Digital technologies completely overhaul how architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) companies approach projects. Rarely are builds the sole responsibility of a single entity, instead requiring the input and coordination of multiple professionals and teams. BIM software and practices break down communication barriers, improve collaboration and efficiently plan a project.
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In this article, we’ll talk about what BIM is, how to use it, the levels of maturity and how it benefits your company.
What This Article Covers:
What Is BIM?
Building information modeling (BIM) is a collaborative process that uses a single 3D structure to help architects, engineers and other construction professionals design, plan and manage a construction project throughout its lifecycle, as well as continuing maintenance and operation.
It allows property owners, construction managers, municipalities and government agencies to make informed decisions based on model submissions.
BIM Objects
BIM objects are smart objects that store model component data. These objects help guarantee consistency across design and planning processes, encouraging collaboration between architects, designers, contractors, project managers and structural engineers. The data within these components is actionable and helps transfer knowledge from one stakeholder to another while avoiding field coordination issues and improving accuracy.
BIM objects are smart components that collectively make up a model. Think of them like pieces of a 3D puzzle. These objects represent the geometric shape of parts, materials, structures and systems within a building, bridge, highway, parking ramp and so on.
When an object is changed or moved, the information is instantly reflected across the model, helping guarantee consistency across design and planning processes and encouraging collaboration between all designers, teams and managers.
BIM models incorporate objects and data from multiple sources and platforms to create a sole reference for a project. Source
BIM objects are also intelligent, “behaving” exactly as their real-world counterpart. During simulations, architects, engineers and other construction professionals know precisely how a part or system will function, providing actionable insights.
Interoperability and Information Sharing
Though far superior to pen-and-paper blueprints, most construction design software contains one glaring drawback regarding collaboration – poor interoperability. Most proprietary design solutions use data files unique to their platform that may not work with other design tools.
BIM solves this problem by utilizing non-proprietary (also known as neutral or open) standards to share data across platforms, such as Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and Construction Operations Building information exchange (COBie).
However, even if data transfer is lossless, its usefulness is limited without proper context. BIM software allows users to share information via common data environments (CDEs). CDEs are online spaces accessible by all stakeholders, including data from project inception, renovations, operations and renewals.
Primary Benefits
For owners and construction managers, investing in BIM streamlines the construction process, minimizes mistakes and improves your bottom line.
Improve Collaboration
Managing a construction project, whether it’s a small residential build or a multi-acre plan, requires multiple professionals across various disciplines working harmoniously and communicating effectively.
As mentioned earlier, BIM models act as common data environments (essentially, a single source of truth) for a project. With a central model as a reference for all stakeholders, everyone is on the same page. Each user instantly sees edits as they occur, whether it’s the movement of an object, adjusting dimensions or swapping parts.
BIM’s non-proprietary file standards also allow disparate design solutions to work together. Architects, engineers and other professionals can use their preferred design platforms without the risk of information silos impacting other departments.
Increase Productivity
Sharing information increases team productivity by optimizing the addition of new information and changes to current data. Boosted productivity results in reduced costs and increased efficiency.
Plus, built-in automation features in BIM software handle monotonous, time-consuming tasks, allowing construction managers and general contractors to focus on more important responsibilities.
Protect Margins
Labor and supply chain issues will be around for a while, which means detailed and efficient planning is critical to delivering a project on time and within budget. The better a plan is before breaking ground, the less likely a project will encounter costly delays and mistakes.
BIM objects provide construction managers with detailed information about parts, materials and systems, allowing them to create accurate budgets, estimates, production timelines, schedules, labor and delivery arrival dates and more.
With efficient planning, contractors can fabricate pieces offsite and deliver them precisely when needed, decreasing waste and cleanup required on the job site and reducing unnecessary downtime as teams wait for another to finish or begin.
Reduce Errors
BIM software’s clash detection capabilities quickly highlight potential errors that may arise during the planning, designing and construction of a project. For example, the solution will notify designers if two objects occupy the same space or if a part is incompatible with another.
Automated features also eliminate the possibility of costly human error when performing tedious and labor-intensive administrative tasks like scheduling, estimating and inventory tracking.
How To Use BIM
As mentioned earlier, BIM streamlines and improves every phase of construction. Below are the broad strokes of implementing BIM software and the impact on a project’s lifecycle.
Planning
Using BIM software, developers and construction managers can create models of natural and existing environments to capture real-world data and provide context for how the structure will exist in its natural surroundings.
Utilizing this information, owners and CMs gain critical insights into project viability and risk while simplifying future design and development decisions.
Design and Pre-construction
During these phases, BIM assists CMs with analysis, conceptual design, detailing and documentation. Using a shared 3D model, architects, engineers and other AEC professionals can quickly and efficiently collaborate and confirm design choices, even incorporating data from disparate design platforms.
Armed with detailed logistical information from the planning stage and model, CMs can determine a project’s critical path and create accurate project timelines and schedules.
