Though BIM was conceptualized in the 1950s, it did not become fully operational until 1975, when the first research paper about the technology was published. The research was published by an American professor known as Charles M. Eastman, and talked about how engineers could use interactive elements to create facades, perspectives, and maps.
The construction industry is affected by numerous factors, including cost overruns, collaboration issues between crucial decision-makers, and frequent clashes. The clashes are often because of poor collaboration between important decision-makers.
What is BIM technology?
BIM technology is a type of construction technology and workflow process that makes it easier for engineers or architects to collaborate and develop realistic virtual 3D models. These models can be used to plan, design, and build a structure. The main benefit of BIM technology is that construction teams can work more efficiently.
Using this technology, teams can capture data that can help them identify errors on time. For a BIM project to be successfully implemented, it must have five main elements. These elements are information, people, policies, processes, and technologies.
Elements of BIM
The first element of BIM is the information part of it. Information can be provided in two main ways, as a model or in the form of documents.
If the information is provided as a model, the technology will provide a digital representation of the project. This includes road designs, buildings, and bridges. If the data is in the form of a typical document, it will be represented as a blueprint. It’s important to note that these blueprints can be converted into a digital format.
For BIM to be successfully implemented, human assistance is required. In most cases, this assistance will be provided by project managers and supervisors. BIM technology needs policies to be set up to guide the entire process.
In other words, there must be a process in place for the modeling to follow. For example, you can set which model will be generated first and which will be generated last.
BIM incorporated with technology
Lastly, for BIM to be successfully implemented, you’ll need technology that integrates with BIM models.
An example of a platform that leverages BIM technology is ALICE, which simulates and optimizes construction projects to identify risks and alternatives while making use of BIM technology.
When used with BIM, ALICE becomes a powerful tool to identify multiple options and pathways to complete a construction project. This optioneering platform makes it easier for contractors to make data-driven decisions based on the impacts of different construction scenarios.
Reasons why BIM is important
Here’s why BIM is important in construction projects.
1. It improves collaboration among crucial decision-makers
The bigger the construction project, the more complicated it will be to implement. Therefore, developers should leverage BIM to allow different teams to collaborate.
When an architect designs a structure, it needs to be reviewed by structural engineers and builders. This exact system must also be presented to the client for approval.
Let’s assume that during the reviewing stage, the structural engineer modifies the structure’s design. Without proper collaboration, it becomes impossible for builders to know where the design was modified, resulting in costly errors. BIM reduces this risk by enabling all players to collaborate and quickly identify design changes.
Another good example of collaboration using BIM is when you’re working on a renovation project. Contractors can use laser scanners and upload the data using a process known as scan-to-BIM. Once it’s been added to a BIM database, architects, engineers, and designers can easily modify it.
2. It helps with saving costs and resources
BIM is also important for construction projects since it reduces costs, generating accurate cost estimates based on designs. Engineers can remodify designs to lower costs when prices are too high, with BIM providing construction professionals with cost estimates for materials, labor, and shipping.
With BIM, project managers can identify or plan the following variables:
- The most cost-effective materials to use
- The best time to buy materials
- What design is best for profit margins
Using BIM, contractors can streamline a workable construction schedule to reduce costs. You can do this by identifying strategies in which contractors can reduce billable hours.
3. BIM creates 3D models suitable for simulations
A BIM database stores architectural data that can be used for 3D simulations. This is advantageous, as it allows designers to test out different building components, such as types of paint to use and interior design features.
Contractors can also make simulations to investigate the impact of earthquakes and sunlight levels during different times of the day. Because architects can simulate hundreds of different scenarios, they can create better and more efficient structures.
4. It reduces risks
BIM reduces construction risks by allowing contractors to identify design errors before building the structure. It does so by encouraging collaboration between key players in a construction project. Additionally, it can reduce the risk of a client claiming the structure is not what they wanted.
To ensure a client does not issue a change order while construction is halfway done, contractors must ensure the client signs off on the job.
5. BIM is used even after a construction project is completed
BIM schematics provide a lot of valuable data about a building or structure. Once a building has been completed and the schematics have been handed over to the building manager, it becomes easy for them to do maintenance work.
A good example of this is when there’s a leak in the building. In this case, the manager will only examine the 3D models to know where the water mains or electrical hazards are. This way, it becomes easy for them to know where to start identifying the leak.