BIM and its Significance in Modern Construction Practices

Several industries, such as agriculture, finance, and others, leverage cutting-edge technologies. The emergence of various technologies has transformed the landscape of the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry.

AEC professionals are harnessing BIM (Building Information Modeling) to create a 3D model of a building that encompasses in-depth design, construction, and operations data.

In this write-up, let’s learn what BIM is and explore its fundamentals, applications in construction, benefits and challenges, dimensions and capabilities, software and tools, and Indian and international BIM developments.

What is BIM?

BIM, an acronym for Building Information Modeling provides a comprehensive virtual model of a building’s physical and functional features. 3D modeling and smart data are the two main powers of this software that boost design, construction, and operations efficiency.

This smart tool facilitates communication and collaboration among stakeholders by providing a centralized information database. BIM enables AEC experts to create a sharable virtual model that possesses all relevant data, such as material properties, spatial relationships, geometric elements, and performance data. It results in reduced errors, better decision-making, and project management.

It also allows early detection of clashes and optimization of resource utilization due to its capability of simulating and visualizing designs. All these features encourage more construction professionals to use this technology for building design and management.

BIM Fundamentals

Smart 3D Modeling

BIM is all about creating 3D models that depict a structure’s physical and functional features. These models contain intelligent information and are not limited to visuals. Hence, stakeholders can make informed decisions at various project stages.

Collaborative Platform

Project stakeholders benefit from this innovation to enhance collaboration through uninterrupted communication, synchronized access to project data, better collaboration, mitigation of errors, and promoting efficiency.

Parametric Modeling

Parametric modeling in the BIM is a phase in which elements in the digital model are connected with parameters and rules. It paves the way for dynamic and interconnected revisions.

Thus, you can adjust a model quickly, automate updates, and maintain consistency throughout the project.

Lifecycle Integration

Whether it is conceptualization and design or construction, operation, and decommissioning, BIM offers a comprehensive solution for the whole lifecycle of a structure. It enables data integration at all stages, which helps in better cost optimization, decision-making, and efficient asset management.

Data-driven Decision Making

BIM lays the base for data-driven decision-making and professionals can make informed choices pertaining to design, construction processes, and ongoing facility management utilizing structured data.

This data also assists stakeholders in obtaining better outcomes through data analysis, potential impact assessment, and optimization of different aspects of the project.

Interoperability

Interoperability in the AEC operations thrives with the use of this invention. This tool paves the way for seamless data exchange between different software.

Reducing silos, increasing collaboration, and contributing to the model utilizing their preferred tools also gets easy through interoperability.

Integration of Facilities Management

BIM’s utility goes beyond construction as it integrates with facilities management systems. You can access a building or infrastructure’s latest and most accurate information throughout its operational life. It can foster convenience in maintenance and efficiency.

Cloud-based Technology

Cloud-based technology is utilized by BIM to store data, collaborate in real time, and ensure data accessibility from any location. It is helpful in global collaboration, enriching data accessibility, and offers a central point for project coordination.

BIM Applications in Various Industries

Architecture

This solution is gaining popularity for designing architectural structures. This leading-edge tool levels up effectiveness and efficiency in complex large-scale projects. Building information modeling as the name suggests, uses information to create a model.

3D and interactive images created by this tool offer immersive real-life-like models to the architects, which helps them give clarity about their vision to clients. BIM in architecture offers visualization, which allows the designer to easily make any revision to the project. All the changes can be implemented simultaneously in the entire project.

Engineering

Engineering’s only discipline that utilizes this method is civil engineering. This software contributes immensely to the designing, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, pipelines, sewage systems, and railways.

This tool is usable for civil engineers at various phases of an infrastructure project’s lifecycle. The application of BIM in civil engineering is for the following reasons:

• Capturing site conditions
• Conceptualization
• Detailed design
• Analysis and simulation
• Coordination and cooperation
• Cost reduction
• Collision detection
• Cooperation improvement
• Sequence and timing improvement
• AR/VR

Mechanics, Electricity, and Plumbing

MEP stands for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing. BIM benefits MEP engineers in the design, construction, and management of building systems. It aids in cross-team collaboration, and data sharing, and accelerates the design and construction process.

