Building Information Modeling

By: Alex Papavasiliou

Building Information Modeling: What is it?

Building Information Modeling (BIM), is an information/design/modeling technology defined by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as “a model based technology linked with a database of project information”. There is not a standard definition or better stated, agreed upon definition of BIM, but the key element of the acronym should be the “I”. The information embedded in the three dimensional model is what will differentiate this technology from current design applications. BIM will cohesively integrate the entire life cycle of a building, design, construction and maintenance, into one single application.

The origin of building information modeling was conceptualized in the 1970’s by Professor Charles M. Eastman of the Georgia Institute of Technology. Eastman describes BIM “as the provision of rich, integrated information—from conception through design to construction and demolition of a building over its life cycle. It relies on object based, information rich 3-D modeling as the design of record and for as-constructed, as-built, and as-operated information. The benefits enabled by BIM will greatly change the ways buildings are designed, fabricated, and operated.” [i] Over the past several years the incorporation of laser scanning data into BIM has established additional applications that were previously not possible. Now that computing power is a non-issue the 3-D aspect has become an indispensable element of BIM.

Laser Scanning

Laser scanning is “the capturing of the shape and placement of physical objects in a digital format using 3D laser survey technology.”[ii] A laser scanner is set up and shoots a laser that spins 360 degrees and measures 210,000 points per second. Once completed you have digital reproduction accurate to the 1/100th of a millimeter. The integration of laser scanning and BIM was established in the energy field, specifically the oil and gas industry. Off-shore oil platforms can pump millions of dollars of oil a day. Any temporary shutdown can result in the loss of thousands and potentially millions of dollars of revenue. Furthermore, these structures are located miles away from the shore and are the definition of industrial design. Too many times the companies operating the oil platforms have faced extended down time due to a piece of machinery being too big to fit through openings or piping not constructed to the specific dimensions needed for operation. (For this discussion a segment of pipe is discovered to be leaking oil.) A temporary solution is put into place to stop the leak, while a pipe fabricator is constructing the necessary fitting. A few days later the replacement part arrives and oil production is temporarily halted for the installation. During the installation it is noticed that the fitting is not exactly lining up with the old pipe. This design error could have been avoided by scanning the current pipe fittings or if a model was already in existence, simply sending the model information to the manufacturer that would contain the exact measurements.

Anyone with access to the model constructed through building information modeling (BIM) can highlight individual elements of the structural support system, red, to access information pertinent to that member. In this case, users could see the number of bolts used and find out whether or not the element required painting and whether it had been shipped by the supplier. The completed upper deck and canopy, below, precisely match the BIM model.[i][i]

Capabilities and Uses in Real Estate

There are infinite advantages and emerging capabilities of BIM; three will be discussed in this examination. One advantage of BIM is that architects, engineers, and other design professionals can create a complete three dimensional model that clients can “walk through”, rotate to every imaginable angle, and zoom in during the design/redesign process. There is an infinite array of cost savings associated with this ability. For example, real estate developers can have a true feel for the project they are developing by seeing what the end product will look like before the final design is complete. This is currently available, but not at this level of detail and not in a virtual fashion. Being able to see the building and creating a virtual walk through should lead to less design changes once the project is under construction. Another example is a conversion of an old industrial facility into a new office, retail, or residential use. You have a company scan the building inside and outside. Now you have a digital reproduction accurate to the 1/100th of a millimeter that is intergraded into a model. Armed with this reproduction, the designing can begin instantly because every aspect of the building is available in a digital format; window sizes, door openings, utility placement, the list goes on and on.

http://www.noreast1.com/danvers2.jpg Courtesy of Merdian Associates, Inc.

Another related benefit is that clients do not necessarily have to visit the construction site in person. During the construction period, 3-D models would be continually updated and available for viewing through the web to monitor progress. Now real estate executives have the ability to “walk” floor by floor and room by room, each week to view the new multi-million dollar office building located in Singapore, from their office in the United States.
Another related benefit is that clients do not necessarily have to visit the construction site in person. During the construction period 3- models would be continually updated and available through the web to see the progress.

After the building is completed, a final building model will be constructed. You no longer have to have paper plans, AutoCAD files, maintenance records and various other documents. Your model is now the central depository for all information related to the building. In this final model, there is now the ability to provide every minute detail of construction, maintenance records, and finish out items. Here is an example analysis of the 28th floor of the new office building in Singapore. (The following example also illustrates a pre-construction use.) With a few clicks of the button you can determine the exact size of all the rooms. Let’s go one step further; next thing you wish to know, what flooring materials are used on this floor. Click again and you have a list of all the flooring: carpet, bathroom tile, break room tile, wood floor in lobbies, exposed cement in storage closets. Click again on the particular material, and now a list pops up and provides information on the vendor it was purchased from, who manufactured the product, the cost of the product, when it was cleaned last, and any other information a building manager would wish to include. Having this amount of information will have substantial impact on the future management and maintenance of the asset.

Conclusion

BIM is becoming more and more commonplace in the architectural, engineering and construction industries. It has shown much promise in reducing construction costs and time. But with any new technology there are many issues to overcome. Currently the biggest obstacle is the lack of an industry standard. Most companies in this field are promoting their platform but lack the necessary integration elements needed to make it universal. You have competing laser scanning software and BIM platforms. ArchiCAD and AutoDesk Revit are the industry leaders. The companies that have leverage over the software, architectural, engineering and contracting firms are the public and private building developers. Taking the lead to push for a universal standard is the General Services Administration of the United States federal government. The GSA has realized the savings associated with a successful integration of all the disciplines associated with the design, construction and operation of new building facilities. It will be only a matter of time when you will hear about training session for BIM in the 3rd floor computer lab.

[1] http://www.todaysfacilitymanager.com/tfm_06_11_factech.php
[1] http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/97752.pdf
[1] http://pubs.asce.org/magazines/CEMag/2008/Issue_05-08/article1.htm
http://www.vrcontext.com/walkinside/24-movies-2.html#Technologie