What is Building Information Modeling (BIM)?

Construction teams collaborate and pay collective effort to successfully complete a project. To make each member’s effort count, construction projects require elaborate planning and visioning before starting. To achieve this, the BIM system was born. Building Information Modeling, also known as BIM, is a tool for construction simulation and building visualization.

Building Information Modeling Software

BIM’s predecessor, Pronto, was the first ever Computer-aided Machining (CAM) software when it was introduced in 1957. The technology of digital generation of manufacturing has been improving ever since. The act of composing blueprints and drawing a 3D model has slowly been digitalizing as well. Fast-forward to today, the modern BIM is almost a must-have for larger firms for its ability to optimize construction work.

What Do BIM Software Do?

BIM software is more popular among firms than ever, and there is a reason for that.

In short, BIM software allows designers to complete the entire planning process digitally, providing a complete view of the entire project at any given angle.

However, to be brutally honest, a firm is wasting its money if it’s only utilizing BIM for only product design. A BIM software is a lot more powerful and more capable than just designing and planning.

As construction projects require work from different departments: designing, material, finance, safety, construction…it is extremely difficult to integrate everyone’s thoughts, needs, and efforts.

Contractors can include all subcontractors and/or departments when constructing a BIM model. This makes sure any mistakes and infeasibilities are corrected before any action is taken. After this process, the BIM becomes a cloud-based “single source of truth” to any member of the project, reducing miscommunication and increasing work efficiency.

Different Levels of BIM:  2D to 3D & 4D to 7D

Level of Development (LOD) is the level of details of the BIM model at different stages of a project. The BIM is able to transform 2D linear designs to 3D geometry designs, and go from 3D all the way to 7D. The LODs are understood as dimensions beyond the third dimension. The dimensions over 3D are as follows:

4D BIM: 4D BIM revolves around the integration of time in BIM models. This enables teams to effective project scheduling and time management.

5D BIM: 5D BIM is the management of costs. Storing financial information like cost estimates enhances contractors’ ability to perform cost savings and prevent cost overrun.

6D BIM: Sustainability is the key of 6D BIM. BIM supporting sustainability data promotes firms towards greener building practices.

7D BIM: 7D BIM focuses on the maintenance of buildings after the work is done. Some aspects include expected maintenance frequency and maintenance contacts.

How Do BIM Software Do It?

Construction Planning and Algorithms

The “B” in “BIM” stands for building.

While it may not seem like it to some, construction is actually an extremely intricate process, so is the product of construction. Making mistakes on seemingly trifling parts of a building can lead to total catastrophe. This is the reason the construction industry is exceptionally prone to human mistakes, even tiny ones.

This nature of construction poses great challenges to construction teams, especially the architects. One feature of BIM that eases this pain is the application of parametric modeling.

Parametric modeling is the use of algorithms to automatically make changes to elements of the model. To be specific, this enables architects to define chains of relationships between elements. If there are any changes to one of the components, the algorithm automatically updates their counterparts correspondingly.

This increases the efficiency at which architects work. Furthermore, it reduces the chances of human errors making it to the final edition of the model or even existing in the first place.

Storage and Transfer of Information

The reason the BIM elevates workflow and planning like nothing else is because of the “I” in “BIM”: information. Other than 3D drawings, the BIM also allows for storage of information of roughly two types: quantitative and qualitative.

Quantitative information is more intuitive, as people working in construction are always dealing with numbers and measurements. The BIM can store information like “measurements of a specific door frame,” “the height of each floor,” “whether a piece of asset will fit in a room,” etc.

Qualitative information can be tips to machining operations, manufacturing process, or dividing labor among project teams. Storing qualitative information is one of BIM's biggest strengths because qualitative information is often not included in traditional construction plans. Some examples of qualitative information would be “the contracts of the raw material provider,” “how to install an HVAC unit on this floor,” or “how often should maintenance be and why.”

Allowing integration for all kinds of information made BIM almost a “library of everything you need” for contractors and subcontractors.

Operation and Maintenance

Last but not least, let’s talk about the “M” in “BIM,” modeling.

The M in BIM refers to not just models of buildings, but also implies a complete simulation of the building process. Every prerequisite to a project on BIM is information that helps the actual construction work. The BIM model serves as a simulation for construction workers. Having seen the end product and the possible mistakes help workers better understand the project and produce high quality work with coordination.

The complete replica of a building created digitally through a modeling system is referred to as the “Digital Twin” of a building. Because of this, the BIM is an exceptionally suitable tool for tracking a project’s life cycle as well.

Every piece of information that can be used for facility management, from initial design, material used, to total construction duration and expected maintenance frequency, are all recorded and archived in the BIM system for tracking building life cycle. When a building is expected to be decommissioned and demolished, the BIM model can offer accurate and updated information like the material, elements, and structure of the building.

Benefits of Adopting BIM Software

As mentioned, adopting the BIM system brings forward numerous benefits for construction firms.

Being able to integrate all kinds of information in one place also makes the BIM an extremely powerful tool that boosts productivity by not just one bit.

Parametric modeling assists architects with concocting the initial plan and design. Eliminating possible human errors circumvents any unnecessary wastes of time.

One of the most common causes of construction budget overrun is rework from “poor execution.” Statistically, reworks accounted for 5% of the total spending of 1.3 trillion dollars in US construction projects. The use of BIM models gives construction workers a 3D model to compare to the actual construction site in real time. Stored information, as mentioned, also gives workers a “single source of truth,” allows for more informed decisions and thus prevents the need for a rework.

Limitations of Adopting BIM Software

One of the most apparent limitations of BIM is its difficulty and technical threshold. For BIM to make a difference, there are numerous requirements that need to be imposed onto the contractors and subcontractors.

Having to participate in the initial planning in the long term

The contractors and all the subcontractors need to be included in the initial planning of a BIM model. This needs to be done for a BIM model to ensure the course of construction will not be interrupted by flaws in the model.

However, it can be time-consuming and difficult for every participant to allocate this amount of time towards the preparation of a single project.

Adoption costs

The adoption costs of BIM, similar to other digital construction tools, is relatively high. BIM software often is sold in the form of subscriptions, so using BIM software adds a regular expense to the firm’s finances.

Moreover, incorporating BIM into a firm’s projects requires a complete rearrangement of workflow, as BIM systems are different from traditional ways of construction. This shift may cost firms great amounts of time, which can be more “expensive” than losing money.

Requiring specific and professional training to BIM technicians

When adopting BIM, a firm has to either hire professional BIM technicians or provide training and resources to assigned employees. Either way is going to cost a fortune for firms, and this is especially true for Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Conclusion

The BIM is a one-of-a-kind, revolutionary tool that transforms the construction industry. Most firms have not used the BIM model to its fullest potential. However, it doesn’t stop BIM from taking over the industry and slowly becoming the standard. Contractors, although still needing some time, have to get used to applying the system to projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are “BIM” and “CAD” the same?

The BIM and CAD (Computer-aided Design) are different systems, although they share certain similarities. Both BIM and CAD are capable of drafting models, but the CAD is limited to ONLY drafting and rendering the model. The BIM allows various other functions like information management (4D, 5D, 6D, 7D) and parametric modeling.

Q: Do you need coding skills/knowledge for BIM?

No. The BIM is what is referred to as “No-code Automation.” It does not require any manual use of programming language from the users.