Week 2 - BIM for Architects and Engineers - Group D

With all of the features and capabilities of BIM, there is no doubt that projects will run smoother and more efficiently compared to standard practice today.  Using BIM models would help redistribute time and effort to improve the overall design and construction process, as well as reduce overall project costs.

From reading Chapter 5 of the BIM handbook, one of the most focused topics was being able to collaborate with multiple disciplines and work through one model.  This would greatly improve construction because issues typically found in the field, such as conflicts with MEP and structural framing, would be greatly reduced and would allow construction to flow much smoother. 

Another key point mentioned was the ability to run various forms of analysis almost instantaneously. Cost analysis can be generated as line items, as opposed to conventional back of the envelope estimates typically based on square footage.

Other analyses, such as energy efficiency and acoustics, can be generated in real time.  Having real time data is very valuable in improving the overall function and purpose of the building.  Materials can be rapidly interchanged and analyzed with little effort.

A point that stood out to me was improvements in comparing contract documents with shop drawings.  From personal experience at work, I know that this process is a huge pain and takes a lot of time and attention to detail.  With BIM models, conflicts in layout consistency would be eliminated by establishing a uniform system early on the in project.  “With fully 3D models, shop model review is reduced to loading the two 3D models into a reviewing system to check placement and that the important surfaces overlap.”  Reading this line filled my heart with joy.
I agree that companies should slowly integrate BIM software into their designs by using it on smaller, lower risk projects.  A good idea would be to use the traditional design processes, as well as BIM in order to do a direct comparison of the two methods on the same or similar projects.

While BIM has many advantages, there is a lot of disadvantages currently.  Software’s do not translate well, which places added responsibility to the designer in having to know multiple software packages.  Training employees to use BIM software effectively would be a very time consuming and difficult process, especially with senior staff who have worked within one system for many years.

Response to Anthony Yao:

I agree that companies should slowly integrate BIM software into their designs by using it on smaller, lower risk projects. Ideally, if a company can design and construct two similar buildings and use traditional design/construction practices on one and BIM on the other, it would allow us to compare the final results against each other.

Reference:

Eastman, C. BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Engineers and Contractors. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons, 2011.