Importance of Building Information Modeling in Civil Engineering

What is BIM?

BIM is a process for creating and managing information on a construction project throughout its whole life cycle. As part of this process, a coordinated digital description of every aspect of the built asset is developed, using a set of appropriate technology. It is likely that this digital description includes a combination of information-rich 3D models and associated structured data such as product, execution and handover information.

How does BIM work?

BIM works through the creation of a database?that?is IFC compatible. IFC, or?Industry Foundation Classes, is a standard for open BIM data exchange. It is used for transferring model data between various BIM software packages. Since this system is not controlled by any vendor, independence and flexibility enable a platform that is based on IFC to be consistent throughout a range of software and various companies. The importance of IFC reflects in maintaining a similarity between building models and software programs.??

The Building Information Model used in Revit is managed by XML, known as Extensible Markup Language – a computer scripting language that can be understood by both people and computers, and that was designed to store and transport data.?

A database element is created every time a building element is used, which results in lists of the building elements that are being created more easily than the drawings are created. A?range?of attributes of the objects are stored, and?attributes for each object?can even be?defined.??

This 3D information can therefore?be ‘transcribed’ into 2D information so that drawings?can?be printed for approval and the process of construction.?

This way drawings are more accurate?and precise, which is a?superb?thing for both architect and the client.?When talking about consultants,?on the other hand,?since they are working with a 3D model,?it is very crucial for them to be able to?understand the implications of the variety of design decisions that they will need to make and readily evaluate their work to see if there are some mismatches and conflicts with the architects.?

While no one can deny the true complexity of the concept of BIM and the challenges people who are new to it are facing when it comes to understanding it, the good thing is that BIM is getting easier to understand and more accessible thanks to its role in designing and managing smarter buildings. BIM becomes more essential as infrastructure becomes more complex. In times when smart buildings are rising in popularity,?facility managers must know?how to manage them properly. Understanding BIM will help them in that! This approach may ??complete?structure and scheme for buildings and the systems that regulate them, making the I in BIM the embodiment of information-driven decision-making.?

It can be concluded that the biggest advantage of BIM is the ability to easily connect, process, and modify?much?information, which is why it is easy to see more options in the same model until the most optimal solution is reached. In this way, among other things,?the amount of material needed for the construction and price of the project?can easily and very precisely be measured.?

Ultimately, it can be said that BIM is a multidimensional technology that fully simulates the life cycle of the project and therefore?provides insight into the same

Benefits of BIM?in Civil Engineering Projects

1.?Improve Onsite Collaboration Communication.

Digital BIM models allow for sharing, collaborating, and versioning that paper drawing sets don’t. With cloud-based tools such as Autodesk’s BIM 360, BIM collaboration can seamlessly occur across all disciplines within the project. The BIM 360 ecosystem allows teams to share project models and coordinate planning, ensuring all design stakeholders have insight into the project.

Cloud access also allows project teams to take the office to the field. With apps such as Autodesk’s BIM 360 tools, teams can review drawings and models onsite and on their mobile devices, ensuring they have access to up-to-date project information at any time

2.??Model-Based Cost Estimation

Many AEC firms are realizing that including estimators earlier in the planning stage allows for more effective construction cost estimation, which has led to the growth of model-based cost estimating (also known as 5D BIM). Using BIM tools such as Autodesk’s Revit and BIM 360 Docs automates the time-consuming task of quantifying and applying costs, allowing estimators to focus on higher value factors, such as identifying construction assemblies and factoring risks.

3.??Visualize Projects in Preconstruction

By using BIM, you can plan and visualize the entire project during preconstruction, before the shovel hits the ground. Space-use simulations and 3D visualizations allow clients to experience what the space will look like offering the ability to make changes before construction start. Having a greater overview from the beginning minimizes expensive and time-consuming changes later.

4.??Better Coordination and Clash Detection

BIM allows you to better coordinate trades and subcontractors, detecting any MEP, internal, or external clashes before construction begins. Will the electrical conduits clash with a steel beam? Do the doorways have enough clearance? With Autodesk’s BIM 360 Glue you can avoid clashes with automated clash detection.

Reduce the amount of rework needed on any given job by avoiding clashes. With BIM, you have the opportunity to plan it right before you build onsite. You can avoid last-minute changes and unforeseen issues by enabling easy reviewing and commenting across multiple disciplines.

