What is BIM (Building Information Modeling)

Building Information Modeling or BIM is a collaborative process for building design, construction, and operations using a common 3D model. The stakeholders who use BIM to create building information models include owners, architects, MEP engineers, structural engineers, and contractors. Building Information Modeling technology is used for residential and commercial buildings including houses, apartments, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, resorts, and government facilities. 

BIM helps to improve the efficiency and collaboration of the design, construction, and operation process. As construction teams often work in phases in the traditional design and construction process, crucial details from earlier stages of a project are often forgotten as they move on to the next. By adopting BIM there is a continuous flow of data that are interoperable.  This is why BIM mandates are increasing across the globe.

Source:- What is BIM used for? (Autodesk)

BIM Building Information Modeling is a crucial tool in the construction industry since it can enhance every part of a building or renovation project. BIM facilitates the use of digital tools for collaboration between design, construction, and engineering teams. Overall, the outcomes improve as a result of this. You can save both time and money in the process. With better lines of visualization and communication established between all parties involved, the construction process can proceed more quickly and efficiently. 

CAD is Computer Aided Design. Simply described, CAD is the use of computers to aid in the design drafting process. Autodesk Revit and other BIM tools are CAD applications, but the term is more commonly associated with drafting software. Using a drafting program like AutoCAD to produce lines and arcs to represent a building design is exactly what is meant by “Computer Aided Design” (CAD) in the context of architectural practice. 

AutoCAD is a design drafting software, while Revit is Building Information Modeling software. In contrast to AutoCAD, which is more of a generic drafting software, Revit is a design and documentation solution that can be used for any stage and any type of building project to create building information models. 

The goal of establishing BIM levels is to evaluate the quality of information sharing and management throughout the project. Let us look at the various levels of BIM. 

• Level 0 BIM: Hand Drafting 

Level 0 of BIM cannot be considered as BIM. It refers to the age old method of building design called hand drafting. There is no collaboration in Level 0 BIM 2D drafting. Today, the vast majority of the design build industry doesn’t work at this level. 

• Level 1 BIM: 2D CAD drafting 

Level 1 of BIM means using CAD drafting to create 2D plans, sections, elevations, and details. Design build companies using Level 1 of BIM have an inefficient collaboration system, as each project stakeholders work separately. 

• Level 2 BIM: Individual 3D Modeling 

It is the level at which architects, MEP engineers, and structural engineers work separately in different models without collaboration. Which will create clashes and coordination of different services become difficult. 

• Level 3 BIM: Shared 3D Modeling 

Level 3 of BIM is highly collaborative. Architects, MEP engineers, and structural engineers can work together in a Common Data Environment (CDE). This helps to create clash coordinated BIM models. This helps in easier collaboration and reduced revisions. This in turn helps to save time, and thus money. 

Read More:-  What is a Common Data Environment and How is it Used in BIM & Construction?

• Level 4 BIM: Scheduling 

The Level 4 of BIM technology helps to schedule the task, labor, and materials during the construction process. A construction simulation video is created for scheduling. This helps to find how much time each phase of the construction process takes. 

• Level 5 BIM: Budgeting 

Level 5 of BIM technology helps in budgeting the construction process of the building. It helps in budget analysis, BIM Quantity Take Off (QTO), and Bill of Quantities (QTO). It helps project owners and contractors immensely. 

• Level 6 BIM: Sustainability 

It is important for buildings to be sustainable in the current day and age. Level 6 of BIM takes care of the sustainability aspect of a building. It makes sure that the building is sustainable and green. Level 6 BIM helps calculate a building’s energy consumption before construction. It allows stakeholders to construct energy-efficient, sustainable structures. 

• Level 7 BIM: Facility Management 

Level 7 BIM helps in the operations and maintenance of the building after construction. Implementing BIM in existing buildings also helps in Facility Management. Facility management is made easier with the development of Digital Twins. 

Building Information Modeling applications and practices are now widespread throughout the world. BIM is going to be more than BIM in the future. The benefits of Building Information Modeling have immense potential for future growth. Optimization of building design is going to be the future of design build industry. By giving parameters and constraints the BIM software will be able to provide design options. BIM is also used for smart city management. 

AI BIM (Artificial Intelligence BIM), AR/VR (Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality), Digital Twin, and Connected BIM are making the future of BIM bright. BIM is on track to become standard practice in the building design and construction industries. Since there is no way to avoid it, every AEC organization might as well adopt BIM.