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What is BIM?
BIM is the process of BuildingInformation Modelling and is the
action or the creation andmaintenance of adatabase of information
relating to a building. This data is digital andisrecorded in such
a way as to serve as a useful tool for the future life of
thebuilding. Forexample, details of structure and specifications of
windows wouldmake the task of replacingwindows quicker and easier.
The data can be used toinform maintenance decisions
potentiallysaving time and money over the fulllifecycle of a
building.
The BIM process can beconducted at different levels, depending
on the specifications of theclient,represented by either a project
or facilities manager. It is important todetermine whatlevel of
detail is required from the outset as this will informprovision of
digital storage spaceand to some extent what system the modelwill
be created in. Broadly the level of detail can beequated to cost,
themore detailed and complete a building information model the
higher thecost andthe greater the potential benefits and cost
savings in the long run. The level of detail isoften confused with
the level of development of a BIM project which can cause issues
whendetermining the scope of a project. Levels of development are
the stage of completeness of aproject whereas the level of detail
is the amount of information included in a model. See Approaches to
BIM for more detail.
There are a number of formatsand types of software designed to
host BIM models. They rangefrom simplespreadsheets to specially
designed software. Whichever format is chosen itisimperative that
all parties involved in the project can access the data andagree to
thearrangement. Certain software specialises in different areas of
the construction cycle, forexample TEKLA Structures which provides
detailed modelling functionality for precastconcrete and rebar and
is aimed at the fabricator market.
Interoperability is theconcept of multiple disciplines and often
organisations accessingandmanipulating BIM data on one server
within a set of established parameters.Cleardefinition is required
over who can access, update and alter what levelof data within the
model.
The process should be driven bya BIM Manager from an early stage
for a successful project. ABIM Manager cannot be aspecialist in any
one area and ideally has full knowledge of thecompletesurvey,
design and build process. The BIM Manager is not a new role
butsuddenlyone very much in demand due to the massive increase in
BIM projects, therole has evolvedfrom the existing CAD manager.
There is extensive debateover which professional is best suited
to fill the role of BIM Manager.RIBAand RICS both feel that their
members are suited to the role as both architectsandquantity
surveyors are well trained in delivering these projects
andrecording data.
Government objectives
The UK government aims to promote BIM as a tool. They will lead
by example by ensuringthat all centrally procured government
construction projects are using level 2 BIM as aminimum by
2016.
In February 2015, the government published Digital Built
Britain, Level 3 Building InformationModelling - Strategic Plan .
This strategy document claims that delivery of the level 2 BIM
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