understanding bim

What is BIM?Why is it important now?What can we deliver with

BIM?What are challenges of BIM?Conclusion

ContentContent

What is BIM?What is BIM?Same acronym, different meanings1) Building Information Modelling

- Includes model and its management

2) Building Information Model- a data model that we can see and utilise

3) Building Information Management- about how to create, utilise and hand over the

model data

Different expressions, same essence

A digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility creating a shared knowledge resource for information about it forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life cycle, from earliest conception to demolition – NBIMS (US National BIM Standards Committee)

What is BIM?What is BIM?

… it’s a business process for generating and leveraging building data (Not just buildings, infrastructure, etc.)

“It has been described as a game-changing technological and cultural process for the AEC industry.” – adapted from BIM Talk


BIM design

• Central database structure• Sequential workflow between modelling and documentation• Fully parametric • Bi‐directional


A BIM model is nD... the output of the business process resulting in a multi-dimensional computer model related to time, quantity, cost, as-built, etc.


Building lifecycleWhat is BIM?What is BIM?

“CAD helps people to draw. BIM helps people to construct.” (Richard Saxon, Ecobuild, February 2009)

“BIM is not CAD. BIM was never meant to be CAD.”(Pete Zyskowski, Cadalyst)

What is BIM?What is BIM?“Drawing is Dead – Long Live

Modelling” (CPIC)

http://aec.cadalyst.com/aec/Features/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/579540

Characteristics of the AEC industry

1)Fragmented2)Multidisciplinary3)Geographically dispersed

Why is it Why is it important?important?

Clear benefits


1) Increased information communication among project stakeholders

2) Clarifies and reduces project risks3) Allow for “What-If” scenarios 4) Pricing of modification immediately5) Quicker personnel trainingAnd more...

Policy requirements

Spring 2011

“Government will require fully collaborative 3D BIM (with all project and asset information, documentation and data being electronic) as a minimum by 2016”


“... reducing capital cost and the carbon burden from the construction and operation of the built environment by 20%”

What can we deliver with What can we deliver with BIM?BIM?

UK government aspiration

1) Better visualisation2) Better multi-disciplinary collaboration3) Better construction and project

management4) Better 'as-built', whole-life information

for O&M5) More consistent and easier coordination 6) Elimination of waste and reworkAnd more...

What can we deliver with What can we deliver with BIM?BIM?

Higher quality, more reliable information

ConclusionConclusionBIM is about model data creation,

utilisation and hand overIt benefits whole building lifecycle It is a business process that change

the current AEC industryIt’s implementation requires

technology, policy and process fields to be compliant

understanding bim

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