Jianfeng Xiao - Blog 2

This chapter discuss the application of BIM for architecture and engineer. This chapter begin by discussing the traditional process of design and construction, the traditional way of coordination and collaboration and the traditional forms of project delivery. Then, it shows application of BIM on design and construction process. Through this comparison, I can understand how BIM had influenced the entire range of design and construction activities.

This chapter shows three impacts of BIM on design: conceptual design, integration of engineering services and construction-level modeling. The conceptual design means that it is easier to generate complex building shell using BIM. In the past, the conceptual design was relied on the experience and expertise of lead designer, and the feedback from the design team. Their assessment and decision making are based on their past project and experience. The freehand sketches are the main documentation for recording and discussion. By using the BIM, engineer and architect can provide faster and more accurate assessment and feedback on project. They can also use BIM tools for sketching which make it easier to read and discuss. However, each BIM tool only does part of the overall task, which requires multiple BIM tools used in one project. This may make some incontinence for engineers. The integration of engineering services means the integration of new information workflows and existing simulation and analysis tools in BIM. In the design phase, the various types of building behaviors will be analyzed. BIM can support more complex and specific data or model analysis. In addition, the cost estimation can be better predicted because of the information available. The construction-level modeling is to address potentially achievement through a collaborative design-construction process, such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). Design team can collaborate with contractor at the beginning for details for modeling. This will eliminate some construction issues and reduce the amount of time for producing construction documents.

Although the BIM has many advantages, the author points out some concern on the implement of BIM. As mention previous, each BIM tool only does part of overall task which require multiple tools used in one project. Therefore, the firms will need to select and evaluate BIM tools that fit their needs. The various tools used may cause problems in the exchange of building model data between them and in the collaboration between engineers and contractor. In addition, the training for proficiency use is required at the beginning.

Sources:

C. M. Eastman, “Chapter 5: BIM for Architects and Engineers,” in BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Contractors, 2nd ed., Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2012, pp. 193–261.

Dung Tran Comments:

Dung,

Thanks for your post. You did a good job summarizing the chapter to few paragraphs. I agree that the BIM tools provide faster and precise option in design and manage a project. But as you mention, the Revit has dominant the market for BIM tools. I think this might cause problems. If a firm use other BIM tools that is not associated with Revit, the data and model transferring will be a problem.

Allison Abad Comments:

Allision,

You did a good job explaining the importance of using BIM for owners and facility managers. BIM will allow owners to produce high quality building, estimate the cost and analyze the complexity of building. In addition, your co-op experiences are interesting. You can have a deeper understand on how to solve problems by using BIM in daily experience.  

Christhach Comments:

Chris,

Your post is interesting that give me a new understand of BIM use for contractor. As you mention, the scheduling component, clash detection and collaboration functions of BIM are important. They will allow contractor to track project progress, to check if things are overlapped, and to collaborate with engineers and architect to do project edit.