What is BIM and how can it support you?
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a process for creation and management of information throughout a construction process. It relates to the whole life cycle of a building. The process coordinates a digital footprint for every aspect of the building as they’re developed. The digital description of the building elements includes a combination of technical details, performance information and 3D models which are all created into a BIM object.
A BIM object is defined as the detailed information that describes the product, and geometry that represent a product’s physical characteristics. They also include visualisation data that gives the object a recognisable appearance and accurate behavioural data, which allows the object to be positioned or behave in the exact way it would within the building construction.
BIM objects come in two primary types; component objects and layered objects. Component objects are building products with fixed geometrical shapes i.e. doors and windows. Layered objects are building products without a fixed shape or size i.e. roofing, walls and carpets.
A cross functional team will be set up at the beginning of a BIM project to define a process and structure for information to ensure that design details are organised and managed consistently and provide benefit to the team involved in both the construction and operational stages of the project. It is encouraged that manufacturers and the facility management teams for the building are involved at the beginning of a BIM project.
Once the construction phase of the project is reached, the information developed within the BIM models can be used to plan the build more efficiently. If design revisions are necessary, changes need to be agreed with the team and documented. As the project enters the construction stage, the information developed can be used to plan and build more efficiently.
Once the project construction is complete and the building starts to be used, the information captured within the BIM model can be utilised to operate the building.