What is BIM ?

Virtual Design and Construction and Building Information Modeling can be defined as modeling
technology and associated sets of process to produce, communicate, and analyze building
models. A building model consist of building components that are represented digitally as
objects which carries computable graphic and data attributes imbedded to the software
applications. These graphics and data attributes are also bonded with parametric rules, through
which the objects can be manipulated intelligently and precisely. These building Components
include data that describe how they behave, as needed for analyses and work processes, for
example, takeoff, specification, and energy analysis. They are consistent and non-redundant
data such that when changes are made to a component it is reflected in all views of the
component and its associated assemblies. These data are also coordinated such that all view in
a model is represented. National BIM Standards (NBIMS) project committee defines BIM is a
digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. It is a shared
knowledge resource for information about a facility, forming a reliable basis for decisions during
its life cycles, defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition.

BIM is different from the traditional methods in terms of visualization, preparation of shop
drawings, cost estimation, constriction scheduling, forensic analysis, facilities managements.
BIM tools consists of parametric objects that are associated with Data and rules, integrated
non-redundant geometry, parametric rules for objects automatically modify associated
geometrics, objects can be defined at different levels of aggregation, identification of object
feasibility, ability to link to or receive, broadcast or export sets of attributes( Structural loads,
connection reactions and maximum expected moments and shear, heating and cooling loads
for capacity of HVAC systems, targeted luminance levels, acoustic data, energy data, etc). This
makes the design process faster and accurate. Linking the For a general contractor, BIM is best
used in an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) like Design-Build projects where the contractors
ability to contribute their knowledge to the project during the design phase. BIM makes the
collaboration between these partners highly effective and interactive. It also becomes very easy
to review construction problems to be identified and solved in the most expeditious manner. In
traditional 2D drawings, clash detection is performed manually by overlaying individual system
drawings on a light table to potential conflicts or 2D CAD tools to overlay CAD layers to visually
and manually identify potential conflicts. These manual approaches are slow, costly, and prone
to error and depend on the use updated drawings. 3D clash detection relies on 3D geometry
models combined with semantic and rule-based clash analysis for identifying qualified and
structured clashes. BIM is helping to make globalization of fabrication for increasingly complex
building subassemblies economically viable. BIM software has built-in cost estimating features.
Material quantities are automatically extracted and updated when any changes are made in the
model. It can be effectively used to coordinate material ordering, fabrication, and delivery
schedules for all building components.BIM helps to a higher degree of prefabrication, greater
flexibility and variety in building methods and types, fewer documents, far fewer errors, less
waste, and higher productivity. The construction industry can benefit from better analyses and
exploration of more alternatives, fewer claims, and fewer budget and schedule overruns.



SEEING WHATS NEXT
In analogy of BIM with the theory of innovation developed by Clayton Christensen in his book
Seeing whats Next, we can categorize various BIM applications into Sustaining innovations
and Disruptive innovations. 3D MEP coordination and visualization, planning (4D scheduling)
and quantifying (5D estimation) are application of BIM which are sustaining innovations. Since
these practices were already an integral part of the design and construction phase, the
improvements in efficiency, accuracy and speed in these fields are improvements in existing
practice. Disruptive innovations in BIM are the field of fabrication because of development of
automated digital fabrication workflows that enables pre-fabrication and modular construction
and integration of BIM by owners in operation and facilities management, both 6D BIM.
Sustaining innovations are improvements in the existing products. Existing method of
Designing, Documentation and Management of information has demonstrated to have
unnecessary waste and errors and hence poor field productivity. Since construction involves
collaboration of several partners working together for a period of time and then dispersing,
incompatibility between the systems the various partners work prevent them from sharing
information rapidly and accurately, which causes numerous problems and cost escalations. For
example Clash detection visualized in 3D BIM in the initial design phase between different MEP
services will avoid change orders later during the construction. Building model to energy
analysis tools allows evaluation of energy use during the early design phases. BIM technologies
provide owners with the tools needed for assessing the appropriate tradeoffs when considering
the use of day-lighting and mitigation of glare and solar heat gain.

Fig 1. Various disciplines can collaborate for efficiency

Fig 1. Use of BIM for options analysis and sun studies
In the existing system, Specification section created in word processing, Estimation in a
spreadsheet, Scheduling in Primavera of MS project and CADD drawings which are stand-alone
files. In 5DBIM, the relationship and linkages between the data in different elements of a BIM
assembly are managed by Relational database management system (RDBMS). Hence,
specifications and quantity take offs and estimations can be created using RDBMS to allow
intelligent text linking and sophisticated updating either as a stand-alone process or by linking
to related information in other programs to achieve greater efficiency and speed. This
information is needed for procurement, installation and commissioning Since the architect or
engineer would not traditionally include means and methods information such as equipments
and production rates which is critical for estimating, scheduling and procurement, 4D Modeling
in BIM allows the contractor to integrate Temporary Components like equipment, formworks
and other components that are critical to the sequencing and planning of the project. BIM also
improves Offsite fabrication, Verification, guidance, and tracking of construction activities. This
enables faster construction constriction with fewer errors and lesser cost. . Lean construction
practices also called pull driven scheduling based on the principle of preparation of workable
backlog of tasks and selection of tasks from the backlog for assignment to teams for execution.
4D BIM tool allows the contractor to simulate and evaluate the planned construction sequence
and share it with others in the project team with efficient trade coordination, communication
and site logistics.
Disruptive Innovations as defined by Clayton Christensen are innovations that introduce a new
value proposition and it is further categorized into Low end and New Market. Facilities
management which is considered too good and hence overpriced relative to value existing
costumers is a form of Low end disruptive innovation that BIM application can provide. Digital
Fabrication which enables automated estimating, detailed design and production which enables
automated manufacturing technologies and improved preassembly and prefabrication, is a
form of New Market Disruptive innovation.

