Building Information Modelling
There is practically no other topic currently as hot in the construction sector as Building Information Modelling (BIM). In the German-speaking area, people often speak in this context of the building information model – a digital building model or digital planning and building. Wherever you look or listen, the general opinion is that the already major significance of BIM for the construction sector will continue to increase in the future. At the same time, many planners fear that they will be overrun or displaced by BIM, as they do not have a clear overview of the areas of application and the potential of this planning method. However, this impression is misguided: Everyone can profit from the use of BIM.
What does BIM stand for and what is its significance?
Building Information Modelling (BIM) represents a new approach to planning and is not, as is often thought, a piece of software, a licence or a certificate. BIM allows the simulation and optimisation of planning and construction processes of buildings using comprehensive digital models. When administering buildings over their entire life cycle, BIM offers considerable advantages compared to traditional planning methods, as it allows access to detailed information about every building component at all times.
What does that mean in practice?
Planners should be prepared for the next evolutionary step in the planning of buildings and systems. In future, BIM will make planning work more detailed and more transparent, and requires a far greater level of cooperation. Digital building modelling requires a functioning IT infrastructure, to which all those involved in the planning work have access. All the data, drawings, models and documents are saved and managed centrally. Changes are visible to everyone instantaneously.
The great advantage of BIM is that all those involved the project always share the same volume of information. If changes are made, then they have an immediate impact on the whole project. If, for example, a door is modified in the object database, then the door is also changed in all the plans and documents in which it was used. This drastically reduces the number of errors, even during the planning process ‒ along with the costs for correcting errors during the construction process ‒ and also increases planning security.
The planners involved normally use comprehensive databases, from which they can draw all kinds of components for planning work and depict them in the planning programs. Planning using the BIM method requires that these components and objects are as detailed as possible and are used centrally with standardised parameters. In the context of BIM development, not only the 3D models of the object become more detailed, but also a series of other information is saved directly on the object. This means that all the information is available in a single location ‒ the most important basic principle of BIM. Here, OBO Bettermann can support planners in planning on various platforms through the provision of the required project data.
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If you have questions about BIM and planning software, then please get in touch with us!
Stefan Gesing