“BIM helps eliminate waste... Waste of time, waste of materials and waste of man power.”

AE Smith are long-term facilitators of Building Information Modelling (BIM) within the Australian construction industry.

The use of BIM is still in its infancy in Australia, with the numerous time, money and productivity advantages only recently becoming more broadly recognised within the construction industry. Across the globe European and American markets tell a different story, where the adoption of BIM has allowed practitioners to survive in tightening economic conditions.

BIM will improve productivity in the construction industry

BIM is much more than a 3D model. It provides the integral junction between technology, process and knowledge, enabling cohesive and integrated design, construction and management of a building project across all contractors. AE Smith has been a long-term facilitator of BIM on significant construction projects.

To improve productivity, you first have to look at process. The software interface that enables BIM is therefore only part of the solution.

Building Information ModelingBIM in action

To this end, reviewing the processes between internal departments, builders, contractors and facility managers to understand where the greatest opportunities lie to accelerate the acceptance and standardisation of BIM within the industry becomes important.

“BIM provides the central digital interface to visualise, track and record the impact of our collective processes during the construction phase and for the whole lifetime of the building,” says Peter Wise, AE Smith National Engineering Manager. “But, the digital model itself has limited value until we have consistent, effective and standard working practices to interface with it.”

BIM as a construction strategy, not just a technology

One of the key challenges is educating project contributors on BIM as a construction strategy.

“BIM definitely relies on technology to store and share project information across the stages of design, construction and management of building services. But where it really starts to pay dividends is when we use that information to inform the builder’s critical path and provide our engineers offsite and onsite with current and accessible information allowing them to respond to changes quickly.”

Peter Wise, National Engineering Manager

www.aesmith.com.au1300 313 313Engineering Services mechanical energy fire hydraulics refrigeration

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AE Smith delivers insightful solutions in Engineering Services across Australia including mechanical, energy, fire, hydraulics and refrigeration.

www.aesmith.com.au1300 313 313Engineering Services mechanical energy fire hydraulics refrigeration

Building Information ModelingBIM in action

“A great example of where AE Smith used BIM successfully was the Queensland University Engineering Building. All information was coordinated within the 3D model. We produced and installed prefabricated modules using parallel manufacturing principles and the commissioning team accessed all data digitally, with no paper in sight. All the information the commissioning engineers generated was entered straight back into our data management system. The Facility Manager now has an ‘as built’ digital record of the building services and we’ll continue to use the model to inform all servicing requirements. BIM was integral to delivering the project on time and under budget.”

A history of experience to define the future

Peter, who has more than 35 years mechanical services experience, has enough dirt on his boots to understand the complexities and challenges of implementing BIM within the construction industry.

“This has to be a collaborative process. It can’t be executed on a blackboard. BIM will change the way a lot of people at AE Smith, and other companies, do their jobs. It’s important everyone contributes to what that looks like.”

Best practice for the country as well as AE Smith

Whilst the definition of BIM best practice in Australia is still being defined, there’s no doubt the future of the Australian construction industry has already begun.

Peter summarises the undeniable facts well. “BIM eliminates waste. Waste of time, waste of materials and waste of man power.”

For more information about BIM please contact Peter Wise, AE Smith National Engineering Manager on 03 9271 1999 or bim@aesmith.com.au.

“To improve productivity, you first have to look at process. The software interface that enables BIM is therefore only part of the solution.”