The AEC industry, now, is very well informed about BIM and its advantages. Many of the AEC firms have embraced this effectual BIM technology while others are approaching it gradually before BIM becomes a mandate in the coming run.
For those who are planning for BIM transition can view Overcoming the Barriers to BIM Adoption in AEC industry! And 6 Effective Ways To Get More Out Of BIM After Adoption
This new article of mine intends to highlight the Easy Steps to Initiate a BIM Pilot Project for
successful implementation. I am stressing on Pilot Project as – “The pilot projects have been considered to be one of the vital components of successful implementation plan for BIM.”
So, let’s take look and understand the steps to initiate a BIM Pilot Project:
Selection of a Pilot Project:
If the firm takes a decision to BIM transition, it is keen on knowing and confirming the effects of BIM implementation as well as unveil BIM capabilities. Pilot Project is the best exercise for this, but the selection of Pilot Project for BIM also plays an important role.
Following are some of the points which can be focused for selection of a Pilot Project:
Business needs and trend Complexity of the project
Availability of information for the project for comparisons
Use of the project & project delivery system
Application of the training of BIM tool:
There is no use of training unless it is applied on a live project or brought into practice. This is where Pilot Project comes into picture. This practice can also be used for evaluating the understanding of BIM grasped by the team so far
during the trainings.
It is also important that the users avoid switching back to traditional 2D CAD methodology and strives to achieve it through BIM tools opted by the firm as it can help them to be productive and apply their skills in the path of new
learning.
Undergo advanced training if needs demand:
The Pilot Project is helpful for understanding the new BIM tool as well as identifying the areas and requirement for advanced training.
It is evident that this transition is not so smooth sailing and the support of the management along with motivation for updating the skills of the users and would be a great booster for the team to go ahead with BIM for current and upcoming projects.
Evaluation of the Pilot Project, & Documentation of the BIM plan:
It is very important for a firm/organization to measure and evaluate the difference after transition to BIM and the respective increase in productivity.
Based on this, the team should define goals or alter the previous set road map as this will help them to achieve the optimum results for further projects.
Also, the documentation of hurdles faced while working on the Pilot Project, measuring the areas where BIM helped in enriching the design process will be aiding the team as well as management to solve them as well as assess the BIM
implementation respectively.
In closing, I would like to say that a successful pilot project is a true specimen to encourage the team towards Adapting to, Adopting & Implementing BIM in future projects.
And as I always say, BIM is the future of AEC industry. So, for the AEC industry, it is either Adopt BIM and reap in the rewards or remain left behind in the competition.
Since Revit is a multi discipline software, its Templates have special importance.
Templates primarily give user, basic environment required for any project and help to establish and maintain quality and consistency across projects of various types within a firm. They also save users a lot of time by setting up the necessary standards in advance so people don’t have to start from scratch every time. If you are a Revit Ninja, or you are just starting to get your feet wet, there are definitely a few things you will want to avoid.
Don’t load in all your firm’s content and typical details into your Revit template. The template will become too heavy and unusable. Instead, consider using ‘Resource Files’ – (See rest of article below)
Don’t place Useless information on your landing page. You will train your team not to use it, and ultimately disregard it when they are working on their project. Only place useful information such as project information that needs to be coordinated, such as wall penetrations, important milestones, or when the model was last purged.
Don’t place content in the template that encourages non-data centered workflows, i.e. filled regions to represent wall fire ratings. Pre-bake intelligent view templates with view filters that can work in harmony with you Building elements.
And have some guides for having a good Revit template with an absolutely blank file flow step by step:
Start
There are 2 ways to create a Revit template
Start with the out of the box Revit templates located here:
For 2017 – C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RVT 2017\Templates\US Imperial/ and do a ‘save as’.
For 2018 – C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RVT 2018\Templates\US Imperial/ and do a ‘save as’.
In the template, find the origin. It may seem silly now, but when you realize it isn’t where you thought later. In the old days it meant imported a CLEAN .dwg with nothing but an X drawn at 0,0,0 Origin to Origin, marking that spot with reference planes, and pinning it. Now, you can turn on the Project Base Point / Survey point, and mark THAT with reference planes.
In the template, find the origin. It may seem silly now, but when you realize it isn’t where you thought later. In the old days it meant imported a CLEAN .dwg with nothing but an X drawn at 0,0,0 Origin to Origin, marking that spot with reference planes, and pinning it. Now, you can turn on the Project Base Point / Survey point, and mark THAT with reference planes.
