With the advent of new technologies that aid in design and construction—like advanced data capture and computer aided design—more and more projects in the architectural, construction, and engineering industry are moving from 2D drawings to 3D models.
This opens up a new realm of possibilities in the field of Building Information Modeling, thereby giving architects, engineers, and site planners many benefits which help improve their quality, workflow, design, and project management. The switch also helps drive savings in terms of time and budget for building and infrastructure projects.
Building information modeling or BIM is a process that involves the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of places. These come in the form of 2D digital drawings, digital 3D models, aerial photography, or site scan files which can be extracted, exchanged, or networked to support
the decision-making processes regarding a building or other built asset.
Today, BIM is used by individuals, businesses and government agencies for planning, design, construction,
operation, and maintenance of diverse physical infrastructures. BIM improves productivity and gives additional benefits for its users.
1. With BIM, designers can immediately benefit from compiled input shared in a model in ways that traditional paper medium is unable to capture. These days, project starts include information from digital elevation and aerial imagery, along with advanced laser scans of infrastructure that accurately capture valuable real-world data pertaining to a project.
2. BIM reduces waste. By using shared models or assets, there is reduced need to duplicate drawings for the different building discipline requirements. BIM likewise reduces the need for reworks.
3. BIM software involves helpful aids—including auto save and project history—that helps prevent disappearances or file corruption, which can be disastrous and impair productivity.
4. Integrated simulation tools allow designers to visualize factors such as solar exposure during different seasons, energy use, structural analysis, earthquake and flooding resistance, and others to improve building performance.
5. 3D models can be used as the ultimate tool of communication for conveying the project scope, steps, and outcome, or render impressive views and fly-through or walk-throughs that can be used to sell a commercial space or to gain necessary approvals.
Don’t waste your time and money on any paid or sometimes free online resources and software. Now converting PDF document to editable AutoCAD DWG format file is just a matter of seconds. You will be able to convert PDF to DWG by using just one AutoCAD Command.
PDFIMPORT Command in AutoCAD
When AutoCAD 2017 was released, it included one of the most necessary functionality PDFIMPORT. AutoCAD provides the simplest one-click method to convert your PDF to AutoCAD. PDFIMPORT command is used as a permanent PDF Converter for AutoCAD drawings. By using PDFIMPORT command, it is now easily possible to import PDF content material directly into AutoCAD drawings. The text turns into editable text and Lines will become editable geometry. AutoCAD supports complex geometry conversion from PDF to DWG format. The kind of the actual PDF primarily controls the accuracy of the following AutoCAD content, so consequences can also range. Moreover, PDF underlays in drawings created with preceding AutoCAD releases may be converted into editable drawing geometry by the use of PDFIMPORT command.
The use of PDFIMPORT with PDF produced from scanned pix/files will bring about the creation of a raster picture document, which is then attached to the drawing as an xref. The raster imagery will no longer be converted into editable geometry. It can be used for tracing the drawing objects accordingly.
How to Convert PDF to AutoCAD By using PDFIMPORT Command
Follow these simple steps for converting a PDF file to editable AutoCAD drawing;
Type PDFATTACH command in the command line to browse and attach the PDF file that you want to change to an AutoCAD drawing.
AutoCAD Attach PDF Underlay
In the next window select the required page number from pdf file. Only that one page will be imported as an underlay into this drawing.
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Just type the command PDFIMPORT or click on the PDF attachment. The top ribbon of AutoCAD interface will be changed to PDF Underlay section. Click on “Import as Objects” button. This option is used to import the PDF file or a particular part of the PDF attached file as editable AutoCAD objects.
PDF Import Settings
When PDFIMPORT command is initiated, three options can be seen on the command line [Polygon, All and Settings]. By selecting the Polygon option, you will be able to draw a closed polygon in the drawing to choose the part of PDF drawing to bring into this drawing as AutoCAD objects. The whole of the underlay is converted to AutoCAD if “All” option is selected. PDF Import Settings can be accessed by selecting the “Settings” option on the command line.
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In PDF Import Settings window you can select the type of data that will be imported into this drawing, i.e., vector geometry, True Type text, and raster images. You can also assign the layers to imported objects.
If the PDF underlay drawing includes raster images, these images will be extracted as png files to a specified folder and then attached to the current drawing as an underlay.
You can change the location of these raster images by clicking on the Options button and then follow these steps to change the location of the raster images folder according to your workflow.
PDFIMPORT PDF Images Location Settings how to convert pdf to dwg in AutoCAD 2017,
After clicking on OK and then selecting one of the options as per your convenience Polygon or All, new commands [Keep, Detach, Unload] are shown on the command line. Select any of these commands as you like the PDF Underlay to behave after conversion.
When the command is completed, the selected objects in the PDF Underlay are imported as editable AutoCAD objects enabling you to save this data as DWG or DXF file format and editing.
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.
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.