Construction Industry Institute conducted a survey and found that using this invention can contribute to cost savings of up to 10% in a construction project. Journal of Management in Engineering published a study that suggests BIM for MEP can mitigate design errors by up to 80%.

A case study related to the World Trade Center in New York confirmed that this process’ use for MEP was crucial in boosting coordination and minimizing errors.

Construction

Precision in design is vital for builders to build large structures. Productivity remains paramount for modern projects as they are complex and require faster operations. Construction projects often face delays due to the lack of productivity and broken budgets.

According to various studies, construction firms spend 30% of their work on rework. BIM is the ideal solution to tackle rework and cost overruns. This software’s 3D modeling capabilities ensure precision in design and reduce the possibilities of error.

Benefits of Building Information Modeling

Efficiency in Project Delivery

BIM empowers you to generate production drawings and databases for manufacturing. It sets the platform for higher prefabrication and modular construction technology usage. Thus, reducing waste, labor, and material costs becomes a possibility.

This tool fosters better coordination among designers, architects, contractors, and other stakeholders. Reduction in delays and last-minute revisions can be ensured by detecting internal or external, and MEP clashes before the beginning of construction.

Better Design Information Management

Building information modeling delivers excellent results for planning and visualizing an upcoming project through 3D visualization and space-use simulations. This process eases the way for all relevant personnel to experience a space in the preconstruction phase. It also reduces construction schedule setbacks, delays, and changes later on.

It is a database-first software and streamlines accessing and editing of relevant building data using their familiar graphical formats in a single dataset. It makes the editing process simple and helps prevent inconsistencies when different personnel access their own discrete files.

Overall, productivity, data-driven planning, and the ability to explore design alternatives increase through visibility and collaboration. Furthermore, you can lower maintenance costs and increase asset lifecycle throughout a structure’s lifecycle.

Improved Scheduling

AEC firms utilize digital twins to simplify the processes of design and documentation. It has a significant role in updating them according to the latest data, revisions, and new site conditions.

Moreover, increased efficiency in planning and communicating schedules can lead to a reduction or elimination of construction setbacks, which can result in project completion within the deadline.

Higher Clarity Among Stakeholders

The model that this technology offers elevates the ease of coordination, data management, analysis, and visualization among all relevant parties. It simplifies the sharing of information, coordination, planning, and updation to complete inside.

Additionally, several BIM systems have cloud capabilities that encourage users to update data in real time. Hence, various stakeholders can access models and drawings on-site and on mobile phones.

Increased Retrofitting and Renovation Capabilities

Collaboration among different internal and external teams can enable seasoned team members to work in tandem with builders. It can enhance ease of design execution and control.

Also, ideal aesthetics and optimal construction decisions follow through visualizations. It contributes to improving initial construction and ideal retrofitting and renovation projects.

Cost and Risk Mitigation

According to McKinsey, 75% of construction firms that adopted BIM showed higher returns on investment. Here are some reasons that can reduce costs:

• Lower insurance costs
• Fewer variants
• Fewer claim opportunities
• Lower tender risk premiums
• Reduction in unused and wasted materials
• Effective communication and documentation
• Reduced labor costs
• Less outdated data

Safe Construction Site

Building information modeling tools are effective in detecting potential hazards and planning for the logistics required on-site. Moreover, it encourages visual risk analysis and safety evaluations. It helps safeguard construction workers from risks throughout the project execution.

Challenges in BIM Implementation

Implementation Cost

A few large barriers particularly for small firms or projects are investment in BIM applications, training manpower, and infrastructure. However, industry collaborations, incentives from the government, and the availability of cost-effective solutions can change it. Also, offering hands-on training to employees can help them get the best out of this technology.

Resistance to Change

Some construction companies and employees backlash against the latest technology in the work. Hesitation to move away from traditional methods can hinder them from getting introduced to this technology.

A firm can communicate the perks of BIM, change management strategies, and gradually implement them to address this issue. Employees can also gain confidence by seeing success stories from the adopters of this innovation.