5. Mitigate Risk and Reduce Cost

One study by McKinsey found that 75% of companies that have adopted BIM reported positive returns and on their investments. But BIM can save you money in a myriad of ways if you take advantage of it. Closer collaboration with contractors can lead to reductions in tender risk premiums, lower insurance costs, fewer overall variations, and fewer opportunities for claims. Better overview of the project before starting allows for more prefabrication and reduces waste on unused materials. Prefabricated elements can be easily bolted in place rather than created on-site. Labor costs spent on documentation work and miscommunications are reduced. Many companies are using BIM and construction technology to reduce costs and mitigate risk.?

With an ever-increasing number of team members using project data, real time collaboration and a single document repository such as BIM 360 Docs reduces the risk of any company using outdated information. Making sure the right information is available at the right time is essential to completing a successful quality project

6.??Improved Scheduling/Sequencing

In the same way that many of these benefits save money, they save time by reducing the time of project cycles and eliminating construction schedule setbacks. BIM allows design and documentation to be done at the same time, and for documentation to be easily changed to adapt to new information such as site conditions. Schedules can be planned more accurately and communicated exactly, and the improved coordination helps projects be more likely to be completed on-time or early.

7. Increase Productivity with Prefabrication

BIM data can be used to instantly generate production drawings or databases for manufacturing purposes, allowing for increased use of prefabrication and modular construction technology. By designing, detailing and building offsite in a controlled environment, you can diminish waste, increase efficiency, and reduce labor and material costs.

8. Better Safety on Construction Sites

BIM can help improve construction safety by pinpointing hazards before they become problems, and avoid physical risks by visualizing and planning site logistics ahead of time. Visual risk analysis and safety evaluations can help ensure safety over the course of the project execution

9. Execute Overall Better Builds

The increased reliability of a coordinated model leads directly to greater building quality. By sharing common BIM tools, more experienced team members work together with builders through all phases of the project, providing better control over technical decisions around design execution. The optimal ways to construct a project can be tested and chosen early in the project, and structural deficiencies can be identified before building. With the use of visualizations, better design aesthetics can be more easily chosen, such as modeling the flow of natural light into a building. Then, during construction, reality capture technology can be utilized to improve accuracy.

10. Streamline Facility Management and Strengthen Building Handover

The information in a model also empowers operation of the building after construction is over, providing an ROI well after project completion. Using construction software, an accurate, ongoing digital record of building information is valuable for facilities management and renovators for the entire lifecycle of the building. Data can be sent into existing building maintenance software for post-occupancy use.?Using a tool such as Autodesk’s BIM 360 Ops, contractors can transform building handover by connecting BIM data generated during design and construction to building operations.

Building Information Modeling has become an invaluable tool with an abundance of benefits for the construction industry. Projects utilizing BIM have a greater chance of success and maximize effectiveness for every stage of the project lifecycle and beyond.

Examples of successful BIM implementation in civil Engineering

1 .Statoil Regional and International Offices

The complex design of the structure was successfully completed as a BIM project. With the help of seamless dialogue between different phases of the project, and different people across teams, (client, contractor, architects and other working personnel) the construction was done on time with no delays.

2. Durleigh Water Treatment Works

The water treatment structure in Somerset received a major upgrade that would have been much harder to pull off without BIM at its base. A significant part of the structure was demolished and rebuilt from scratch in the form of a comprehensive 3D model with BIM calculating both the possibilities of a clash between various details and the entire structure’s operability. The addition of an Igloo-based shared virtual reality system allowed for easier interaction with the project, including design meetings, and so on. There were also a few different value engineering opportunities that were conceptualized thanks to the overall quality of the 3D model, including the wastewater area rationalization, and more.

3.Campus Orebro: Casa Nova

BIM was utilized to its full capabilities during the design phase, allowing for seamless cooperation between the client, the contractors, the architect, and other concerned parties to create this unique building correctly and adequately.

4.St. Louis Aquarium Design

Due to the original status of the building as a National Historic Landmark, this BIM project was all about creating an intricate aquarium without disturbing the original historical structure of the St. Louis Union Station. This aquarium was comprehensive, with different water tanks and several various points of view for each tank – including “through the tanks” in some cases. BIM was successfully utilized to not only model the entire project, but also calculate the influence and the positioning of complex piping systems, life support systems, and so on. The proprietary software that was used (Revizto) also allowed all teams involved to have access to the entire 3D project from their smartphones. The construction process began in late 2017 and was completed before the grand opening in December 2018, featuring a plethora of animals.

