B2- BIM for Architects and Engineers

BIM for Architects and Engineers

BIM has large impact on the way architects and engineers work in the architecture and construction related industry. Comparing to the old tools architects and engineers used, BIM is more like a conceptual design method rather than the traditional drafting functions of CADD. BIM provides consistency across all drawings and reports in one or more projects. Furthermore, BIM provides direct and efficient functions to analyze and simulate for the design process at all phases of the project, which save tons of labor and time. We could conclude two major technological advantages BIM contains: parametric design tools and interoperability. We could also view the influences BIM brings to us in three perspectives.

Conceptual Design

Conceptual design involves the development of the building program in terms of spatial area, functions, types of construction and the basic assessment of its functional and economic viability. The initial conceptual design process is tremendously important to the overall project. The initial decisions made for the project could strongly determine the cost, complexity of the construction, time to deliver and other essential components. SketchUp, Rhino, and BonZai are the three main 3D sketching tools that implement BIM functionality. They all have their advantages but they still have a lot of limitations. None of these tools currently provides a smooth workflow. They all need certain amount of work to create modelling conventions to be followed, which is very inefficient. General Service Administration(GSA) has made a standard for models that could be considered as a BIM preliminary concept design. For example, the requirements are including “floor slabs defined with target thickness and floor-to-floor distances also applied to depict roofs” and “north arrows for building orientation”. BIM could provide fast assessment and feedback based on simulation and analysis tools to help with conceptual design. It will even provide “almost real-time” feedback in the future.

The Integration of Engineering Services

After the conceptual stage, the system require detailed specification. Structural and mechanical systems require sizing and calculations. This process is done by the collaboration with engineers, specialists and designing organizations. BIM tools will be most efficient tools when used by system designers and fabricator subcontractors. BIM will amplify the advantages of design-build and IPD delivery methods for building systems.

Construction-level Modelling

BIM provides the integration of design and construction. It minimizes the errors could occur during the transfer process. The design of the process of construction is as important as the design of the built product itself. Therefore, we need experts who have extensive construction knowledge to involve at the early stage of designing.

Reference

Eastman, Charles M. BIM Handbook : A Guide To Building Information Modeling For Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers And Contractors. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2011. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 24 Jan. 2017.

Comments

Abdullatif Alkandari

You described the benefits of BIM in detail and you focused on the owners and facility managers’ perspective. You emphasized on BIM could reduce work time and it is a more accurate method to be used. However, I am wondering what are the drawbacks of BIM? Also, what is the current status of BIM in the market, is BIM fully developed to replace all the old tools and methods?

Alexander Koo

Thank you for summarizing the Chapter 2 of BIM Handbook for us. Your words are very easy to understand. You also explain BIM tools, BIM platform, and BIM environment in detail. However, I am still a little confused about BIM platform and BIM environment. What are the differences between these two terms?

Hayley Selden

I love how you included your personal experience in the blog. You mentioned that the clash detection of BIM helps to reduce the amount of work and time for everyone involved in the project. I also agree with you that contractors are also very important roles during the design phases since they are the ones who actually construct and make every design happen in the reality.