Building Information Modeling (BIM) Principles - study material
1. Building Information Modeling (BIM) Principles
In the construction industry, BIM causes a fundamental change, which by efficient handling of information contributes to a higher quality project, saving construction time, supports a more precise construction process, easier control and, above all, contributes to the reduction of operating costs. However, this is not an entirely new concept.
The goal of BIM is not to create a model itself, but to gain complete, reliable, accessible and easily exchangeable information to anyone who might need it throughout the whole life cycle of the building. These challenging tasks can be handled with the help of innovative approaches, systems and, finally, with the help of computer technology and high-quality software equipment. We need to transform the construction industry into the 21st century and increase the digitalization and automation rate.
One of the essential prerequisites for BIM is to set a cooperation between all stakeholders at different stages of the life cycle. Within the workflow, it is necessary to allow users to enter, change, updating or correct any information in the model that is relevant to their roles in project. Virtual model is composed of 3D parametric objects that allow to bear an information by using specified data format. By assembling them together, we make so-called virtual construction resulting in improved quality of a project. While using traditional CAD (Computer Aided Design) it is quite often that just a limited part of a building is designed and most of architects are selecting simplest sections to make their job easier. They don´t care what is 200mm behind the cut section and this might lead to delay in construction and makes the coordination of a project impossible. On the other hand, by using BIM, architect is obliged to design all details in a building so this certainly results in coordinated project in high quality which is moreover much easier to check.
Not many people are aware that BIM is not just about buildings and civil engineering, but of course highly suitable also for infrastructure - railways, highways, bridges, etc. Some people in practice perceive BIM just as a visualization or a 3D model.
The task of BIM is not to replace experts with software, but to provide them with a quality tool to simplify manual and repetitive work. However, this approach completely changes the way of looking at the hitherto used procedures of companies in the construction industry and conceptually contributes to more efficient and systematic work with the exclusion of a number of mistakes, or irregularities even before the actual construction phase. However, the software cannot be used as a substitute for relevant professional education and experience.
An information model is defined as a set of structured and unstructured information containers (STN EN ISO 19650-1). The very term information container (permanent group of information) is relatively new for the field of construction. In principle, this is information that can be repeatedly retrieved from a file, system or other storage, e.g. drawing, budget, schedule, model geometry, or image. BIM, or Building Information Modeling is defined by this standard as the use of a shared digital representation of a built asset to facilitate the design, construction and operation processes so that they form a reliable basis for decisions.
Building information modeling is defined in (STN EN ISO 29481-1) as the use of a shared digital representation of a built object (including buildings, bridges, roads, process equipment, etc.) to simplify design, construction and operational processes, to create a reliable basis for decision-making.
The BIM model is essentially a 3D parametric data model that contains all information about the building, which is defined as an asset from the point of view of the standard (STN EN ISO 19650-1). Information has high potential if it is entered into the model from the initial phase of the conceptual intention, through project documentation and subsequent construction to facility management (FM). Information from the data model, which is a virtual representation of the real object and contains all structures, elements, spaces, their properties and parameters, is easily available and it is clear that in the foreseeable future they will play a decisive role in the management and operation of buildings. We often come across a situation where authors often inappropriately use the term digital twin, which from their point of view is synonymous with the information model of the building in the operational phase - in the sense of the standard we are talking about the asset information model (AIM) . The Operational Phase is defined by STN EN ISO 19650-1 as the part of the life cycle during which the asset is used, operated and maintained. Asset is a relatively unused term in the field of construction, under which we can imagine any building or structure, as the standard defines it relatively generally as an item, thing or entity that has potential or actual value for the organization.
Building information modeling is the process of developing and using a virtual data model that not only documents the architectural design, but also simulates the construction and operation of a new or renovated building. The resulting virtual model is a data-rich, object-oriented, intelligent and parametric digital representation of the object, from which information corresponding to various user needs can be obtained and analyzed to create feedback and improve the design of the object. It is therefore a suitable tool for demonstrating the complete life cycle of a building. However, the composition of the work team is changing, as well as the time in which individual participants enter the process.
In the past, the English word "building" was interpreted as a building in the definition. Later, however, this definition was modified and today we translate the word "building" as construction. From the point of view of the life cycle and standards (STN EN ISO 19650-1), however, we can perceive the building as an asset, something that has value. However, still few people in practice realize that BIM is not only about civil engineering, but of course also applies to engineering constructions - railways, highways, bridges, or water management structures.
A model that is correctly filled with information from the beginning is a basic prerequisite for further use in the following phases of the project. Accessing such data is easy and its reuse is more efficient, eliminating a lot of unproductive time. The scope of work associated with the delivery of work in BIM is diametrically different from traditional projects and requires a greater emphasis on machine-readable data.
BIM must use parametric modeling. Parameters are static or dynamic properties that define geometric or non-graphical characteristics of 3D objects in the model. If we change a dynamic value that is tied to the element's geometry, this results in an aggregated set - a set of induced changes. In general, parametric tools are best for creating very elaborate and complex products, many product lines, or when working in an industry that is heavily regulated by standards. The opposite method is explicit forms of modeling.
Another basic premise of BIM is cooperation between different stakeholders in different phases of the life cycle. As part of the connection, it is necessary to enable them to insert, remove, update or edit information in BIM that reflects the tasks of individual stakeholders. However, we also encounter the term collaboration, or collaborative approach to solving tasks within the project cycle. Such an approach must take place through other than traditional methods of communication. The CDE environment is used - see the CDE (Common Data Environment) part, which represents the source of information and the procedural essence of communication and enables efficient handling of information.