What is BIM and Its Increasing Popularity in the Construction Industry?

BIM has been around for decades, in recent years, BIM – the abbreviation for Building Information Modelling- has become quite popular with professionals in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction. With its multiple dimensions, BIM can determine all aspects of design, planning, and construction. In recent years, its popularity has increased in the construction industry, with more and more professionals turning to the BIM for their projects.

What is BIM?

BIM is a process that provides 3-D based information modelling of buildings and infrastructure. This is quite useful as it helps professionals gain key insights in efficiently planning, designing and executing their design and construction projects. Not only that but users can also view the entire life cycle- all the way to its demolition- of any building or infrastructure. The process provides a “virtual reality” experience wherein the costs of construction and use of certain tools or materials can be easily estimated and presented. It analyses day to day activities, presenting the most accurate representation of a physical object as it can.

Subsets of BIM

There are various subsets of BIM called dimensions.

3D is the object’s three-dimensional model itself. Here, the 3D BIM model allows anyone to get an idea of how the object is going to look like when it is actually present after the construction. Along with the object’s presentation, several information such as dimensions, materials quantity, technical details, specifications, manufacturer, installer, cost, clearance areas, etc. are well embedded. The design intent and aesthetics of the projects can be easily visualized by anyone. It is sad to know that majority of people / companies use it to present walk-through and animations of their projects to potential clients where as it holds major advantages if the information associated is used in correct manner.

The 4D BIM model then expands upon the project’s time schedule. It can simulate different phases of the construction project as a visual and guarantee the project’s completion in a timely manner by eliminating schedule errors, logistics planning, temporary site works planning, etc. It also adds information as the project construction progresses to monitor, keep track and project future trends.

5D BIM model links cost estimation with the rest of the model. It estimates the costs of various components and materials along with project construction milestones. It is highly valued by modern cost managers. This dimension gives the planners an idea of what they are spending, how much capital they need and even if there is a more feasible option. It can help allocate budget for various branches of a building – for its structure construction, architecture façade construction, plumbing installations, equipment rooms, etc.

6D BIM deals with sustainability. It allows professionals to be economic conscious when designing their project and offers them sustainable alternatives to use in their project.

7D BIM represents management. It shows how the project can be operated, right down to the entirety of its life cycle. It can provide maintenance and technical support plans. Description and details of engineering materials can also be added at this stage in relation to the type of model being built. This can create a facilities management database that makes the model even more accurate. Today COBie data integration is considered to be in 7D BIM.

And finally, there is 8D BIM which deals with safety- how well the structure can cope if a natural or human-made calamity were to occur, the necessary precautions and plans to minimize damage. This may include evacuation plans, fire exits, and escape routes. It may also be used to prevent any onsite hazards during construction by revising and eliminating any risk factors.

For now, these are the widely used dimensions in BIM, but as its use expands, more dimensions are popping up, dealing with various other factors that comes with the construction and planning of a project.

Benefits of BIM

  1. Cost

The BIM software makes cost estimation / quantity surveying very easy. It helps planners predict and estimate the total cost of their project, from beginning to end, along with the exact quantity of the material required. This helps save money, future disputes and lowers the cost of the overall project. Additionally, alternate options are presented to professionals to allow them to make their own decision on how much to spend on a specific part of the model.

  1. Management

The BIM software links all aspects of designing, planning, and construction. This enables an efficient collaboration between the team- from the technician to the architect to the structural engineer and more. Because the entire model, along with its life cycle and materials, can be on a cloud, multiple copies of the same design does not  needs to be made or remade depending on changes thus reducing rework. The entire team can work on the model all together, saving time and avoiding confusion. This saves time and avoid any mismanagement from taking place.

  1. Visualization and Simulation

The 3D BIM model displays the result of the project even before construction has begun. Detailed floor plans and structure designs can be used to show clients what they are paying for; this helps stimulate funding as the simulation can be run showing the on-time delivery of the project. Clients can rely on the 3D BIM model as it takes every bit of detail into consideration.

  1. Maintaining Control

A great advantage of the BIM software is its projection of any future event such as an onsite hazard or disaster. With the help of the simulation, planners can review their design multiple times and reduce any risks as well as add safeguards to prevent them.

Popularity of BIM in Construction industry

Looking at its many benefits, it is really no surprise that the BIM software is gaining momentum across the globe. The BIM process, also sometimes called VDC, abbreviation for Virtual Design and Construction, across the world – is very efficient to use in the construction industry. As competition increases, companies turn to more sophisticated and modern methods for designing to keep up. Multiple BIM surveys conducted in the market displays that the scope of Building Information Modelling or BIM – 81% of companies use BIM for efficiency and/or process improvement while 9% companies use it as their owners demand it and only 4% use it because their competitors are using it.

Reasons for implementing the BIM process range from competitive advantage to cost efficiency to the clientele demand, signifying a technological change. The study also shows that 23% companies already use BIM while 23% are interested in using it and 30% are either in the process of testing or adopting BIM. The BIM users are overall satisfied with the process and software, and the support for it continues to grow.

Conclusion

The BIM software is revolutionizing the way buildings and infrastructure is designed and constructed. Until recently, it was majorly used by developed nations, but now, due to its appeal and advantages, even developing countries have begun to use it. The BIM process is particularly of use as it caters to the demand and ensures efficient use of resources in an economy that becomes more competitive every day.