Building Information Modeling

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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[1] and popularized by Jerry Laiserin[2] to describe "3D, object-oriented, AEC-specific CAD" - digital representation of the building process to facilitate exchange and interoperability of information in digital format.

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 lifecycle including the processes of construction and facility operation. Quantities and shared properties of materials can easily be extracted. Scopes of work can be isolated and defined. Systems, assemblies, and sequences are able to be shown in a relative scale with the entire facility or group of facilities. The interoperability requirements of construction documents include the drawings, procurement details, environmental conditions, submittal processes and other specifications for building quality.

The American Institute of Architects has further defined BIM as "a model-based technology linked with a database of project information"[3], 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.

The Association of 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"[4].

Although the concept of BIM and relevant processes are being explored by contractors, architects and developers alike, the term itself is under debate[5], and it is yet to be seen whether it will win over alternatives, which include:

  • Virtual Building Environment (VBE)
  • Virtual Building
  • BuildingSMART
  • Lean Building
  • 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[6]. There are other data structures which are proprietary, and many have been developed by CAD firms that are now incorporating BIM into their software.

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.

Contents

[edit] Building Information Modeling Software

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ↑ Archived version of Autodesk's white paper on Building Information Modeling
  2. ↑ Laiserin's explanation of why 'BIM' should be an industry standard-term
  3. ↑ Attribution of term to Jerry Laiserin
  4. ↑ Architect Jerry Laiserin has a website on technologies for the construction industry called "The Laiserin Letter".
  5. ↑ Discussion of the BIM acronym
  6. ↑ BIM Forum and bim(x)
  7. ↑ International Alliance for Interoperability.

[edit] External links

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