BIM (Building Information Modeling) is an innovative, holistic working method aimed at the optimisation of processes in connection with the design and execution of building projects. BIM provides the possibility of controlling and managing projects digitally, during the entire lifecycle of a building and including all kinds of building works or systems. The collaboration between specialized planners, project managers, investors and other stakeholders is enhanced, which streamlines the whole process and makes it more transparent. In a lot of countries, BIM has already become the standard working method. In the coming years, numerous contracting authorities in Europe will also stipulate that projects must be managed by using BIM. That means BIM will become the prerequisite to receiving orders and thus is expected to become more and more important.
Building Information Modeling is based on a central digital data pool, serving as a joint basis for all work steps and all collaborating parties involved in the project. The central availability of data as well as a uniform, neutral data format offers the following advantages:
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more transparency for individual process steps
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higher efficiency and planning safety
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sound basis for decision making
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simplified communication between building systems involved, especially when working in big teams or from different locations
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increased safety regarding cost and timing
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simplified control over the entire lifecycle of a project
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higher planning quality
A BIM-compliant software is the basis to work with BIM. This software is used to create and manage all information about the project. The BIM coordination model (“integrated building model”) is at the centre, combining submodels from specialized disciplines (“specialized model”). It contains all information about the dimensions and position of the building parts of all specialized disciplines. In addition, it provides further features of the components concerned, such as cost or relevant classes for fire protection, heat insulation or soundproofing.
The BIM coordination model is accessible for all parties involved in the project and serves as a platform for information exchange managed by the BIM coordinator.
The specialized disciplines continue to carry out specialized planning – as they do when applying the standard working method. Their planning is integrated in the BIM coordination model by adding specialized models. That way, simulations can be done and collisions between individual specialized models can be addressed at an early stage. Defects, which otherwise would only be recognized during the construction phase, can already be eliminated during the planning phase.