You can them Origin N/S and Origin E/W, pin them, and call it a day. Then, open your first blank TITLEBLOCK, and do the CAD trick, import the dwg OTO, and mark that with reference planes. Pin. Save as “1st titleblock” and close.
Prior to start a new project file, you have to create the bellows:
– Create Annotations first. NOT doing these first is why there is a reputation that Revit cant look like your office used too. You start with the Imperial Library folder called “Annotations.” If you’re in RME or RST it is different, but I do the same thing there, with the appropriate folder. If Autodesk has one in there, chances are you need it. Edit Family, Save As (to an entirely new directory) and start making annotations that look like what you firms standards are. Note: Labels are family specific, so figure out the firm font style, size, etc, first. Make them all, then save them all in your Firms Annotations folder. Load them all in the template, and start assigning them to the system families. Remember that some annotations have funky “type settings” under Manage > Additional Settings.
Note: There is a reason were doing the NON-model stuff first. Everyone jumps in head first. They get so far ahead they don’t have time to cover the basics, then they wonder why they don’t have time to cover the basics. If youre fast, you can get through all of this non model stuff in two days, and be on your way.
– Titleblocks. You need them, to make drawings. Remember that Origin starter title block you made? That origin will always be the BOTTOM and LEFT of your title blocks. Do Save As a few times, make the sizes you need, expanding the title block to the right, and the top. I use Jpegs for images, not .dwg or Filled Regions. It has no ill effects, besides a few bizarre printing issues with KIP plotters and drivers.
– Viewport Types. Depending on your office standard, this might be 1, or 50. Viewports are one of the system families that use embedded regular families, which mean instance parameters don’t do much (anything) for you. So the bottom line is: If you are “office drawing title” consists of “stuff on the left” and an extension line, you can do it in one Viewport Type. If it’s a series of lines of boxes or text on the right side as well, you’ll need a lot.
– Content. Time to build some System Families. Your office probably has standardized walls. Start putting them together, and filling in the correct Type Marks. Research “Core boundary,” “Function,” “Assembly Code,” etc. All things that get left out, but which MIGHT benefit you. NOTE: The moment you have to build a wall type, you’ll use Materials. Start thinking about that, but im going to ignore it for now. Materials is too big to get on the first pass. After walls, things you should put in: Standard Floors, Ceilings, Roofs, Curtain Walls, Curtain Panels, Mullions / Profiles*, Windows. (*The OOTB Mullion profiles have it MOSTLY right. Adding in a bunch of parameters, and breaking the detail component in to 4 separate pieces, gives you a LOT of flexibility).
– Doors. We can left them out of the Content section. Break out your companies Door Schedule. If its in the schedule, and its important, you’ll need a (SHARED) parameter for it in the Door Family. Start yours from Scratch. Throw out the OOTB ones. Research Nested Panels and Nested Frames. If built correctly, all doors can schedule together: Regulars and Curtain Panels alike.
– Cartoon your sheets, place your schedules. This may seem silly, but we just made the door schedule, right? Did we drop it on a sheet? Why not? We do it once in the template, or they do it once in every project. In fact, take this opportunity to Cartoon your set of typical drawing sheets, and to place typical stuff on them. Drawing List. Does it always go on the cover sheet? Put it there. Room finish schedule. Door Schedule. Annotation Legend. General notes. Cover images. Ceiling Plan legends. Drop it on the sheets. Once now, or once on every job. (In the “second round” we will make an entire set of ‘Design Drawings’ too…)\
– Create some Views. There are some Views you are just ALWAYS going to have, right? Floor Plan- First Floor. RCP- First Floor. Finish Plan- First Floor. Elevations (Exterior)
Start with a project file.
The nice thing about this workflow is you may already have your sheets set up, view templates, and your view browser dialed in. The downside is there will be a fair amount of clean up removing all elements of your project file leaving it an empty for the next project to start from.
If the file has work sharing enabled and a central file created, you will have to begin by detaching it from central.
You have to “Detach and discard worksets”. This process essentially disables worksharing and allows you to save-as a Revit template
Save-As Template. Please note this feature would not be available if you did not complete the above “Detach and discard worksets”.
Configure Revit Template Options
Once you have created your template you will want to configure your office’s machines to look at the Revit template. You will do this by going to all the user’s machines in the office and setting it in options.
You can hit the “+” symbol and navigate to your newly created Revit template.
You can remove the other templates that are not necessary by hitting the “-” symbol.