Bentley Systems introduces Mixed Reality app for infrastructure construction projects
Bentley Systems presented SYNCHRO XR, its app for immersively visualizing 4D construction digital twins with the new Microsoft HoloLens 2, which Microsoft announced during a press conference at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Selected as a Microsoft mixed reality partner representing the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, Bentley demonstrated how with SYNCHRO XR for HoloLens 2, users can interact collaboratively with digital construction models using intuitive gestures to plan, visualize, and experience construction sequencing.
Project digital twin data is visualized with the HoloLens 2 via Bentley’s connected data environment, powered by Microsoft Azure. With the mixed reality solution, construction managers, project schedulers, owner-operators, and other project stakeholders can gain insights through immersive visualization into planned work, construction progress, potential site risks, and safety requirements. Additionally, users can interact with the model together and collaboratively experience 4D objects in space and time, as opposed to traditional interaction with a 2D screen depicting 3D objects.
Noah Eckhouse, senior vice president, project delivery for Bentley Systems, said, “Our SYNCHRO XR app for HoloLens 2 provides a totally new way to interact with digital twins for infrastructure projects. Users benefit from a new perspective on the design and a deeper, more immediate understanding of the work and project schedule. Instead of using a 2D screen with a mouse and keyboard, the user can now walk around the model with their body and reach out and grab digital objects that appear to co-occupy physical reality. This is a powerful way to review work that is completed and to prepare for upcoming work at the jobsite.”
Menno de Jonge, director of digital construction for the Royal BAM Group, said, “We are currently using SYNCHRO and HoloLens 2 mixed reality solution for the construction site for a large museum project in the city of Rotterdam. The real need for a digital transformation in our industry is about avoiding rework at our construction site. Using this technology, we can easily visualize the construction schedule. Then, we can see if we are behind in schedule, we can flag any potential problems or issues, look into the problems, and get back on track.”
In recent decades, we have witnessed an intense progress of technology and computer applications. This progress is very noticeable in all aspects of the construction industry and especially in the development of BIM software. In
a recent market survey with the Virtual Construction Software
programming BIM 4D are reported as a huge support tool for all involved
in major construction projects: construction managers, prime contractors
and their customers.
In
the small group of specialized software for programming BIM 4D, BEXEL
Manager stands out for its unique features and capabilities directed
toward management, programming (BIM 4D), cost estimation (BIM 5D) and
even, facilities management (BIM 6D) of construction projects. I
will try to briefly introduce its main features related to construction
scheduling, which are a real game changer for future programming
processes BIM construction.
Benefits of BIM 4D programming
Traditional
programming process begins when planners and project managers often
create construction schedules containing thousands of tasks to the level
of each work item. Sort
these tasks, connect and create dependencies and relationships
allocation and balance a lot of resources can be extremely challenging
and slow, even for more experienced managers project.
The
main objective of the program is to improve 4D BIM planning processes
and communication between all parties involved, allowing all
participants to visually provide the entire process of building a very
understandable and natural. Visual
real-time simulations revolutionize complete planning processes,
leveling traditional Gantt planning a 4D virtual presentation of the
whole project implementation on the screen long before you start
building.
The obvious and most significant benefits of BIM 4D programming process are:
Increased savings in time and cost, which can be variable, but reaching up to 500% in terms of the time required for program implementation.
Improving coordination and communication with stakeholders and the general quality of the work schedule.
Greater speed in creating offerings and optimizing budgets.
Improved site design and planning security.
Additional benefits that are not expressed through saving time and costs, but also greatly influence and augment the planning and construction process are the 4D visualizations.
Programming processes and estimation based on the model help the entire team to identify and optimize every detail designed. The
efficiency and accuracy of visualization created BIM 4D allows experts
project to identify and mitigate risk in the initial stages of the
project, long before its construction. It
also allows planning teams run different scenarios built to generate
the best possible solutions while verifying their impact on costs. All schedule changes and variations made the Gantt chart are immediately updated and viewed in 3D view programming.
BIM 4D programming is much more than just visualization 4D
Today,
many software solutions are advertised or used incorrectly as “4D BIM
software,” however, there is a clear and obvious difference between
viewing BIM 4D and 4D BIM software programming. The “4D BIM software” in general, can produce virtual construction simulation (visualization of construction process).
However,
4D BIM software programming as BEXEL Manager allows users to view the
construction process and also virtually plan (create schedule)
construction project. Our
programming software BIM 4D allows you to create and change tasks /
planned activities, change their duration and predecessor / successor
tasks as well as optimize and validate the sequence of these activities,
all within the software itself, while almost simultaneously, has
updated the display changes in the view of 3D programming software.
The intelligent programming concept BEXEL 4D BIM Manager
On
the other hand, the scheduling engine BEXEL Manager implements advanced
programming algorithms, specially designed to provide the functionality
to create fully automated construction schedules, simplifying manual
sequencing unpleasant 4D. That’s where the real power of BEXEL Manager.
