The current revolution in the construction industry represents a fundamental change as project workflow moves away from traditional 2D drawings towards fully integrated 3D BIM (Building Information Modelling) technology in accordance with PAS1192.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an intelligent 3D model-based process that equips architecture, engineering, and construction professionals with the insight and tools to plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure with increased efficiency.
BIM compliance is mandatory on all government projects, and is rapidly becoming statute throughout the architectural industry as more stakeholders become switched-on to the advantages that it delivers.
Benefits across the project design team (architectural/structural/services) are multifold :-
An overhaul of the design process
By using BIM, we are experiencing immediate advantages in terms of much faster draughting. BIM allows a much greater amount of information to be easily communicated than ever before. It allows for aerial imagery, digital elevations as well as laser scans of any existing infrastructures to be uploaded before any planning starts. In short, by using BIM we can capture a much more accurate image of what the design and its surroundings will look like.
A building information model contains “not only the design of a building but data concerning the properties of its components, its construction and ongoing maintenance. The database and the way information is shared is as important as the model itself – which means that BIM doesn’t just mean a major technological change, but an overhaul of the whole design process. The transition from CAD to BIM will be much more significant than when computers replaced paper drawings, around 20 years ago. That merely automated the process, leaving it intact, while BIM is intended to transform how project teams work.”*
Credit: https://www.building.co.uk/the-route-to-bim-in-10-steps/5049305.article
Planning and resolving problems
There are obvious benefits of using this software in that we are able to visually resolve details, detect any clashes between different stages of the process and we are able to more accurately evaluate safety issues. BIM allows us to demonstrate the plan, prove what the end model will look like and therefore will help sell the design!
All working towards the same final projects
Specification data is integrated within the drawing process along with increased automation and improved tracking of quantities and scheduling. This means that members working on different stages of the process are able to annotate and add information without the need for redrawing or creating unnecessary duplicates. Revisions to the designs are updated ‘live’ across all drawings and schedules which benefits everyone involved in the process. Useful at every stage of the process, from the initial design and costing stages through to the final delivery of the designs, BIM is helping to save a lot of time and money.
A clearer picture
Since BIM is fully 3D, it allows for much quicker generation of views and fly-throughs of the end product. Since it is tied to an online database, BIM project can be accessed anywhere on any device which is proving incredibly useful for clients. All project information can be accessed easily making planning and presenting much more convenient.
The future will bring continued advancements as cloud-based computing begins to allow true real-time collaborative working…