¨Building Information Modeling (BIM) which has been defined as “a digital representation or visualization of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. In addition, BIM serves as a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle from inception onward” (Eastman and Tiecholz, 2008). From this definition, it is evident that BIM is a multipurpose tool facilitating design and development, data management and planning functions.
¨The drivers for BIM are the exigencies of a fast expanding, increasingly complex construction industry, the need for more productivity and co-ordination amongst all stakeholders and reducing variance between customer expectation and final product (Tolman, 2008). Followings are some of BIM deliveralbes to facilitate the design & construction works for smart productivity (effective and efficiency) and reduce the wastages.
BIM Building Informatin Modelling
As-Design BIM
Integrated architectural design requires interdisciplinary approach and comprehensive methodology that considers multifaceted design requirements to produce buildings with improved performance. It should be concerned with connecting and integrating knowledge from different disciplines. Integration as an approach requires comprehensive consideration of design factors, systems and requirements, and balances these to form a building. Integrated design as a delivery method requires collaboration between different agents from the earliest stages of the project. There exist three types of integration: physical, visual, and performance.
As-Construct BIM
The BIM concept envisages virtual construction of a facility prior to its actual physical construction, in order to reduce uncertainty, improve safety, work out problems, and simulate and analyze potential impacts. Sub-contractors from every trade can input critical information into the model before beginning construction, with opportunities to pre-fabricate or pre-assemble some systems off-site. Waste can be minimized on-site and products delivered on a just-in-time basis rather than being stock-piled on-site. (Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_information_modeling)
As-Build BIM
BIM can bridge the information loss associated with handling a project from design team, to construction team and to building owner/operator, by allowing each group to add to and reference back to all information they acquire during their period of contribution to the BIM model. This can yield benefits to the facility owner or operator. The As-Build BIM model, allowing occupancy or leasing status to be tracked between the 3D model and databases, furniture or equipment to be tracked, or equipment maintenance information to be referenced from objects within the BIM model.