Information Security Concerns

Cloud-based collaboration raises data security and privacy concerns, more so, if the project information is sensitive.

This challenge can be addressed through the implementation of encryption protocols and tight cybersecurity measures. You can also opt for the services of a reputed cloud service provider which emphasizes security.

Interoperability Problems

Smooth collaboration between project stakeholders is impossible without compatibility among these tools and file formats. However, it is easy to boost compatibility with openBIM principles, standardization, and use of interoperability protocols. Collaborative platforms and cloud-based solutions ensure agility and smoothness in the exchange of data.

BIM Dimensions and Capabilities

3D

The first dimension in our list is 3D, which aids AEC experts in seeing a project’s virtual model in 3 dimensions. BIM’s usage goes beyond just geometric modeling to increase the graphic detail of a design.

3D modeling fosters collaboration among stakeholders for modeling and solving typical issues related to the structure. Additionally, a BIM model is the central point to store all the data, which ensures the issues can be resolved easily in the future.

Advantages

• Intricate and accurate project visualization
• Collaboration among various teams
• Real-time updation of the model ensures reduced duplications, errors, and interferences
• Time and cost optimization

4D

4D building information modeling levels up by offering a new element; time. Scheduling of data facilitates gauging the required time for project completion and the evolution of a project.

This data can entail elaboration on the time spent on construction or installation and the time required to begin operations on a project. It can contribute to gaining insights into the installation sequence for different elements.

Advantages

• Better scheduling optimization and planning of the site.
• Increased coordination among all the project stakeholders.
• Proactive preparation for the next stages of every construction phase.
• Improved data exchange about timeline expectations assisting in avoiding costly delays.
• Higher efficiency and safety due to the entire plan’s documentation with specific timelines.

5D

This phase of modeling involves extracting measurements from a project to elaborate on the material quantity required for cost analysis and estimation.

5D BIM application for quantity take-off helps in directly connecting a virtual model’s elements, quantity calculation, and cost estimation.

Advantages

• Offers higher accuracy and predictability in project cost estimation, revisions in quantities, equipment, materials, and labor.
• Provides convenient ways for cost extraction and analysis and to assess various scenarios.
• Helps in monitoring activities’ progress and related costs.
• Automatic counting of elements related to a project.
• Prediction of expected and actual spending to streamline cost and budget analysis.

6D

6D BIM emphasizes the sustainable development of new or existing buildings and efficient use of energy. In this phase, a designer strives to find the ideal technical solutions by analyzing the energy performance from the design stage. Hence, lower energy consumption and higher comfort follow for the building occupants and also ensure sustainability of the project.

Advantages

• Ability to evaluate various solutions quickly and accurately.
• Provides in-depth analysis of different solutions’ impact on a project’s financial and operational aspects.
• Contributes to better planned and conscious management of investment flow in the asset.

| Read More: What Are BIM Dimensions? 3D-10D Explained

BIM Software and Tools

Revit

Revit from Autodesk stands out among the BIM software and is a favorite for AEC professionals for planning and modeling. This remarkable 21st-century invention caters to builders, designers, and creators.

It fosters coordination and facilitates quality control, and clash detection, and provides myriad plugins to boost efficiency in operations. Revit also allows you to create custom plugins if you have coding knowledge. This tool uses a 4D model and helps in the process of conceptualization to regular maintenance or demolition.

BIM 360

The second software on our list is Autodesk’s BIM 360. It is a part of Autodesk Construction Cloud. This tool is often used in Revit projects and enhances collaboration within the models.

It assists in risk reduction, boosting construction project quality, and ensuring timely delivery. It offers noteworthy features such as naming a document for higher issue visibility, management of construction quality, and standardized safety program development for easy adoption.

Trimble Connect

Trimble Connect is a renowned platform for collaboration and a cloud-based common data environment (CDE). This tool can be learned easily and you can utilize its capabilities to do multiple integrations and smoothly transfer data with various applications.

It empowers you to manage various document versions offering a viewer to visualize every document. However, Trimble Connect does not offer a feature for contractual documents’ approval management. This application enables you to choose the servers’ location while registering, which can assure data security.

