There is a growing recognition that incorporating integrated building information model (BIM) can yield greater benefits by the whole construction team and maintenance and facilities management operators. Apart from effective life-cycle costing benefits entailed, generating a facilities management BIM model becomes increasingly critical- a sine quo non to the efficient and productive running of buildings.
Prima facie BIM is a concept which revolves around centralisation of the information relevant to a particular project information which facilitate greater participation amongst key stakeholders and allows a more detailed technical information to be fully integrated into the early design process. By creating a central framework/database that all stakeholders and patties involved can have access. This said BIM is more than 3-D tool as it provides a framework for integrated working in a collaborative design and supply chain, between all stakeholders and built environment (BE) professionals from conception stage, through design, manufacturing and construction, to operation and eventual decommissioning, demolition and recycling- a cradle to grave approach, connecting all the phases with continuous and maintainable data set which live with the buildings. As such it requires a timely contributions to update the information from all participating parties to ensure information are updated.
Several practical benefits can be identified which includes, inter alia,
- conceptual modelling at early design stage which includes assessing the strength and stability of loads imposed by varying structural elements and users, heating and cooling load for mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning encompassing any likely impact of building orientation, form and height . The latter will be instrumental in determining plant space requirements in large scale and complex building types, efficient life cycle cost solution based on value- judgment.
- The least labour intensive, economising both in term of time and effort to complete the task at hand leading to significant improvement in both operation and delivery the production drawings- Time saving
- Improving the process of costing and commissioning in terms of the accuracy which applies to both of bills of quantities and cost scheduling towards more efficient evaluation of options and accurate costing.
- Facilitating the process of fabrication of building elements and sequencing of delivery of materials and components and improving overall quality of the finished project.
- Virtual commissioning of system in real- time towards a reduction of onsite commissioning.
Further benefits can be envisaged in terms of the day-to-day management of the building to maximise the operational efficiency and to adhere and implement both protocols and procedures in dealing with day-to-day operational users-focused requirements as well as medium-term strategic organisational demands.
The idea of gaining efficiency using parametrical data embedded within the model space is not a new one. Embedded data was used to create initial space data and exported to prepare design criteria the information are relevant to agree and verify each project brief while also minimising time-scale and improve design efficiency
Three key impediments can be identified within this context against the full adoption of Integrated BIM by BE professionals. This primarily includes; a) disparity in the level of dimensional detailing and accuracy leading to inconsistency in the way the BIM database is populated. For instance, detailed dimension in architectural and structural models in comparison with building services models which is based on a bare minimum dimension, b) emanating from point a this demonstrates how the two groups of professionals operate in the real world attributed mainly to lack of positional resolutions by building services engineers in comparison to architects and structural engineers; c) lack of training and failure to engage due to lack of guidance and accessible/useable information BIM requires. A major rethink is therefore needed necessitating vis-a-vis a change management and greater level of collaboration with stakeholders and BE professionals who need to be brought on board. By the same token, clear and thorough communication intertwined with role recognition as to how they can embrace and work within the BIM model. This requires a cultural and organisational shift to ensure BE professional are fully acquainted with logistical requirements ahead so an easy transition can be made to adopt the BIM model and to dispel any anxieties and or misconception prior to the commencement of the BIM project. It is through a major changes right across the construction industry spectrum and through further development and fine-tuning BIM can be brought to the afore. This require radical changes in the way building construction and services technologies are currently taught with BIM in mind at both FE colleges HE. Significant changes in the current construction stakeholders modus operandi is equally needed for BIM potential to be fully realised as a leading and a driving force for more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable construction industry for 21 century Britain.
About the Author: Ghasson is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering and the Built Environment at Birmingham City University. He is an architect and technologist by profession and innovation advocate. Ghasson research explores inclusive environments in order to identify issues related to the design and management of the indoor and the wider built environment for those with neurodiversity problems including Autism Spectrum Condition and Dementia with particular emphasis on incorporating Revit BIM and Virtual Realities (VR) in the way finding, navigation and orientation
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