Building Information Modeling (BIM) Research Paper

According to Morrison, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process of organizing and generating building data throughout the growth of a project. Indeed, BIM is an actual-time, three dimensional, vibrant building modeling computer systems where business people can enhance productivity during generating constructions and designs functions (2003, p.4).

Actually, this process generates BIM that connects geographical information, spatial association, constructing geometry, properties and quantities with all correlated building components. Certainly, “BIM generate a reliable digital account of an existing building for design management, appropriate construction document invention, cost approximate, construction scheduling and performance forecast” (Larner & Walter, 2004, p.36).

Moreover, acquiring the capability to update information and attain an incorporated digital setting enable constructors, engineers’ architects and business owners’ clear objectives of their business organizations and capability to generate informed strategies quickly.

The process of BIM entails geographic information, space, properties, capacity (quantity) and geometry of building constituents. Definitely, BIM is a useful course that reveals the whole building life cycle, facility process and construction operation.

Why BIM Approach to Revit

Revit is an influential BIM system which enhances capability to update, administer and design data for various stakeholders in the entire administration, design and construction segment of building life cycle. Really, Revit is a modeling system which has an influential database in BIM system.

Furthermore, Revit is mainly utilized by contractors and designers for building operation. Indeed, Revit is important in building life cycle (BIM). In fact, Revit is a competent device in BIM that facilitate all data which concern building operation on condition that such structures are documented and modeled.

BIM Execute Design Process

According to Sebastian, design is normally a process where information is sequentially refined in succession stages or phases, each aiming at segment of a design (2010, p.10). Actually, every design process has particular questions and objectives which are normally handled before proceeding to other phases.

Typically, a top-down method is preferred when moving from one stage another. The early phases aim at high-level policies of main effects which influence later phases. Moreover, the later stages aim at exploring and enhancing recognized objectives and accomplishing required task.

BIM Managing Information

Adoption of BIM devices generate opportunity that totally transforms and enhances design process in many ways. Though “BIM adopts the 2D-CAD design technique to enhance output of construction document stage, BIM design operation transforms its process in more effective manner through developing design information in the entire project stages” (Devuyst, Hens & De Lannoy, 2001, p.20).

Indeed, BIM supports design team to analyze and assess output of their design at earlier phases of project. The early response enables fundamental and influential design policies to be enacted in the process. These give more possibility to form greater effects at affordable costs.

Project Definition; when BIM Project starts and ends

Project definition is an activity that has particular objectives and conditions, with defined duties, starting date and ending time, strategic plan, budget outline and stakeholders involved. BIM is a project that is focused to organize and develops digital account of efficient and physical features of a facility.

Indeed, the consequent BIM project becomes a resourceful facility that supports strategies from earlier phases, through building and design process, to lifecycle operation prior to its termination period. Larner & Walter expressed that:

“BIM was started when Bernstein Phil, an architect adopted the term BIM (Building Information Modeling). Moreover, Laiserin Jerry supported Phil to popularize the term as a typical notion of digital account in building operation. Indeed, BIM was started in 1987” (2010, p. 38)

Nevertheless, the termination period of BIM is not certain at the moment. However, BIM’s future is anticipated to play an important role in construction documentation. Many people have claimed that BIM provide enhanced visualization. Moreover, BIM has offered enhanced output due to effective recovery of information. BIM has improved operation efficiency hence has reduced expenditure costs.

Actually, BIM provide important information such as particular materials needed, amount requested for tendering and locality where such materials can be obtained. However, the end of BIM technology is not certain, though its project operation is only for a temporary basis.

The Uses of AutoCAD and Revit

“Revit device is a BIM resolution tool for plumbing, mechanical and electrical engineers” (Morrison, 2003. p.2). Indeed, Autodesk revit software offers an incorporated documentation, design and evaluation device to facilitate building operations. There are several software applications which contribute for valuable design systems. Autodesk revit is just one of such application in BIM operation.

Actually, Revit is the major BIM application; however, other application serves particular important functions. On the other hand, AutoCAD is helpful as it supports expertise to precisely document, design and draft building operations (Larner & Walter, 2004, p.34). Furthermore, AutoCAD system is invented to enable people who draft design in order to accomplish their tasks effectively.

AutoCAD is system used by engineers, architects and designers. Actually, AutoCAD is capable to generate informational documents and device plans; it is a multipurpose program that manages various professions.

Indeed, AutoCAD is renowned for its capability to generate blueprints easily through consuming less time. Furthermore, constructors and architects can utilize AutoCAD to plan for building features and details for building operations.

BIM Focusing on Project Communications Management

The function of BIM is beyond design and planning stages in an operation. BIM technology is engaged in facility management, building stage and post-building stages. Indeed, BIM notions visualize virtual facility building before its real physical building operates in order to minimize uncertainty, enhance safety, resolve challenges, and motivate and evaluate potential consequences (Morrison, 2003, p. 5).

