HOW BIM CHANGED THE CONSTRCTION INDUSRTY

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an innovative technological advancement which supports to Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry to improve its efficiency and effectiveness and to deliver economical, quality products. This blog will explain you “How BIM change the Construction industry”.

What is BIM

Building information modeling (BIM) is a process that generates and manages digital representations of a building, in terms of both physical and functional characteristics. Companies that design, plan, Construct, Operate and Maintain diverse facilities use BIM to make their Operation Successful. it allows to completely and fully construct a building virtually in detail before constructing it physically BIM can be explain as the quite modern technological revolution which gives maximum productivity to construction industry.

How BIM Developed

According to Autodesk (2011) it was a common fact that manufacturing industry has been depend on digital design models for decades. Companies such as Boeing and Toyota have used digital models for their manufacturing process for years and used them in their whole project life cycle. In BIM, it use the same approach to Construction industry. BIM means a different thing to different people therefore BIM has been illustrated in various viewpoints and aspects.

BIM was introduced in 1970s and it has taken few decades to be a significant tool in Construction industry. During these 3 decades BIM maturity Levels has been identified in different perspective by different people and it started gaining attention in the '90s and it has evolved remarkably during the last few decades.

BIM maturity Levels

There are two main Aspects of BIM maturity Levels as figured below which was  introduced by Bilal Succar and Bew Richard’s who are BIM specialist. Bew Richard’s BIM maturity Level is defined as Level 0 , Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.

BIM Level 0

• Simply this level is defined as the usage of computer aided Design (CAD) 2D Drawings.

BIM Level 1

• Managed CAD
• Increasing introduction of spatial coordination,
• standardized structures and formats
• visualizations or concept development models.
• can be described as 'Lonely BIM' since models are not shared between project team.

BIM Level 2

• A managed 3D environment with data attached
• Created in separate discipline-based models.
• Separate models are assembled to form a federated model but do not lose their identity or integrity.
•  Data may include construction sequencing and cost information.

BIM Level 3

• A single collaborative, online, project model
• Comprise with construction sequencing (4D), cost (5D) and project lifecycle (6D) information.
• This is sometimes referred to as 'iBIM' (integrated BIM) 

Bew Richard’s BIM maturity level

According to Succar, BIM Maturity refers to the gradual and continual improvement in quality, repeatability and predictability within available BIM Capability. Basic ability to complete a task, develop a service or a product is consider as BIM capability or BIM capability stages which are the mileposts to be achieved for successful BIM adoption.

Succar's BIM maturity stages - linear view

BIM Dimensions

Building models as simply, Building components that are digitally represented and include computer graphics and all data related to model which can be identified to software applications and parametric rules and these models are able to handle in an intelligent way.

BIM has taken the attention of Construction industry in all-around the world. This technology can develop n- dimensional models and it will helps to simulate a project from inception to operation stage of a building. nD models allow users to reduce the unreliable decision making by simulating the whole life cycle of the project.

3D BIM - Modeling

• 3rd Dimensional rendering of the Project
• This may be the most familiar form of BIM
• 3D BIM Gather graphical and non-graphical information to build 3D models
• This information are shred in a Common Data Environment (CDE)
• Use Software such as Revit, SketchUp, Autodesk BIM 360 etc
• Generally Designers play their role in 3D BIM

4D BIM - Scheduling

• 4D BIM brings time information to the 3D model and create richer source of information.
• Time information  related to Construction sequence will be insert to 3D model
• This dimension allows collaborators to visualize the progress of the project in each stage.
• Planners will play the main role in 4D BIM and they will analyze the construction sequence of the  whole project step by step and issues will be resolved before construction tale place.

5D BIM - Cost

• 5D BIM is related to Cost information associate with the model.
• Users can take off Quantities form the model and it enable to prepare accurate estimates.
• Use software such as Cost X, PlanSwift.
• This Dimension of BIM is very use full for Quantity surveyors/Estimators.

6D BIM – Facility Management (Sustainability assessment)

• 6D BIM is referred to Facility Management and also known as the ‘project life cycle information’
• Using these data facility managers can make pre planned decisions.

How all these features of BIM changed the construction Industry?       

• Improve collaboration

BIM allows collaborating within the project team which was unable with 2D drawing sets. Collaboration can occur across all the project team in different disciplines using cloud base tools such as BIM 360. This facility allows project team to take all up-to-date information to site in a convenient way. Site team can review drawing and models on site using their mobile or tab with apps such as BIM 360. This will ensure that the team can access to up-to-date project information at any time from any location. Further, this will solve issues between different disciplines in a short time.

• Allows to visualize entire project before construction

BIM allows client and all project stake holders to visualize the entire project before start the construction. After visualization, this allows to make necessary changes such changes may give a great value to client since this will help to reduce unnecessary cost and time.

• Improved Coordination and Clash Detection

BIM Allows to identifying clashes between various trades before construction. Once these clashes are identified it can be resolved before construction begins by saving money and time.

• Accurate Cost Estimates

BIM model allows prepare accurate cost estimates, Estimators/ Quantity Surveyors use various softwares to extract date from BIM model (Known as 5D BIM).

• Better Scheduling

4th Dimension of BIM allows for better scheduling which will assure on time project delivery within expected Budget.

• Support life cycle costing

6th Dimension of BIM helps to facility management disciple to maintain the building until the end.

Below advantages are received inevitably when project team start to follow BIM

• Reduce Rework
• Increase Productivity
• Timely Project Delivery
• Value For Money
• Reduce Cost
• Improve the Quality

Conclusion

BIM is a new way that used to give solutions for problems by simulating a graphical model which is built based on the design intention, and it gives a clear picture of design issues and constructability problems. Therefore productivity increase because those problems can be resolved in the early stage of the project.BIM is a method that improve pre contract and post contract stages of a project by developing, using and transferring digital information model of a building project.

Building information model is the heart of BIM and development of this model is started from the earliest stage of a building project. Then this model is used as the main information source of the particular building. This model is completed in every aspects and all the clashes and problems are solved before the physical construction begins.

It is clear that BIM has positively changed the construction industry. BIM has improved the Construction process while reducing Cost and time and it has become a magical tool in modern construction word while providing immense advantages to all Stakeholders in the Construction Industry.