What is BIM (building information modeling), complete details

What is BIM in Construction ?

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a complete digital system used to manage a physical asset through its entire lifecycle, from conceptualization, to designing, to construction, to operations and maintenance, to decommissioning, and any other relevant cycle.

To achieve BIM standards, intelligent 3D models, blocks, documents, planning, and budgeted schedules, and any other necessary data driven models are required.

BIM by itself can be considered as a process to get a certain outcome, or a software that presents itself as a tool to achieve the results one is targeting.

BIM started back in 1960s as the computer aided design (CAD) industry grew.

There was a need for an intelligent tool that not only present data in 2D or 3D, but can also store metafile data like the properties and material information about blocks, and interpreted them in a way a simulation or an analysis could be done.

BIM by itself cannot be bundled into a one model fits all, but it is dependent on the Level of Detail (LOD) agreed for the project.

The lower the LOD, like LOD 100, the less the information captured, while the higher the LOD, like LOD 500, the more the information captured.

Why is BIM popular now?

Due to the increasing complexities of designs, building, systems, technologies, data processing, and artificial intelligence, BIM has grown in popularity and demand.

This is because BIM provides viable solutions and management for projects starting with enhanced document controlling, which ensures all data for key items in a project are not only filed physically but can also be uploaded into a virtual digital twin and be easily retrieved in the event of any requirement.

BIM also allows for ease of visualization of a project throughout its different phases, for example during construction phase, the teams can visualize how the end product should look like, and during the operations phase, the team can virtually visualize where different obstructed systems where placed, e.g. Cables, water lines, etc.

Moreover, government and construction bodies globally are increasing the need for projects to be done using BIM processes to benefit from the potential cost saving, increase efficiencies and sustainability perks that come with using BIM.

The ISO19650 series is a globally recognized BIM framework for information management of a project through its lifecycle.

UK, EU, parts of Asia, USA and Africa are in the forefront in the adaptation of BIM systems for their iconic projects leading to the increasing wave of BIM popularity.

Top 5 Uses of BIM in Construction

BIM enables the visualization of realistic 3D models with the computer workspace, making design interpretation and coordination much easier.

Plus, different stakeholders can use the walkthrough features available in BIM to move around a design looking at different components.

Back in the olden days, clashing was a common challenge within the site condition due to inconsistent design and actual measurements, but, due to BIM, designers and engineers can collect actual site data and model from it, and also look at different interface points, mitigating the clashes by identification of conflicts between various disciplines.

Moreover, getting the appropriate quantities for a project was quite cumbersome, especially for complex multi-disciplinary projects.

But due to the Quantity Takeoff features available in BIM software, Quantity Surveying has never been easier, the Quantity Surveyors can use BIM to extract and track all quantities within the project regardless of the material, size, discipline, etc.

BIM is not only known for its 3-dimensional capabilities but also for being 4-dimensional, as it has the time aspect.

4D in BIM simply means introducing the planned duration of activities or event on how a model will be carried out, this is done by attaching different model components with different start and finish date.

But that is not all, due to the cost estimation features available in BIM, it has the 5-dimensional capabilities, which make it possible to track the cost of the design and the model with the progress of activities on site.

The 6-dimension in BIM is achieved by using the BIM model for operation and maintenance and by feeding post-construction data that is relevant to all the BIM phases.

Top 5 Benefits of Using BIM

It goes without saying that BIM improves the collaboration of the multi disciplines in the project, from technical to managerial personnel, as the different team can work on the same model and achieve the scope of work.

Due to this, BIM increases the efficiency of all work by eliminating the need of reworks due to improved accuracy and reliable design, especially when using a common shared model between all teams.

Because of the 4D feature of BIM as discussed above, the time component, it makes it easier for planning and scheduling of works that need to be executed in sequence, leading to less repair jobs and downtimes.

Teams that use BIM for their work benefit from a higher design accuracy with less clashing, as BIM models offer 3D visualization of different discipline interphases and construction phases in the project.

Due to all these, the lifecycle management of the BIM model becomes better, with standard historical and real-time documentation keeping and facility monitoring and evaluation on where to increase efficiency if required.

BIM provides a great space for Common Data Environment (CDE) which facilitates a central document control and version management, eliminating the stress of using outdated designs and drawings for construction.

Top 3 Software Known for BIM

In BIM there is a difference between a modelling software, like Revit, and a coordination tool, like Navisworks, as a modelling software is used for creating, designing and modifying a BIM model while a coordination software is used for reviewing and coordinating where the file models from different software are brought together into one common environment and clashes are checked.

For different BIM software model files to work in different software (eg. Plant 3D, Tekla and Revit models), BIM software use an open international standard file type for data exchange called the Industry Foundation Class (IFC) which contains geometry and data of design elements within a model.

To utilize these the BIM features like modeling and coordination, there are software that come ready for use out of the box.

In the first table below is a list of the top 4 BIM solutions commonly used globally with a coordination tool:

Here is a list of notable BIM software and what makes them popular:

How to Master and Learn BIM as a Beginner

The best learning path can be to start off by understanding basic CAD and how to design and detail using CAD software.

Then integrate that knowledge by learning a BIM software solution like Revit and Navisworks which are well known in the AEC industry for BIM, and from there you can diversify into specialized BIM software for specific disciplines like Autodesk Civil 3D, AutoCAD Plant 3D, Tekla, Robot Structural Analysis, ETABS, etc.

Access free and readily available courses for industry-standard entry-level BIM software on YouTube or well-known and established websites like SourceCAD and gradually move into designing and working on more complex projects.

A bonus tip would be to take use of readily available support forums and BIM communities where you can find help from fellow BIM enthusiasts like you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Does BIM Compare to CAD?

In simple terms, CAD’s main focus in usually on basic 2D and 3D geometry, but BIM brings in more into the geometry by adding data, thus making the model not only drawable but also logical.

BIM provides multi-dimensional modelling data, from 3D, that is the representation of space, to 4D, the representation of time, to 5D, the representation of cost, to 6D, the representation of the operations and maintenance of a model.

CAD collaboration is more of points and lines, while BIM is data driven by coordinates, design parameters, time, etc.

2. What are the disadvantages of Using CAD compared to BIM?

Given a choice to either use BIM or CAD in a project, the disadvantages of adopting CAD over BIM are the limited collaboration features that come with CAD, the higher likelihood to clashed within the model especially when working with multi disciplines and different interphase.

Plus, it goes without saying the redo jobs are more time consuming when updating different revision designs done on CAD as CAD works with less intelligent data that is not governed by any parameters.

3. Can all projects be designed using BIM?

This is a neither a yes nor a no question as their various factors that would drive your decision.

The complexity, design standards, cost, timelines, disciplines nature, and client needs for the project are some of the leading factors that drives the decision.

Moreover, often than not, majority of the BIM software available in the market tend to have a higher price tagged for commercial use, making most small to medium enterprises adopt CAD solutions for their projects.

4. What are some of the world renowned projects that used BIM?

BIM is not just a theory on paper, but it has been applied on world class projects all over the world to achieve well known projects like:

Conclusion

It goes without saying that BIM is the future of construction projects in the world and the best time to get started learning and using it was yesterday.

Personally, I have worked on projects where BIM and CAD were implemented in different counties in the world, and I can confidently assure you BIM saves you time, money, resources, redo jobs, clashing, etc.

Do let me know if you have a contrary opinion or you agree with this in the comment section below, is BIM truly worth the hype?