Design is a process that evolves along with the tools available to engineers and architects. A few decades ago, designers created drawings manually, and more than a century ago, people built buildings that still seem grand and impressive, without even using a cull. Today, BIM technologies (Building Information Modeling) have replaced traditional methods, which not only simplify the work, but also change the very thinking of specialists. Let’s look at what changes the use of BIM has brought to the design approach.
What is BIM?
BIM (Building Information Modeling) is the process of creating and managing digital models containing all information about a project. This approach allows engineers, architects, and customers to work in a single digital space where they can see and interact with every structural element in an object.
Changing the mindset of engineers
BIM technologies are not just a new tool, but also a way to see design from a different angle. When an engineer works with a three-dimensional model, he literally immerses himself in the project. Dimensions that previously could only be perceived as numbers in a drawing are becoming three-dimensional objects in BIM. For example, when arranging equipment in a model, specialists begin to treat important aspects such as:
Access for maintenance;
Fertilizer operation;
The logic of the placement of engineering systems.
This is especially valuable for novice engineers. Previously, many nuances were obvious only to experienced professionals, but other three-dimensional visualization helps even beginners to understand them.
The relationship of solutions
One of the key aspects of working in BIM is a change in the approach to the interaction of specialists. In traditional design practice, engineers worked with substrates– files that needed to be exchanged, updated, verified, and coordinated. This process was not only time-consuming, but also increased the likelihood of errors.
With the advent of BIM, the usual task exchange is becoming a thing of the past. All project participants work within the same model, where the changes made by each specialist are immediately visible. This allows you to:
– Quickly coordinate solutions;
– Exclude intersections of engineering systems;
– Reduce the time spent searching for errors.
This way, the work becomes softer and more efficient, and the design becomes transparent.
Depth and detail of solutions
One of the most significant changes was the increase in the level of detail of projects. BIM allows you to develop not only the overall appearance of the building, but also to produce every detail: from the location of pipes to the type of fasteners for engineering systems. This, in turn, helps:
- Prevent mistakes during the construction phase;
- Reduce costs through accurate calculations;
- Improve the operational characteristics of buildings.
Many of these aspects have not been studied or finalized on the construction site. BIM takes this work to the design stage, which makes the process more predictable.
Excellence for all participants
BIM is beneficial not only to designers, but also to customers, builders and operational services. Here’s how this technology affects different stages:
- Design: Reducing the time needed to agree on solutions and eliminate errors.
- Construction: Accurate calculations of the volume of materials and minimization of changes in the construction process.
- Operation: Access to all information about the building, which simplifies maintenance and modernization.
BIM technologies are not just a fashionable tool, but a real revolution in the design approach. They allow not only to see buildings and engineering systems in volume, but also to change the thinking of specialists, enhance the design culture and improve interaction between participants. The USE of BIM is already becoming the standard in the construction industry, and its impact will only grow.
