Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a smart, 3D model-based application that gives people a virtual picture of the physical and functional features of a building. This kind of representation helps everyone on the project have a better understanding of the space’s management, design, construction, and planning.
Implementing building information models correctly assists everyone on the project in resolving communication issues during construction. With a shared knowledge base, Building Information Modelling can assist your team in making better decisions throughout the building’s lifecycle.
Before you begin implementing BIM in your business, let us first understand its main purpose and how it can benefit your project.
The main purpose of BIM is to create a digital representation of a building that includes all its physical and functional characteristics. This allows stakeholders to collaborate more effectively, identify potential conflicts or issues, and make informed decisions throughout the entire lifecycle of the project.
Additionally, Building Information Modelling helps improve coordination and reduce errors by providing a centralized platform for sharing and accessing information.
For example, imagine a construction company that is using BIM to build a new office building. With Building Information Modelling, the company can create a detailed digital model of the building that includes all its components, such as walls, doors, electrical systems, and plumbing.
This allows architects, engineers, and contractors to work together more efficiently by visualising the building’s design and identifying any potential clashes or conflicts before construction begins. Additionally, BIM enables the project team to access and share information in real-time.
Components and Features of BIM
1. 3D modelling
3D modelling is one of the key components of BIM, as it allows for the creation of a virtual representation of the building.
This not only helps with visualising the design but also aids in detecting any design flaws or clashes between different systems. Another important feature of Building Information Modelling is its ability to generate accurate and detailed construction documentation, including drawings, schedules, and specifications.
As a result, mistakes are less likely to occur, and overall project coordination is better because everyone involved in the building process has access to the most recent information.
2. Data Management
Data management is one of the most important parts of BIM. It sorts and stores a huge amount of information about a project, from design specs and construction schedules to cost estimates and information about managing the building. This centralised database makes sure that everyone involved in the project has access to the most accurate and up-to-date data at all times.
3. Visualisation
Visualisation is another key aspect of Building Information Modelling. It allows stakeholders to see a realistic representation of the building before construction even begins, helping to identify any potential issues or design flaws. In addition to reducing costs, this method guarantees that the end result will be up to the client’s standards. On top of that, visualisation is a great way to get everyone on the same page regarding the project’s objectives and current status.
4. Interoperability
Building Information Modelling (BIM) also has interoperability as one of its features. Different software and systems can talk to each other and share data easily with Building Information Modelling. This makes it easier for the different teams and fields working on the project to work together, which improves coordination and cuts down on mistakes. Interoperability also lets different technologies and tools work together, which makes the BIM process more efficient as a whole.
How does the BIM process work?
The BIM process starts with the creation of a 3D digital model that contains all relevant project information, including geometry, materials, and performance data.
This model serves as a central repository for all project stakeholders to access and contribute to throughout the project lifecycle. Additionally, the Building Information Modelling process involves regular updates and revisions to the model as the project progresses to make sure that all parties have access to the most up-to-date information.
How does the BIM process work, then? The process is made up of at least four parts, which are:
- Planning: BIM software can help with planning a project by letting users use reality capture and real-world data to see how a building will look in its natural setting.
- Design: The most difficult part of building something is often the design phase, which involves coming up with ideas, analysing them, and making a lot of notes. With Building Information Modelling data, you can make detailed models that can help organise construction and give you important information about how well a design works. During this process, it can also help with logistics, make scheduling easier, and make sure that everyone who needs to see the right information can.
- Construction: Detailed BIM project plans and shared files can help with this step and make it easier to build.
- Operations: BIM’s asset data and information-rich models can help with operations and maintenance, as well as renovations, additions, and even demolition.
What is Building Information Modelling (Image by Medium)
What Are the Benefits of BIM Usage?
The adoption of Building Information Modelling offers numerous advantages to stakeholders across the AEC industry. These include improved project coordination and communication, reduced errors and conflicts, enhanced visualisation and decision-making, increased efficiency and productivity, and ultimately, cost savings and improved project outcomes.
There are a number of direct benefits that your projects can experience when you use BIM:
- Effective Project Delivery: Building Information Modelling reduces waste, labour, and material costs by creating production drawings and databases for prefabrication and modular construction. BIM improves coordination between contractors, designers, architects, and other stakeholders, preventing clashes and reducing construction delays and rework.
- Improved Design Information Management: By utilising 3D visualisations and space-use simulations, Building Information Modelling streamlines preconstruction planning and visualisation, thereby reducing delays and setbacks in the construction process.
- Improved Scheduling: BIM streamlines design and documentation, allowing quick updates based on new information or construction changes. It improves schedule planning and communication, reducing construction schedule setbacks and ensuring on-time project completion.
- Stakeholder and other party clarity: Digital BIM models improve project communication and coordination by improving coordination, analysis, and visualisation among all parties. Cloud capabilities enable real-time updates and remote access to project information, ensuring stakeholder engagement and project information dissemination.
- Increased Ability to Renovate and Retrofit Projects: Building Information Modelling improves collaboration between internal teams and external contractors, improving design control and execution. BIM visualisations improve aesthetic decisions and construction methods, improving both initial construction and renovation or retrofit efforts.
- Cost-efficiency and reduced risk: BIM adoption reduces tender risk premiums, insurance costs, variations, and claims, resulting in a positive ROI. Building Information Modelling implementation cuts material waste, labour costs, and outdated information, saving money and mitigating risk.
- Safer Construction Sites: BIM software helps identify hazards, plan on-site logistics, and provide visual risk analysis and safety evaluations, ensuring project safety. BIM reduces construction site accidents and injuries by identifying and mitigating risks before construction begins.
- Better ROI: Building Information Modelling adoption eliminates various AEC costs, including interoperability, delay, and operation and maintenance costs. Furthermore, it leads to cost savings in facility management through efficient tenant chargebacks and improved asset understanding, ultimately resulting in a higher return on investment.
Why Are BIM Usages Skyrocketing?
There are several factors contributing to the exponential growth in BIM usage. The first factor propelling BIM’s broad adoption is the growing number of government and industry mandates for its usage in public infrastructure projects.
More and more people are using building information modelling (BIM) because it is becoming easier to use and more accessible thanks to technological developments like cloud computing, mobile devices, and artificial intelligence. Stakeholders are being driven to adopt BIM as a standard practice by the increasing complexity of construction projects and the need for better collaboration and efficiency.
Conclusion
Overall, the combination of government and industry mandates, along with technological advancements, has led to a significant increase in BIM usage. As the construction industry continues to evolve and embrace digital transformation, it is likely that BIM will become even more integral to project planning and execution.At BIMscaler, we provide consulting and management services to help you manage your construction process efficiently and effectively. Learn more about our BIM consulting and management services to begin digitising your construction process.
