Tuesday, January 26, 2010

BIM Seril 001: What is BIM?

What is BIM?

Let’s try to answer this question.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a computer model simulation of the construction process. All the elements and parts of the building are presented in a 3-dimensional, very visual “as-built” format. Simulation does not only include the physical appearance, material and components, but it also includes the construction time line. You can see the building being constructed on your computer screen.

Computer simulation is applied for various purposes, such as product development, manufacturing, business cases, training, test flights, F1 car design, and so on. The list is endless. Computer simulation is cheaper than the real thing and you can try new ways or designs that you would not dare to try out in the real world. You can innovate; look for alternative, better ways without risking too much money or anybody’s safety.

The construction process is traditionally very fragmented with each discipline, from engineering to the site management, mainly looking after optimising their own work, relying on paper documents produced by previous parties within the process. They may be using 3D technology, but in isolation. Collaboration is mostly based on 2D drawings and text documents. BIM’s promise is to integrate this process. Another widely promoted concept is IPD, Integrated Project Delivery.

BIM enables seamless collaboration where each discipline adds and enriches the information within the model. No information is lost, and it is all the time easily available for all the parties involved in the construction process. The model holds information like approvals, modifications, schedules, materials, loads etc. Every piece of information is also stamped by time and author for the record.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Material Information Systems (MIS) revolutionised collaborative work practices in manufacturing. The results were dramatic. Those who took advantage of this new technology early, saw massive increases in productivity and quality. Those who were late to adapt lost out and many did not survive.

BIM enables collaboration in the construction process. In a BIM environment, all participants in the construction process such as the owner, developer, project managers, consultants, contractors, subcontractors and facilities management, have access to the always up-to-date design, cost and scheduling information at the same time.

Would you rather look at a 3-dimensional model than a 2-dimensional drawing when discussing the details of your construction? Through a building information model it is also easy to identify and correct possible mistakes and problems in the planned construction – before anything has been fabricated or installed at the construction site. The cost of modification in the design and planning phase is only a fraction compared to the modification cost when the actual piece of the building has already been produced.

The key elements of BIM are design, that is Architectural, Structural and MEPF (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire protection), as well as Scheduling and Costing; all being integrated into a single building information model.
Eventually BIM can save you thousands of working hours and costs through improved efficiency, avoiding mistakes, and reducing wastage.

So now you know BIM!