by | May 12, 2020 | Blog

Although BIM has been around for at least a few decades, it can still be hard to nail down a good definition of what it is. Essentially, BIM is the process of digitizing construction sites and creating intelligent data for projects, with the goal of efficient document management, coordination, and simulation.  It starts when architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders collaborate on an intelligent 3D model that includes of all project details. This allows exploration of different designs and provides a good pre-construction understanding of what the final building will look like. BIM helps in making the best design decisions, improving building performance, and enhances collaboration. The digital model and the design documentation it generates, which is used during construction, are available to stakeholders on a shared cloud.

“BIM is an intelligent model-based process that helps make design, engineering, project and operational information accurate, accessible and actionable for buildings and infrastructure”

 

-Bond, PR Manager, Autodesk

“BIM is the use of 3D virtual models of buildings, as well as a process of managing and collecting building data”

 

-Mary Moscarello, GRAPHISOFT

BIM Benefits

  1. Sharing, collaboration, and versioning that paper drawings don’t accomplish
  2. Model-based estimates
  3. Pre-construction project visualization
  4. Improved coordination & scheduling
  5. Better clash detection, avoiding last-minute changes
  6. Cost Reduction: less waste and miscommunication
  7. Increased productivity (especially when used for prefabrication or modular construction)
  8. Better risk analysis ensures higher safety
  9. Higher building quality
  10. More efficient building handover
BIM During Each Stage of the Construction Project Life Cycle

Planning

BIM generates models to help mitigate project risks upfront and integrates and digitizes the most efficient path from design to construction.

Design

BIM data analysis helps with scheduling and logistics

Building

BIM specifications are used to start construction. Logistics are shared with all contractors to ensure optimum timing and efficiency.

Operations

BIM data can be used for cost-effective renovation or efficient deconstruction.

“BIM…improves collaboration and ensures a new level of control over projects of all sizes. Better project outcomes are achieved through a complete flow of information among applications and across distributed project teams for greater accuracy across the entire supply chain.”

 

-Harry Vitelli, Bentley Systems

Image via Autodesk

Who Is BIM For?

According to Engineering.com, it can be used for:

  • Architecture & building design
  • Civil & structural engineering
  • Energy & utilities
  • Highway & road engineering
  • Landscape & land surveying
  • Offshore & marine architecture
  • Rail & metro transportation engineering
  • Tunneling & subway architecture
  • Urban master-planning & smart city design
Sources

https://www.letsbuild.com/blog/what-is-bim-what-are-its-benefits-to-the-construction-industry

https://www.engineering.com/BIM/ArticleID/11436/BIM-101-What-is-Building-Information-Modeling.aspx

https://constructible.trimble.com/construction-industry/what-is-bim-building-information-modeling

https://www.autodesk.com/solutions/bim

https://www.autodesk.com/solutions/architecture-engineering-construction/construction

https://connect.bim360.autodesk.com/benefits-of-bim-in-construction