Future Problems with Revit/BIM

What are the possible future problems with Revit/BIM?

There are always new concerns that emerge with the implementation of unorthodox methods of accomplishing traditional tasks; BIM is of no exception. Some of the problems will stem from the software itself and/or the affect of implementation on the future engineering and construction industry.

            The software will need to find compatibility with hardware that has large enough capacity to support the growing size of BIM models. HOK suggested that their company would anticipate “24GB of RAM for its new workstations so it can hold the Revit datasets without paging to disk on its biggest projects. This is a considerable investment. BIM simply cannot run on old machines designed for running AutoCAD”. These models will grow exponentially as more details are added to the design addressing the question of whether quality of design and in essence “the benefits of modelling” should be sacrificed for space which is necessary to “load and manipulate” models. This could encourage future competition in the hardware industry to invent faster, larger, lighter easier hardware which comes with investment. I think that there will a period in the distant future where the amount of resources required to store these models will lead to the invention of alternative databases.

            The effect of BIM on future design industries is a complete shift in the traditional communication standard between parties working together on a project. BIM will be ingrained into the design process as another player in the firm and may encourage cooperation between designers and builders such that all firms will adopt an integrated approach to design (i.e. Integrated Project Delivery). The implications of a one for all and all for one mentality could promote competitiveness and comradery between joint firms. It’s worth noting that firms which refuse to adopt this ideal may become obsolete, ineffective, and lose major contracts and business partners—at the same time these firms will have to adopt training and set money aside for BIM. As far as the engineers at these firms, there may be a somewhat ‘utopian’ mentality taken towards experienced engineers and novices; if a novice could use BIM to produce the same results as someone with seniority than the value of the experienced engineer would be changed and possibly lowered.

References:

[1] https://aecmag.com/technology-mainmenu-35/450-the-trouble-with-bim

Comments:

Laney Fries - I agree with your suggestion that technology will completely integrate with newer generations. I would expect this change to come many years from now but if BIM could be integrated into a portable device and/or represented virtually in real time (i.e. without computers) then that would create the opportunity to bring the design to the client and to the site. It could further eliminate the issues associated with hardware space and storage concerns.

Robert Borrelli - I think that you are fair in saying that BIM will threaten many people in the engineering and design industry who are comfortable with the traditional means of communicating a project. I wonder if the change in culture will lead to more or less interest from new engineers and if the older generation will adopt the changes or become obsolete in their ideals. As with any new intrusion, there will be a period of dislike for the program; at the same time engineers are always considering better ways to solve a problem and BIM is undoubtedly a coming solution to creating efficient design.

Andy Kuriatnikov - I appreciate your comments on clash analysis and how it impacts field construction. This is a benefit of BIM that is undeniable and saves money and time for all involved. While traditional designs are difficult to duplicate and create precisely, I believe they still serve a purpose for laying out initial ideas and groundwork for a project. The human mind can help to detect concerns prior to design, while BIM contributes to addressing errors during design.