Introduction to BIM
Building information modeling (BIM) is a digital representation of both the functional and physical characteristics of any given facility. BIM is commonly used in the construction industry all around the globe given that it broadly involves and covers the spatial relationships, geographical information, light analysis as well as the properties and quantities of the components of the building. Building Information Modeling allows for support of the design through all its phases and therefore there is better analysis of the model as well as the manual processes are able to be controlled. Once these computer-generated models are completed, they contain detailed geometry and data that is required for the support during fabrication, construction as well as when carrying out procurement activities in order to realize the building project (Azhar, 2011). There are a number of current BIM software that is used by individuals, government agencies as well as businesses to carry out the planning, designing, construction, operation and maintenance of the physical infrastructure that is diverse. These physical infrastructures include water, gas, bridges, tunnels, roads, refuse electricity, communication utilities, ports, etc.
BIM generally involves representation of a design, being a combination of objects that are considered both vague and undefined, product specific or generic, void-space oriented or solid shapes that are able to carry their geometric attributes and relations. The design tools for Building Information Modeling always allow for the retrieval of several views from a building model that is used for the production of drawing and also for other uses. The views are always consistent automatically. This is because they are based on only one definition of each instance of the object (Azhar et al, 2011).
Several institutions that have employed the use of BIM have always reported increased returns from their investments in generally shorter periods of the project life cycles. This is because they are able to save on a lot of paperwork that was initially involved as well as saving on the costs involved in carrying out of the project.
BIM execution plan and stages
This is a vital and equally necessary part of the development of any new building project. It is vital when carrying works in any type of international project that is collaborative in a bid to ensure that all the individuals that are working on the given project are collaborating and are on the same page carrying out their duties as required. When a BIM execution plan of any project is carried out properly, it will play an important role in ensuring that the project is carried perfectly and will, therefore, be able to give answers to any question that could arise at any point of the project. The initial BIM execution plan is most commonly created pre-contract that will prevail to the suppliers the approach that is intended for the project. It also clearly shows how it is planned to be carried out (Azhar et al, 2008). At the point when the contract is awarded, another execution plan is again created that is meant to focus on all the capabilities that come from the supply chain. Once the plan is implemented, it will assist all parties involved in the project to stay in right on course. At times when there may be drawbacks or even some information that needs to be readjusted or changed, the overall execution plan will still remain clear and is still able to be carried out. This, therefore, enables all personnel that is involved in the project to keep track of any activity that they are carrying out hence the project will have improved chances of being successful.
The steps that are involved in the implementation of the building information model execution plan are as follows;
Stage zero: Strategy
This stage is used in order to ensure that the business case and strategic brief of the client are well put into consideration before developing the initial brief of the project. The initial roles are assigned for all the members of the team. Some of the several tasks that are carried out at this stage include the following;
Stage one: Brief
At this point, all the members of the team are to contribute to the project in relation to the duties that they were assigned. Here, all the above tasks have been carried out and a brief information on the project is shared and details of how BIM can be implemented is clearly defined. The following activities are carried out;
Stage two: Concept
The preliminary concept of design are produced in relation to the requirements of the initial project brief that was prepared regarding the discussions with the clients. This will assist in affirming the project objects as well as the client’s business case. The project team will also be responsible for designing the project strategies in order to respond to the final project brief. The tasks carried out in this stage include;
Stage three: Definition
At this point, the concept design is again developed and the core designers work is advanced to a point where the coordination activities have been finished. Information on costs which encompasses the overall project costs, including the estimate of costs and the life cycle costs at the point they are required, to answer the final project brief when it gets to conclusion. The tasks involved are;
Stage four: Design
Preparation of the technical design in relation to the matrix for design responsibility that outlines the personnel that is in charge of designing every aspect of the project. The degree of any performance specified design is well articulated in this document. All the necessary technical design aspects have to be completed at this point. The tasks involved include;
Stage five: Building and commission
The contract is completed on the site in relation to the construction program. The completion should also follow the period and the building contract, its date of commencing on the site and the practical completion ending. The designer will make responses to several design queries and issues in accordance to the procurement strategy.
Stage six: Closeout and handover
The major priorities should be on facilitating the fruitful handover of the construction in relation to the general period for the briefing, design, building as well as the post completion accomplishments of a given project and in the duration that is immediately succeeding. This brings to a conclusion the aspects of the building contract among the client and the firm that is responsible for carrying out the project. From here the project is to be handed over to the client.
Stage seven: Operation and of life
This stage comprises post-occupancy evaluation carried out to find out if the outcomes of the project have all been met. A review of its performance that is found out from the feedback, the project team performance and the performance of the project in relation to other desired outcomes are established.
Employment information requirement (EIR’s)
The employer information requirements (EIR) always outline the details that will be needed by the employer from both suppliers as well as their personal internal team for the sole aim of developing the given project at hand as well as for the operation of the built asset that is completed (Goedert & Meadati, 2008). Several extracts from the employer information requirements that are considered relevant are always included in the documents for procurement that are used when appointing each supplier that is appointed directly by the employer. The suppliers may range from consultants, advisors, contractors etc. Any potential supplier will respond to the employer information requirements by developing a pre-contract execution plan which will be used to evaluate their capability, proposed approach as well as their capacity.