From contractors, information team, and management, BIM are in a stable situation to track information loss that may have happened in the project operation schedule. This strategy can be carried out through enabling every team members to add and retrace information obtained during the project management. This would generate positive contribution to the project and facility owner.

Benefits of Revit

Adopting revit enhances and designs building that give a plethora of societal, environmental and economic advantages that are more useful than AutoCAD. Actually, Devuyst, Hens & De Lannoy viewed that:

“Revit minimizes wastage of resources on project operation; enhances on-site renewable opportunities; able to identify errors and alleviate risks; enhances stewardship self-assurance in general public; promotes workers productivity; discovers ways to minimize Field Cycle Time; and is cost effective.

Revit has become a building word in the BIM technology. Revit has transformed modeling, design and drafting processes; it is the most recognized market share in the BIM technology, demonstrating its approval and reputation in the comprehensive fraternity of building” (2001, p.17)

An industry Presentation of BIM-Implementation

Sebastian viewed that BIM implementation is cost-effectiveness, painless and easy when handled with appropriate quantity of preparation and strategy (2010, p. 11). Indeed, the appropriate quantity is reached based on aims and functioning of individual firms.

Moreover, BIM implementation needs critical strategy and committed accomplishment of plans. Indeed, firms should know techniques that are capable to assess failures and to achieve BIM implementation strategies and policies.

Furthermore, BIM implementation needs knowledge of both long and short term project strategies. Assessing failures and achievements of BIM implementation can be analyzed through revisiting previous designs while adopting new technology and measures.

BIM Training Levels

BIM technology has adopted software education to achieve victory in building information modeling. Indeed, the BIM training systems is ‘a balanced act’; teaching appropriate skills for qualified people. BIM technology strives for change; BIM focus for transformation of work techniques, project management and staffing, and how a company utilizes available resources in the building models.

Moreover, BIM uses productivity payback to increase efficiency while minimizing losses. In case application is simple to learn, like Revit, there is tendency to skip some training levels. Productivity payback thus ensures that all training levels are covered to avoid negative outputs.

Devuyst, Hens & De Lannoy illustrated the following three BIM training levels: visualization with BIMx, Artlantis, Piranesi and ArchiCad; revit and AutoCAD training programs; and sketchUP and Google Earth training programs (2001, p. 20).

BIM Myths

“Due to recent achievement of BIM programs after American government approved BIM modeling, several building firms perceived underlying myths about BIM technology” (Sebastian, 2010, p.8). The first myth is that people thought that BIM modeling is simple and easy task to accomplish. “Such people are blinded by propaganda of clever marketing” (Sebastian, 2010, p.9).

Actually, BIM requires skilled expertise and dedication experiences. The second myth is that “BIM is automatic” (Sebastian, 2010, p.7). People think that BIM is organized by “isolated CAD engineers who mindlessly build figures in computer systems” (Sebastian, 2010, p.7).

Indeed, BIM is more than technology; it is a practice which virtually signifies building and much BIM information focuses on building designs. Another myth is that BIM is functional. This actually is true but BIN technology would soon become obsolete.

Obstacles of BIM Adoption

Residential building industry is encountering obstacles toward BIM adoption. To begin with, the perception has always existed that fewer issues translate to small scale project management. Thus, the issue is design complexity. Actually, BIM is recognized as more profitable and appropriate for huge building projects. Such opinion has been an obstacle of BIM practice on smaller residential projects.

Secondly, “lack of ambition and marketing; business BIM mostly concentrates on marketing” (Devuyst, Hens & De Lannoy, 2001, p.24). Indeed, BIM suppliers like Autodesk mainly concentrate on commercial construction projects. BIM residential clients are rarely targeted; therefore BIM prospective is still unknown to residential owners. Thirdly, economies of scale:

“Profits between commercial and residential BIM projects are different. Residential projects normally attain lesser profit as compared to commercial projects. As a result, residential owners are not willing to invest their resources in projects associated with BIM” (Larner & Walter, 2004, p.39)

BIM Paradigm Shift

BIM is a paradigm shift that is similar to revit organization. Adoption of revit system is useful as it offers important data which are vital for sustainable designs. BIM is a paradigm shift that uses vital construction software such as Autodesk and revit. “BIM is unique system that supports construction, design and engineering industry” (Sebastian, 2010, p.9).

Reference List

Devuyst, D., Hens, D., & De Lannoy, W 2001, How Green is the City? Sustainable Assessment and the Management of Urban Environments, New York: Columbia university press.

Larner, W., & Walter, W 2004, Global Governmentality: Governing International Spaces, New York: Routledge.

Morrison, D 2003, E-learning Strategies: How to get Implementation and Delivery Right first time. New York: Wiley.

Sebastian, R 2010, “Integrated Design and Engineering using Building Information Modeling: a Pilot Project of Small-Scale Housing Development in the Netherlands”, Architectural Engineering and Design Management, vol. 6 no 3, pp. 7-10.