BIM Use in Design Process (Ch 5) - Maalik Kaptue

When working on projects being tasked as the engineers and architects, your job responsibilities are extensive during the design process. Furthermore, when introducing the uses and benefits of BIM into the design phase, there is different viewpoints to help shape and understand the progress of work in the phase of a project. The first viewpoint is a conceptual design, as BIM allows designers to generate a simple building plan to create a basic schematic program for the building. This creates a baseline of design that is further built upon.

The second viewpoint is using BIM for design and analysis. This analysis from BIM draws logic into the project, as it is centered around the coordination of different building systems and professions that will be present into the building and throughout the process of construction. Ultimately, it will show what is possible of being done, as it draws links connecting the performance and the services of different systems from the HVAC, structural, circulation and other systems. BIM, in the form of its many software, is able to develop simulations, providing feedback on a system’s performance based on the assembly on different system components and other factors. This function within BIM models allows the engineers to check the design work and make sound decisions.

Another viewpoint integrates BIM with the development of construction-level information. This integration works to have BIM create and account construction documentation, as this modeling works to enhancing quality before any contractors are present in the project or bids had been made for the project. This BIM model serves as a legal documents that ties the different project stakeholders together. This model is also able to aid in the process of creating a library of construction specifications that further details material selection, finishes, construction and installation methods, and other necessary information.  

The final viewpoint is the integration of design and construction through BIM. From this perspective, the use of the design-build construction is being maximized, as BIM models are consistently developed and adjusted through the process of construction. This integration allows for the early identification of long lead items and shortening the time of procurement. Another benefit is early exploration and setting of design constraints in relation to construction issues. Ultimately, BIM models with construction can lay down the framework for developing construction schedules, in identifying what problems are bound to arise before the first batch of soil is unearthed.

Reference:

Eastman, Chuck, et al. “Chapter 5.” BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Contractors, Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2011, pp. 149–206.

Comments:

Kunlun Ren: The adoption of 3D modeling is forever changed the way we design buildings, as new technologies have been developed and applied to the parametric modeling systems. It is cool how parametric modeling is continued to adapt, as it allows the parameters defining one shape to be linked through rules to the parameters of another shape. It also allows users to continuing work and complete task through the limitations and obstacles of errors.

Tyler Madden: Understanding what contractors are present and the type of responsibilities they hold through the different phases of project is essential. With BIM models created, contractors are able to understand their scope of work, as models gives them a frame of reference for how to schedule their work and how much material to purchase for them to accomplish their tasks.

Jenny Fretta: I agreed how BIM is beneficial to owners and facility managers, as the modeling of the project is able to create a framework that gives time and cost estimates. Therefore, BIM is important because it aids them in understanding where and how their money is being spent. With the estimations and simulations ran through BIM, there is a large reduction in errors and field changes, ultimately reducing the amount of lost funds.