*This is also a good opportunity to set the location for where you want your local files saved. Decide where your content will live. On the office network, somewhere all Revit users can access. Do this first. Make the directory. Keep your “Office Content” separate from the Autodesk content. It will help you year to year.
Hit “OK”.
This will ensure that when you start a new project that your template will show by default.
View Templates
View Templates are imperative for any Revit template. We can’t survive in Revit without View Templates. A view template is a collection of view properties, such as view scale, discipline, detail level, and visibility settings controlled globally in your project. In short, view templates create consistency and efficiency for your project.
Go through and pick the scale, visibility settings, etc. that you want for your view template. One little subtle check box that either people don’t know exist, or they know it exists, but it confuses them from time to time is the “Include” column. The “Include” column unchecked will NOT apply the settings for that particular row. Why would you want that? For example, let say that you have an overall plan at 1/32″=1′-0″ and a typical floor plan 1/8″=1′-0″, and you want them to have the same visibility settings with the exception of the scale. Simply uncheck the “Include” checkbox for scale, and you can have ALL the same visibility settings in your view template with the exception of the scale.
Want to take your efficiency to another level? Set your type properties for your views, and every new view you create will automatically have the desired view template applied to it!
Research Filters help you separate them by group. You can select things by criterion, to either remove them from a view (uncheck visibility) or alter them. We have about 20 that are in every view, by default. Interior Finish Walls, Exterior Finish Walls, Building Sections, Wall Sections, (since annotations > sections grabs them all at once), demo sections (here is how you turn them off at once), Grids- Major, Grids Minor, Not in Contract, For Reference Only, Door Panels, Door Frames (if you nest them, and want to turn them off for Tag All Not Tagged). If you can put data in it, you can Filter for it.
Resource Files
A lot of firms want to know if they should have a “heavy template” or a “Light Template”. I’m more of a light template guy augmented with resource files. What’s a resource file or a container file? A resource file is a Revit project file that holds information that you would like to copy/paste into your project. For example, you may not want to load your entire casework library into your Revit template, but you could put it into a separate Revit project file, and copy/paste it in.
The other nice thing about Resource files is that they are visual. You are no longer “double clicking your life away” as I like to say, hunting and pecking through endless rows of folders. Rather you can see your content visually and simply copy/paste it into your project.
Another great example of this is general building details. You don’t necessarily want to bring any and every detail into your template. If you do this, all the detail components reside in your template making your template larger than it needs to be. A better approach is to create a general building details resource file and use the insert view from file command to bring specific details into your project on an as-needed basis.
All BIM guidelines in the world include 4 major parts:
– Project Execution Plan (PEP)
– Modeling Methodology (MM)
– Levels of Detail (LODs)
– BIM protocol and information organization (P&O)
Until 2015 in the USA, some independent departments of states published 47 BIM guidelines, standards to implement BIM efficiently, in which 17 were published by the government office and 30 were published by non-profit organizations. General Services Administration (GSA) plans to publish 8 BIM independent instructions.
They have published 6 instructions during 2007 to 2011 and a further 2 instructions are to be published. National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) published 2 BIM standard versions and prepared to publish the 3rd. In addition, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Association of General Contractors (AGC), universities, states and cities also published their BIM guidelines and standards. In which, publishers of Pennsylvania state university and the Association of contractors have covered all 4 major parts mentioned above. However a number of BIM guidelines developed do not cover all the 4 major parts well, i.e. the Level of Details (LOD’s).
Today in Europe there are over 34 BIM instructions and standards, in which, 18 have been published in United Kingdom by Construction Industry Council (CIC), BIM Task Group, British Standards Institution (BSI), AEC-UK, 6 have been published in Norway by Statsbygg – a government department and Norway Association of construction. There are BIM guidelines developed in Finland, Denmark, and Sweden, where the BIM application instructions are set out for buildings, infrastructure and bridges. It is noteable that almost all publishers in Europe lacks 2 parts: PEP and LODs. Only the BIM specification of AEC-UK covers all of the 4 parts.
In Asia, there are over 35 BIM protocols, in which, 12 were published by Singapore Building Construction Authority (BCA) and other government departments. Others BIM protocols have been published in Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
These are similar to Europe in that all lack 2 parts: PEP and LODs. Only version 2 of BCS has covered the full 4 parts. This clearly shows that the countries in the world, which have applied BIM, published several BIM instructions and standards are focusing the requirements to their industry adoption. However in my opinion we need a recognised more rounded, regional or international BIM guideline, standard, specification to get more adoption and benefits for the wider BIM community.
