Showing posts with label BIM 3D modeling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BIM 3D modeling. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Monday, January 13, 2014
BIM Drives Cost-Efficiencies for Plumbing Design
Since our construction industry is
grappled with severe productivity issues and tight margins, the AEC industry is
striving hard to come up with new ways of improving productivity, reducing
construction costs and delivering a better-built building. Building Information
Modeling, a new technological advancement in the AEC industry after CAD seems
to have the potential to address these issues.
As per the definition of BIM by The
National Building Information Model Standard (NBIMS), “BIM is a digital
representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility and it
serves as a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming
a reliable basis for decisions during its life cycle from inception onward”.
BIM has evolved from being just a buzzword to the centrepiece of AEC technology
and it has significant benefits for plumbing design.
BIM enables a 3d virtual representation
of the plumbing systems thus helping to better understand the final outcome,
make more informed decisions and detect collisions. One of the major benefits
BIM technology serves for plumbing is interference-checking. Using BIM to
detect early collisions helps to prevent costly design changes during the
actual construction process whilst also reducing guesswork and errors.
Since the underground plumbing lines are
located in reference to the foundations; BIM enables a plumbing designer with
actual building footings marked by the structural engineer to preserve the
structural integrity of the building. With the help of the building footings, a
plumbing designer can easily coordinate the underground routing without
compromising the structural design of the building.
Building Information Modeling is an
‘information’ rich model. In addition to building shape, costs, design,
construction time, physical performance, costs and logistics, BIM also provides
information about two additional parameters in the case of plumbing fixtures –
information about the required gpm flow of the standard fixture and the reduced
gpm flow.
With an aim to conserve energy and
natural resources, there has been an increased focus on green building
projects. BIM facilitates easier identification of systems in LEED Plumbing
Design by creating different colour systems. Since there is a variation in
colour, identifying grey water routing becomes easier and hence helps to
prevent cross contamination with other waste systems.
BIM creates a unified working
environment with multiple disciplines working together on a single file. A
plumbing engineer can create a design for hot and cold water and simultaneously
check the HVAC design worksheet for conflicts.
BIM serves a plethora of benefits for
plumbing design such as increased efficiency, accuracy and coordination of the
system as well as reducing the time and cost involved in it.
Monday, December 16, 2013
3D Building Information Modeling Facilitates Accurate Cost Estimation to Avoid Budget Overruns
As the property owners increasingly demand timely and in-budget
completion of projects, all the key stakeholders are increasingly
adopting 3D BIM Modeling
to achieve the same. Whilst the traditional design-bid-build project
delivery methods are still significantly used by the AEC industry, the
AEC firms employing the same methods increasingly run the risk of cost
overruns. Furthermore, the risk factor escalates as the complexity and
scale of the build project increases. Since the core team consists of
professionals from highly diverse trades, the collaborative BIM
workflows, when used within the design-build and integrated project
delivery (IPD) frameworks, help avoid drastic cost overruns.
One of the key advantages of BIM modeling over non-BIM 3D modeling and 2D CAD techniques is that the former facilitates rapid and accurate cost estimation during all phases from design through to construction. The ability of 3D BIM models to generate accurate quantity and material takeoffs play a crucial role in enabling better decision-making with respect to project modifications whilst reducing costly budget overruns. Whereas accurate cost estimation is critical during the planning and conceptual stage to seek the owner’s approval, it is equally decisive during the construction stage to keep the entire team in the know of the implications of their design modifications.
The cost estimates derived from conceptual BIM designs ensure feasible decisions are made early on in the design and planning process, which in turn, govern the eventual project cost. As a result, such a valuable cost feedback in the initial stages of the project helps build a strong foundation for the latter stages of the project. Moreover, since the combination of 3D BIM workflow and IPD brings together all the multidisciplinary professionals during the pre-construction phase, such precise cost estimations keeps all the major stakeholders well informed about the financial implications of their decisions. More importantly, this risk and reward-sharing framework facilitates smooth information-sharing and better decision-making so as to keep the project on-track and within budget.
