It’s not a secret that the construction industry has been lagging behind when it comes to adapting to new technology. But, in the recent decade or so, the industry has taken small yet very promising steps toward incorporating technology into its process. From project management software, construction RFI tracking software, robotics, new materials, and BIM.
BIM or Building Information Modeling is making a stellar comeback in the AEC industry, and professionals are dubbing it the future of construction. But what is BIM? When you ask people about it, they would probably immediately say 3D rendering and design. Well, that’s part of BIM, but that’s not really what it is.
Before we go into how it’s going to redefine and change the construction industry as we know it, let’s first define what BIM really is, and here is where it gets a bit tricky because there are many definitions of BIM. Some define BIM as a type of software, others say that BIM is a 3D virtual model of a building, while still, some companies define it as a process.
Let’s take a very quick look at the different definitions of BIM that are in circulation at present:
The National Building Specification (NBS) defines BIM as: “A rich information model, consisting of potentially multiple data sources, elements of which can be shared across all stakeholders and be maintained across the life of a building from inception to recycling “
The National Institute of Building Sciences defines BIM as: “A BIM is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. As such it serves as a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its lifecycle from inception onward”
Autodesk defines it as: “An intelligent 3D model-based process that gives architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure.”
With all these definitions of BIM, the question remains: What is it? Well, BIM is all of the above. It is a process whose output through a computer software is a 3D representation of a Building Information model which can be shared with everybody who is involved in the project. But, BIM is not the only 3d, it is also 4D (Scheduling), 5D ( Cost), 6D (Project Lifecycle).
If it’s still confusing at this point, try to think of BIM as a very sophisticated building simulator program made of different elements which react to each other. BIM 3D rendering allows you to see the building from the outside to the inside, up and down as well as take into account anything that can affect the way the building will be built – all before a single block has been laid out.
Benefits of BIM on the AEC Industry
So now that we have an idea of what BIM really is, how will it affect the AEC industry? Here are a few ways that its already making headway in construction.
BIM Increases Efficiency and Higher Quality Buildings
Because the building can be visualized even before it is even built, design flaws can be seen and corrected at the design stage of the building. This means that the design team can save on valuable time manually checking the design for mistakes. This gives them enough time to spend on solving other more important architectural problems.
The BIM process has been so effective in lowering cost and increasing efficiency on construction projects that countries like Britain, Finland, and Singapore made BIM a mandate for public construction projects.
BIM Can Detect Problems Before It Occurs
Software that’s running the BIM process can see spot problems even before it occurs in real life. For example, it can see electrical wirings that can run into a beam in the simulation which can be immediately corrected. BIM can also make sure that all the parts of the building that are manufactured somewhere else will fit perfectly into place even before it even arrives. This kind of efficiency means that the project can be finished on time, and within budget.
If you’re curious to how this is done, this is done technically on a Level 2 BIM where people who are involved upload their bit to what is called a Common Data Environment at a set schedule. The BIM modeling software and BIM integration tools then combine all these information which allows designers, architects, electricians to check if there are any problems. This process is called clash detection.
BIM can Significantly Reduce Cost
It’s not unusual in construction to spend a big amount of money in construction rework because of some unforeseen construction flaw that was not seen. A BIM modeling software can detect most design flaws or conflicts before it can even happen which lowers the likelihood of having to do any construction rework.
Also, in terms of manpower, BIM can be run using a smaller team compared to a construction project running without BIM. In this way, companies can save money that is usually spent on administration because of an improved construction process.
If BIM is so amazing, then why has it not been a mainstay in the construction industry across the world? Well, for starters, at its very core, BIM is a process, and, although some countries have already adapted BIM as a standard for all public construction, private construction firms might still talk some time to change their current procedures to adapt to BIM. Secondly, BIM modeling software lightly put, is not easy to learn right away. And while some professionals are already upgrading their skills to be able to use BIM, it is still a challenging software to learn and master. However, as BIM becomes more and more common, and BIM is integrated into schools, the new breed of AEC professionals will surely be able to take on the BIM process without any problem. Maybe in a decade or two, hopefully, sooner rather than later, BIM will become a standard in the construction industry.
