Modelling Technology is a process involving intelligent 3D Modelling, which offers relevant information and tools for efficient planning, designing, construction, and management of the professionals involved.
The change BIM has brought to the construction technology world is that it allows the creation of virtual 3D models to be explored in multiple ways.
It connects the AECO professionals in an integrated manner where any change made by one person will update in the data of the collaborators since the model in BIM will be a centralised model.
Benefits of BIM Technology
Building Information Modelling Technology helps Architects, Engineers and Designers with a better visualisation of a project before construction, this helps in the estimation of cost in a more integrated way since it connects all the fields involved in the construction, BIM with its wide range of applications and advanced technology accelerates growth.
BIM enhances coordination AECO among the contractors, subcontractors, fabricators, suppliers, and manufacturers through sequencing, storing data on export, and growth.
BIM helps the construction professional in minimizing abortive work, off-site manufacturing, and clash detection. All this contributes to lessening time and money.
Advanced BIM also enables the analysis of hazards associated with building structures, especially high-rise buildings, and measures for precautions while constructing can be made safe. Therefore, it caters to the safety and health of professionals involved.
BIM allows space flexibility and the possibility of a high level of customisation by using pre-construction visualisation.
It makes it easier for Architects, Engineers and Designers to optimize and influence various stages of design and construction.
BIM Technology leads to an overall better outcome.
With the availability of asset data in BIM construction it is easier to maintain the building for operators and occupants.
BIM also helps in the betterment of project lifecycle management.
How Does the BIM Process Work?
A building information model can be used throughout a project lifecycle to bring clarity and efficiency into a building’s construction:
Planning: BIM software can inform, guide, and simplify project planning by allowing users to use reality capture and real-world data to understand how a building will really look in its natural environment.
Design: The most complex phase may be the design phase of the construction process which involves conceptual designing, analysis and documentation. Data from BIM will provide comprehensive modelling that can make sense of arranging construction and other important information for a design’s performance. It is also used for logistics, ease in scheduling and ensuring that proper information reaches all the individuals involved in that process.
Construction: It can be basically controlled and streamlined by this phase of the BIM project specifications as well as shared documents.
Operation: Even for operations and maintenance, BIM’s data-rich models and asset data can provide real-time services for support during operations, maintenance, refurbishment, extension, and even demolition.
Projects with BIM
California, USA, Chase Center, European Spallation Source in Lund, Sweden, Facebook’s Clonee Data Centre in Clonee, Ireland, Tianjin Chow Tai Fook Financial Center in Beijing, China and Istanbul Metro, Istanbul, Turkey have used BIM Construction.
Bangalore Airport Terminal 2, Neggur Metro Rail Corporation, Underground Track of Delhi Metro Rail, and The Personal Rapid Transit in Amristar are some of the projects that India has undertaken using Building Information Modelling Technology.
Indeed, with the limitless benefits of technologies like BIM and its rapid progress, the future is very bright for construction, only if we can be quick enough to catch up with it!
BIM is a process of creating and managing information about a construction project during its lifecycle. It provides an overall digital model of the project for everyone involved, and they can update and improve it at key stages.
Various BIM Levels
Level 01
This is a very low level of Building Information Modeling, where 2D CAD designs are made, and these are not shared with everyone. They can be made using traditional methods or in PDF format and offer minimum or no sharing between other designers, drafters & stakeholders. This is also termed as zero collaboration level. Its use is rarely found in the modern world.
Level 02
In 3D CAD modeling, one carries out 2D drafts, which are drafted for documentation as well as a detailed view of the structure. These are taken to CDE, so every drafter and designer has the ability to share their designs and work accordingly. It also grants limited interaction with others, but not on a full basis.
Level 03
This level, known as the full collaboration level, allows the various drafters, designers, stakeholders & others to make their CAD models, and then to share them commonly in CDE. These are then compiled and formed into one BIM-processed design which would allow contribution from everyone. These are produced in COBie or IFC format to ensure easy collaboration and changes by team. All disciplines, ASMEPF, duct & other details are developed at this level.
Level 04
This level of detail allows all collaborators to work on same file simultaneously and make changes accordingly. This makes model fully integrated for the use of everyone. It makes sure that there is no overlap of information or changes made in the file. At this level, BIM increases efficiency and gives every single detail of structure.
