Have you ever wondered how buildings get built and contractors manage all the different moving parts of this process?
Maybe you think of a traditional blueprint and have the idea of architects and engineers rolling out a big sheet of paper to point at and work from. Although building construction definitely conjures up that pencil to paper mentality with protractors and all, most buildings these days are modelled and drawn digitally and have transitioned from 2D blueprints to 3D ones enabled by different software and technologies.
Building information modelling, or BIM, is used predominantly to create infrastructure documents and 3D building models with their composite systems. BIM allows architects, designers, engineers, as well as construction teams to have an integrated model that accounts for all the different aspects of the structure being worked on. When everyone is using the same exhaustive blueprint, the collaboration between the different teams is increased, errors are minimized, and the project can progress a lot more efficiently!
When a building is being constructed or retrofitted, there are multiple systems that are part of this undertaking. There are the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems — just to name a few — in addition to the actual walls, beams, and other parts that make up the structural edifice. In the past, each team would be working with their own graphics and data sets but with BIM, there’s a single interface where the working model lives and new data can be integrated for everyone to see.
You might be surprised to learn that BIM has been being used for more than 30 years now. Some countries, like the UK, have even made BIM mandates for projects that cost over a certain amount (which is revised by the government periodically). BIM is used worldwide not to just create, but to execute operational aspects, and do follow-up assessment. In some cases, building management systems (BMS) have been integrated with BIM making BIM relevant at all stages of a building’s lifecycle.
BIM translates into higher quality projects that are done in a more effective way. Contact Alliance today to see how we can use BIM and other virtual design and construction tools to save you time and money!
Please click here to read Part 2: https://www.allianceengineering.ca/industry/the-importance-of-bim/