BIM

Building Information Modeling

What, Who, Where, When, Why, and How?

What is BIM?
BIM Definition: A modeling technology and associated set of
process to produce, communicate, and analyze building models.
Building models are characterized by:
Building components that are represented with intelligent digital representations (objects)
that know what they are, and can be associated with computable graphic and data attributes
and parametric rules.
Components that include data that describe how they behave, as needed for analyses
and work processes, e.g., takeoff, specification, and energy analysis.
Consistent and non-redundant data such that changes to component data and represented
in all views of the component.
Coordinated data such that all views of a model are represented in a coordinated way.

Mortensons Definition of BIM Technology

BIM has its roots in computer-aided design research from decades ago, yet it still has no
single, widely-accepted definition. We at the M.A. Mortenson Company think of it as an
intelligent simulation of architecture. To enable us to achieve integrated delivery, this
simulation must exhibit six key characteristics. It must be:
Digital
Spatial (3D)
Measurable
Comprehensive
Accessible
Durable

Definition of Parametric Objects

The concept of parametric objects is central to understanding BIM and its differentiation
from traditional 2D objects. Parametric BIM objects are defined as follows:
Associated data and rules
Non-redundantly
Automatically modify associated geometries
Different level of aggregation
Object feasibility
Link to or receive, broadcast or export sets of attributes

What Can BIM Do?

Estimating

3D
Model

Construction
Model

Site
Coordination

Scheduling and
Animation

Design
Review

Who Use BIM, For What, and Benefits of

BIM?
Architect, Designers, and Engineers:
Space planning and program compliance
Energy (environmental analysis)
Design configuration/scenario planning
Building system analysis/simulation
Design communication/review
Quantity take-off and cost estimation
Design coordination (clash detection)
Benefits:
Ensure project requirements are met
Improve sustainability and energy efficiencies
Design quality communication
Building performance and quality
Communication
More reliable and accurate estimates
Reduce field errors and reduce construction costs

Who Use BIM, For What, and Benefits of

BIM?
Contractor and Estimator:
Quantity take-off and cost estimation
Design coordination (clash detection)
Benefits:
More reliable and accurate estimates
Reduce field errors and reduce construction costs
Contractors, Scheduler, and Fabricators:
Schedule simulation/4D
Project controls
Pre-fabrication
Benefits:
Communicate schedule visually
Track project activities
Reduce onsite labor and improve design quality

Who Use BIM, For What, and Benefits of

BIM?
Owner:
Pro forma analysis
Operation simulation
Asset management
Benefits:
Improve cost reliability
Building performance and maintainability
Facility and asset management
Construction Manager
Subcontractor
Manufacturer Supplier
Facility Users
Facility Managers

Where is Bim Use?

When Is BIM Use?

Project Initiation
100% Schematic
100% Design Development
100% Construction Document
Project Complete

Why Use BIM?

How BIM is Done?

BIM Tools
Revit
Bentley Systems
ArchiCAD
Digital Project
AutoCAD-based Application
Tekla Structures
DProfiler

BIM Tools (Revit)

Revit
Introduce by Autodesk in 2002
Leader for the use in BIM
gbXML interface for energy simulation and load analysis
Direct interface to ROBOT and RISA structural analysis
Conceptual design tool
2D section of detailing
View interface: DGN, DWG, DWF, DXF, IFC, SAT, SKP, AVI, ODBC, gbXML, BMP,
JPG, TGA, TIF
Strength:
Functionality is well-design and user-friendly
Broad set of object libraries
Direct link interface
Bi-directional drawing
Weakness:
Slow down on project larger than 200MB
Limitation on parametric rules with angles

BIM Tools (Bentley Systems)

Bentley Systems
Introduce in 2004 by Bentley Architecture
Integrated with others Bentley software
Strength:
Broad range of building tools
Supports modeling with complex curved surfaces
Multiple support for custom parametric objects
Provide scalable support for large projects
Weakness:
Large and non-integrated user interface
Hard to learn and navigate
Less extensive object libraries