In order to realize the benefits of cost estimation during the design phase, it is critical to integrate the BIM models with an external database which contains costing information relating to quantity takeoffs. Compared to the traditional method of cost estimation, BIM-led cost feedback improves accuracy, offers time savings, and increases the speed of estimation. Whilst setting up BIM-based cost estimating the workflow requires planning, its benefits overshadow the time and effort required to do so.
On the whole, detailed quantity takeoffs resulting from BIM models help key decision makers to consider several what-if scenarios and compare the cost impact of each alternative during all phases of the design and construction. These detailed cost estimates also enable key project stakeholders to assess the deviation in cost from the the planned budget at every stage and make all necessary corrections. Accordingly, BIM-driven cost estimation ensures the entire team can share budget-related inputs, perform cost-benefit analysis of multiple design options collaboratively, and most importantly, curb costly, time-consuming design conflicts and rework.
One of the key advantages of BIM modeling over non-BIM 3D modeling and 2D CAD techniques is that the former facilitates rapid and accurate cost estimation during all phases from design through to construction. The ability of 3D BIM models to generate accurate quantity and material takeoffs play a crucial role in enabling better decision-making with respect to project modifications whilst reducing costly budget overruns. Whereas accurate cost estimation is critical during the planning and conceptual stage to seek the owner’s approval, it is equally decisive during the construction stage to keep the entire team in the know of the implications of their design modifications.
The cost estimates derived from conceptual BIM designs ensure feasible decisions are made early on in the design and planning process, which in turn, govern the eventual project cost. As a result, such a valuable cost feedback in the initial stages of the project helps build a strong foundation for the latter stages of the project. Moreover, since the combination of 3D BIM workflow and IPD brings together all the multidisciplinary professionals during the pre-construction phase, such precise cost estimations keeps all the major stakeholders well informed about the financial implications of their decisions. More importantly, this risk and reward-sharing framework facilitates smooth information-sharing and better decision-making so as to keep the project on-track and within budget.
In order to realize the benefits of cost estimation during the design phase, it is critical to integrate the BIM models with an external database which contains costing information relating to quantity takeoffs. Compared to the traditional method of cost estimation, BIM-led cost feedback improves accuracy, offers time savings, and increases the speed of estimation. Whilst setting up BIM-based cost estimating the workflow requires planning, its benefits overshadow the time and effort required to do so.
On the whole, detailed quantity takeoffs resulting from BIM models help key decision makers to consider several what-if scenarios and compare the cost impact of each alternative during all phases of the design and construction. These detailed cost estimates also enable key project stakeholders to assess the deviation in cost from the the planned budget at every stage and make all necessary corrections. Accordingly, BIM-driven cost estimation ensures the entire team can share budget-related inputs, perform cost-benefit analysis of multiple design options collaboratively, and most importantly, curb costly, time-consuming design conflicts and rework.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Green Buildings using BIM
With environmental concerns such as global warming, climate change and
energy dependency increasing, promoting sustainability is the need of
the hour. Everyone is trying to combat with these environmental concerns
by going green and building sector is no exception. Building
Information Modeling and Green building are the two new transformations
seen by the construction industry that are fundamentally changing the
approach towards design and construction. These two rising trends that
have remarkable synergies could be merged together and wonders could be
designed and constructed.
The very term ‘Green Building’ means building that is environmentally considerate utilizing less water, efficient energy, generates less waste and conserves natural resources. Coming up with a green building would definitely increase the cost initially but in the long run, it will save money through lower operating costs over the life of the building.
Building Information Modelling is another new revolution in the construction industry that is gaining momentum. The main highlight of building information modelling services is the high-quality design information it provides. It can be used as a vital green design tool as this intelligent model also conveys information relating to thermal data, geographical position surface area and orientation. It helps to analyse various design options with its corresponding impacts on green building performances. Implementation of BIM helps to harness the characteristics and performance of design concepts, thus allowing sustainable alternatives to combat with conventional resources.
The potential of BIM in making green buildings has not yet been fully realised. In the coming years, the adoption of BIM in making green building would be substantially increased.
The very term ‘Green Building’ means building that is environmentally considerate utilizing less water, efficient energy, generates less waste and conserves natural resources. Coming up with a green building would definitely increase the cost initially but in the long run, it will save money through lower operating costs over the life of the building.
