What is BIM?

Why is it important now?

What can we deliver with BIM?
What are challenges of BIM?
Conclusion
Content
What is BIM?
Same acronym, different meanings
1) Building Information Modelling
- Includes model and its management
2) Building Information Model
- a data model that we can see and utilise
3) Building Information Management
- about how to create, utilise and hand over the
model data
Different expressions, same
essence
A digital representation of physical and functional
characteristics of a facility creating a shared
knowledge resource for information about it forming
a reliable basis for decisions during its life cycle,
from earliest conception to demolition NBIMS (US
National BIM Standards Committee)
What is BIM?
its a business process for generating and
leveraging building data (Not just buildings,
infrastructure, etc.)

It has been described as a game-changing
technological and cultural process for the AEC
industry. adapted from BIM Talk

What is BIM?
BIM design
Central database structure
Sequential workflow between modelling and
documentation
Fully parametric
Bidirectional
What is BIM?
A BIM model is nD
... the output of the business process resulting in a multi-
dimensional computer model related to time, quantity,
cost, as-built, etc.
What is BIM?
Building lifecycle
What is BIM?
CAD helps people to draw. BIM helps people to
construct. (Richard Saxon, Ecobuild, February 2009)

BIM is not CAD. BIM was never meant to be CAD.
(Pete Zyskowski, Cadalyst)

What is BIM?
Drawing is Dead Long Live Modelling
(CPIC)
Characteristics of the AEC industry
1) Fragmented
2) Multidisciplinary
3) Geographically dispersed
Why is it important?
Clear benefits
Why is it important?
1) Increased information communication
among project stakeholders
2) Clarifies and reduces project risks
3) Allow for What-If scenarios
4) Pricing of modification immediately
5) Quicker personnel training
And more...
Policy requirements
Spring 2011
Government will
require fully
collaborative 3D
BIM (with all
project and asset
information,
documentation
and data being
electronic) as a
minimum by
2016
Why is it important?
Why is it important?
... reducing capital cost and the carbon burden
from the construction and operation of the built
environment by 20%
What can we deliver with BIM?
UK government aspiration
1) Better visualisation
2) Better multi-disciplinary collaboration
3) Better construction and project management
4) Better 'as-built', whole-life information for
O&M
5) More consistent and easier coordination
6) Elimination of waste and rework
And more...

What can we deliver with BIM?
Higher quality, more reliable information
Conclusion
BIM is about model data creation,
utilisation and hand over
It benefits whole building lifecycle
It is a business process that change the
current AEC industry
Its implementation requires technology,
policy and process fields to be compliant