It might be during the pre-construction stage or for facilities management, and BIM technology allows you to plan and visualize your project throughout its lifecycle. In fact, the 3D simulations not only enable one to experience what the space would look like, but it also provides a platform where requisite changes could be made before starting off with the construction process.
At the core of BIM technology stands project visualization-the dynamic imagining platform for a project from the birth to completion stages. In fact, BIM adopts immersive 3D simulations that replace the normal plans for comprehensive examination of an even proposed space right before its eventual construction. As such, architects, engineers, and clients alike come onto this virtual field to freely design and try new concepts for innovation. Comprehensive project visualization identifies and solves potential problems early in construction, thus saving time and resources. Additionally, the fact that one can visualize the final product increases stakeholder buy-in and involvement, which ensures that everything works out as planned.
Since BIM models are synchronized on cloud-based systems, it is easy to share, edit, and version the building structure among the team members. Even if a change is made on one file, contacts who have access will be able to view the changes. Therefore, all the team members stay coordinated and have the necessary insights into the project.
Real-time growth of the building structure is able to be easily shared, edited, and monitored with stakeholders via the synchronization of BIM models in the cloud-based system. This provides each member in the team access to the most up-to-date information and also removes the drudgery of working on various versions of the same files. Also, by having changes by engineers or architects in structural details or design elements immediately apparent to the whole team, it promotes transparency and alignment. Moreover, since BIM communication is cloud-based, it makes coordination and collaboration of teams spread geographically with less difficulty. In the end, BIM’s smooth communication features encourage accuracy, efficiency, and cohesion among project participants, which results in better project outcomes and happier clients.
One of the most significant and important advantages of using the BIM technology is that it provides cost estimation even before starting the development. These expenses can be related to the materials and their shipping, prefabricated or modular pieces, labor payrolls required throughout the construction timeline, amongst others.
Assist architects and planners in taking down expenses-an essential part-and find various opportunities through BIM technology to slash down those expenses. BIM technology not only helps reduce cost but is able to offer more time for purchases for a material package at best available market rate, or better calculate the expenses while making modular pieces at site with comparisons to their ordered pre-fabricated equivalents.
BIM technology facilitates a more efficient workflow in construction processes, and construction works are completed sooner. It enables the detection of many flaws and lapses that can occur during construction by analyzing a number of indicators. The possibility of mistakes and errors that are inherent with manual estimation techniques is lessened through this preventive approach. In addition, BIM software helps in creating complex project diagrams by gathering information and making it possible to make rapid changes among team members. In addition, 3D modeling software speeds up the creation of complex project schematics by gathering information and making effortless collaboration in revising among team members.
Other than cost cutting and streamlining the work structure, BIM technology also identifies danger zones. Once the fragile areas or major structural issues are identified, envisaging and organizing site logistics becomes convenient. Therefore, timely visual risk evaluation reduces the chances of the occurrence of any unforeseen physical damages.
The ability of BIM to detect potential danger zones and structural vulnerabilities allows project teams to address safety concerns. Stakeholders can anticipate hazards and develop comprehensive safety plans before construction begins by visualizing and analyzing site conditions.
The beauty of building information modeling is that you can plan and visualize an upcoming project before you begin construction using 3D visualizations and space-use simulations. This means that all relevant parties can experience a space during preconstruction, reducing delays, construction schedule setbacks, or changes later on.
BIM’s “database-first” modeling also allows designers, construction teams, engineers, and architects to access and edit relevant building information using their familiar graphical formats – all within one dataset. This simplifies the editing process and prevents inconsistencies when everyone accesses their own discrete files.
Overall, this increased visibility and collaboration will lead to improved productivity, more informed planning, and greater ability to explore design alternatives. This can also lead to increased asset lifecycle and lower maintenance costs throughout a project lifecycle.
This is vital to building owners and operators as they are sometimes not included in important construction project stages and thus lose vital information such as inspection requirements for facilities management. Read more on the advantages of BIM to the building owner.
Especially when opening a new facility, proper handover of engineering and BIM data is crucial in operations and maintenance for tracking warranties, compliance, budget management, and much more.
