Why BIM holds an important place in the AEC Industry?

The application and adoption of BIM is growing worldwide as the architecture, engineering and construction industry is realising about the transformative potential of this technology. Building information modelling (BIM), is a set of tools and technologies that combines architecture and construction planning. It was conceptualised to aid architects in designing the building and infrastructure using software instead of making different sets of physical drawings. This is an innovative way to design a virtual model of a building in a digital format.

AIA’s biannual report ‘The 2016 Business of Architecture’, suggests that approximately 96 percent of large firms, 72 percent of midsized firms, and 28 percent of small firms in US construction market use one or more BIM software programs.

The advancement in technology has led to improved and faster delivery of projects thus having a material impact on profitability .BIM has enabled benefits that go beyond the task processing; it holds an important place in the AEC industry because it enables:

• Multi-facet Visualization of Plan thus reducing risk: A good insight into the project can be drawn using BIM technology. It gives accessibility of checking and deriving multiple projections of the plan, and helps integrate all the client’s requirements. The complete visualization allows the client to experience what the place will look like and offers the ability to make changes before the construction starts.
• Enhanced Communication and Collaboration: BIM allows sharing, collaborating, and versioning that paper drawing a set doesn’t allow. Cloud-based tools like Autodesk’s BIM 360 allow a seamless collaboration across all disciplines within the project. It allows the team to share project models and coordinate planning; this ensures that all design stakeholders have a proper insight into the project. Cloud access also allows project teams to take the office to the field; which further allows the team to stay up-to-date on the changes in the project.
• Process Planning: Allows an accurate transaction of steps, and proper coordination for the same. With a model and an accurate set of sub-models for each phase during construction, the next step is a coordinated sequencing of steps, materials, and crews for a more efficient construction process, delivering a predictable path to the expected outcome.
• Faster Turnaround Time: Drawing is a very lengthy and technical process that takes time to generate, whereas the BIM software fastens the whole process. Lesser time is spent on creating and reworking of the projects.
• Simulated Environment for impact assessment: The infrastructure needs to be adaptive to the geographical conditions of a location. If the area is prone to floods or earthquake, the building should be equipped to tackle the situation.The precise specifications of the building are formulated in BIM software, with stimulation of such environmental disturbances in check.
• Project Delivery: Every possible projection of the plan is made, in check with environmental disturbances. The lengthy process of taking care of each ‘sheet by sheet’ plan of the project is done digitally in BIM software, thus reducing the delivery time of the project tremendously.
• Reduced Cost and Mitigated Risk: BIM offers services that have an impact on the budget set aside for designing and construction. Being able to look at the project before it is even started, eliminates any risk that may appear later, and thus helps in cutting on the overall cost.
• Improvement in Life of the Building: A well-designed project that can sustain contingencies, is well equipped, and is customizable as per the current needs of the owner, has an enhanced life.

Conclusion:

Around 50 percent of the AEC industry is already relying on BIM modelling services. With numerous benefits like enhanced life of the project, sequencing, reduced cost and mitigated risk, BIM has added value to architecture, engineering and the construction industry. Not just in US, but BIM and other construction software will soon be sharing a bigger pie in construction industry.

TechnoStruct is a Construction company that is well known in its filed. It specializes in engineering and design industrial, commercial, high-tech manufacturing, co-generation, solar power, and water infrastructure projects. TechnoStruct has a hold in technology and has a diversified range of services available, apart from BIM, like MEP engineering and designs, Mechanical Subcontractor, Solar, Electrical Subcontractor, and many more.