BIM (Building Information Modelling)

What Is BIM?

Click to view video: Defining BIM

Unlike CAD Software, which uses software tools to generate digital 2D and/or 3D drawings, BIM facilitates a new way of working: creating designs with intelligent objects. Regardless of how many times the design changes—or who changes it—the data remains consistent, coordinated, and more accurate across all stakeholders. Cross-functional project teams in the building and infrastructure industries use these model-based designs as the basis for new, more efficient collaborative workflows that give all stakeholders a clearer vision of the project and increase their ability to make more informed decisions faster.

With BIM, the model is actually a complex database and the room is a database element that contains both geometric information and non-graphic data. Drawings, views, schedules, and so on are ―live views of the underlying building database. If designers change a model element, the BIM software automatically coordinates the change in all views that display that element—including 2D views, such as drawings, and informational views, such as schedules—because they are all views of the same underlying information.

 bim workflow

Click to view video BIM: Value at Every Stage

What Are The Benefits Of BIM?

Projects have become more and more complex, requiring firms to manage and share immense amounts of data across diverse and distributed teams. By enabling greater insight into the project at any point in its lifecycle, BIM helps AEC service providers to improve accuracy, efficiency, and productivity, resulting in time and cost savings. The significant value-added benefits that BIM-ready firms can provide include: faster project approvals, more predictable outcomes, sustainable design and analysis services, and improved collaboration and information sharing for integrated project delivery strategies.

Architects can produce more accurate designs with fewer errors, less waste, and closer alignment to the owner’s vision. Engineers can increase coordination with architects and other engineering disciplines, improving the reliability of their designs. Contractors can make sure that constructability issues are flagged early on when changes are less expensive to make. Ultimately, owners will be able to use the models far into the future as the basis of a comprehensive facilities and asset management program.


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