Author: Paivepo Websmaster

  • 2D BIM

    2D BIM

    Introduction: Differentiating 2D BIM

    Right off the bat there is a need to clarify that this is not an article on BIM Levels, it is also not an article on BIM dimensions. Rather, it is an article that focuses on exploring the idea of integrating intelligent information in the 2D drafting method so that it becomes compatible with all BIM Levels and Dimensions. If find it necessary to spell this out as there is an inherent confusion around the meaning of dimension and levels and their relationship to drawing techniques. I realize that to label this idea as 2D BIM does not help the case but I find that it is an apt description of exactly what the idea entails so we will stick with it for the time being.

    Before we dive deep into the tenets of the idea, it is worth spending a bit of time on BIM Levels and BIM dimensions so that we gain clarity on what it is exactly that we are trying to achieve.

    Bim Dimensions

    Whilst originating from the need to differentiate between modelling geometry in 2D or 3D, BIM dimensions have evolved into a description of parameters which are used to categorize building information.

    • BIM 3D refers to information that describes the geometry of objects the three axes (x, y, z)
    • BIM 4D adds information that relates to time on top of BIM 3D (i.e. timelines schedules and durations)
    • BIM 5D adds information that relates to finance on top of BIM 4D (i.e. cost estimates, budgets etc.)
    • BIM 6D adds information that relates to sustainability on top of BIM 5D (i.e. embodied energy values of material, energy consumption of building etc.)
    • BIM 7D adds information that relates to Facilities Management
    • BIM 8D adds information that relates to Health and Safety

    Whilst there is a general industry consensus on BIM 3D to BIM 5D, the other BIM dimensions are still a topic of debate and should be taken in with a grain of salt. In addition, because of the background of BIM dimension in differentiating 2D geometry from 3D geometry, many consider BIM 2D as a valid BIM dimension which refers to information that describes geometry in 2 axes (x,y).

    A BIM model can be utilized for pre-defined specific purposes, commonly known as use-cases. According to project stage requirements and project complexity, specific parameters are added to the existing information contained in BIM. These additions of pre-defined used cases can be described as BIM dimensions.

    United-BIM

    An important aspect of this approach will be the level of detail to which the information is modelled

    Foundational Assumptions

    The basis of this idea resides in the understanding the Building Information Modelling fundamentally relates to the management of information that is structured in a specific way rather than the manner in which it is authored.

    The Benefits of 2D authoring

    Drawbacks of Traditional 2D authoring

    The SVG File Format

    Conceptual Framework of 2D BIM

    References

    https://www.thenbs.com/knowledge/bim-levels-explained
https://constructible.trimble.com/construction-industry/what-is-bim-building-information-modeling
https://www.indovance.com/knowledge-center/bim-levels-and-dimensions-explained/

    What are BIM Dimensions – 3D, 4D, 5D, 6D, and 7D BIM Explained | Definition & Benefits
  • Understanding Building Information Modelling (BIM) and OpenBIM

    Understanding Building Information Modelling (BIM) and OpenBIM

    The entire idea behind building information modelling is that we create structured, relational information with regards to how we build and manage buildings. Such information includes the geometric description of the building and its building components, the description of its assembly, cost, time, documentation and more. It is necessary that this information is relational in nature, so that a change to any one of the information components automatically updates any other relevant information to keep the description of the building project accurate.

    Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the holistic process of creating and managing information for a built asset. Based on an intelligent model and enabled by a cloud platform, BIM integrates structured, multi-disciplinary data to produce a digital representation of an asset across its lifecycle, from planning and design to construction and operations.

    Autodesk

    Once we have structured and interconnected our information, there is wisdom in keeping this information in a centralized storage location where it can be accessed from different locations, be it at site or in the office. This centralized storage location is called the CDE (Common Data Environment) and is typically set up as a cloud storage service to allow access from different locations. There is an inherent advantage in this common environment approach as it avoids information duplication and gives a single source truth. The alternative approach to this would have been to keep the information in multiple places, which has the drawback that some information would be updated whilst other information would not be.

    Once we have established that we need structured related data that is centrally stored, we begin to ponder on the question of who and how that information is put in this common data environment. Traditionally, construction is a collaborative industry that features multiple stakeholders with different roles and skillsets. Each of these stakeholders must be able to access the information on the CDE and utilize their own professional tools and methods to manipulate this data in a manner that is relevant to their particular profession.

    OpenBIM principles show an understanding of this collaborative nature of the built environment and focus on the accessibility, usability, management and sustainability of building information. Information is stored and exchanged in standardized information formats such as IFC (Industry Foundation Classes), BCF (BIM Collaboration Format), COBie (Construction Operations Building Information Exchange) and more. The idea here is to liberate information from its authoring tools thus allowing for better collaboration between different industry players. Whilst the ideal situation would be to have just one exchange format, the reality is that the is fragmented and thus different exchange formats have been developed to handle different use cases. The important thing though is that these different formats are open and accessible regardless of the software vendor

    The principles of openBIM recognise that:

    1. Interoperability is key to the digital transformation in the built asset industry
    2. Open and neutral standards should be developed to facilitate interoperability
    3. Reliable data exchanges depend on independent quality benchmarks
    4. Collaboration workflows are enhanced by open and agile data formats
    5. Flexibility of choice of technology creates more value to all stakeholders
    6. Sustainability is safeguarded by long-term interoperable data standards
    Building Smart

    As we begin adding building information to our CDE, we begin to realize that we are naturally creating an exact digital replication of the actual physical building, this is referred to as the digital twin. If we intentionally keep our digital twin UpToDate during the ideation, documentation, construction and lifecycle of the building, we accumulated a rich set of data that becomes beneficial in analyzing building performance, simulating different interest scenarios as well predicting maintenance programs, schedule and more.

    References

    https://www.autodesk.com/industry/aec/bim
https://constructible.trimble.com/bim/bim-explained-video-what-is-a-common-data-environment

    openBIM Definition
    
https://constructible.trimble.com/bim/why-bim-need-digital-twins