English 
Dutch BIM is the juggernaut that has hit the building and construction industry. You may ask what is BIM building technology? Well, let’s break down those letters: BIM simply means Building Information Modeling.
It is basically a digital way of showing the physical and functional characteristics of a facility. It’s a software that ties architecture, engineering, and construction professionals together to collaborate on one model of a building.
What is BIM Building Technology?
BIM is not only building technology but an integration of a 3D model with data harnessed from various stages of a building. Starting from the design stage to the final stages of construction, even up to maintenance, BIM has something broad to offer.
That makes BIM a very strong, underestimated propeller in visualizing every stage of the building’s life, thereby bringing about an assured difference in quality and speed in most construction projects.
Why is BIM Important in Construction?
Now, one may ask, why should we care about BIM building technology? There are many benefits involved, and they can be quite impressive. Here is the breakdown:
- Improved Collaboration and Communication: BIM enhances communication amongst architects, engineers, and contractors. Since all professionals are working on the same model, it becomes very easy to communicate with each other and collaborate effectively.
- Enhanced Productivity: BIM can reduce the amount of time spent in revisions and reworks by as much as 80%. According to one such study, Dodge Data & Analytics found that projects using BIM had a reduction in errors by about 32%.
- Better Visualization: Probably the most striking feature of BIM is the ability to create detailed 3D models. This gives stakeholders a proper idea of what to expect from the end product even before construction starts.
- Economies of Scale: The cost is considerably reduced because the mistakes decrease while efficiency increases with the use of BIM. According to McKinsey, BIM saves up to 20% of construction costs.
- Better Project Outcomes: Improved planning, execution, and communication mean that the overall quality of the construction project improves. This also leads to better outcomes and higher client satisfaction.
Practical Applications of BIM Building Technology
Now, let me tell you about some industrial applications. From small residential buildings to the construction of large-scale infrastructure, BIM building technology is in use. A few examples include:
1. Residential Buildings
In residential construction, BIM models are made in great detail, showing everything from the foundation to the roof. This allows for better planning and coordination between the different trades involved in the project. For example, plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians all work from the same model, which really minimizes conflict and reduces rework.
2. Commercial Buildings
The great use of BIM is also found in the construction of commercial buildings. These projects usually contain complex designs, coupled with coordination among different stakeholders. BIM aids in keeping the workflow smooth so that all are on a single page. The National Institute of Building Sciences reports a 43% improvement in the time of delivering the project among commercial projects that have been using BIM.
3. Infrastructure Projects
Large infrastructure projects such as bridges and highways, are where BIM really shines. Such large projects need to be well-planned and coordinated and BIM offers the platform on which all the stakeholders can work together. The UK Government’s BIM Task Group reports that projects in infrastructure that adopted BIM have witnessed a 25% reduction in the project delivery times and costs.
How to Implement BIM Building Technology
BIM implementation in building technology may seem to be an uphill task, but it is not really so. What follows are some steps that you may consider in getting into the implementation of BIM.
1. Investment in the Right Software
There are numerous BIM software out there, such as Autodesk Revit, ArchiCAD, and Bentley Systems, among others. Choose one that best suits your needs and budget. It is critical that the software selected must be of good quality since it will form the backbone of your BIM implementation.
2. Training of the Team
Training is very crucial. Your team needs to be properly informed on how to use the BIM software. There are several online courses and certification programs that will get your team up to speed.
3. Begin Small
If you are starting to work with BIM, it will be way better if you can practice this on smaller projects. You will get a hang of the new technology and iron out problems before scaling up for larger projects.
4. Engage with Stakeholders
For successful implementation of BIM, collaboration should be aptly carried out between various stakeholders. All stakeholders such as architects, engineers, and contractors need to be integrated right from the start.
5. Monitoring and Evaluation
Once implemented, it will be very important to monitor the effectiveness of BIM and make adaptations as needed based on your feedback from your team and stakeholders.
The Future of BIM Building Technology
Indeed, the future is bright concerning BIM building technology. With improvements in AI and machine learning, BIM is now turning increasingly powerful. Imagine a system that can predict possible issues before they actually happen. That is where the future is headed!
With an increasing amount of firms using BIM in building, collaboration and innovation continue to improve. “A National Institute of Building Sciences survey found that 82% of industry professionals believe BIM will be the standard in the next decade.
Wrap up
Many iconic buildings utilized BIM technology during its construction and delivered a functional and visually appealing building. It saved enormous costs and time by identifying several potential issues which had to be fixed in the initial design phases. Connect with Sketcho to the expert by your side for leveraging BIM technology.