In this latest release of InfraWorks, you are now able to make changes to GIS data that was imported from ArcGIS Online and Enterprise. With proper permissions to ArcGIS, those changes made in InfraWorks can be saved back to the ArcGIS Feature Service. For example, you may have brought sanitary sewer manhole and pipe data from ArcGIS into InfraWorks. Within your InfraWorks model, you may wish to change the location of that manhole and pipe location to meet your design requirements. Once you make that change, you simply select the data source from ArcGIS Online and select to ‘save back’ to save those changes back to ArcGIS. Now in ArcGIS Online, we simply refresh the web browser and the new locations of the manhole and pipe are shown.
Enhanced control of design manipulations
Extended Schema Tool
In order to meet BIM requirements, an aggregated model with deep metadata is often required and the schema tool helps simplify the process of managing this data. The new release of InfraWorks allows users to add new properties and information to the elements of their project. Customize data for objects in a model through the extended schema transfer tool. The data can be expanded with multiple fields and each element can be documented as needed. The schema tool can be applied to buildings, parcels, roadways, utilities, and a host of other InfraWorks elements.
Cut and Fill Display
InfraWorks now allows the user to control the cut and fill display on roads. Selecting the material display in the grading option, allows the user to specify the color or material by the impact, cut or fill. Clearly view impacted areas and make design revisions as needed. This feature will greatly help to enhance roadway and concept layouts within InfraWorks.
Spreadsheet-based edits
It is now possible to make adjustments to bridge structures using a convenient spreadsheet technique. The structure parameters are saved to a spreadsheet where multiple edits can be made to multiple areas of the structure at one time. These changes are then saved back into the spreadsheet and the structure model can then be updated. This method of making multiple changes across is particularly efficient for customers working on large bridge projects where changes in many areas of the structure may be required.
From pencil to paper and 3D, 4D, or even 5D BIM— there’s no doubt things are rapidly changing in the construction industry. CAD is transforming the way we work – and will continue in the future.
Computer technology has offered both design and manufacturing industries many advantages when it comes to managing processes and concentrating efforts on increasing overall efficiency and productivity. A lot of time previously spent on lengthy design and correction processes by hand, has been saved by the introduction of Computer Aided Design.
All about CAD
The introduction of Computer Aided Design (CAD) has led to an increase in productivity all over the world. CAD is the use of computer technology to help design a product and contains all the activities of a design process. This makes it possible to develop a concept idea into a product to be manufactured, including all the associated specifications. Engineers use CAD software to increase design productivity, improve design quality, improve communication through documentation and create a database for production.
Different types of CAD software
Within CAD, a distinction is made between three systems:
2D systems, which are used to make technical drawings;
2½D systems, which are an extension of depth for CNC-controlled machines (Computer Aided Manufacturing);
3D systems, which work with wire, surface, volume or solid models.
The step after 3D systems is BIM (Building Information Modelling), which has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. However, the concept of BIM is actually not new and dates 30 years back, while the term BIM itself has been in circulation for approximately 15 years.
A brief history of BIM
1975
The first document to describe a concept now known as BIM was Charles M. Eastman’s description of a working prototype Building Description System, published in the AIA Journal in 1975. This was the first time that interactively defined elements were used, where information on matters like floor plan, facade, perspective, and section was contained in the same description of an element. All changes only needed to be made once, as modifications in all other drawings would happen accordingly. Data on costs, quantities and materials could easily be generated.
1986
The first time the term Building Modeling was used as we know it, was in an article by Robert Aish in 1986. Aish stated that in order for CAD to be effective in multidisciplinary teams, information should be represented in an appropriate way, for example in a 3D view. He coined that an integrated CAD system could be a solution to facilitate the coordination and consistency of design information.
1992
From Building Modeling, it was just a small step to Building Information Model or BIM, which was used for the first time in a piece ‘Automation in Construction‘ from 1992 by G.A. van Nederveen and F. Tolman. This paper presented an approach in which aspect models from different participants in a building project together made up a building reference model.
BIM today
Today, BIM is described as a working method in which a 3D Building Information Model (BIM) integrates the collaboration of various disciplines in the construction industry.
The standardization committee of the American National BIM Standard describes 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.”
So a BIM model as we know it today is a resource to be used throughout the construction process: from first design, during construction, during management and operation to the demolition of the building.
From 3D to 4D, 5D and 6D BIM
Across the world, BIM adoption and standards vary but the fact that BIM is transforming the way we work in construction rings true everywhere. While some firms are taking the first steps from 2D to 3D design, others are already taking the step from 3D to 4D, 5D or even 6D BIM:
4D-BIM: adds visual clarity to the building plan.