BIM Tools (ArchiCAD)

ArchiCAD
Produce by Graphisoft in early 80s
Serve MAC platform in addition to Windows
Support range of direct interface
Contains extensive object libraries
Suite interfaces for energy and sustainability
OBDC interface
Strength:
Intuitive interface and relatively simple to use
Large object libraries
Rich suite in supporting applications in
construction facility management
Only strong BIM product for MAC
Weakness:
Limitation to parametric modeling
Encounter scaling problem with large project
Partition large project to manage them

BIM Tools (Digital Project)

Digital Project
Develop by Gehry Technologies
Require a powerful workstation to run well
Able to handle even the largest projects
Model any type of surfaces
Support elaborate custom parametric objects
Strength:
Complete parametric modeling capabilities for
controlling surfaces and assemblies
Relies on 3D parametric modeling for most detailing
Weakness:
Steep learning curve
Complex user interface
High initial cost
Limited object libraries (including external)
Architectural drawing are not well developed
Output section to drafting systems for completion

BIM Tools (AutoCAD-based Application)

AutoCAD-based Application
Architectural Desktop ( ADT)
Autodesk original 3D building modeling
tool prior to Revit
Provide a transition for 2D to BIM
Relies on AutoCAD well-known
capabilities for drawing production
Interface: DGN, DWG, DWF, DXF, and IFC
Strength:
Easy to adopt for AutoCAD user
Drafting functionality and interface
Weakness:
Not parametric modeling
Limited interface to other applications
Scaling problem

BIM Tools (Tekla Structures)

Tekla Structures
Offered by Tekla Corp.
Multiple divisions: building and construction, infrastructure and energy
Support fabrication-level detailing of precast concrete structure and
facades
Structural analysis
Interface: IFC, DWG, CIS/2 DTSV, SNDF, DGN, and DXF
Export CNC
Strength:
Model structures that incorporate all kinds of structural materials
Support very large model
Concurrent operations on some projects
Multiple simultaneous users
Support complex parametric custom component libraries
Weakness:
Too complex to learn and fully utilize
Parametric component require sophisticated operators with high skill
Not able to import complex multi-curved surfaces
Relatively expensive

BIM Tools (Dprofiler)

Dprofiler
Product of Beck Technologies in Dallas, Texas
Provide feedback for construction cost and time
User gain a set of drawing with financial and schedule
reporting
Can input own cost data or data from RS Means
Support Sketchup and DWG
Interface with Excel and DWG
Strength:
Market as a closed system for feasibility studies before
actual design begins
Ability to generate quick economic assessments
Weakness:
Not a general purpose of BIM tool
Purpose is economic evaluation of construction project
Interface to support development in BIM
Design tools is limited to 2D DWG files

BIM Tools
AutoCAD-based Application
Strength:
Weakness:
Tekla Structures
Strength:
Weakness:
DProfiler
Strength:
Weakness:

What is Not BIM Tools

Models that contain 3D data only and no object attributes
Models with no support of behavior
Models that are composed of multiple 2D CAD reference files that must be combined to
define the building
Models that allow changes to dimensions in one view that are not automatically reflected in
other views

BIM Facts/Case Study

BIM Terms
Authoritative Standard: A data Standard considered the authority for that type of data. It
is usually managed by an association that has as its charter sustaining that data.
Authoritative data is data required in the BIM process and must have a point of reference for
data fidelity and validity in a BIM product. UniFormat and OmniClass are examples of
authoritative standards proposed for NBIM Standard data.
buildingSMART: Created to spearhead technical, political, and financial support for
advanced digital technology in the real property industry from concept, design and
construction through operations and management the new buildingSMART Alliance
operates within the independent nonprofit National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS)
Building Lifecycle Interoperable Software (BLIS): A project of IAI-International, BLIS
Project was conceived as a way to initiate the next logical phase in the widespread adoption
of an object data model standard for the AEC/FM industry. Through implementation and
cooperation commitment by a large number of software vendors the project has a goal of
removing the wait and see delays in implementing IFC-based software.
http://blis-project.org/

