What Is BIM/VDC...?
Building information modeling (BIM) is a process involving the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. The resulting building information models become shared knowledge resources to support decision-making about a facility from earliest conceptual stages, through design and construction, through its operational life and eventual demolition.
Constant Challenges
Participants in the building process are constantly challenged to deliver successful projects despite tight budgets, limited manpower, accelerated schedules, and limited or conflicting information.
Coordination
The significant disciplines such as architectural, structural and MEP designs should be well coordinated, as two things cannot occupy the same spatial place. Building Information Modeling/Virtual Design and Construction aids in clash detection at the initial stage, identifying the exact location of discrepancies.
Reduce Uncertainty
The BIM/VDC concept envisages virtual construction of a facility prior to its actual physical construction, in order to reduce uncertainty, improve safety, identify potential problems, improve construction installation sequence, and simulate and analyze potential impacts of changes to the initial design.
Improve Bottom Line
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. By doing so, they can maximize their field crews and improve their bottom line in the process.
Waste can be minimized on-site, and products may be delivered on a “just-in-time” basis rather than being stock-piled on-site. This reduces potential damage to uninstalled system components and maximizes the use of materials that would otherwise be discarded.
Extract Material Quantities & Properties
If modeled correctly, quantities and shared properties of materials can be extracted easily. Scopes of work can be isolated and defined. System components, assemblies, and sequences can be shown in a relative scale with the entire facility or group of facilities.
Highlighted 'Clash Detection'
BIM/VDC also helps to streamline installation sequence by enabling conflict or 'clash detection' whereby the computer model visually highlights to the team where parts of the building (e.g.: structural frame and building services pipes or ducts) may wrongly intersect or present challenges due to “pinch points” that might otherwise go unnoticed until it is too late.