?Nanjing International Youth Cultural Centre

This building was the first one in China to be built upwards and downwards at the same time (top-down and bottom-up), with the entire process taking only 34 months. BIM reduced the on-site work down to 18 months with the usage of various BIM-related technologies like scalable design, seamless collaboration, and so on.

5.Galaxy Tower in Utrecht

This project is another one commissioned to Linssen, but this particular BIM project is set to be constructed in 2021. Thanks to BIM, it’s easy to heavily influence the final project and its number of problems as early as the design stage, from how the system calculates all of the model clashes, material parameters, and other things like plumbing, HVAC placement, etc. Even with more unusual looking constructions such as this, a lot of nuances and problems get eliminated before they can affect the final result of the project, thanks to BIM.

6.The Clichy-Batignolles in Paris

The Clichy-Batignolles is a regenerated neighborhood in Paris that is quickly becoming one of the most notable examples of sustainable construction. The biggest BIM challenge of this project is the core nature of the Clichy-Batignolles – using a myriad of ways to reduce energy consumption since achieving net-zero carbon emissions is one of the original goals of the project. It is supposed to be a zero-carbon emission Passivhaus-design city that uses renewable energy and implements all kinds of modern-day technologies, such as waste disposal, water-sensitive urban design, and more. The overall project cost is massive, and the city itself is supposed to include a cinema, a theater and a judicial center by the end of the construction process, with almost half a million square meters of real estate

7.Victoria Gate in the United Kingdom

It is fairly common to see BIM being used in the creation of all kinds of massive construction projects, such as this one example from the United Kingdom – a Victoria Gate shopping center. It is considered one of the biggest John Lewis stores in the UK, and it also covers two streets’ worth of area, offering 30 different shops, a parking lot for 800 cars, multiple restaurants and cafes, and a casino. For this particular construction project, BIM was successfully utilized in a variety of areas – such as civil engineering and the MEP, as well as the overall steelwork and the building’s facade.

8.WHIZDOM 101 in Bangkok

Another multipurpose commercial project was completed with the help of BIM in Bangkok – it is a commercial complex of a massive scale that was also supposed to be sustainable on its own. WHIZDOM 101 transformed 17 acres of land into a smart city of sorts with a variety of sustainability techniques and strategies, from design to construction and post-build maintenance. A large part of BIM’s involvement was in devising eco-friendly ways to dispose of waste, as well as the overall energy efficiency techniques of the project. Additionally, BIM was involved in creating methodologies and strategies for bike paths, public train access, solar energy usage, and so on. There was also a rather unique idea implemented for the project that turns the footsteps of regular pedestrians into actual power that lights up the walkways of the complex at night??

9.One Nine Elms in London

Two massive glass towers is how One Nine Elms is supposed to look when it is completed – a mixed-use facility with an underground parking lot, an energy center, as well as a variety of residential, commercial and hotel features. The project’s own basement structure consists of three different floors and was also powered by BIM software in its entirety. An entirely separate company called SOLVE Structural Design was tasked with modeling the entire project’s basement in three dimensions, and the final project is supposed to take over 30,000 cubic meters of concrete and several thousand tons of reinforcement materials to make it work. BIM was instrumental here in figuring out potential clashes and other problems with these kinds of tasks. It is just one example of how BIM can be incredibly useful for projects of all sizes, including large-scale projects like One Nine Elms. The first construction stage of the project started back in 2015, and its completion date is estimated to be around autumn of 2023.

10.Dongdaemun Design Park & Plaza in Seoul

This particular project combined a land with great historic value and a project with massive expectations – creating what we know as Dongdaemun Design Park & Plaza. This project was an incredibly complex undertaking on its own, designed by the Zaha Hadid Architects team – someone well known for creating immensely complex building designs with a lot of details and intricacies. Another challenge was ensuring clear communication between different teams involved in the project – subcontractors, labor-management groups, MEP specialists, and others scattered in several geographically different locations worldwide. There was also the challenge of implementing 45,000 aluminum panels in the design, with each part being slightly different from the other. The unified information source and the amount of detail available for every part of the project made BIM necessary for successful project completion.

