Hailey Ihlow - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 – BIM for Engineers and Architects – Hailey Ihlow

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is used as an umbrella term for different programs that have taken design to the next level. Cad being traditional drafting BIM gives a bit more “By partially automating the detailing of construction level building models, BIM redistributes the distribution of effort, placing more emphasis on conceptual design” (Eastman).

For work I have only worked on deign build projects. This is not the only type of work my company does but for the MEP side of things, its more common for the engineers at this company. We also do an integrated work flow, working in Revit alongside architects and structural engineers. These methods stated above have their pros and cons but the overall effect is a positive one. The clarity and output is well above the mistakes that can happen without these methods using only CADD. BIM programs allows everyone to see the entire model at a very high level of detail with actual size of all materials being used. This allows for many views from the same file. Less time creating views that are already there and more time discussing seen issues. With this the issues can also be seen easily and fixed. “As a result, BIM will likely redistribute the time and effort designers spend in different phases of design.” Stated much better by Eastman. With this there are more opportunities with design and collaboration.

I have been on both sides of the spectrum with this not from working with different companies but working with different projects within the same company. While CADD is not as versatile as other BIM programs there are still some aspects people do not want to get rid of. Along with that there are codes that have been designed around how CADD operates. New York’s Port Authority is an example where BIM is not 100% applicable due to the codes they have in place. Therefor using BIM programs, a new set of codes will need to be made, and this takes funding and effort that might not be allied for a while. There are many applications for BIM modeling within the AE field. Using them at work has shown me the real applications and where this technology can go.

Reference

Eastman, Charles M. BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, 

Managers, Designers, Engineers and Contractors. Vol. 2nd edition, Wiley, 2011. EBSCOhost, http://ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=364239&site=ehost-live.

Comments

1.      Weiyi Tang

a.      You are totally right. I work in an office that uses BIM programming for many of the projects. The collaboration we use at work allows for adjustments as needed and a visual understanding of the model in a whole new light that 2D drawings do not allow.

2.      Kunlun Ren

a.      I think that BIM is miss categorized as being a small part of a project. While your statements are correct I think the task of going through an entire model with BIM is a necessary, important and sometime difficult task. The history of BIM is something I should look more into since my current office uses BIM programs most abundantly.

3.      Harvin Bhandal

a.      This chapter, chapter 2 seems to have a lot of good information about the use of BIM. I work with Revit at work creating FP and P networks for train stations. Revit helps myself and the architects working on the projects understand why we need more space within the building and where that might be best to place it. Revit is “easy” to use but does have its specialties as does any program.