What is BIM?

 

What is BIM and Why Adopt It?

 

Large scale construction is complex, it is the interaction of multiple contributors each developing different parts of a project at different stages and from different perspectives. To manage this, clients have traditionally engaged designers, builders and building operators linearly. However, with the development of cloud computing power to host large volumes of data, it has become possible for all construction information to be hosted together in a multi-dimensional environment. This “Common Data Environment”, where contributors can communicate and collaborate on the same information, in real time, has allowed for non-linear or more circular processes to develop. With access to “live” information, often communicated visually, contributors can make better informed decisions. This central repository of building information with increasingly circular workflows, combined with the growing number of tools to visualise, quantify, and automate parts of design, coordination, and data analysis, is called BIM.

 

BIM and Risk Reduction

 

When applied, BIM is an excellent tool for the reduction and mitigation of risk. Some common examples of risk mitigated using BIM include:

 

• Construction Coordination Risk – reduced site-based coordination reducing chance of construction cost overrun, wasted materials and manhours

• RFIs Risk- reduced administration and time impact on shop drawings process 

• Seismic coordination Risk – reduced impact of seismic design on service design layouts

• Site Management Risk – visualised site traffic flow, plant /equipment routes  

• Health & safety Risk – access zones, access & egress, lifting methodology 

• Carbon & Environmental Risks - carbon impact assessment, carbon planning, impact reduction, tracking soil contamination 

• Community and Cultural Risk– improved community engagement

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BIM has translated into overall efficiency gains in the construction process of between 7% and 20%. Since the UK Government established its BIM Task Group in 2011 it has experienced an 18% improvement in the productivity on its projects.  Specific improvements occur through:

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• Improved visualization

• Improved productivity due to easy retrieval of information

• Conflict detection and analysis at design phase

• Increased coordination of construction documents

• Embedding and linking of vital information such as vendors for specific materials, location of details and quantities required for estimation and tendering

• Increased speed of delivery

• Reduced costs

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Further reading

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https://www.building.govt.nz/projects-and-consents/planning-a-successful-build/scope-and-design/bim-in-nz/

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https://www.biminnz.co.nz/

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