While developing the employer information requirements, there are a number of processes that have to be put into consideration (Krygiel & Nies, 2008). To start with, the development may take a simple form of process map for information requirements that is meant to recognize the vital decisions that are required to be facilitated during the project in a bid to ensure that the solution is able to fulfill the business requirements as well as clearly outline the details that are required in order to make such decisions. Next, it begins to recognize the material that is needed, the performance and functional details about the facilities, the spaces as well as the floors. As the design advances, it also recognizes more precise requirements that are related to the systems that have been proposed and also the components of the building that will support the process of procurement. At the final point of the project, it will give a clear definition of the importance of information that will give support to the operation and maintenance of components and systems that have been installed.
The employer information requirements should evidently express the information requirements each and every supplier. It should also give a good description of the information deliverables that are expected in relation to the documents, structured information, and the model files (Kymmell, 2012). Besides that, the employer information requirements also detail when and how the exchange of information should be carried out in the lifecycle of the project. It is evident that the precise nature of the employer information requirements should rely on how complex the project is and how experienced the employer is. Highly experienced employers will be able to identify design and develop much detailed employer information requirements.
Figure 1relationship between employer’s information requirements and other contract documentation.
Technical, commercial and management requirements in BIM
There are several technical and commercial guidance that should be put into consideration by the project managers in any case building information modeling has been used in the life cycle of any given project. This is because it will provide awareness of the building information models as well as enabling the readers to have better recommendations when in need of a good practice in producing outputs for measurements (Smith &Tardif, 2009). Information on the requirements of BIM goals and cases should be properly structured and have acceptable quality. Some of the requirements that should be put into consideration when using BIM should involve the following;
Conclusion:
The use of BIM has been largely adopted in the construction industry due to the confidence of yielding greater results for the projects. BIM technology offers opportunities for the projects as well as offering a challenge to the managers of the project. Most projects have been able to save greatly on the overall material costs that are involved in the project (Zhang et al, 2013). For all the participants that are directly involved in the construction of most infrastructure projects, the adoption of BIM has always provided for virtual information models to be shared from the team responsible for design to the contractors and also to the managers. Each individual professional is able to add more data and details to the model that was shared. High-quality models are therefore the end product of these processes. The adoption of BIM solutions also yielded greater productivity speed.
References:
Azhar, S., 2011. Building information modeling (BIM): Trends, benefits, risks, and challenges for the AEC industry. Leadership and management in engineering, 11(3), pp.241-252.
Azhar, S., Carlton, W.A., Olsen, D. and Ahmad, I., 2011. Building information modeling for sustainable design and LEED® rating analysis. Automation in construction, 20(2), pp.217-224.
Azhar, S., Nadeem, A., Mok, J.Y. and Leung, B.H., 2008, August. Building Information Modeling (BIM): A new paradigm for visual interactive modeling and simulation for construction projects. In Proc., First International Conference on Construction in Developing Countries (Vol. 1, pp. 435-446).
Becerik-Gerber, B. and Kensek, K., 2009. Building information modeling in architecture, engineering, and construction: Emerging research directions and trends. Journal of professional issues in engineering education and practice, 136(3), pp.139-147.
Eastman, C.M., Eastman, C., Teicholz, P. and Sacks, R., 2011. BIM handbook: A guide to building information modeling for owners, managers, designers, engineers and contractors. John Wiley & Sons.
Goedert, J.D. and Meadati, P., 2008. Integrating construction process documentation into building information modeling. Journal of construction engineering and management, 134(7), pp.509-516.
Krygiel, E. and Nies, B., 2008. Green BIM: successful sustainable design with building information modeling. John Wiley & Sons.
Kymmell, W., 2012. Building Information Modeling: Planning and Managing Construction Projects with 4D CAD and Simulations (McGraw-Hill Construction Series): Planning and Managing Construction Projects with 4D CAD and Simulations. McGraw Hill Professional.
Lee, G., Sacks, R. and Eastman, C.M., 2015. Specifying parametric building object behavior (BOB) for a building information modeling system. Automation in construction, 15(6), pp.758-776.
Porwal, A. and Hewage, K.N., 2013. Building Information Modeling (BIM) partnering framework for public construction projects. Automation in Construction, 31, pp.204-214.
Sacks, R., Koskela, L., Dave, B.A. and Owen, R., 2010. Interaction of lean and building information modeling in construction. Journal of construction engineering and management, 136(9), pp.968-980.
Smith, D.K. and Tardif, M., 2009. Building information modeling: a strategic implementation guide for architects, engineers, constructors, and real estate asset managers. John Wiley & Sons.
Volk, R., Stengel, J. and Schultmann, F., 2014. Building Information Modeling (BIM) for existing buildings—Literature review and future needs. Automation in construction, 38, pp.109-127.
Zhang, S., Teizer, J., Lee, J.K., Eastman, C.M. and Venugopal, M., 2013. Building information modeling (BIM) and safety: Automatic safety checking of construction models and schedules. Automation in Construction, 29, pp.183-195.
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