5D-BIM: adds two features to 3D-BIM: cost and materials. In addition to the standard design parameters, extra details such as geometry, aesthetics, thermal and acoustic properties are now also included in a project. It’s possible to estimate the effect of a decision on the cost of a design at an early stage.
6D-BIM: is about lifecycle management and potentially offers a lot of added value for large projects. 6D-BIM is focused on the long-term, including data for maintenance and sustainability, which has been added at an early stage.
The future of CAD: Generative Design
The use of CAD has grown strongly over the years and has changed radically – and will continue to do so over time. The most important aspects of future CAD technologies and software will be convenience and speed. The design process should ultimately be made faster, more efficient and easier.
With generative design, these 3 objectives can be achieved.
Generative design software uses the design objectives and parameters entered, such as material, construction or manufacturing method and costs, and the computing power of the cloud. Based on the objectives and parameters, the cloud computing power generates several design options. These options can be very complex: it would take days or weeks to devise and develop them yourself in the3D CAD software that’s currently available. And, thanks to 3D printing technology, it will be possible to actually produce such complex design options.
Generative design will shift the role of designers, engineers, and modelers. From using the computer as a drawing tool, engineers will co-create with technology and focus on setting goals and criteria. Ultimately, determining the best design will be left to technology.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) brings many benefits to the construction industry due to which it is largely accepted worldwide and adopted by many countries. In 1986, the term BIM came into existence, and since then it is transforming the construction industry. Countries that are majorly using BIM Modeling have a rich site in the infrastructure phase which in turn helps to bring improvements in productivity and cost-savings to all the AEC industry.
Countries who have adopted BIM
United Kingdom
The UK aims to enhance the mindset practice of all the designers, contractors and engineers to obtain new work and growth opportunities. BIM gets mandated in the UK since April 2016 where every construction and the entire government project are held on BIM Level 2. According to the National BIM Report 2018 NBS, After BIM mandatory 20% of industry have started adopting it successfully and attained a 12% increase since 2017. BIM is implemented prevalently everywhere in all the projects.
United States
BIM implemented in the United States since the early 1970s but being the early adopter, it didn’t gain the United States any advantages and instead the process of using BIM has slowed down. United States Government has still not thought of making BIM mandatory. The US General Services Administration (GSA) prepared 3D and 4D BIM Program way back in 2003. This program got BIM adoption mandated for all the Public Buildings Service Projects. Wisconsin was the first state from the United States who has implemented BIM for public works with a budget of $5 million. Gradually BIM adoption is increasing its awareness in the United States and has positively impacted on the AEC industry. United States holds 72% of BIM adoption by the construction Companies.
Singapore
BIM is identified as the core element for Singapore to become the smartest nation Construction, and Real Estate Network, or CORENET, the Building & Construction Authority have implemented the use of BIM e-submission in the construction industry, making it mandatory in 2015 for all the projects greater than 5000 Sq. Mts. In recent years, the government of Singapore has showcased productivity in the construction industry due to which BIM adoption has been seen as strategic actions. The BCA came up with BIM collaboration roadmap throughout virtual design and construction which facilities the use of BIM for Facility Management and Smart Nation.
France
In 2014, The French government developed BIM standards for infrastructure projects along with using BIM to make 5, 00,000 houses by 2017. The government had allocated Euro 20 million to digitalize the building industry due to which in the nearer future BIM will be mandatory in public procurement. For the construction industry in France, the government has taken the initiative as Digital Transition Plan which aimed at achieving sustainability and reduces costs, since after this in 2017 BIM gets mandated in France.
Germany
Around 90% of owners are demanding to use BIM and laid its emphasis on the commercial and the residential buildings. The German government still relies on the conventional method used by the AEC industry which has not fully accepted BIM adoption and for which in 2015 government announced Digital Building Platform plan to be developed. It is believed that by 2020 BIM will be mandatory for public infrastructure projects.
China
In 2001, BIM implementation in China had been in the discussion by the Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Housing and Urban-rural Development. According to a survey conducted, it was concluded that less than 15% of companies were using BIM. MOHURD in its 12th Five-Year Plan proposed a plan for improvisation work in the construction industry and said that BIM is not mandating to use. National standard of BIM practices has begun and approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. By the end of 2020, BIM will be used effectively more by construction firms. In 2009, Hong Kong Building Information Modeling (HKBIM) was incorporated. Many government authorities have started focusing on UK Level 2 Standards and give training for the same.