6D BIM refers to the intelligent linking of individual 3D Model components and objects with all
aspects of project life-cycle management information. Facilities Management until recently has
only been implemented in a 2D scale with the As built drawings, huge volumes of paper
documents. Faculties Managers have been actively used Only in corporate offices and mutli-
family residential facilities. Moreover, the use of 3D technology is even rare where the Facilities
management is prevalent. This As-Built BIM model is delivered to the owner when the
construction process is ready for handover and it consists of all relevant building component
information such as product data and details, O & M manuals, cut sheet specifications, photos,
warranty data, web links to product online sources, manufacturer information and contacts,
etc. This information-centric database is made globally accessible to the users/owners through
a customized proprietary secure web-based environment. This information-centric database is
made globally accessible to the users/owners through a customized property secure web-based
environment. This information is not useful for the owners and facilities manager and owner
but also for the product owners. This allows fabricator to better respond to market demands. In
an ever increasing proportion of projects involve either retrofit of existing facilities or buildings
in an urban setting. Moreover, the facilities manger can benefits from the use of energy saving
building systems for sustainable investment and green building trend.
Benefits of 6D BIM for facilities manager can be to increase the performance of building in
terms of energy and lighting design. It also provides shortened project schedule and less
financial risk and mainly to optimize management, operation and maintenance by exporting
relevant as-built building and equipment information to start the system that will be used over
the lifecycle of the facility. Significant changes in the delivery process, selection of service
providers and approach to projects are necessary. We have seen a shift towards the Integrated
Project Delivery methods. This process of shifting towards rewriting of contract language,
specification and project requirement, incorporation of the use of BIM based process and
technologies have already started. As evident in the aerospace industry, the implementation of
Lean process and digital modeling has revolutionized the industry. The paradigm shift from 2D
based documentation and staged delivery process to digital prototype and collaborative
workflow is inevitable eventually. Facilities Manager might use BIM for additional simulations
to access the design quality including crowd behavior or emergency evacuation scenario.
Owners can also benefit from this knowledge of life cycle of the building project immensely by
even preventing litigation through collaborative creation and sign off building information.
Issues related to contractual requirements, scope of works and lack of information or
inaccurate project documentation can be prevented with the use of 6D BIM which leads to
better accountability. Owner gets to understand the complexity of building infrastructure and
building environment.
Assets management and facilities management database with the use of BIM can lead to
reduction in labor needed to enter the spatial information. The end users can easily access
documents such as maintenance manuals by selecting the desired pieces of equipments in the
model for which they need information. The facilities manger will able to access the impact of
retrofit or maintenance works. Hence due to the profits that all the parties can benefit from
this is a low end disruptive innovation that even normal residential houses can implement. The
producers of construction material can benefit from knowledge of as-built conditions of
buildings. Private companies in various countries like Germany and Japan have already started
investing in gathering information and digitizing the as-built documents. This information will
benefits for old cities like Berlin to have a concrete and updated information on the existing
state of the city which can be used to improve and provide better facilities. Also in case of
earthquakes or other unforeseen disasters like fire and war, the 6DBIM can help for the quick
recovery, reconstruction and renovation. Since it is still considered expensive to hire a BIM
expert to prepare models for facilities management by most of the owners, this field is still in its
infant state and only recently have the tools become available in the marketplace.
Another Disruptive innovation is in the field of prefabrication and modular production. Offsite
fabrication requires considerable planning and accurate design information. It reduces labor
costs and risks associated with onsite installation. With coordination of subcontractors and
fabricators accurate BIM models, errors can be reduced and it can even allow the fabricators to
participate earlier in the preplanning and construction process. Especially in steel and sheet
metal industry, the benefits of digital automated fabrication are immense. BIM allows project
teams to coordinate and optimize the sequence of production. Many causes of waste in
constriction are due to the communication of information generation, management in
drawings. Even in cases of complex buildings, it requires customized design and fabrication of
engineered to order components including structural steels, precast concrete structures and
architectural facades, curtain walls, MEP systems, timber roof trusses and reinforced concrete
tilt up panels. It demands sophisticated engineering and collaboration between designers to
ensure accurate design. However, design and coordination with 2D CAD systems are error
prone, labor intensive and relies on long cycle times. BIM allows for virtual construction of
components and coordination among all system prior to fabrication. It provides data to drive
automated manufacturing technologies and improved preassembly and prefabrication and
hence enabler leaner construction methods. If there is a good information for model
visualization and export data in forms suitable for automation of fabrication tasks using
computer controlled machinery. By shortening lead times, BIM leverages to enable greater
degrees of prefabrication than before. It enables to manage the intense amount of information
required of mass customization which is one of the key concepts of lean production.
Prefabricated building components can be available and more popular as industry shifts
towards mass customization.
BIM improves the efficiency of most exiting steps in CAD process by increasing productivity and
eliminating the need to manually eliminating the need to manually maintain consistency across
multiple drawing files. It enables the degree of prefabrication that remains limited in
coordination costs. For example, a building designed with a cast-in-place concrete structure
requires, on average, two to three months for conversion to precast concrete before the first
required pieces can be produced. In contrast, BIM systems shorten the duration of design to a
point where more components with longer lead times can be prefabricated earlier.


