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I. WHAT IS BIM?
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the foundation of digital transformation in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry.
BIM is a process that architects use to design and construct modern buildings. The process encompasses several different design tools and methods with the end goal of making every phase of construction and design as efficient, safe, and cost-effective as possible.
II. WHY BIM?
There are five significant benefits of BIM in the design and construction process:
1: Cost and Resource Savings
One significant benefit of BIM is that it provides reliable construction cost estimates long before the construction phase begins. Architects can use tools like BIM 360 Docs to estimate costs related to:
Materials
Material shipping
Shipping prefabricated or modular pieces
Labor, including payrolls based construction timelines
Not only does this give architects a better idea of how much the project will cost, but it also helps them discover ways to reduce costs. For example, they can:
Choose more cost-effective materials
Find the ideal time to buy materials at their lowest market price
Decide whether it’s cheaper to prefabricate or build on-site
Streamline the construction workflow so the client pays for fewer total billable hours
Reduce human errors that lead to project delays or costly repairs
2: Greater Efficiency and Shorter Project Lifecycles
Generally, the faster you can complete a structure’s construction, the less money you will spend on the project overall. Also, finishing a project on time or early speeds up your eventual return on investment, as occupants can start using the space as soon as possible. With BIM, architects can design buildings faster and start construction earlier. Improved workflow and other efficiencies also speed up the project. For example, the architect may decide to have certain pieces prefabricated in bulk using robotics. This could save time during construction, as contractors simply have to secure the pieces in place when they arrive on-site.
3: Improved Communications
BIM improves communication among architects, clients, contractors, and other relevant parties involved in the project. That’s because BIM relies on a “single source of truth” system; this means that all of the relevant information—including models, estimates, and design notes—are shared and stored from one place. Everyone involved in the project can see the information and even offer suggestions of their own. It’s a true collaboration that eliminates information silos and helps architects find the best solutions based on data analytics.
Another benefit of BIM is its use on-site. Contractors have access to BIM software on-the-go, so they’re able to construct the building based on the most up-to-date plans and workflow. This also reduces clashes. It’s easier to visualize problems before construction begins, so contractors don’t have to waste time finding solutions on-site.
Finally, BIM uses communication systems to make construction safer. BIM allows architects to predict potential construction hazards and prevent them by adjusting the design. Contractors can also lead their teams safely through every step in the workflow and document the process to meet safety regulations and pass on-site evaluations.
4: More Opportunities for Prefabrication and Modular Construction
BIM software is ideal for making detailed production models that can later be prefabricated off-site. Architects also have more opportunities to design modular pieces of architecture that fit perfectly together and include complex tolerance calculations. This, in turn, can save time and money, as contractors spend less time constructing pieces on-site from scratch.
5: Higher Quality Results
While the benefits of BIM are most evident in the design and construction process, clients may also notice an improvement in build quality. Using BIM makes calculations and models more detailed and accurate, and this results in a higher quality structure.
And, because the BIM process includes multiple visualization tools, the structure may also be more aesthetically pleasing. Architects can see what the building will look like in its final form and can even see how natural and artificial light will behave in the structure. In fact, there are five types of visualizations, called dimensions, that architects can view and customize using BIM:
3D: Height, width, length, depth 4D: The time it takes to complete each design element 5D: How much it will cost to construct each element 6D: The structure’s environmental impact over time 7D: Estimated facility management costs throughout the structure’s lifecycle
Considering all of these factors, not just 3D aesthetics, gives architects the ability to design high-quality buildings that last.
III. WHERE TO FIND AND APPLY IN?
Architecture firms and contractors that understand the value of BIM may be able to offer you more in terms of project efficiency and build quality. For example, one of the most significant challenges that clients face when they embark on a project is predicting the time and resources a project will require. While it’s impossible to forecast precisely how much a project will cost or how long it will take to complete, BIM can take some of the mystery out of a project’s total cost and construction timeline.
If you are finding an expert in BIM especially adapt them into light steel solution, contact us for more information.