Scandinavia
Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden have been the early adopters of BIM technologies. Finland had implemented BIM technology since 2002 and by 2007 Finland mandated that all the design software must be verified with Industry Foundation Class (IFC) Certification. IFC is a file format that can be used for shared models and can work independently on any piece of design software.
In Denmark, BIM mandated its state clients, Palace and Properties Agency, Defence Construction Service to adopt BIM practices while several private firms are working on Research and Development for BIM adoption practices.
Sweden ranks high in BIM adoption practices, and best practices guides for the same have already been published even in the absence of government-led guidelines. The government also has taken initiatives to facilitate its implementation and public organization to mandate the use of BIM in 2015.
The civil state client Statsbygg and Norwegian Homebuilders Association have promoted the use of BIM. All the civil state client projects used IFC formats and BIM for constructing the buildings during 2010. SINTEF has conducted thorough research on BIM to improve the construction and operations of the buildings.
Australia
Many private sectors, as well as business owners, have started adopting BIM at faster rates. For all the public areas, a standard like PAS1192-2 is used for the adoption of BIM due to lack of skill and work in isolation makes it crumble for the adoption of BIM in Australia. No proper methodology is developed here to measure the level of maturity. Support and Guidance are asked from the United States to initiate BIM adoption practices well in Australia.
Europe
BIM implementation is showing good progress in Europe. BIM adoption is successfully done by Companies, Academics, Professionals, and government institutions. Standard BIM practices and digitalization in the industry is a must and can bring huge success for Europe’s overall construction industry. Europe BIM task group in 2016 was established to develop a digital construction sector and has brought progressive impacts on adoption of BIM in the country.
Canada
BIM adoption in Canada is still at the existence stage with around 31% of the Canadian industry using BIM. No federal government has mandated BIM in the country yet but in the near future can increase the adoption of the use of BIM. Canada’s infrastructure industry can change its recent conditions by mandating BIM and its standards. In 2004, building SMART Canada started increasing the activities of using BIM for all construction projects. By 2010 Council by Institute of BIM in Canada (IBC) was formed to lead and facilitate the use of BIM in the construction industry.
India
The second largest industry in India is AECO (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and operations). Gradually with all its efforts are focusing its shift to BIM. It can be very cost-saving technology and effective for India, but we are still on the design implementation level. Private Sector has started using BIM standards for Nagpur rail project which had used the 5D BIM technology to take it to another level of the project in the whole construction industry. BIM technologies such as BIM Co-ordination and Clash Detection processes would be used to enhance the construction quality, reduction in cost and greater efficiency in the project. With a growing economy and understanding of BIM in the construction industry, the entire practitioners involved can effectively adopt BIM.
Conclusion
Every country must include effective use of BIM in their construction projects for achieving many benefits such as reduced costs, time and efficiency. Every part of the world have readily accepted BIM standards and started its practices. It helps to replace the conventional methods of construction industry worldwide. Many updates in BIM technology can help them communicate their design more realistic and better approach that can even work on the sustainability of energy consumption in the near future.
How BIM Execution Plan is Beneficial for BIM Projects?
Building construction tools make everyone visualize hard hats, hammers and heavy machinery. It is a pity that no one thinks of technology, 3D modeling, expert BIM consultants etc., which ideally should be the case. Think of a construction project with no or minimal clashes, improved collaboration and coordination, reduced risk and increased cost savings that Revit software brought to the final delivery. That is BIM Implementation. But if all this was about BIM, what is BIM execution plan?
BIM execution plan, also known as BEP or BxP, is very critical for any new construction project and all three architecture, structural and MEP disciplines. The development of such a plan, for facilitating the management of information in any BIM project, is set out in PAS 1192-2:2013 as a direct response to the Employer’s Information Requirements (EIR).
Benefits of using a BIM execution plan for building construction projects:
communications
Instant and accurate communication among teams from the inception of any construction project is what BIM execution plans encourage. It helps all involved to manage responsibilities and expectations. It also ensures clear communication is available to all stakeholders across the construction project.
Collaboration
Every construction project tends to differ from the previous one. It may have different requirements in and around the needs of internal standards, regulations and the overall project. Because the BIM execution plan is in place and active, the project team is required to collaborate in real time across construction project phases. This prevents unnecessary silos among project tasks and warrants that adequate attention is paid to a particular project, irrespective of the requirement or standards in place.