11.The Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth

The idea of celebrating one’s legacy with an unusual construction project is nothing new, generally speaking. However, if the person in question is well-known in the construction area, the number of expectations for the project can be incredibly high compared to regular buildings. This was the situation with the Len Lye Centre in New Zealand – Len Lye was one of the most famous artists in New Zealand, creating multiple movies and documentaries of their own. As such, the weight of expectations was there for the project in question – a museum, an ample auditor space, an education center, and a spacious corridor. BIM is essential here when it comes to communication between different teams, information sharing, collaboration, and more. The project itself could be tested for clashes and other errors on a regular basis, and it would’ve been borderline impossible to meet all of the expectations and unique design choices if it wasn’t for all the advantages that BIM offers

Future trends and developments in BIM technology.

BIM trend 1: BIM mandates

Can manufacturers neglect to comply with BIM mandates in this day and age? The answer is no! BIM mandates are becoming a requirement rather than an option in the construction industry due to its benefits, such as improved project outcomes and increased efficiency.

This trend is not only driven by technological advancements but also by political strives to improve a nation's competitiveness, productivity as well as social and environmental welfare. Manufacturers can gain a strategic advantage by complying with BIM mandates and creating BIM content to improve their product offering and better meet customer needs. To remain competitive in the market, it's important for manufacturers to stay informed on the latest BIM requirements.

BIM trend 2: Adoption of BIM

Now you may be wondering, how does adoption impact manufacturers? Well, here’s the thing: BIM has become crucial as more private clients, companies and governmental entities recognize its value. According to USP’s Architectural Barometer Q2 2021 report, 44% of European Architects used BIM in 2021. That number’s expected to increase to 61% by 2025. “But what’s the fuel driving the massive increase in adoption? According to the 3,000 respondents in our February survey 2023 Architects, Engineers and Construction (AEC) on bimobject.com, the main motivators are to:

Improve project quality: 28%

Save time on the project: 22%

Detect clashes, limit errors and omissions: 12%

Gain a competitive advantage: 8%

Increase profitability: 8%

Win new business opportunities: 8%

Adapt to regulation or law: 4%

Respond to a request/call for tenders: 4%

Other: 6%

Architects, interior designers and engineers are adapting their practices to incorporate BIM technology into their work. To accurately assess the environmental impact of their designs, these professionals rely on BIM objects provided by manufacturers as well as LCAs and EPDs. Therefore, the adoption of BIM is essential for manufacturers to remain competitive and meet the growing demand for BIM objects in construction projects.

BIM trend 3: Cloud-based technology

Cloud-based BIM offers many benefits, including increased collaboration, accessibility, and real-time updates. Its main benefit is information management in which BIM objects play a massive role. With this technology, stakeholders involved in building projects can access and update BIM models from anywhere in the world, making it easier to collaborate on projects and work together seamlessly.

Manufacturers can take advantage of this trend by ensuring that their products are available on cloud-based BIM platforms, making it easier for stakeholders to integrate their products into BIM models. Cloud-based BIM also offers real-time updates, which can help teams stay on top of project changes and progress. With on-premises software, stakeholders may need to wait for updates or work with outdated information, which can cause delays and mistakes.

Cloud-based BIM, on the other hand, allows stakeholders to access the latest project information and collaborate in real-time. This trend is likely to continue, as the use of cloud-based technology becomes more widespread across industries. As more stakeholders embrace cloud-based BIM, we can expect to see even greater collaboration and accessibility, which will transform the construction industry.?

BIM trend 4: The rise of digital twins

With the rise of digital twins, the construction industry is entering a new dimension of design and simulation. Digital twins are like doppelgangers of physical assets such as buildings or machinery, which allows stakeholders to see and analyze how their structures perform in different scenarios. By providing real-time data, digital twins enable better decision-making, optimize performance, and can even predict maintenance needs before they arise.

Digital twins have the ability to accurately simulate and predict the operational and behavioral aspects of a product based on real-world conditions. This enables manufacturers to make informed decisions about maintenance and support needs, optimizing product performance.

This reduces waste and rework, speeds up the design process, and improves the overall quality of the end product. One of its major perks is identifying potential bottlenecks before they occur.

