Building Information Modeling Research Papers

1 Background: what is BIM (Building information modelling)?

1.1 What is BIM

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is one of most promising new technology in the construction industry. Accurate virtual models of buildings and other civil constructions, such as tunnel, highways are constructed digitally.

In US, The National Building Information Model Standard Project Committee defines BIM define BIM as

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. A BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition.

A basic premise of BIM is collaboration

Maybe BIM and parameter design seem as a new technology invented in recent 15 years. But the parameter design have a long history before the 2-D drawing design method. In the ancient Greek and Roman era, there were no pencil, rubber or descripted geometer drawing technique. The ancient architects designed their tempers and palace by make a small model, and label every components of the model with identification number, geometer parameters and other important information. In construction stage, the worker will also labelled each part of the building and install it in correct position and consequence.

1.2 Some potential benefit could offer to users.

To the owners and facility managers:

1. Increase building value by BIM-based energy analysis to improve building performance. Such as saving energy by reduce heating

Automatic and accurate preparation of bill-of-material, cost and scheduling application, improved support for analysis the whole design process in 3d improve coordination and design review which lead to more accurate and faster design drawing

4. Enhance value engineering if necessary.

To the contractors, as the main contractor bear the duty to instruct subcontractor in site and from time to time, the main contractor need to draw their own shop-drawing, main contractor can also share some benefits in design area.

1. BIM is useful in coordinating a project and resolving design issues. For example, general contractors and subconsultants use BIM to see exactly how plumbing and mechanical systems are routed through a building that is under construction.

2. General contractors can put their construction schedules into the model to see a project's progress and make changes, if necessary. This functionality helps the general contractor phase a project by determining more accurately when to, for example, open a section of a remodeled building or close a corridor to allow work to proceed.

3. Site report to clients by having a virtual presentation of the project available on a laptop, the general contractor can share BIM information with the project's owner and make any necessary changes on the