Saving Time
Squeezed time schedules is one of the biggest challenge any and every construction project faces. However; a finely developed BEP with complete focus on project benefits, ensures that none of those involved in the project are overloaded with work, causing damaging delays to the project deliverables. Also BEP sees to it that only the most important details are worked upon and made available in the plan. It further helps in maintaining the schedule of deliverables across the project.
Sharing Data
BIM execution plan’s value addition in terms of transparency is commendable. They are conveniently available and accessible to all team members from the very start of the process. From contractors to project owners and many more, everyone has direct access to BIM implementation data including file formats, details and dimensions of the model.
Stronger Execution
BEP is all about staying focused on the project at hand, and not including every possible standard that exists. It empowers the team to communicate and collaborate better from the very beginning of the project. It promises strong execution and successful finish, pleasing project owners and investors. Executing this plan keeps items on the “to do list” moving which further assures project completion on time and within budgets.
BIM execution plan can be considered to be the rule book for a construction project, where rules in the book tend to change on project to project basis. BEP will enlist the roles and responsibilities of all involved in a construction project. The BEP will also showcase project milestones to the regulations to be adhered to, and the details involving the supply chain, procedures, technology to be used, and a whole lot more.
A contract once is awarded, warrants secondary BEP to be created by the prospective supplier, which focuses on the approach, capability, capacity and competence to meet the EIR in general terms. It details the project deliverables stipulated by the contract and the information exchange requirements, such as the CIC BIM Protocol (a supplementary legal agreement that is incorporated into construction and professional services contracts via a simple amendment), detailed in a BIM protocol.
BEP is created pre-contract & post-contract, so how are they different?
Once the contract is awarded, the winning supplier is required to submit a further BIM Execution plan, which is mainly focused on supply chain capabilities. MIDP or master delivery plan is also required to be submitted at the time of project information preparation. It includes details as to who is responsible for preparing the information and which all protocols and procedures will be utilized to develop the information.
The information to be prepared and included is based on a series of individual task information delivery plans (TIDP) that shows who is responsible for each information deliverable.
With multiple suppliers in a single contract, who is responsible for BEP?
Usually in scenarios where there is more than one supplier in a construction project, there is one main BIM Execution Plan that comprises of the responsibility for its production set out in appointment documents. Subsequent BEPs from the suppliers appointed later, dovetail with the existing main BIM execution plan.
Building execution plan, details working procedure
Every single procedure from how will BIM volumes be managed and maintained to what file name conventions will be adopted, and what construction tolerances are set and what attribute data is required; successful BEP encompasses everything.
Next is to determine what software will be used, what data formats will be used for exchange and what other data management systems will be brought into play. To the extent that in order to avoid potential ambiguity, a common approach to annotation, abbreviations and symbols is charted out. And all this leads to stronger executions, better timelines and happier project owners.
Every construction is different and requires a different BIM Execution Plan; but by properly implementing a BEP, your project has a far greater chance of being successful.
What is green concrete ? It’s advantages in construction
What is green concrete?
Green concrete can be defined as the concrete with material as a partial or complete replacement for cement or fine or coarse aggregates. The substitution material can be of waste or residual product in the manufacturing process. The substituted materials could be a waste material that remain unused, that may be harmful (material that contains radioactive elements).
Green concrete should follow reduce, reuse and recycle technique or any two process in the concrete technology.
Green concrete advantages:
The three major objective behind green concept in concrete :
– To reduce green house gas emission (carbon dioxide emission from cement industry, as one ton of cement manufacturing process emits one ton of carbon dioxide)
– To reduce the use of natural resources such as limestone, shale, clay, natural river sand, natural rocks that are being consume for the development of human mankind that are not given back to the earth,
– The use of waste materials in concrete that also prevents the large area of land that is used for the storage of waste materials that results in the air, land and water pollution. This objective behind green concrete will result in the sustainable development without destruction natural resources.
Roads are exposed to tremendous loads that will sooner or later leave their marks on them. A time will come when every road will be in need of a general overhaul. But no two damage patterns are alike.
Which rehabilitation methods offer a cure for distressed roads? What are the differences between them? Which are suitable to be carried out as mobile roadworks?
Replacing the pavement
Replacing the pavement is a standard procedure when repairing roads. The challenge is to ensure that only the damaged layers of the road structure are removed – and to avoid disruptions to traffic at the same time. Under these conditions, cold milling is the only viable option for many construction projects
The tools that cold milling machines use for removing road layers were originally developed for the mining industry. So-called point-attack cutting tools, fitted to a rotating milling drum on the underside of the machine, bite into the road at precisely the specified depth.