BIM trend 5: BIM and prefabrication: A match made in heaven

If you're a manufacturer, you've probably heard about the growing trend of prefabrication. BIM and prefabrication are like two peas in a pod. Prefabrication is the process of building components of a building off-site and then assembling them on-site. BIM plays a critical role in this process by allowing manufacturers to create digital models of their components that can be easily integrated into the overall building model.

The use of BIM in prefabrication has many benefits for manufacturers, including increased efficiency, accuracy, and improved collaboration with other stakeholders. This allows for faster and more efficient assembly of components on-site. When manufacturers combine prefabrication with BIM, they can create components that fit seamlessly into the building model.

If you already downloaded our BIM mandates ebook you would know prefab is particularly popular in the Netherlands, and for a good reason! The Dutch have perfected the art of prefabrication due to its widespread use, resulting in faster and more effective construction processes.

BIM trend 6: Automation and BIM

Automation is another emerging trend that is transforming the world of BIM. Essentially, automation in construction is using digital processes, applications and robots to achieve tasks with minimal human input. Automation has many perks, one of them being more cost-effective in construction but it also decreases safety hazards.

By automating the process of generating BIM models, manufacturers can collaborate more effectively with architects, engineers, and other stakeholders in the construction process.

Automation in BIM can help the manufacturing process. Automation technologies such as robotics, sensors and AI can help manufacturers streamline production and improve product quality. These processes can also result in more flexibility and adaptability to changing product requirements, allowing manufacturers to better meet the needs of construction professionals using BIM.

BIM trend 7: The internet of things (IoT)

BIM is all about building better, faster, and greener. With the help of IoT and sensors, stakeholders can gain valuable insights into how their building projects are operating. IoT in construction can be used to monitor and control building systems, automate maintenance and repair tasks to enhance work safety.

By incorporating IoT sensors, manufacturers can gather real-time data on the performance and maintenance needs of their products. This data can be used to improve product design, optimize performance, and predict conservation needs, which can help manufacturers provide better service to their clients.

IoT data can be integrated with BIM software to provide construction professionals with more accurate and detailed information on the performance of building systems including HVAC, lighting and other equipment. IoT can allow manufacturers to better understand the needs of construction professionals and end-users enabling them to create better products that meet the competitive needs of their customers.

BIM trend 8: Artificial intelligence

With its promising benefits, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the construction industry and manufacturers are one of the key stakeholders that can be impacted by this trend. By using AI algorithms, manufacturers can analyze project data and gain insights into the performance of their products and make data-driven decisions on how to improve them. ?

In the construction industry, AI can help monitor performance and detect issues before they occur. It can also help improve quality control and can be used to analyze large amounts of data and identify patterns that can help optimize the design and construction process.

For example, AI can be used to examine data to further predict potential delays in construction schedules. AI-powered tools such as chat bots can also help customers, and other stakeholders get quick answers to their questions, improving overall customer satisfaction and reducing the workload on customer support teams.

If that is not enough, AI can also be great at analyzing data on materials and building components to identify areas for improvement in terms of cost, efficiency, and sustainability. Ricardo Piazzai talks more about understanding the need of sustainable design and BIM and the importance of collaborating with manufacturers who share the same vision.

BIM trend 9: Virtual augmented reality

BIM processes are being impacted by the emergence of augmented reality technologies. These are becoming increasingly integrated into the construction industry, offering new ways to visualize and interact with BIM data. These technologies can be used to picture and simulate construction projects, allowing stakeholders to get a better understanding of them before they are built.

Virtual augmented reality also enables faster and easier examination of large-scale 3D models, providing stakeholders a comprehensive and clear image of the design and development process. In the future, virtual augmented reality is expected to enhance the BIM modeling process by providing a detailed look at every step of the design process.

This can be an impressive way to showcase products and designs to customers, allowing them to get a better sense of what they'll be getting before they commit to a purchase. Virtual augmented reality can also help visualize product designs and improve collaboration with project teams. It can help reduce errors and improve overall project quality by potentially identifying and addressing issues before construction begins.

In a recent interview, Negar Daneshpour, lead architect at Tyréns, touches upon the real-life use of virtual reality in construction today. A case scenario where people+e were able to engage in the use VR glasses to experience a 3D model.

Videos links

https://youtu.be/aMwo8uzH6ZU

https://youtu.be/ThA4_17yedg

https://youtu.be/phNfCE7OCWo

https://youtu.be/08DFerDOG2s.??