Top 10 Benefits of BIM- Very Useful To Know

Table of Contents

What is BIM?

Roles or Functions in BIM?

BIM Interface Manager Role

Discipline’s BIM Task Manager

Top 10 Benefits of BIM

Efficiency and Accuracy of the BIM Model

Project Visualisation & Virtual Reality of the BIM Model

Improve Collaboration Process through BIM Model Federation

BIM Model Resolves Conflict at Design Stage

BIM Models Provides Opportunities for Value Addition

Construction Cost Saving and Reduction in Change Controls

Improve Construction Sequencing and Supply Chain

BIM Model Minimises the Clash Detection of Utility Services

Safer Construction Site

Robust Handover Regime

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What is BIM?

BIM Modeling is the latest technology used to improve design efficiency, team collaboration, 3D visualisation to deliver the design and model to construct the physical infrastructure. BIM Integrates 3D models and assets of various disciplines (like highways, drainages, bridges, lighting, traffic signals, etc) and provides a 3D dynamic model to visualise the detailing.

Roles or Functions in BIM?

In order to perform and manage BIM tasks, it is very important to segment the roles and functions in BIM.  

Following are the key roles and functions to perform BIM tasks efficiently: BIM Interface Manager Role Discipline’s BIM Task Manager

BIM Interface Manager Role

BIM Coordinator liaises with all the design disciplines to get their design model to comply with the BIM Execution Plan (BEP) and then federate it using BIM Platform to commence the review process. it is expected that the BIM coordinator has sound knowledge of CAD or MicroStation platform along with sound knowledge of BEP to carry out their duties.

Having a basic understanding of operating a BIM Model would surely be an added advantage. For large size infrastructure projects, BIM Coordination roles is further split into two categories:

• BIM Information Manager Role
• BIM Interface Manager Role

BIM Information Manager Role

As the name suggests BIM Information Manager role basically covers the content generation, attribute addition, modelling, clash detection and production of the final federated model.

BIM Interface Manager Role

BIM Interface Manager role mainly deals with interface issues between two models of two design parties and flags the issues with BIM Lead of client or contractor. The role highlight and records potential hazards and risks and flag them within the BIM model at respective locations in order to track the mitigate them as the project progresses

Discipline’s BIM Task Manager

Every discipline appoints a BIM Task Manager to produce and manage its design model. Normally the BIM Task Managers are senior cad technicians with sound knowledge of BIM. Design compliance may not be a mandatory part of their role, but a sound knowledge of the BIM Execution Plan (BEP) is desirable.

They coordinate with BIM Interface Manager during the review process.

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Top 10 Benefits of BIM

BIM provides various advantages to the right from the design stage to construction and for O &M stages after construction and handover. Here are the top 10 benefits of BIM

Efficiency and Accuracy of the BIM Model

BIM significantly improves design efficiency with the application of a 3D federated model, clash detection, visualisation, hazard assessment, etc.

The 3D design federated model provides an extremely sophisticated 3D model with precise 3D level information. Individual assets like lighting columns, manholes, gully pots, etc can be assigned with attribute details and assist the supply chains to procure the product in a timely manner.

Project Visualisation & Virtual Reality of the BIM Model

3D federated model and recent technological advancement of virtual reality assist the client and contractor to review the model and visualise it in great detail. It provides an opportunity for them to see the “Work in Progress” (WIP) or final model and add further value engineering solutions.

Virtual reality 3D models are the future of physical infrastructure products. It not only improves the product quality and efficiency; it also enhances the client’s confidence significantly because visualising the end product with precise detailing exceed their expectation and minimise their apprehension.

Improve Collaboration Process through BIM Model Federation

In a small size project, when the client doesn’t prefer the BIM model, the individual disciplines don’t get the opportunity to run the clash check, etc, the collaboration process stays at the minimum level, so as the accuracy. But in the case of the BIM model, it provides numerous opportunities to run the clash checks, refine the model, and therefore improved the collaboration process.

BIM Model Resolves Conflict at Design Stage

When various disciplines develop their design model, on their own the models may appear perfect but when the models are integrated together, it will highlight loads of conflicts. For example, the position of the pedestrian guardrail may conflict with the traffic signal pole, drainage manhole, etc may conflict with the lighting cable network, etc.

Without using BIM Model, it would be extremely difficult to visualise those conflict locations.  As a result, when the contractor commences the construction process, they find various conflicts on site and raise design changes to the client. As a result, project cost goes beyond the budget and time frame significantly.

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BIM Models Provides Opportunities for Value Addition

When design consultants, clients and contractors review the furnished design model, it provides them with an opportunity to enhance the project further, which is unlikely to do without visualising the 3D models. This plays a very important role when the overall cost is very high and any minor change after the construction would be difficult to execute practically and economically.

Construction Cost Saving and Reduction in Change Controls

As explained above, the BIM model minimises the conflict and clashes of various design assets, underground services and minimise the change control activities.  As a result, it not only assists to estimate a very accurate project construction cost, it also minimises the budget overrun during construction and as a result minimise the possibility of project delays.

Improve Construction Sequencing and Supply Chain

BIM Model assists the contractor to plan construction sequencing in a detailed manner if all the assets of the BIM model are assigned with attribute details. These asset attributes can be exported to list out the schedule of all the assets that are needed to install on the project site.

Construction sequencing and procurement of those products can be organised accordingly to minimise the storage space and transportation delay. The supply chain and vendors will be informed well in advance to optimise the procurement process.

BIM Model Minimises the Clash Detection of Utility Services

When all the assets including underground service ducts models are federated in BIM, it provides a tremendous opportunity to the designers to resolve all the clash detection of underground utility services.

Safer Construction Site

When construction material, products and assets are procured in a methodical manner using the BIM model, it simplifies the storage space, manual handling and transfer of those materials to the site location. As a result, it significantly minimises the oversupply of construction material, machinery, unnecessary storage requirement and therefore makes the construction site much safer.

Robust Handover Regime

Hazards assessment and mitigation process can be performed efficiently by using a 3D BIM model. Similarly, health and safety information can be recorded within the BIM model and hands over to the client once the project construction is complete. This would help the end client to use the BIM model for any future projects or for the modification of the existing project.

The client will share the BIM model with the new contractor so that the contractor is mindful of those hazards and put adequate mitigation in place before commencing construction activities.  

I hope the blog provides you with adequate knowledge of the BIM Model and its advantages.

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