BIM: Future of Everything

What is BIM?

Popularly Building Information Modeling OR Building Information Management

BIM is process involving the generation and management of the digital representations of the physical and functional characteristics of the central model.

The resulting models become shared knowledge resources that support decision making about a project from earliest conceptual stages, to design and construction, through its operational life and eventual demolition.

Although BIM is a generally accepted term within the many facets of the design world, there are others that could be interchangeably used

• Virtual building
• Integrated Project Delivery(IPD)
• Virtual Design to Construction(VDC)

Other terms can describe the same idea for related sectors

• Graphical Information System(GIS)
• Facility Information Management(FIM)
• Asset Information Management(AIM)

Putting the “I” in BIM

The most important part of BIM is the I in the middle. Information!

With BIM, information is collated, modelled, manipulated and managed- always with an understanding of the central model to which the data relates.

What does BIM make easier?

• Visualization
• 3D Coordination
• Prefabrication
• Analysis
• Cost Estimation
• Project Phasing

BIMensions (Dimensions of BIM)

• 1D A point
• 2D Line Drawing
• 3D Modelled Solids and Surfaces
• 4D Time and Sequences
• 5D Costing
• 6D Building Lifecycle Management

Levels of BIM

• Level 0 2D CAD
• Level 1 3D CAD
• Level 2 Siloed BIM
• Level 3 Collaborated BIM

Level 1 – 3D CAD

• BIM- capable applications are used to the extent that drawings are delivered from them, but all BIM aspects are effectively ignored in the process.
• 3D CAD – the model is used purely for aesthetic and graphical interrogation missing the I, it’s a building model.

Level 2 – Siloed BIM

• Siloed BIM or Little BIM
• So called because BIM is used in isolation – no collaboration or coordination.
• BIM software for production, alteration and management of drawings.
• Traditional communication methods

Level 3 – Collaborative BIM

• Also known as iBIM or Big BIM, this is the ideal to which industry should aspire
• It does not necessarily dictate that all parties use the same software platform, but that electronic communication between platforms be fully utilized.
• Data is regularly shared between all stakeholders
• Frequent collaboration meetings empower the collation of a virtual design that incorporates all disciplines
• Ability to identify and resolve clashes between model elements

BIM Level of detail

LOD can refer to the Level of Development or Level of Detail contained within the model.

Both terms aim to clarify the expectations of stakeholders, in terms of information “Granularity”.

LOD is often linked to the time and stage of work – with a model progressing from Concept to Construction and throughout ongoing Facility Management.

BIM Level of Detail – AIA BIM Standard (For Eg.)

• LOD 100 – Conceptual Massing Study
• LOD 200 – Generic Form Construction AKA ‘White Model’
• LOD 300 – Generic Elements replaced with Data-rich Components
• LOD 400 ­– Additional Detail and Industry Specific Meta-Data Added
• LOD 500 – Modelled “As Built”

Perceived BIM Challenges and Roadblocks

• Time and cost involved in customizing BIM software to suit design and construction requirements.
• Lack of industry standards relating to BIM documentation or design content.
• Limited industry expertise in BIM project and file management
• Model Ownership

Why is all this important?

Because it may have a major impact on the quoted price of a bid!

Construction industry wastes 30% of  its efforts because of lack of uniformity in documentation – particularly with regard to design Standards, Workflows and Schedules, were noted.

Coordination Errors, Incorrect Material Procurement and Labour inefficiencies were the inevitable result.

Benefits of BIM – Owners, Managers, Developers

• Lower project time, quality and cost risks.
• Delivers common BIM standards across any portfolio
• Allows implementation of standardized asset and maintenance management/reporting
• BIM documented projects are more likely to be constructible, with lower project time, quality and cost risks
• BIM documented projects are going to be consistently documented from one project to another
• BIM documented projects will be able to be more readily used for scheduling, cost management and sustainability

Benefits of BIM – Trade Contractors

• Properly implemented, BIM will reduce construction documentation costs
• Pre- construction Coordination and clash management means far less lost work-hours waiting for request for information (RFI) updates
• Project phasing with BIM enables pre-construction with high level of cost certainty

Benefits of BIM – Suppliers

• BIM – managed projects provide highly accurate schedules and take-offs
• Product Lifecycle Management can be tracked through Element ID, COBie or even electronic tracking
• BIM is the lowest-cost means of engaging in BIM enabled IPD based projects.

Benefits of BIM – Designers

• Value added with software expertise diversity and ongoing training
• Contribution to the future development of design content
• Expectation that clients will require projects to be BIM managed and documented.