Building Information Modelling is another new revolution in the construction industry that is gaining momentum. The main highlight of building information modelling services is the high-quality design information it provides. It can be used as a vital green design tool as this intelligent model also conveys information relating to thermal data, geographical position surface area and orientation. It helps to analyse various design options with its corresponding impacts on green building performances. Implementation of BIM helps to harness the characteristics and performance of design concepts, thus allowing sustainable alternatives to combat with conventional resources.
The potential of BIM in making green buildings has not yet been fully realised. In the coming years, the adoption of BIM in making green building would be substantially increased.
Monday, June 13, 2011
BIM Modelling
Building Information Modelling is becoming increasingly vital for modern construction projects. Not only does it provide a digital representation of a building project, it also allows facilitates greater levels of collaboration and interoperability within the design environment.
Building Information Modelling (or BIM as it is commonly known) covers a range of elements including geometry, graphical information, spatial relationships, product/material information and quantity information. As such the use of a 3d BIM model is not merely restricted to architects or design engineers and is also useful to project management, cost management, manufacturing and construction teams and also the facilities management teams who are the eventual owners of such models.
One of the key differences between modern BIM technology and traditional software is that BIM software is written and developed for the design of buildings and their components. The objects created within BIM models represent actual elements within a construction project and therefore this information becomes more useful to designers, installers and cost consultants.
At XS CAD, we create BIM Models using Autodesk Revit software. Autodesk Revit is a multi-directional, database controlled application which allows changes in one location to be replicated automatically in all other areas where the changed item appears (including layouts, elevations, schedules or the 3d model itself).
By using Autodesk Architecture, Autodesk MEP and Autodesk Structures, we are able to create design data for a single construction project with the same family of software. This level of interoperability provides obvious time and cost benefits but also allows the entire project team to view the impact of their individual designs with those of others and to resolve conflicts based on this knowledge.
As part of our BIM service we are able to maintain all elements of a BIM model within our Integrated Project Delivery approach or provide a BIM service to one party involved in a BIM project but without the expertise for BIM model creation and management.
As part of our BIM Modelling service we also create BIM or family data for Revit Architecture and Revit MEP. This data encompasses physical and graphical elements as well as technical and manufacturer information for the element being modelled. Another key benefit of BIM models are the parametric properties and family properties assigned to models. Parametric modelling allows controlled and dynamic manipulation of models. This allows models to be changed quickly and easily within their range of parameters while also maintaining physical appearance and ‘model information’ within all areas automatically.
Building Information Modelling (or BIM as it is commonly known) covers a range of elements including geometry, graphical information, spatial relationships, product/material information and quantity information. As such the use of a 3d BIM model is not merely restricted to architects or design engineers and is also useful to project management, cost management, manufacturing and construction teams and also the facilities management teams who are the eventual owners of such models.
One of the key differences between modern BIM technology and traditional software is that BIM software is written and developed for the design of buildings and their components. The objects created within BIM models represent actual elements within a construction project and therefore this information becomes more useful to designers, installers and cost consultants.
At XS CAD, we create BIM Models using Autodesk Revit software. Autodesk Revit is a multi-directional, database controlled application which allows changes in one location to be replicated automatically in all other areas where the changed item appears (including layouts, elevations, schedules or the 3d model itself).
By using Autodesk Architecture, Autodesk MEP and Autodesk Structures, we are able to create design data for a single construction project with the same family of software. This level of interoperability provides obvious time and cost benefits but also allows the entire project team to view the impact of their individual designs with those of others and to resolve conflicts based on this knowledge.
As part of our BIM service we are able to maintain all elements of a BIM model within our Integrated Project Delivery approach or provide a BIM service to one party involved in a BIM project but without the expertise for BIM model creation and management.
As part of our BIM Modelling service we also create BIM or family data for Revit Architecture and Revit MEP. This data encompasses physical and graphical elements as well as technical and manufacturer information for the element being modelled. Another key benefit of BIM models are the parametric properties and family properties assigned to models. Parametric modelling allows controlled and dynamic manipulation of models. This allows models to be changed quickly and easily within their range of parameters while also maintaining physical appearance and ‘model information’ within all areas automatically.
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