Fig. 3. How BIM enables modular fabrication (source: Architectural Record, Oct 2012)
Hence a high degree of automation can be achieved with BIM. Researchers have shown
reduction of 50% of time if engineering detailing stages can be more effective and
collaborative. Automated detailing directly reduces the number of hours that must be
consumed to detail ETO components and to produce shop drawings. Most BIM systems
produce reports, including drawings and material takeoffs, in a highly automated fashion. Some
also maintain consistency between the model and the drawing set without explicit action on
the part of the operator. This introduces savings in the number of drafting hours needed, which
is particularly important to fabricators who previously spent the lions share of their
engineering hours on the tedious task of preparing shop drawings. Computer numerically
controlled machinery for various complex fabrication has developed recently like laser cutting
and drilling machines for structural steel fabrications, bending and cutting machines for RCC,
saws, drills and laser projectors for timber truss, water jet and laser cutting of sheet metal for
ductworks, pipe cutting and threading for plumbing, all of it can be done more effectively with
BIM. This leads to increased preassembly and relative reduction of risks, cost reduction, time
saving and more sustainable practice. Hence, this is a type of New Market disruptive innovation
which now is limited to small scale buildings. BIM will make it easier for the AEC industry to be
more modular which otherwise requires deep expertise or high cost.
CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTATION OF BIM
Despite benefits from the integration of BIM in the industry it still faces many challenges due to
existing drawbacks from the resistance from the labor industry, lack of common standard,
existing legal practices and interoperability
One of the main challenges in implementation of BIM is the resistance of the labor and labor
unions to adapt to the changes .Lack of appropriately trained professionals staffs is still a
current bottleneck for most of the companies. Also the resistance from the unions representing
the construction trades proves to be a huge challenge. Industry now requires new management
skills and adoption to changes. Hence resistance to BIM by some groups in the AEC sector is because
of perceived liability and ownership issues. There are also those who dont perceive there is a very high
ROI to purchasing the tools that make BIM possible. Another issue to address is who will control the
entry of data into the model and be responsible for any inaccuracies in it. Taking responsibility for
updating BIM data and ensuring its accuracy entails a great deal of risk. Requests for complicated
indemnities by BIM users and the offer of limited warranties and disclaimers of liability by designers will
be essential negotiation points that need to be resolved before BIM technology is utilized. It also
requires more time spent imputing and reviewing BIM data, which is a new cost in the design and
project administration process. Although these new costs may be more than offset by efficiency and
schedule gains, they are still a cost that someone on the project team will have to bear. The adoption
of BIM has triggered major changes, transforming the way the AEC industry works together,
and prompting valid questions about how BIM affects the division of responsibility among team
members, and how this might change the business model currently used in the United States.
Professional liability insurance carriers are rightfully interested in how BIM affects their clients,
and how a blurring of responsibilities might affect how policies are underwritten. Owners are
interested in whether the added cost of producing projects with BIM adds actual value to their
bottom lines.
Another main, challenge for BIM is the increasingly specialized software needed for specialized
functions, ranging from project feasibility evaluation to concept design, but especially to
different contracting and fabrication systems. The drawback is that the identified clashes
cannot be fixed immediately because the integrated model is not directly associated with the
original model. This new capability can be used to potentially provide two way communications
for any pair of clash detection. Since its software is capital-intensive and software vendors will
have to assume the commercial risk of developing sophisticated tools for construction
contractors. The major technical barrier is the need for mature interoperability tools. Hence, in
many cases the all the sub-contractors in a project will require to use the same software for
compatibility. Meanwhile, the lack of effective interoperability is remains a main challenge.
Unlike many other construction practices, there is no single document or treatise on BIM that
instructs on its application or usage. Different software addresses certain quantitative aspects
of it, but they do not treat the process as a whole. There is a need to standardize the BIM
process and to define the guidelines for its implementation. Since National BIM Standards are
currently being developed, it should take these factors into consideration.
Hence, in the future the BIM industry should focus on the need for well-defined interconnected
construction process models to eliminate data interoperability issues, the need for well-
developed practical strategies for the purposeful exchange and integration of meaningful
information among the BIM model components.