Navisworks

Navisworks is a popular BIM software and is the creation of Autodesk. AEC professionals harness its project review quality, which separates it from Revit. This tool operates on MS Windows and integrates effectively with other Autodesk 3D solutions to open as well as combine models. It also helps in reviewing and navigating them.

This application comes in two variants; Navisworks Simulate and Navisworks Manage. You can use Navisworks Simulate to review a model, simulation, and quantification. Navisworks Manage is a high-quality tool that offers the same facilities as Simulate. However, it is the right choice for clash detection, integrating issues with other Autodesk products, and collaboration.

ArchiCAD

ArchiCAD is a top-notch BIM tool that fulfills the design and modeling requirements for a construction project. This software from Graphisoft can be used on Mac and MS Windows systems.

It is a commercially available solution and can work with 2D as well as 3D geometry. ArchiCAD offers a broad spectrum of visualization and BIM functions and is considered one of the most beginner-friendly tools.

Indian and International BIM Developments Examples

Surat Diamond Bourse

Surat Diamond Bourse is a remarkable project that reflects the potential of BIM for the construction industry in India. Morphogenesis designed this landmark project and it is the world’s single-largest office building.

BIM implementation in this project led the team members to efficiently visualize, estimate costs, and manage the project. They were able to get a glimpse of the diamond bourse in 3D and discover the right way to plan the construction schedule. Having the access to model also helped them collaborate well.

Alto Tower, USA

It is one of the BIM projects that has grabbed eyeballs. AEC professionals faced challenges related to tower design due to the limited area on its site. IF Architecture leveraged parametric design processes through Grasshopper-Rhino applications to translate it into a structure.

They added parametric features to its theme and used incremental floor plate area with higher stories as the idea. This way, professionals could track the 3D evolution of the model through BIM. It also served the purpose of coordination as the project had a large workforce involved.

Randselva Bridge, Honefoss, Norway

It is the longest bridge in the world built without drawings. This project also won Best BIM Project & Best Infrastructure Project at the Tekla Global BIM Awards. Randselva Bridge project posed complexity in modeling as it had 200,000 rebars and 250 post-tensioning cables built into the model.

AEC experts also found the slender geometry of the bridge challenging and it required a very heavy reinforcement. Building information modeling was crucial for ensuring collaboration and clash detection among the design teams which worked from four different countries.

The contractor (PNC) used IFC files to receive 95 percent of project information. While professionals utilized parametric design to model project objects to manage revisioning. Additionally, Randselva Bridge’s pour phases go over 200 and it will allow the contractors to extract relevant bar-bending lists from the export IFC files as needed.

Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation

The integration of 5D BIM technology made Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation’s project a massive success. This superior-quality application enabled better visualization, project management, and cost estimation.

Teams involved in the project were able to boost accuracy in visualizing the train line and see the outcome through 5D modeling. Moreover, different project stakeholders found it easy to schedule construction tasks and communicate.

One Nine Elms, London, United Kingdom

One Nine Elms is a mixed-use development featuring two captivating glass skyscrapers. Commercial, hotels, residential spaces, an energy center, and underground parking are the major highlights of these towers.

BIM software turned out as the finest solution for modeling of 3-story basement of the complex. 3D RC detailing for the 3 stories, which entailed 30,000 cubic meters of concrete and reinforcement surpassing 4000 tons, was done by SOLVE Structural Design.

Personnel working on this project identified potential issues, heavy congestion areas, and significant bar clashes using complex 3D rebar models. BIM helped in the final reinforcement layouts’ creation and sequencing which assisted the contracting team throughout the project.

Conclusion

The construction industry is going through digital transformation. The introduction of BIM in this sector has facilitated the project stakeholders to work in tandem, create sustainable building designs using green BIM, manage large-scale projects to eliminate delays, obtain geospatial information about a site, do cost estimation, and much more.

In the future, this technology will continue to grow and be a part of numerous construction projects across the world as more firms look to generate desired outcomes with the finesse this application offers.

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