If you work in AEC, you’ve almost certainly heard of BIM technology.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process of 3D modeling that has taken the industry by storm. It facilitates a collaborative environment in which construction project teams can work together.
But the advantages of BIM may be greater than you thought. Read on to find out what they are.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The BIM process is still relatively new in AEC. Since it is not a software, it is difficult to pinpoint when it was first “created”, but its suggestion first came up in 1962 via Douglas C. Engelbart.
2D drawings and blueprints made it hard to visualize requirements and dimensions, but have been in use for the longest time. After that came Computer Aided Design (CAD), which made the process easier by allowing drafters to see digital plans.
CAD eventually turned 3D, which allowed for more realistic images in blueprints. Currently, the use of BIM tools is the standard. It is enabled by a cloud platform and is made up of intelligent “BIM objects”, which store data.
If any elements are altered, the model is automatically updated through the BIM technology. Hence, the model remains coordinated and consistent throughout the project. This reduces both errors and the time spent on the project.
BIM in construction is invaluable. However, architects, general contractors and engineers who are aware of the capabilities of BIM leverage it for an array of functionalities, instead of limiting it to generating 3D models.
With the right BIM technology implementation, any construction project irrespective of its scale and complexity can become successful.
Top BIM Techniques You Should Use For Construction Projects
- Performance Optimization of HVAC and MEP Systems
There are several government policies around the world that mandate or encourage constructing energy-efficient “green buildings” that can reduce people’s carbon footprint.
Some countries, like Dubai, have already started investing in buildings with low energy consumption. There are many buildings in these nations capable of saving up to 30% of electricity.
RELUX and eQuest are examples of software that facilitate energy-modeling solutions to aid designers in planning HVAC and MEP layouts.
A problem with achieving energy efficiency in a building is that maintenance can be repetitive and it is difficult to pinpoint the exact location requiring the maintenance.
To solve this problem, construction engineers can leverage BIM, which allows the generation of lifetime virtual models for storing and preserving information pertaining to building maintenance, operations, component status, parts replacement and warranty data.
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- Building Materials Quantity and Cost Estimation
After organizing and streamlining the construction sequence, the challenge for contractors is to develop an accurate and detailed estimate for the building materials order quantity and cost.
Earlier structural prototypes weren’t able to deliver the most accurate results. However, BIM easily solves this problem.
BIM experts integrate the drawing inputs and then develop estimates of the required quantity for generating the construction documents, BOM (Bills of Materials) and RFIs for getting quantity takeoffs.
5D BIM models can be used to calculate an accurate cost for the project, accounting for the cost of each building product that will be used during the course of construction.
Furthermore, by adding the labor cost to this estimate, one can place the right bids for the construction project.
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- Organizing and Streamlining Activities As per Lean Scheduling
It is vital to plan and organize all activities before the implementation of the construction plan.
Here 4D BIM models can be of great significance. One of the biggest advantages of BIM technology is that 4D BIM models facilitate the visualization of the entire construction project, including all its phases and series of the events.
4D BIM can be used to develop and exhibit a timeline of construction milestones and advancements on-site to investors and contractors. This enables efficient management during the project.
Conclusion
Organizing onsite construction activities with the help of BIM project management facilitates the best decision-making for reducing risks, optimum resource deployment, and supply chain management.
Above all, while streamlining construction activities, BIM helps in detecting and resolving clashes in MEP, structural or architectural designs via BIM clash detection.
BluEntCAD offers BIM services to architectural companies, engineering companies, electrical companies and general contractors. Our professionals are well-versed with BIM and implement it to improve your project’s efficiency, completion time and output.
Ready for BIM modeling services that will take your project to the next level? Contact us now!
