3D BIM Modeling: Key is to Interpret Client’s ‘Real’ Needs

The concept of building information modelling (BIM) has received universal acceptance from the building services, structural engineering and architectural fraternity mainly due to its need for lean construction and also its cross-disciplinary usability. 3D BIM modeling has existed for a number of years now and the industry is aggressively adapting itself to embrace the new workflows of the BIM process; however, there is still a lack of clarity amongst the owners (the clients) as to what exactly they can achieve from these models, what they need to achieve and how they can make optimum use of this concept.

3D BIM Modeling

This article seeks to explore some beliefs related to the use of BIM and sheds light on when it should be used and to what extent. For the sake of clarity, it is important to know the difference between non-BIM 3D CAD models and a parametric BIM models.

3D CAD models are virtual representations of a facility that provide only visual details. Applications such as AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP are used to create 3D CAD models that can be used for design, development, construction and pre-fabrication. On the other hand, BIM models are intelligent models embedded with parametric details that are extremely important for design, development, construction, pre-fabrication, assembly, analysing energy performance and facility management of the built environment. For BIM projects, the details can be effectively shared between different project stakeholders: facility owners, designers/architects, MEP (M&E) engineers, fabricators, consultants and contractors. Revit Architecture and Revit MEP are applications used for BIM modelling whilst Navisworks is employed to detect clashes between different system models.

One of the most crucial aspects that helps decide whether BIM is actually required or not is gaining an in-depth understanding of the model’s purpose. More often than not, there is so much difference between client’s ‘stated’ needs and his/her ‘real’ needs.  In a lot of cases, clients state that they require a BIM model but actually what they require is a smart clash-free 3D model which can be used to extract respective construction drawings. In such scenarios, AutoCAD MEP or AutoCAD Architecture could easily be used to provide a 3D model that meets this need. Alternatively, a BIM software tool could be used to provide a 3D model without providing additional elements such as data rich 'information'.

In other cases, a BIM model may actually be the basis to plan, design, construct, and manage a particular facility. These scenarios require multidisciplinary project stakeholders to access the BIM model at different stages in the project lifecycle. As a result, the most important factor that dictates the success of any project employing BIM is the richness of ‘information’ embedded into the models. So, depending on the project’s scope, a full-fledged BIM model may contain valuable information, such as dimensions of building elements, quantity take-off data, material requirements, time scheduling, costing, prefabrication data, activity simulation, and energy performance. Other important factors that contribute to success of BIM include the data-sharing and interoperability standards to allow smooth multidisciplinary collaboration between key disciplines.

Irrespective of whether the client actually requires BIM or non-BIM CAD model, the BIM wave that has spread across the AEC industry has forced the agenda to adopt a more progressive approach to planning, designing and coordinating models and drawings. The industry continues to transition from non-BIM 2D approaches to collaborative BIM workflows and 3D CAD workflows and even that is a huge shift for the industry. This change is more often than not influenced by the demand side i.e. the clients.

Nevertheless, the current wave of change in favour of adopting BIM applications and processes has helped the entire AEC supply chain embrace intelligent virtual planning and development techniques for architectural and building services design, spatial coordination and collaboration.

Kuldeep Bwail is a Director at XS CAD Limited, one of the leading BIM outsourcing providers offering BIM Services to architects, engineers, MEP (M&E) consultants, and contractors across the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Europe, India and the Middle East.

BIM-led Prefabrication: An Effective Way Forward for Healthcare MEP Projects

Designing and planning for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems for healthcare facilities brings with it a set of daunting challenges for the entire MEP (M&E) fraternity. Considering the project complexities, stringent building codes, healthcare standards, local regulations, and constricted deadlines, MEP (M&E) designers and contractors are always walking a tight line.

Whilst building information modelling(BIM) techniques at the design stage may improve interdisciplinary MEP coordination, help detect design clashes and streamline scheduling/costing in the preconstruction phase, very little is known about how BIM-led prefabrication of MEP systems offsite can help enhance quality, save time and money, and optimise the logistical flow on site. The BIM design data, embedded in the MEP models, can be used to create fabrication drawings by either using traditional detailing or using fabrication softwares (AutoDesk Fabrication). These drawings display fabrication details which can be directly recognised by the CNC machines for production purposes.

One of the most challenging engineering systems to design, healthcare facilities house a range of medical and therapeutic departments to treat different illnesses. Each of these departments has its own set of requirements for HVAC, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems as well as plant areas. So, whether the hospital’s MEP system demands HVAC systems with precise humidity control, temperature, and indoor air quality (IAQ) standards or custom isolation for operating rooms, the information rooted in the BIM 3D documents can enhance modularisation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

Some other MEP components which are specifically used in healthcare facilities include sprinklers, fire suppression systems, high-pressure steam boilers, direct-expansion (DX) cooling systems, and tamper-proof receptacles. As it is well known in the AEC industry worldwide, BIM is a change in approach which brings together all the discipline-specific professionals during the pre-construction phase. On the contrary, the traditional design-bid-build approach lacks coordination between the concerned disciplines.

Accordingly, when MEP (M&E) designers, consultants, and fabricators use BIM for prefabrication of MEP components, the benefits are worthy. Besides, the modularisation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems in a controlled environment and installing them on site is highly effective considering its cost savings, quality improvements, labour efficiency, waste reduction, and in-time completion benefits.

Considering the complex nature of MEP (M&E) systems in healthcare facilities and an increase in adoption of BIM, prefabrication and modularisation will offer more productivity and efficiency gains to MEP (M&E) designers, contractors, manufacturers, fabricators, and installers. Modern prefabrication technologies along with integrated project delivery (IPD) can certainly lead to greater predictability, timely project completion, and increased cost savings.

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.

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.

Benefits of Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Building Information Modeling ( BIM ) is becoming increasingly popular in the AEC industry as a new technology and an approach that allows viewing of a virtual model of the building before it is actually built.  BIM brings with it many advantages that facilitates the design, planning, construction and operational phase of the project.

BIM allows for easy coordination and interoperability between different domains that results in effective exchange of information.  It provides a common single integrated database to support different domains associated in the delivery process.  Since sharing of same data is possible, the loss of information in communication process is minimized.  It’s ability to produce an accurate virtual representation of a building model giving a clear idea of how the real building would look like. It reduces the total expenditure by eliminating the waste of construction material.It helps to reduce the errors and omissions resulting in less rework.
A BIM model when made as a graphical illustration helps to identify the potential failures, leaks, evacuation plans etc. It also allows estimating the cost involved. Material quantities are automatically extracted and changed as per the changes made in the model. The use of BIM yields higher productivity and reduces contingencies.The objects created using BIM are defined as building elements such as walls, spaces, columns beams etc. It can be used to demonstrate the entire lifecycle of a building from construction to facility operation. BIM technology also helps to check clashes and collisions as a BIM model is created in 3D space.  For example, it can check for collision between pipes and steel beams, walls or ducts.
BIM technology is really a breakthrough from the traditional 2D CAD drawings. With so many benefits of using BIM technology, BIM is definitely the future of the construction industry.

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. 

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