Building Information Modeling

• Introduction
• What Is "BIM"?
• Improved Consistency and Error Reduction
• Project BIM Coordination, Administration, and Systems Integration
• Simulation-Based Modeling
• Facility Management Opportunities
• Best Practices in BIM Execution
• References

Introduction

The complexity and rapidly paced development of today's projects are challenging the industry to find new, innovative approaches to project delivery. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is emerging as a high-tech, process transformational method to address some of these challenges. BIM methodology enables owners, consultants, and other stakeholders to visualize and understand evolving designs and collaboration issues as never before. The information-packed digital assets produced during a BIM-based project have the potential to transform the way supply-chain partners work together to improve the design and construction process by enabling early identification and removal of problems. This is resulting in cost and schedule benefits and assisting health care projects to avoid costly delays. In addition to the benefits to design and construction, the digital assets associated with BIM offer potential to improve the facility management and operations process long after occupancy begins.

The traditional process used in the design and construction of facilities relies heavily on the production of paper-based and electronic drawings, which typically illustrate two-dimensional (2D) views, plans, sections, etc., of the various discipline components associated with the project. While these 2D drawings attempt to accurately define systems and components, they often fall short of capturing the full level of detail, coordination, and information that is needed at some point in the delivery process. They are time-consuming to produce, difficult to fully comprehend, and, because of their 2D nature, cannot be fully utilized by other parties in the supply chain for the project.

The BIM delivery methodology uses accurate three-dimensional (3D) digital models that are assembled by architects, engineers, designers, and fabricators. These 3D models are much easier for project stakeholders to comprehend because of their visual characteristics. The old adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” has been proven time and again in the BIM environment. While the visual nature of the 3D models promotes improved understanding and collaboration in design, more important, it serves as a robust carrier for detailed information about each specific discipline component in the model. This information can be accessed by those directly involved in the design process, and later by other parties involved in the project delivery process. The information contained in these BIM models is the source of the true value of BIM, for it is precisely this data that can be used downstream to improve production efficiency and quality.

Typically, 2D drawings are still used in the BIM process, but unlike the traditional drawing-centric approach to design, the drawings created in the BIM process are extracted from the 3D models. Since the 3D models can be better coordinated within and among the design disciplines, this results in a more accurate set of drawings available to the project delivery process. If the model is right, the drawings are right. The 3D visual nature of the BIM models makes it easier to get it right.

There are several technology manufacturers of BIM software platforms for this industry. A few of the more popular platforms include offerings from AutoDesk, Bentley, Graphisoft, CATIA, and Tekla. While these platforms do not always seamlessly share model information among themselves, there are interchange standard development projects throughout the industry that are attempting to address this interoperability issue. Chief among these is the Industry Foundation Class (IFC) standards development effort sponsored by buildingSMART International. BuildingSMART is an international membership organization with representation in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia, which brings together architects, engineers, constructors, product manufacturers, and facilities managers, along with software vendors and constructors. In the interim, technologies such as the NavisWorks system from AutoDesk make it possible to combine the geometry from BIM models developed in disparate BIM platforms to provide the project with a single integrated virtual model that can be used to inform the design and coordinate the discipline components.