Unlike
other solutions BIM 4D market, where it is necessary to create the
schedule activities manually or semi-automatically depending on the
elements of the BIM model available, our complete solution BIM 4D-5D-6D
uses a visionary concept that allows planners and managers to easily
apply their engineering experience.Its
engine unique and intelligent programming allows the creation of
construction methods and construction activity groups such as planners
think and anticipate the processes running on your mind. Similarly,
groups can be created different levels of activities of tasks based on
the phases of construction, buildings, activities and anticipated
elements. The next step is to create logical relationships and dependencies of these groups of activities and methodologies. In
the same way most experts are accustomed to the softwares traditional
programming, here you can select types of relationships between elements
(for example, from end to beginning from start to start, end to end,
etc.) and the duration or delay the created relationship.
A brief introduction to BIM 5D and cost management
Additionally,
the next logical step in the process construction management BIM is
assigned labor, equipment, material resources and costs to tasks and
reach the next dimension BIM, ie 5D. Our
solution allows multiple custom implement cost classification systems
for different versions of costs within the same model, this is feasible
in the BIM 5D Cost module named Editor (Editor Cost).
In addition, the user can manage, view and export graphs and reports cost, labor, materials and equipment. Keep
track of planned and actual costs, and once construction begins, track
and update progress on schedule, and analyze actual versus planned
progress, hypothetical scenarios and mitigation strategies.It
is very valuable that a user is enabled to handle and manage
practically all dimensions BIM (3D, 4D, 5D and 6D) within an integrated
software platform.
Automatic generation of 4D BIM schedules based on predefined construction methodologies
In
addition, all created methodologies are saved in the software so that
the user can store multiple templates to automatically create schedules
using pre-defined methodologies and their variations. Once
created the methodology of construction, scheduling engine CPM
(Critical Path Method) with all its features, is used to find an optimal
solution in terms of cost and minimum construction time and the balance
of resources, providing fully detailed construction schedules in
seconds, even for the most complex projects containing thousands of
tasks and respective elements. All methodologies and previously saved templates can be reused for any other similar project,
Visualization and optimization of schedules BIM 4D
BIM
4D initial schedules generated automatically and can be tuned further
by the user by placing a specific order of steps and activities with BIM
model elements linked in temporal and spatial sense.
The amounts of resources can also be defined and modified for any task or phase subcontractor company. A user can change and improve visual sequences built using custom color schemes for items, tasks and resources. Changes can be made and additional exceptions by implementing custom calendars for tasks and subcontractors.
Management,
optimization and classification of a lot of work by any standard model
are extremely easy and intuitive programming using built-in filters.Planning
teams can also compare visually and within the Gantt chart, different
versions of the schedule and planning methodologies directly in the
solution, easily switching between different versions cost for any of
the scheduling options.
perfect interoperability
Finally,
the duration of the entire activity of a task can be changed manually,
before finalizing the schedule BIM 4D and video simulation construction.
All programs created can
be exported from BEXEL Manager to traditional software programming and
most commonly used, such as Oracle Primavera or Microsoft Project ™ ™ or
Microsoft Excel ™. All
activities, durations, links and dependencies of the schedule originally
created in BEXEL Manager will be retained and stored in the exported
files, enabling seamless interoperability.
Mentioning
interoperability, taking into account that the solution also allows the
import of schedules traditionally derived from the aforementioned
programming tools. As all tasks, duration, links and dependencies created originally explained also they are kept in BEXEL Manager.
Semiautomatic generation BIM 4D simulation based on imported schedule
Unlike
most software BIM 4D market, where the process of linking programming
tasks imported with the respective elements of the model is mostly done
manually, BEXEL Manager uses an intelligent engine for semiautomatic
linking elements activities using predefined rules, name /
identification of activities and level of hierarchy. With
comfortable views of each set of selection of model elements and
cross-checking with categories, families, properties of each element,
and improved search capabilities based on their properties and other
criteria, bind errors are eliminated almost completely.
Once
programming is imported, you can make additional adjustments,
modifications and verification tasks within the Schedule Editor (Editor
Programming) of BEXEL Manager. When
all activities are linked, the software generates a video simulation of
4D construction, suitable for real-time review by project stakeholders.
The created virtual simulation of 4D construction can also be exported as a video file.
conclusion
Once
all stakeholders, mainly planners and project managers embrace the full
potential and benefits of smart processes 4D programming, the entire
industry will benefit and evolve, leading to a very accessible and
tangible future of building BIM, where the 3D parametric design,
construction simulations in real time and exchange of information are
part of impeccable business every day. By: Mileta Pejovic, BEXEL Consulting
Once all stakeholders, mainly planners and project managers embrace the full potential and benefits of smart processes 4D programming, the entire industry will benefit and evolve, leading to a very accessible and tangible future of building BIM, where the 3D parametric design, construction simulations in real time and exchange of information are part of impeccable business every day.
