BimScaler Blog – The success of BIM implementation heavily relies on the accuracy and integrity of the BIM model. BIM model validation is a crucial step to make sure that the project data is complete, consistent, and compliant with industry standards and project requirements.
BIM validation is the process of checking a digital model against a set of predefined rules, standards, and requirements to ensure its accuracy, completeness, and quality. The goal of BIM validation is to verify that the model meets the project’s specifications, regulations, and industry standards, and to identify any errors, inconsistencies, or inaccuracies.
Without proper validation, construction projects can face costly delays, rework, and potential safety hazards.
Let’s learn more about BIM model validation, including the stages of the process, common issues, and some of the reasons why manual validation can be difficult.
BIM model validation is an ongoing process that occurs throughout the project lifecycle. It involves several stages to ensure the model’s accuracy and compliance:
- Design Review: During the design phase, the BIM model is reviewed to ensure it meets the project’s design intent, specifications, and regulatory requirements. This stage involves checking for clashes, inconsistencies, and adherence to design standards.
- Construction Documentation Review: As the project progresses, the BIM model is validated against the construction documents, such as drawings, specifications, and schedules. This stage ensures that the model accurately reflects the intended construction details and materials.
- Clash Detection: Clash detection is a critical stage of BIM model validation, where potential conflicts between different building systems (e.g., architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical) are identified and resolved. This process helps prevent costly rework and delays during construction.
- Code Compliance Review: The BIM model is reviewed for compliance with relevant building codes, standards, and regulations. This stage ensures that the project meets safety, accessibility, and sustainability requirements.
- As-Built Validation: Upon project completion, the BIM model is validated against the as-built conditions, ensuring that it accurately represents the constructed facility. This stage is crucial for facility management and future renovations or modifications.
Common BIM Validation Issues
Despite the benefits of BIM, construction projects may still encounter validation issues that have an impact on project success. Desapex stated in their blog post that there are at least two major challenges to BIM validation: model complexity and standard problems.
With millions of objects in BIM models, it is difficult to ensure that every aspect of the building is accurate. Aside from that, with so many different BIM software options available, validation checks are becoming increasingly difficult due to potential compatibility issues.
Now, let us explore other issues that may arise during the process of BIM validation.
1. Complexity of Models
One of the primary challenges in BIM validation is the inherent complexity of BIM models. These models can contain millions of objects, each with numerous properties, making it extremely difficult to manually check every aspect of the model for accuracy and completeness.
2. Data Inconsistency
Inconsistencies in data input by different stakeholders can lead to discrepancies in the BIM model. This issue is compounded by the diverse backgrounds and expertise of the team members, which can result in varied interpretations and implementations in the modelling process.
3. Lack of standardisation
The absence of standard processes and protocols in BIM implementation can lead to significant validation challenges. Without standardisation, it becomes difficult to ensure uniformity and accuracy across different parts of the BIM model, affecting the overall project integrity.
4. Software Interoperability
Different teams may use different BIM software, leading to interoperability issues. These can hinder the integration of various components of the BIM model, complicating the validation process and potentially leading to errors in the final construction.
5. Inadequate Detailing
BIM models require a high level of detail to be effective. However, models are sometimes created with insufficient detailing, which can lead to issues during the construction phase. This lack of detail can affect everything, from material specifications to installation processes.
6. Updating and Maintenance Challenges
BIM models must be continuously updated to reflect any changes or modifications in the project. Failure to regularly update models can result in validation issues, as the model may no longer accurately represent the current state of the project.
7. Human Error
Human error remains a significant factor in BIM validation issues. Errors can be introduced at any stage of the modelling process, from data entry to model manipulation, and can propagate throughout the project if not identified and corrected early.
8. Time Constraints
Tight project timelines can lead to rushed BIM processes, where validation may not be as thorough as required. This can result in overlooked errors that might only become apparent during construction, leading to delays and increased costs.
BIM validation requires more than just technology – it demands skilled professionals who can harness its power. But what happens when training difficulties get in the way? Learn how to overcome common challenges and empower your teams with the skills they need to succeed in our previous. Click the link below to proceed.
Learn More: BIM Training Difficulties: Common Challenges and Effective Methods To Consider
Why Validation of BIM Data Should Not Be a Manual Process
While manual validation of BIM models is possible, it is a time-consuming, error-prone, and inefficient process, especially for large and complex projects. Relying solely on manual validation can lead to several challenges.
One such challenge is human error. Manual validation is susceptible to human errors, such as overlooking clashes, missing details, or misinterpreting information, which can result in costly mistakes during construction.
Another challenge is time and resource constraints. Manually validating a BIM model can be an extremely time-consuming and resource-intensive task, especially for large-scale projects with multiple disciplines and stakeholders involved.
As the complexity and size of projects increase, manual validation becomes increasingly challenging and may not scale effectively, leading to potential bottlenecks and delays. This scalability issue can further exacerbate the challenges faced during the validation process.
Additionally, manual validation processes can vary between individuals or teams, leading to inconsistencies in the validation approach and results. This lack of consistency can introduce uncertainties and complexities in the project management and decision-making processes.
Automated BIM validation tools and processes can be one of the solutions to these issues.
Automated validation software can quickly and accurately identify issues, clashes, and non-compliances within the BIM model, ensuring consistency and reliability throughout the project lifecycle. Solibri Model Chequer, Navisworks, BIM Collab, and Revizto are some examples of BIM validation tools.
As we’ve seen, BIM validation issues can have a significant impact on project timelines, budgets, and overall success.
However, by optimising our BIM workflows, we can mitigate these risks and unlock the full potential of Building Information Modelling. We covered this in our previous article, where we dive deeper into the key elements, strategies, and best practices for BIM workflow optimization.
Click the link below to learn more:
Learn More: BIM Workflow Optimisation: Key Elements, Strategies, and Best Practices
Conclusion
BIM model validation is an essential component of a successful construction project. Identifying and resolving issues early in the process allows project teams to reduce risks, rework, and ensure compliance with design intent, standards, and regulations. Manual validation is possible, but it is strongly advised to use automated BIM validation tools and processes to improve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency.
Maintaining the accuracy and consistency of your BIM models can be a daunting task. With so many potential validation issues to consider, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
Don’t let BIM validation issues hold you back from achieving your project goals.
Partner with BIMScaler, your trusted BIM implementation partner.
Our CAD and BIM management services provide you with a team of experienced BIM experts to help you identify and resolve common validation issues, such as geometry errors, data inconsistencies, and level of detail discrepancies. We’ll help you develop a customised quality control process to ensure your models meet the required standards and specifications.
