BIM Definition

Photo by Pisit Heng on Unsplash 

What is BIM?

BIM stands for Building Information Modeling, and it is a collaborative process that involves creating and managing digital representations of a building or infrastructure project. BIM models contain detailed information about the project's physical and functional characteristics, fostering better communication and decision-making among stakeholders throughout the project's lifecycle. The primary purpose of BIM is to enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and optimize overall project outcomes in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. 

BIM: RADICAL INTENTIONS

The latest big chapter in the history of AECO digitization concerns BIM. Drawing from product modelling, BIM emerged as a radical improvement of computerized drawing that could provide a closer relation to design. The difference with earlier attempts at design automation was that it did not offer prescriptive means for generating a design but descriptive support to designing: structured representation of buildings, collaboration between AECO disciplines, integration of aspects and smooth transition between phases. By doing so, it shifted attention from drawings to the information they contained. At least, this is the popular perception of BIM. Behind it, lies something more fundamental that forms a recurring theme in this book: meaningful symbolic representation.

The wide acceptance of BIM is unprecedented in AECO computerization. Earlier attempts were often met with reluctance, not in the least for the cost of hardware, software and training they required. By contrast, the reception of BIM was much more positive, even though BIM is more demanding than its predecessors in terms of cost (an issue that nevertheless resurfaced after the initial euphoria). Arguably more than its attention to information or collaboration, it was its apparent simplicity (a Lego-like assembly of a building) that made BIM appealing, especially to non-technical stakeholders. The arcane conventions and practices of analogue drawing no longer seemed necessary or relevant.

Still, BIM remained rooted in these conventions. It may have moved from the graphic to the symbolic but it did so through interfaces laden with graphic conventions. For example, entering a wall in BIM is normally done in a floor plan projection, in a fashion that largely replicates analogue drawing: the user selects the wall type and then draws a line to indicate its axis. As soon as the axis is drawn, the wall symbol appears fully detailed according to the wall type that has been chosen: lines, hatches and other graphic elements indicating the wall materials. The axis is not among the normally visible graphic elements. Such attachment to convention impedes users from understanding that they are actually entering a symbol in the model rather than generating a drawing.

More on such matters follows later in the book. For the moment, it suffices to note that BIM signifies a step forward in AECO digitization but remains a transitional technology that may confuse or obscure fundamental information issues. Even so, as the currently best option for AECO, it deserves particular attention and therefore constitutes the main information environment in this book: representation and IM are discussed in the framework of BIM. Future technologies are expected to follow the symbolic character of BIM, so any strategies developed with respect to BIM will probably remain applicable. It is telling that current proposals on digital twins (representations that capture not only the form and structure of buildings but also their behaviour, as reported in real time by sensors in the real thing) generally depart from BIM-like models.

Building Information - Representation and Management: Principles and Foundations for the Digital Era by Alexander Koutamanis created under CC BY-NC-SA

BIM Components:

BIM incorporates various components to ensure its effective implementation. Let's explore each component in the context of BIM:

1. Information:

In BIM, "Information" refers to the data and details that are stored and managed within the digital model. It includes both geometric and non-geometric information related to the building or infrastructure project. This data can encompass various aspects such as architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing details, material specifications, performance data, cost estimates, scheduling information, and more. The comprehensive information within the BIM model ensures that all stakeholders have access to accurate and up-to-date data throughout the project lifecycle.

2. Technology:

The "Technology" component of BIM refers to the software tools, platforms, and digital solutions used to create, manage, and share the BIM models and associated data. BIM relies heavily on advanced 3D modeling and visualization software that enables stakeholders to collaborate, simulate, and analyze different aspects of the project. BIM technology fosters better coordination, clash detection, and collaboration among architects, engineers, contractors, and other project participants. Common BIM software includes Autodesk Revit, Bentley MicroStation, and Trimble SketchUp.

3. Processes:

The "Processes" component in BIM refers to the systematic and structured workflows that govern how BIM is implemented throughout a project's lifecycle. This includes the standardization of data formats, model coordination procedures, clash resolution protocols, and information exchange methods. BIM processes ensure that all stakeholders follow a consistent approach to data creation, sharing, and updating, leading to more efficient and streamlined project execution. Properly defined BIM processes help to minimize errors, enhance communication, and improve collaboration among project teams.

4. Policies:

"Policies" in the context of BIM refer to the guidelines, protocols, and standards set by organizations or governments to regulate the use of BIM within the construction industry. These policies may dictate the level of detail required in BIM models, the specific data exchange formats to be used, and the compliance with industry standards such as ISO 19650. BIM policies aim to promote interoperability, data consistency, and the adoption of BIM practices across the construction industry. They can also encourage the integration of BIM into government projects and initiatives.

5. People:

The "People" component of BIM involves the skilled professionals who work with BIM technology and participate in the project. This includes architects, engineers, construction managers, contractors, facility managers, and other stakeholders who contribute to the BIM model at various stages of the project. BIM encourages multidisciplinary collaboration, which means that people with different expertise must work together effectively to achieve project objectives. Proper training and skill development for BIM tools and processes are essential to ensure that the project team can leverage the full potential of BIM for improved project outcomes.