Advantages of Building Information Modeling
January 6, 2011
•IADT Online, Building Information Modeling, IADT General
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Many people involved in architecture, engineering and construction believe that the future of the construction industry is Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM basically combines all plans and drawings for a project into a single database. It creates a virtual world that anyone involved in the project can explore.
Thanks to its amazing capabilities, BIM is starting to be used in such high-profile projects as the Freedom Tower in New York City. Advantages of BIM over other forms of building planning and design include:
Improved Coordination among Parties
Because BIM puts all building information into one central database, architects, clients and construction managers can all access it and stay on the same page. Then, when the building's frame is done and it's time to install plumbing, electricity, heating and cooling, different specialists are able to jump right in because they can see exactly how everything is supposed to fit together. This improved coordination allows projects to be completed quicker and with fewer errors.
Complete Virtual Models
One of the biggest features of BIM is its ability to create an entire virtual model of a finished building before a single brick is laid. BIM does far more than simply combine 2D drawings and 3D CAD models. For example, while a CAD drawing might show a window's location in a room, a BIM model can also demonstrate how that window relates to other objects in the room, what it is made out of, and even what a person will see out that window. This capability allows building owners to visualize what is being planned and architects to experiment with changes before construction even begins.
Better Long Term Results
By providing business owners with a complete virtual model, BIM can help them maintain their buildings for years to come. For example, if a water leak ever springs behind a wall, the plumber can simply pull up the BIM model and find the gasket that is probably faulty, saving maintenance time and money. Also, BIM models are invaluable for expansions or renovations since they provide the contractor with all the building's information in a single location.
Lower Construction Costs
By streamlining the construction process, BIM can greatly reduce construction costs. The extra time and money required to create a BIM model at the beginning of a projects pay dividends during construction. It's much easier to fix a digital model than it is a brick and mortar building. BIM models can save construction costs by detecting costly mistakes in the design phase, automating estimation and giving owners a complete idea of the project before it is finished so fewer changes are ordered.
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