What Is A Bim (Building Information Modeling)?

BIM (Building Information Modeling) is a type of 3D model-based prototype that gives the full architecture, engineering, and construction for the professionals to have the full insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage the building's infrastructure. It has a lot of impacts on the modern construction methods. This method has been a very huge move forward in the construction world. The architects and the designers did not really have a full insight of a design when it was only a 2D prototype., so when it became this 3D model, many more problems can be solved and many constraints were found out earlier to be avoided during the real construction of the building.

BIM allows many models which are drawn in 2D to be shared in one 3D model. This will allow less wastage in drawing. Many architects have to draw many 2D models for the same building which carries different functionality. Some may even have to redo the same drawing so many times as there will be mistakes and miscalculations. This will cause so much of wastage of time and resources. BIM will reduce all the waste which has shown there is a significant reduction in labor and also time.

The BIM helps in collaborating with models easier than the actual drawings where many work flows with its functionality can be incorporated easily when it is in digital. Many complex project models can be also incorporated to be integrated with their peer's idea as well. This way everyone can have their input in the design. When the design is finally ready, the concept can be finalized and ready for construction.

It also helps resolves conflicts because the digital tool set can automatically detect elements of clashing like electrical wiring works or duct work. This BIM will help in early detection and the actual clashes can be prevented earlier which can be also very costly. It can also ensure the elements which are manufactured off site fits perfectly.

BIM allows you to have a sequence in your work flow as well. When there is a model with accurate set of sub models for each phase of construction, the next step will be will be coordinated for a more efficient construction work process.

This model is also a great knowledge transfer for any other people who look through the model. If there is a newbie in the project which comes by end of the designing project, he can just look through the BIM and he can understand the project easily. The details will also be very thorough , thus it will be easy for everyone to know the detail of the project.

There also some negative impacts of the BIM. BIM is a not used by everyone yet, so there will be a big chance where maybe your sub-contractors are not using the BIM. Thus, there will be a difficulty in incorporating your models together. There are also legal issues to be settled where the BIM software is not actually being tested fully and the software is not stable. Since the BIM is still new, the investment in the software is very high and costly but it will be worthwhile when the software is being used as its full capacity. As the BIM is new, there are also very little experts in the field using it. So extra training on the software is also required for the BIM usage. This will also increase your cost of investment.

If we see the latest usage of BIM, we can see it being used in the Edmonton LRT. Davies Elevated Guideway. The project had few challenges like difficulties with parametric curved alignment and also to link between 3D Revit model and analysis model in Midas Civil. But when there is a BIM usage , the architects were able to have a better understanding of their design. The design team also have a better understanding of all the project challenges as they can see the model of the project thoroughly. The contractors were also able to build more efficiently using the model as they have better idea of the project. Clients can also fully visualize the design development. Any type of clash detection has allowed early identification of constraints.

As BIM is still new and still needed to be widely accepted, there are few constrains to be solved. More staff training like on job training and classes can be done to the architects and designers to be able to use few software and programs together. Many experiments on the BIM program can be done as well to know the program thorough as well. Client of the project should also made to understand the program so that they can see the benefits and they will not think twice to invest the money and the time in learning the BIM more.