Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process that electronically designs and tests a building’s characteristics before construction. BIM models the relationships between structural elements and allows for experimentation with design variations. It also provides data relevant to the design and construction of the project, including cost, recycled content, and warranty information. BIM is used by architects, engineers, safety professionals, appraisers, buyers, and facility managers. Challenges include gathering accurate information and protecting intellectual property. BIM optimizes costs, reduces waste, and helps optimize building performance.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process for electronically designing and testing a building’s characteristics and how they function before construction begins. Computer aided design is commonly used to draw up a static set of plans for a building project, with a different model for each view. BIM goes beyond simple drawing by modeling the relationships between structural elements in a single project. Architects, planners, clients and others can look at the model from many angles, both indoors and out. They can experiment with design variations relatively quickly and cheaply before time or money is spent on actual construction.
In addition to providing three-dimensional views, BIM allows you to evaluate the project in other ways, such as in terms of time or cost. The virtual building components for such modeling are programmed with data relevant to the design and construction of the project. Such data may include the cost of a component, the percentage of recycled content it contains, information about its warranty, and so on. This information can be used to evaluate the overall design or to optimize individual construction parameters to best meet project requirements.
Product manufacturers can provide models of the components they supply for use by architects and engineers. When a manufacturer does not provide a BIM model, designers can use component information from data libraries. Alternatively, they can define a custom component with details related to their particular projects.
Architects and engineers are the primary professionals involved in building information modeling, but other professionals also work with BIM during the design and construction phase. For example, occupational safety and health professionals can use the model to evaluate materials and develop safety procedures. Appraisers and buyers can access the model to quickly and accurately determine material quantities and costs. Code officials can use building information modeling to verify compliance with local building standards.
Numerous professionals from many fields other than building design and construction are also using Building Information Modeling. Financial professionals such as real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and appraisers can use a model for loan calculations and building value estimates. Security professionals can analyze the model to identify and fix vulnerabilities. Facility managers can rely on the model long after the initial building construction is completed to conduct routine maintenance or when planning renovations.
The use of Building Information Modeling is not without its challenges. Gathering the vast amount of information needed for numerous components is one of them. Not only is the amount of information a challenge, but so is ensuring its accuracy. Instead, discretion must be exercised in order not to overload the model. Including all available information, regardless of its usefulness, would make the model overly complex and slow processing times whenever changes were made. Intellectual property of component data and models is another complex legal consideration that those using BIM must take into account.
Despite these challenges, Building Information Modeling has proven to be an asset in the building design and construction process. Enables contractors to optimize costs and reduce waste by fixing problems identified in the model before, rather than during construction. BIM also helps optimize the performance of building features, which is a major benefit in reducing materials and energy usage over the life of the structure. As Building Information Modeling develops, it is expected to greatly expand opportunities for project management optimization well before and after the design and construction phase.
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