BIM Dimensions Explained | 3D - 10D

BIM - Building Information Modeling is the collaborative process of preparing data-rich building models in a common data environment (CDE) enabling a single source of truth to execute a construction project efficiently. Accurately implemented BIM in a building project results in enhanced collaboration amongst multi-disciplinary teams and designs, ensures relevant accessibility to the project stakeholders, encourages cost-efficiency and sustainability, great documentation and project management, and so on.

What is the BIM dimension?

BIM models are developed incorporating all relevant data required to execute a construction project. To illustrate the usability of BIM models the BIM dimensions are introduced. BIM dimensions are the additional information linked with the 3-dimensional geographical representation of a building model that helps in flawless construction project execution.

?3D BIM: 3-Dimensional (x, y, z) geographical view????????????

?4D BIM: 3D view and scheduling, construction simulation?????????????

?5D BIM: 4D and cost estimation, budget analysis??????????????

?6D BIM: 5D and building sustainability, energy efficiency??????????????

?7D BIM: 6D and facility management information????????????

?8D BIM: 7D and site safety, risk analysis

?9D BIM: 8D and lean construction, waste management?

?10D BIM: 9D and industrialized Construction, enhanced productivity through asset management

BIM 3D – 3 Dimensional geometrical view

3D BIM is the 3-dimensional virtual representation of a building structure in a common data environment (CDE) enabling a clear overview of the final building. The data-rich 3D models help project stakeholders to identify design errors and constructability issues which may result in expensive design changes during construction if not resolved in the preconstruction stage.

Multi-trade project teams work relying on a single source of truth to generate optimized, well-coordinated, and clash-free BIM 3D models. 3D BIM services allow project stakeholders to make informed decisions and share their remarks in order to incorporate the updates on a real-time basis.

BIM 4D – 4 Dimensional construction simulation and scheduling

Linking another element of planning, or, scheduling, i.e., time with 3-dimensional data-rich BIM models is the 4 dimensional BIM. Time is considered the 4th dimension of the BIM model. 4D scheduling and construction phasing allows project stakeholders to get an overview of the overall construction schedule considering the time taken for installation, fitting, excavation, foundation, pouring, level-wise construction, etc.

Accurate 4D BIM construction simulation helps different project teams to set their goal to successfully and seamlessly deliver the project as per schedule.

BIM 5D – 5 Dimensional budgetary analysis and cost estimation

Budgetary information and cost analysis are crucial parts of any construction project. Therefore, BIM's 5th dimension is cost analysis. Along with planning and 3D visualization, BIM 5D enables cost analysis and budget tracking of each building material and overall construction project. 5D BIM services ensure accurate budget prediction with respect to the project specifications, design intent, and the changes made in the BIM model. 5D cost estimation is associated with the existing building environment and keeps updated with changing factors.

BIM 6D – 6 Dimensional sustainability and energy efficiency

6D Building Information Modeling (BIM) aids in analyzing energy consumption and sustainability of the building. 6th dimension of BIM services is linking the information related to building sustainability, environmental impact, and energy analysis. 6D BIM allows project stakeholders to get a greater understanding of the energy efficiency and sustainability of a building along with the budget, scheduling, and building design efficiency during the preconstruction stage.?

BIM 7D – 7 Dimensional facility information management

7th dimension of BIM is linking information related to facility operations and maintenance of the building. 7D BIM services enhance the operations and maintenance process of the entire building throughout its lifecycle. BIM 7D incorporates information such as technical specifications, warranty information, operation manuals, etc. that helps to building owners and developers to optimize operation management.?

BIM 8D – 8 Dimensional risk analysis and safety measure

8D BIM is linking additional information related to onsite safety through design along with time, cost, and facilities. The 8th dimension of BIM provides an insight into the construction site and allows contractors to plan preventive actions to mitigate the chances of accidents, death, or, major injury to construction workers. 8D BIM services allow project stakeholders to visualize the construction site in a real-like virtual environment that makes it easier and more effective to analyze possible risks and plan to prevent hazards and critical situations during the designing stage.

9D BIM – 9 Dimensional waste management through lean construction

BIM 9D encourages the concept of lean construction that optimizes project management through efficient waste management and utilizing all resources involved in the construction process. The 9th BIM dimension is adding information that helps in managing material waste and visualizing the building in a Common Data Environment (CDE) exactly how it will look after construction.

10D BIM – 10 Dimensional asset management and industrialized construction

The 10th dimension is the ultimate goal of BIM dimensions, and it strives to industrialize and enhance the productivity of the construction process, integrating with the latest technology and digitized process.10D BIM services help in optimizing every aspect of the building life cycle from the design phase to construction, and infrastructure or asset management in a centralized virtual platform.

This centralized data of comprehensive asset management helps project managers to have intuitive resources to complete the entire building construction as efficiently as possible. The data obtained utilizing 10D BIM services are applied to estimate cost, plan and schedule, analyze building sustainability and environmental friendliness, ensure health and safety measures, analyze onsite risk, and other several factors to execute a construction project flawlessly.

Wrapping Up

BIM tool opens up a world of possibilities for all types of projects irrespective of their size, type, and level of complexity. The Building Information Modeling process and highly intelligent technology are leveraged at any step of the building construction project to automate the most complex tasks.