Construction
Using BIM specifications, contractors and subcontractors can fabricate construction elements before getting to the job site. Plus, labor and materials are brought to the job site precisely when needed, as determined by the schedule.
Plumbing, HVAC, electrical and other specialists utilize the 3D model, schematics and other design documents to expedite and simplify construction.
Operation and Continuing Maintenance
Upon completion, CMs deliver the BIM model and project data to the owners to assist with ongoing maintenance and operations of finished assets. Also, this information helps increase the efficiency of deconstruction and renovation processes.
For example, suppose a portion of piping needs replacement. In that case, the owner consults the BIM model to identify the exact material, size and even product number of the required pipe and the best geospatial area to approach retrieval and replacement.
Maturity Levels and Dimensions
If you’ve encountered or read about BIM in the past, you may have come across references to BIM maturity and dimensions. Maturity and dimensionality are closely related but not semantically identical.
Maturity levels refer to the differing levels of collaboration within a project. Each level (0 to 6) denotes the amount of shared information and the effectiveness of its management. In contrast, the different dimensions (3D to 6D) refer to the type of information shared between departments and personnel.
If you’re still confused, that’s understandable. Let’s take a deeper look at the various levels and their criteria to clarify things.
Level 0: No Collaboration and Paper-based Blueprints
The most basic stage, level 0 involves no cooperation between stakeholders. Designers use 2D CAD solutions to create all blueprints, which are paper-based and interoperable.
Most companies have moved beyond this level, adopting digital design tools. However, stakeholders may still exchange paper-based documents.
Level 1: 2D Drawings and 3D Modeling
At this level, users leverage 3D modeling capabilities to conceptualize projects but turn to 2D practices to document production data. The focus of this level is the shift from CAD data to 2D and 3D documentation. Though common data is present, there is no distribution between teams. Stakeholders manage and publish their data with little collaboration between teams.
Most companies operate at this maturity level or the next.
Level 2: 3D Modeling and Collaboration
Level 2 sees the integration of collaboration and better data interoperability. The design teams use 3D modeling, though they may not use a shared BIM model. CAD files must be exportable using common formats like IFC and COBie.
Currently, all government construction projects in the United Kingdom mandate at least BIM level 2, though plans are in place to require level 3 in the near future.
Level 3: Shared 3D Model
Level 3 sees increased collaboration via a shared 3D model. At this level, all team members work outside their separate models’ scope and focus on centrally located, shared design.
Operating at this level provides many benefits like 3D visualization, collaboration across trades and teams, better understanding and communication of design intent, and fewer revisions and reworks at each stage.
Levels 4, 5 and 6: The Next Dimensions
BIM at levels 4, 5 and 6 add cost (4D), time/scheduling (5D) and sustainability (6D) to the model.
At level 4, the scheduling data outlines each phase’s required time for completion, helping construction managers create accurate production timelines that follow the critical path.
Level 5 adds budget analysis, cost estimations and budget tracking to the shared BIM model. This level tracks costs across the length of the project.
At level 6, before building, construction and engineering professionals calculate the energy the end product will consume once it’s operational, ensuring that designers think of costs the owners will incur in the future. This level helps ensure that a structure is sustainable and energy-efficient.
Looking Ahead
As global populations rise, the AEC industries need smarter and more efficient ways to plan, design and build. To help tackle these challenges, companies are turning to digital construction management tools. In fact, the global BIM market size is expected to reach $8.7 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 15.6%.
Also, as climate change looks to make construction an increasingly hazardous occupation, managers will need to ensure the safety of their workers by monitoring and limiting their active site hours. Efficient planning and scheduling via BIM software ensure that safety can still take precedence without compromising delivery time or cost.
FAQ
What is the difference between BIM and 3D CAD?
The simple answer is that CAD and other design tools are just that – tools. BIM is a process that leverages 3D design platforms and capabilities to create a centralized environment for all project data, allowing for improved communication and collaboration between stakeholders throughout the entire construction process.
As for BIM software, it goes beyond using geometric shapes to represent real-world building components and includes critical information to help streamline and improve every aspect of a project’s lifecycle, such as cost, time and relationship metadata.
How is information shared?
BIM creates a single source of information for a project, providing an online common data environment (CDE) for all stakeholders to instantly view and add data to the same federated 3D model.
Standardized file formats, like IFC and COBie, allows BIM software to combine data from disparate design, construction and management solutions.
What is BIM Modeling?
BIM modeling is the process of combining and managing construction project data in a single 3D environment. Designers use smart BIM objects to create a holistic digital representation of the final asset, including all materials, parts and systems. Sometimes, the model also contains cost, time and sustainability estimate data.
Next Steps
BIM software improves collaboration and coordination, allowing you to effectively and efficiently manage a construction project from start to finish. Ready to find the right BIM solution for your team? Take the first step with our free requirements template to find the perfect platform.
How can BIM improve your company’s performance? Let us know in the comments below!