Fine milling
Fine milling is an alternative to time-consuming and expensive complete rehabilitation. This method is used above all when traffic safety is severely compromized by undulations, ruts or a slippery surface.
A WIRTGEN cold milling machine roughening the runway at Cambridge Airport, UK.
Many countries are investing less money in maintaining their road network despite increasing traffic loads. The result is a growing demand for fast and economically efficient solutions that are capable of taking the edge off hazardous stretches of road.
Fine milling is such a method, and is predominantly used where bumps and wheel ruts, or slippery surfaces pose an acute danger to traffic safety.
Paving thin layers hot
It is not necessary to replace the entire pavement if only the surface of the roadway shows signs of damage. The method known as “paving thin overlay hot on hot” is a particularly economical and eco-friendly alternative.
Perfect paving of resource-saving low-noise thin layers.
Rehabilitation methods that can be carried out both quickly and with economic efficiency are becoming increasingly important worldwide. Paving thin layers in hot application is such a method, offering an exceptionally economical alternative to full pavement rehabilitation.
Paving thin layers in hot application is eminently suitable for roads in need of rehabilitation but with damages limited to the surface, or poor grip, or pronounced surface irregularities. The surface properties of worn-out roads, such as grip, evenness and noise reduction, can be improved significantly for extended periods of time.
Paving thin layers cold
“Thin overlays paved cold on cold” – better known abroad as “micro-surfacing” – are another quick and cost-effective alternative to replacement of the complete pavement.
Mixing and laying machines spread the mixture for the thin cold layer over the fine-milled surface with Vario screeds.
Traffic safety is jeopardized when the road surface gets slippery, when wheel ruts have dug into the pavement, or when the road is covered with bumps and deformations. Paving thin layers in cold application is a method that is increasingly used for restoring road surfaces to good evenness and skid resistance. Known as “microsurfacing” in many countries around the globe, paving thin layers in cold application prolongs the service life of damaged asphalt roads without the need for replacing the entire road pavement.
InLine Pave
InLine Pave has become established as an official construction method according to German regulatory frameworks. The binder and surface courses are paved “in line”, i.e. one after another “hot on hot” in a single pass. Since the machines are just 3 m wide, traffic can continue to flow without obstruction on the remaining lanes.
Hot recycling
Porous and deformed surface courses can be rehabilitated by hot recycling, a process which is exclusively applied in the form of a mobile construction site. An intact layer structure is essential here. Hot recycling improves all relevant properties of the surface and roadway profile, as well as the composition of aggregate fractions in the surface course.
The panel heating machine travels ahead, gently heating the bituminous courses.
The surface course is heated up to 150 °C by a panel heating machine with gas-fired infrared heating panels so that the hot recycler can then scarify, remove, process and repave the softened asphalt. In this way, the road’s non-skid properties can be restored, water can run off again and ruts are eliminated. The potential savings are enormous.
Cold recycling in-situ
Cold recycling in-situ is just the right technology when it comes to building a new road from old. It is mostly carried out as mobile roadworks. What are the advantages of “in-situ” cold recycling? How does the method work?
The cold recyclers stand out thanks to their ease of operation with new automatic functions, main control panels that can be positioned as required, and an on-board diagnostic system.
The sub-base of roads exposed to major stresses due to heavy goods traffic is often damaged. To remedy this damage, the complete road structure must be repaired. Cold recycling restores the roads’ stability.
The difference between “in plant” and “in situ” cold recycling is that, in the latter case, the entire process takes place in a single operation.
This is what happens: special cold recyclers granulate the defective layers – usually the surface and binder course, as well as part of the base course – mix the reclaimed asphalt pavement with fresh binder and replace it immediately. The advantages of this method are short construction times and high cost efficiency.
Cold recycling in-plant
When cold recycling road pavements, contractors can choose between processing the milled material “in-situ”, meaning on the job site, or “in-plant”, meaning in a cold mixing plant. Their decision is influenced, however, not only by the damage patterns of the road to be repaired. What are the advantages offered by “in-plant” cold recycling? How does it work? What kinds of damage patterns can cold recycling “in-plant” be used for?
A typical application: the KMA 220 is positioned in the direct vicinity of the material storage area.
One speaks of cold recycling “in-plant” when the reclaimed asphalt material of roads in need of rehabilitation is recycled in a nearby mixing plant, transported back to the job site, and then placed again by road pavers. The method is often used with roads that are exposed to high loads by heavy traffic, and with damages extending all the way into the pavement subgrade, but where site conditions do not allow the operation of an “in-situ” cold recycling train.
