Building information modeling

The Building Information Model (BIM) is a new tool used by the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. The term Building Information Modeling (BIM) was coined by Autodesk to describe "3D, object-oriented, AEC-specific CAD" and popularized by Jerry Laiserin as a common naming for these capabilities offered by several technology providers such as Autodesk, Bentley Systems, Graphisoft and others – a digital representation of the building process to facilitate exchange and interoperability of information in digital format.

Definition

BIM covers geometry, spatial relationships, geographic information, quantities and properties of building components (for example manufacturers' details). BIM can be used to demonstrate the entire building of construction and facility operation. Quantities and shared properties of materials can easil. ==

lifecycle 

== including the processes BIM is able to achieve such improvements by modeling representations of the actual parts and pieces being used to build a building. This is a substantial shift from the traditional computer aided drafting method of drawing with vector file based lines that combine to represent objects.

The interoperability requirements of construction documents include the drawings, procurement details, environmental conditions, submittal processes and other specifications for building quality. It is anticipated by proponents that BIM can be utilized to bridge the information loss associated with handing a project from design team, to construction team and to building owner/operator, by allowing each group to add to and reference back to all information they acquire during their period of contribution the BIM model. For example, a building owner may find evidence of a leak in his building. Rather than exploring the physical building, he may turn to his BIM and see that a water valve is located in the suspect location. He could also have in the model the specific valve size, manufacturer, part number, and any other information ever researched in the past, pending adequate computing power.

The American Institute of Architects has further defined BIM as "a model-based technology linked with a database of project information"^[1], and this reflects the general reliance on database technology as the foundation. In the future, structured text documents such as specifications may be able to be searched and linked to regional, national, and international standards.

Anticipated Future Potential

While BIM is currently employed by professionals on many of the most complex new buildings, BIM design method is currently young in its development.

BIM provides the potential for a virtual information model to be handed from Design Team (Architects, Surveyors, Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers) to Contractor and Subcontractors and then to Owner, each adding their own additional discipline-specific knowledge and tracking of changes to the single model. The result is anticipated to greatly reduce the information loss that occurs when a new team takes "ownership" of the project as well as in delivering extensive information to owners of complex structures far beyond that which they are currently accustomed to having.

BIM can greatly decrease errors made by design team members and the construction team (Contractors and Subcontractors) by allowing the use of conflict detection where the computer actually informs team members about parts of the building in conflict or clashing, and through detailed computer visualization of each part in relation to the total building. As computers and software become more capable of handling more building information, this will become even more pronounced than it is in current design and construction projects. This error reduction is a great part of cost savings realized by all members of a project. Reduction in time required to complete construction directly contributes to the cost savings numbers as well.

National Building Information Modeling Standard

The first National Standard for Building Information Modeling (NBIMS) is being written by Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS). The standard will create a standardized method for the data to be formatted that will allow all the users of building information models to be able to easily utilize the information, establish minimum requirements that are implied when marketing BIM, as well as many other benefits to all.

Building Information Modeling Software

• Vertex BD (Building Design) from Argos Systems, Inc. in Bedford, MA; http://argos.com/
• ArchiCAD from Graphisoft http://www.graphisoft.com.au
• Bentley Architecture from Bentley Systems
• Building Explorer by Building Explorer LLC BIM model cost estimating
• Constructor from Graphisoft
• Data Design System
• JetStream (software) from Autodesk
• Revit from Autodesk
• VectorWorks Architect (module of VectorWorks) from Nemetschek N.A. (a subsidiary of Nemetschek AG)
• Digital Project from Gehry Technologies LLC
• Tekla Structures from Tekla Corporation; http://www.tekla.com/
• 1st Pricing BIM Plugin from 1st Pricing Real Time pricing and Supply Chain Solutions for building materials.

Contractors

The Associated General Contractors and contracting firms also have developed a variety of working definition of BIM which describe it generally as "an object-oriented building development tool that utilizes 5-D modeling concepts, information technology and software interoperability to design, construct and operate a building project, as well as communicate its details".

Although the concept of BIM and relevant processes are being explored by contractors, architects and developers alike, the term itself is under debate, and it is yet to be seen whether it will win over alternatives, which include:

• Virtual Building Environment (VBE)
• Virtual Building
• BuildingSMART
• Integrated Practice
• Virtual Design and Construction (VDC)

BIM is often associated with IFCs (Industry Foundation Classes) and aecXML, which are data structures for representing information used in BIM. IFCs were developed by the International Alliance for Interoperability. There are other data structures which are proprietary, and many have been developed by CAD firms that are now incorporating BIM into their software. One of the earliest examples of a nationally approved BIM standard is the AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction)-approved CIS/2 standard, a non proprietary standard with its roots in the UK.

Proponents claim that BIM offers:

1. Improved visualization
2. Improved productivity due to easy retrieval of information
3. Increased coordination of construction documents
4. Embedding and linking of vital information such as vendors for specific materials, location of details and quantities required for estimation and tendering
5. Increased speed of delivery
6. Reduced costs

In August 2004 the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) issued a report entitled "Cost Analysis of Inadequate Interoperability in the U.S. Capital Facilities Industry" (NIST GCR 04-867 (PDF), which came to the conclusion that, as a conservative estimate, $15.8 billion is lost annually by the U.S. capital facilities industry resulting from inadequate interoperability due to "the highly fragmented nature of the industry, the industry’s continued paperbased business practices, a lack of standardization, and inconsistent technology adoption among stakeholders".

Green Building XML is an emerging schema, a subset of the the Building Information Modeling efforts, focused on Green building design and operation.

References

"(Mis)Understanding BIM" by BIM Consultant, Nigel Davies of Evolve Consultancy

The Future of the Building Information Model 5D – Integrating Pricing and Supply Chain by H. Edward Goldberg AIA, NCARB

See also

• Building lifecycle management
• 3D Infrastructure Business Intelligence

External links

• AECbytes - Analysis, Research and Reviews of AEC Technology
• Developing the US National BIM Standard - BuildingSMART (NIBS)
• IFC Wiki - Lots of information about IFC
• BIM Experience Kit - Interactive Training Guide with ArchiCAD 11 Trial Version
• Bentley Building - Integrated multi-disciplinary BIM solutions
• Vectorworks Architect by Nemetschek North America - Cross-platform BIM solution by Nemetschek North America
• CIS/2 - CIS/2 is the file exchange format that facilitates BIM for structural steel
• Eatyourcad - CAD Management Resource Centre - Search site for BIM or use their Ultimate BIM Search Engine.
• BIM Executive Summits - Online video recordings of BIM users sharing experience and best practices with BIM.
• Georgia Tech BIM web site - evaluation and comparisons of BIM systems