The term BIM, or building information modeling, crept into the construction world in the 1970s when CAD systems were developed. Initially, BIM was meant to serve as a library of 3D symbols, with BIM objects being the digital modeling of concrete blocks, windows, or air conditioning units. Data entered the picture instantaneously, making BIM a catalyst of property and information revolutionizing the modern construction industry.
Implementing BIM (building information modeling) offers many benefits to construction companies. However, it’s critical to use functional and quality BIM objects and employ architectural BIM modeling services for experts in the field. Construction companies, design offices, and architects have much to gain from these tools.
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Bridge the gap between key players with quality BIM objects
BIM holds one promise: to facilitate cooperation among the players involved in a construction project in a more centralized way. Therefore, the first quality of BIM objects is to use a common language between the different participants of the project, specifically building engineers, builders, architects, and engineers.
Quality BIM objects also allow improved collaboration between various project participants. By accessing updated and accurate information, all parties in the joint project can work and function more efficiently. BIM object properties should be standardized based on formats compatible with each participant’s software to ensure that everyone can read them. This is the key challenge for the manufacturing companies and the condition for objects to be qualitative.
Defining BIM objects
Building information modeling, or BIM, is considered the future of the construction industry. BIM breaks down the silos that prevent collaborative engagement to enable a seamless flow of information among various construction stakeholders. The main goal of BIM is to make data accessible immediately to all stakeholders. BIM’s nature is similar to social media, where everyone can provide input, access data, and eliminate possible conflicts.
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Building a construction-ready and information-rich BIM is more challenging than building a design model that looks pretty for client presentations. The adage GIGO or Garbage In, Garbage Out explains the philosophy of BIM quite well. It’s important to feed in precise data from various stakeholders to establish a useful model that depicts the actual conditions of the site. Thus, developing a BIM model using 3D modeling design services is an iterative and painstaking process.
As the building blocks of BIM models, BIM objects are intelligent and data-rich with geometry. BIM and the resulting BIM objects offer benefits in three key areas: planning, construction, and facility management. Aside from the product and visual data, BIM objects can also store functional data. It allows BIM objects to imitate the actual performance of the product. If any of the construction project stakeholders make changes to the BIM object, the change will reflect across the board right away.
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The role of BIM objects in the planning process
The planning stage can benefit from BIM objects in several ways, including the following:
Detect and resolve clashes
Detecting clashes and their ensuing resolution will become easier when the subcontractors can envision details in lifelike models. For instance, in which locations do electrical fittings clash with plumbing fittings? Will the planned foundation clash with the current underground facilities? Having these actionable insights ahead of time will prevent the need to change designs much later. The quality of data also increases significantly when BIM objects are used.
Optimization and simulation
BIM objects help mimic real-life conditions in the model. For example, do you plan to design an energy-efficient building? Does the building insulation perform based on the requirements of the design? Are there any areas where energy loss may occur? Readily available BIM objects make it easier to test various products to identify the best one.
Visual communication
Better visual communication is no doubt the most obvious advantage of making use of BIM modeling experts. Construction managers can share BIM models with the stakeholders and the owners alike. Virtual mock-ups or lifelike visualization give clients and stakeholders better insights into proposed sequencing. The ability to easily convey data makes BIM superior to 2D blueprints and plans. Complex constructions and slopes that are difficult to visualize in 2D alone can be easily understood and visualized in 3D BIM models. In addition, when powerful and emerging technologies such as drone mapping are used in conjunction with BIM, the result is an accurate and lifelike model.
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The role of BIM objects in actual construction
Implementing well-thought-out processes and systems is critical to building accurate BIM models. Without these systems, correct simulation of the site’s conditions is impossible. For example, bar codes should be attached to construction and equipment components for tracking and cataloging. The site manager should scan equipment once it arrives and during its installation.
After the tracking system is in place, other details, such as the date of shipping and operation manuals, can also be entered into the database. Building accurate BIM models also calls for continuous and intensive subcontractor training. The project manager should set uniform standards across the board. For example, one common problem on construction sites is that several subcontractors might use different points of reference. This kind of discrepancy can be avoided right from the beginning with the help of BIM and 3D architectural visualization services.
Coordination during construction
Tying the construction schedule to the model has several benefits, such as allowing the creation of 4D movie-like simulations. A visual view of the sequencing allows subcontractors to understand how their work will fit into the construction schedule. For example, if you need to explain the scope of construction and work sequencing to the glazing subcontractor, BIM allows you to easily create movie-like simulations where different colors depict different sub-phases of the glazing job.
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Construction detailing and design
Suppose you’re modeling a building’s structural details. After these details are modeled, you may be given details of the overlaying elements, such as connectors and gasket plates, from the fabricator. Once these are built into the BIM model, the contractor will better understand what goes where. With the help of BIM objects specified by the manufacturer, the 3D product modeling designers can acquire helpful inputs from the manufacturer to ensure a more collaborative design phase.
Prefabrication
The use of BIM models improves safety in construction sites. Construction managers can accurately estimate dimensions and quantities and can turn to prefabrication to a greater extent. Since more work is done in controlled and safe confines of warehouses, only a limited number of people are required on-site, resulting in safer operations. The use of manufacturer-specific BIM objects gives the assurance that the prefab structure will have a perfect fit.
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Quantity takeoffs
Construction managers can save more time if BIM models are used to carry out their quantity takeoffs. If the 3D architectural modeling professionals utilize BIM, it results in more accurate estimates. For example, constructing a building with different elevations requires hundreds of distinct columns with varied dimensions—the usual, although inaccurate, practice is to average out the columns’ areas. But thanks to BIM, it’s possible to estimate the quantity of every column and reach a total. It would lead to a more accurate estimate of the cost and quantity.
The role of BIM objects in facility management
Aside from the planning stage and actual construction phase, BIM also drives cost savings and efficiencies in facilities management. The initial end-use of BIM models is in terms of maintenance, emergency, and preventative. BIM allows linking resources such as operating manuals, project images, and training videos to every component. If the facilities manager encounters a breakdown, it only takes a click of ginger to access the necessary data. Better control over renovations and retrofits is another great reason to incorporate BIM into the construction workflow.
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For example, if a chemical plant wants to upgrade the boiler capacity from 25T to 5T, it must strengthen the foundation and raise the elevation. The execution of the project would be more straightforward if BIM were used to build the chemical plant. Estimating quantities and assigning a timeline and costs to the whole project is also easier with the help of BIM objects. Using functional and quality BIM objects gives construction companies and project lifecycles the chance to improve the efficiency, profitability, and quality of their construction projects by making the most out of the benefits and power of these unique digital tools.
How Cad Crowd can help
Cad Crowd is more than happy to assist you in finding the best BIM modeling services and BIM modeling experts who can help your company transform construction projects and take them to a whole new level!