True or False? 5 Facts About BIM
As revolutionary as Building Information Modelling (BIM) is, there are still some that believe the old way of designing and constructing buildings is better. This belief often comes from those who haven’t used the construction software extensively enough to have ironed out all of the initial bugs … and they often give rise to some quite incorrect points of view! Today we are busting BIM myths, and explaining why transitioning to the system is always worth it for structural engineers, architects and construction professionals.
True or False: BIM Isn’t Worth the Changeover Time
Just like any major change in a business’s operating methods, there is lag time before an investment starts being profitable. In the case of building information modeling, though, the profit potential is very real! When you consider:
- The cost of hardware and software
- The Monthly labour cost
- Training time
- Lost productivity during training
- And the productivity gain after training
BIM always helps firms come out ahead. In the rare exceptional cases, it has often occurred that the firm decided to move back to the old system before allowing the BIM processes time to mature.
True or False: BIM Can’t Be Used on Existing Buildings
BIM can be used with existing buildings to support the process of renovations and extensions, in both small and large projects. The system is just as useful for individual houses as it is for massive corporate buildings. You can input basic parameters about the structure
True or False: You Can Design Sustainably Just as Easily Without BIM
In terms of design, it is possible to create equally ‘sustainable’ buildings without the aid of BIM. Note though, that just because it is ‘possible’ doesn’t mean that it is ‘just as easy’! BIM aids in performing energy analysis on a building during the design phase, looking at daylighting and how it will change throughout the building, reducing waste and inefficient use of materials. All this is inherent in the BIM process.
True or False: Small Projects Don’t Need BIM
Australian users have successfully used BIM on a range of projects, starting at 20 tonnes of steel. This ranges up to 800 tonnes of steel for the same company, and of course the cost savings are much easier to see at the larger end of the building scale. However, a busy architect working on many small projects at once will certainly see the benefits of BIM. It reduces the time taken in estimating materials, helps both the architect and customer visualize the end space, and allows for much faster interpretation of plans.
True or False: BIM Makes Costing a Job Much Easier
This one is true! By using a building information model rather than a 2D plan for parts estimating, takeoffs, counts and measurements can be generated directly from the model. If changes are made in the design, the 3D modelling software automatically changes all related documentation and schedules.
BIM has a myriad of benefits for both large and small structural engineering and construction firms. In the near future, it will be standard across the industry – and those that adopt earlier will have an innate competitive advantage.v
