What is BIM and why should I embrace it?

Construction projects are becoming more complex and demanding. There are many reasons for this:

• The industry has seen rapid technological advances in recent years.
• Higher demands are being made on buildings.
• Urban and infrastructure planning requirements are changing. In large cities living space is scarce, traffic is increasing and environmental protection has become more important.
• A typical construction project involves a multitude of roles including design professionals, project controllers, investors and many others.

In recent years, the construction industry has adapted to meet the challenges posed by this greater complexity. In this short blog, Steven Smith explores the part BIM plays in this, and provides an insight into the key benefits of BIM adoption.

What is BIM?

Building Information Modelling (BIM) enables the digitisation of physical and functional characteristics of places, providing a digital working method for the construction and related industries.

BIM files contain data which can be extracted and used to support decision-making regarding a building or related asset.

BIM is adopted by companies and organisations who plan, design, construct, operate and maintain physical infrastructures, small or large. As well as buildings, these infrastructures include roads, railways, bridges, ports, utilities, and others.

BIM connects people, processes and tools, enabling cross-discipline planning, construction and management of buildings.

10 key benefits of BIM

1. Collaboration
In the BIM working method, people, teams, processes and tools work together over the entire life cycle of a building. All the information is gathered together at a single point, accessible by all people involved in the project.

2. Transparency
The communication and collaboration required in a BIM project result in greater transparency.

3. Reliable costs and deadlines
BIM makes it possible for all information relating to a project to be managed reliably. The result is that agreed times are adhered to, deadlines are met and the construction is completed within budget. This is possible, even with large projects involving multiple teams at a range of locations.

4. Simulation
Buildings can be virtually depicted at any time. As a result, thermal simulations can be carried out at an early stage and energy consumption can be optimised.

An increasing number of simulation tools are available to represent processes in the life-cycle of a building, letting you make informed decisions and achieve peak performance.

5. Improved quality
With BIM, buildings are planned, constructed and managed at higher quality.

6. Conflict resolution
The BIM toolset helps automate clash detection of elements, such as electrical conduit or ductwork that run into a beam. By modelling all of these things first, clashes are discovered early, and costly on-site clashes are eliminated.

The BIM model makes it easier for components to be manufactured off-site, confident of a perfect fit when the elements are brought together.

7. Reduced reworking and improved efficiency

With a shared BIM model, there’s less need for rework and duplication of drawings for the different requirements of building disciplines.

BIM drawing tools also have the advantage of being faster than 2D drawing tools, and the quick, computerised counting of components alone results in significant cost savings.

8. Continuity and control
The streamlined workflow of BIM provides a full file history, ensuring full protection from disastrous loss or corruption of your valuable data.

9. Mobility
With BIM, you have a great deal of information at your fingertips. Combining this capability with the cloud e.g. using Autodesk BIM 360 Build, means that you have access to the full project details from anywhere, on any device.

10. Increased building value
For investors, sustainable construction and management results in an increase in and preservation of the value of the building.

Armada’s courses go beyond just the software. If you attend an introductory-level Revit course, you’ll learn BIM concepts and best practices. Our trainers provide a range of industry insights and handy tips.

If you’re still considering Revit training, we’re running courses in Birmingham/Bromsgrove, Bristol, Reading, Milton Keynes and Sheffield soon. You’ll find further details and dates here.