(Building Information Modelling (BIM

BIM describes a method of work by which – on the basis of digital building models – all relevant information for the life cycle of the building is integrated, administered and exchanged among the project participants.

Core to this is the creation of 3D-models. By contrast with a mere 3D-modeller, BIM-design tools offer a catalogue of construction-specific objects containing predefined components such as walls and pillars. Apart from geometrical information, these design and construction elements can be assigned with further properties such as material characteristics, lifespan, fire resistance, noise permeability etc. Further, these objects can have parametric meaning – by contrast with a collection of static (digital) drawing lines, they are defined as parameters and relate to other objects. For example, if a wall is shifted on the first floor all other associated elements in this and the other floors are adjusted automatically.

Furthermore, the BIM components or assemblies can be linked to schedule constraints (4D BIM) and accurate cost estimates from the components (5D BIM). When linking attribute data to Facility Management (e.g. components manufacture, date of installation, the necessary maintenance) and further aspects of the life cycle of the building (e.g. environment/sustainability factors, demolition, disposal/recycling of building components) this is often described as 6D and 7D BIM.  

Each additional dimension integrates more information about a project, giving insight into cost-saving opportunities and how the asset can be managed most efficiently in its operational phase, post-construction completion (see below in detail). As a result, all information is interlinked in a transparent manner and all impacts of a change in one area on any other sub-area are visualised in real time.

Beyond changes in software design, BIM is driving fundamental change in how Architects, Engineers and Contractors work together, shifting energies towards greater focus and collaboration early in the schematic design process. Architects and Engineers can more effectively evaluate the performance and functional characteristics of different materials and systems and then quickly review the impact of different design scenarios.

What is BIM?

“With BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology, one or more accurate virtual models of a building are constructed digitally. They support design through its phases, allowing better analysis and control than manual processes. When completed, these computer-generated models contain precise geometry and data needed to support the construction, fabrication, and procurement activities through which the building is realized.”

This definition of Building Information Modeling in the Handbook of BIM (Eastman, Teicholz, Sacks & Liston 2011) encompasses a lot starting from a technology to embracing the whole construction process.

Collaboration and information management

At Tekla, we think that the I like Information in BIM is an extremely significant letter. In the US, the National Building Information Model Standard (NBIMS-US?) Project Committee sees Building Information Models as shared knowledge resource for information about a facility, while collaboration of stakeholders is another basic feature.

Working with others can be a pain point in a project. According to the NBIMS-US? Project Committee, “Buildings cost more than they should to design, build and sustain and they take too long to deliver. We must do a better job of collaborating between the many stakeholders involved in the building process.” In the US, a study by NIST shows that lack of interoperability causes owners an additional cost of 15.8 billion dollars every year. The construction industry could definitely benefit from better communication and information management.  

BIM technology

BIM means automation of the use of information – creation of information became automated already when CAD arrived. From software, BIM asks for accuracy and capability to handle lots of information, and in practice also compatibility with other solutions as otherwise achieving a collaborative workflow would be challenging at best. Tekla has chosen Open BIM and constructable models as we want to make good BIM workflows achievable for our customers.

Why BIM?

The users list many benefits of BIM. Companies that utilize BIM, like Skanska and Barton Malow, have reported benefits for scheduling, estimation and risk analysis, more collaborative processes and better facility management. BIM also brings the opportunity to try out solutions in advance before building the structure on site: with a constructable model, the structure can be prototyped virtually. Project parties can understand and review the design more easily, which helps guarantee its accuracy and completeness, and visualize and evaluate alternatives in terms of cost and other project parameters. BIM has gathered compliments for improved communication between project parties and generally better quality.

BIM is not everywhere

All models representing a building are not BIM, for example those models that contain only visual 3D data but no object attributes, or those that allow changes to dimensions in one view but do not automatically reflect those changes in other views. These examples miss the above-mentioned data for supporting the construction, fabrication, and procurement.

Basic concepts for implementing BIM in your organisation

When implementing BIM in your organisation or in a specific project, different concepts can be distinguished and summarised with the terms open BIM (or fully collaborative BIM) and closed BIM (or “lonely” BIM).

In general terms, open BIM describes a design environment in which different project participants using different BIM software solution share and integrate their models and data with each other using non-proprietary file formats, including IFC (Industry Foundation Classes).

On the other hand, closed BIM refers to a relatively restricted design environment in which all participants use a single BIM software platform.

In general, the main benefits of BIM can be generated when using open BIM: It allows project members to participate regardless of the software solution they use and provide enduring project data for use throughout the asset life cycle, avoiding multiple input of the same data and consequential errors.

Deciding whether to work with open BIM or closed BIM depends on several key variables, including the size of the project, which performance parameter of BIM are to be used in the project (e.g. use of 5D; linking BIM to software for tendering or the Facility Management), fixed requirements of the client in regard to the use of the software, the diversity of all project participants, the platforms that the respective disciplines favour for implementing BIM and whether the project needs to maintain data for the whole life cycle (such as facilities management).

Benefits of BIM

BIM is capable of a positive impact on all phases of a project life cycle:

1. Cost certainty and cost reduction

Cost estimation with BIM is more accurate due to the integration of attributes in the model.

Identifying and fixing issues earlier in the project process reduces costly change order and avoids scenarios whereby progress on the project is hindered.

Automatic calculation of quantities on the basis of the BIM-model allows a more precise cost estimation for tenders and defect management.

2. Saving time 

BIM offers several ways of reducing project time.

The opportunity to generate real-time values for any changes made by an architect or owner and to identify and resolve conflicts very early via clash-detections and other review tools may avoid project overruns and eliminate confusion.

The approach of BIM in involving all parties in the building process with a single shared model to work from reduces time-consuming information losses when a new or different team takes ownership.

The collaboration at an early stage allows opportunities to identify innovative and efficient methods of working which can lead to time and/or cost savings.

3. Increased planning quality

The possibility of analysing several design and construction alternatives for the project before the start of the construction phase increases planning quality.

BIM allows more accurate drawings and an early conceptualisation of the entire project

4. Increasing acceptance

The ability of BIM to identify and visualise complex connections of projects may potentially enhance the acceptance of a (large) project by public and decision-makers.

It allows early engagement with end users and delivery of a product which meets their needs.

5. Improved collaboration and information sharing

The requirement in an open BIM project for all parties to work together increases the need for collaboration and sharing of information. This can benefit projects where this culture leads to a problem-solving attitude amongst participants.

6. Enables effective Facility Management

BIM benefits building owners and facility managers:

a BIM model can be integrated with Computer-Aided Facility Management Systems (CAMS) for maintenance operations

streamlined change management

improved space management

availability of quality information required for ongoing operation, maintenance and useage of the building.

7. Improve Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Aspects of energy efficiency, waste management and water management and hence sustainability can be efficiently integrated into a BIM-model.