BIM Terms
Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN): a process and graphic notation conventions
used to design and capture existing business processes, as well as the simulation of new ones.
BPMN is used requirement definition and the Model View Definition processes.
CIMsteel Integration Standards Release 2: Second Edition (CSI/2): Published by The
Steel Construction Institute CIMsteel Integration Standards (CIS/2.1), a set of formal
computing specifications that allow software vendors to make their engineering applications
mutually compatible. http://www.cis2.org/
Construction Specifications Institute (CSI): CSI is a national association dedicated to
creating standards and formats to improve construction documents and project delivery. The
organization is unique in the industry in that its members are a cross section of specifiers,
architects, engineers, contractors and building materials suppliers. www.csinet.org
Harmonization: Comparison and normalization of two or more similar standards including
issues such as scope, specifications, guidance or implementation.

BIM Terms
IFCxml: xml which has been developed to map to the IFC data model.
http://www.iai-international.org/Model/IFC(ifcXML)Specs.html
Information Value-Chain: As with other industries, and information value-chain needs to
be developed around well understood workflows in order to have a collaborative
enviroment, the incorporation of NBIMS into software applications supports this valuechain development.
Industry Foundation Dictionary (IFD): Created by IAI-International, this international
construction thesaurus currently supporting several languages. CSI in managing this
activity in the US. It is used to support various NBIMS Initiative activities.
http://ifd-library.com/
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED): An initiative of the U.S.
Green Buildings Council. www.usgbc.org/leed

BIM Terms
Roadmaps: The overall implementation strategy documents from various groups used to set
the definition, direction, sequence and usually milestones for an initiative. For example, the
FIATECH Capital Facilities Technology Roadmap.
http://www.fiatech.org/projects/roadmap/cptri.htm
Owner/Architect/Engineer/Contractor/ (OAEC or A/E/C/O): Common term used to
describe as a group the principal actors/stakeholders during buildings design and
construction projects.

Formats
Image (raster) Formats (JPG, GIF, TIF, BMP, PIC, PNG, RAW, TGA, RLE)
Raster formats vary in terms of compactness, number of possible colors per pixel, some
compress with some data loss.
2D Vector Formats (DXF, DWG, AI, CGM, EMF, IGS, WMF, DGN)
Vector formats vary regarding compactness, line widths and pattern control, color, layering
and types of curves supported.
3D Surface and Shape Formats (3DS, WRL, STL, IGS, SAT, DXF, DWG, OBJ, DGN,
PDF(3D), XGL, DWF, U3D, IPT, PTS)
3D surface and shape formats vary according to the types of surfaces and edges represented,
whether they represent surfaces and/or solids, any material properties of the shape (color,
image bitmap, texture map) or viewpoint information.
3D Object Exchange Formats (STP, EXP, CIS/2)
Product data model formats represent geometry according to the 2D and 3D represented.
They also carry object properties and relations between objects.

Formats
Game Formats (RWQ, X, GOF, FACT)
Game file formats vary according to the types of surfaces, whether they carry hierarchical
structure, types of material properties, texture and bump map parameters, animation and
skinning. (RWQ, X, GOF, FACT)
GIS formats (SHP, SHX, DBF, DEM, NED)
Geographical information systems formats
XML Formats (AecXML, Obix, AEX, bcXML, AGCxml)
XML schemas developed for the exchange of building data. They vary according to the
information exchanges and the workflows supported.

BIM Sources
Online Sources
Hardin, Brad (2009). BIM and Construction Management PROVEN TOOLS, METHODS,
AND WORKFLOWS. Indianapolis, ID, Wiley Publishing, Inc.
Eastman, Chuck, et. al. (2008). BIM Handbook A Guide to Building Information Modeling
for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Contractors. Hoboken, NJ, John Wiley &
Sons, Inc.