Tuesday, January 28, 2014

BIM makes the Engineer's Work Easier vs It makes the Engineer's work Harder

I chose whether BIM makes the engineer's work easier or it makes the Engineer's work harder as my topic this week, I read through some online sources, and I will use two of them to support my point.
Before discussing whether BIM makes the engineer's work easier or it makes the Engineer's work harder, we must know what BIM is, BIM is an acronym for Building Information Modelling, or Building Information Model. It is the process of designing a building collaboratively by using one coherent system of computer models rather than just using separate sets of drawings.
From last week’s posts I think the advantages of the BIM is very obvious, such as The 3D clash detection relies on 3D geometry model to detect a large amount of clashes, this technology would reduce the human error to the minimum, which in the end, will save contractors a lot of time and money. And 4D models could help project managers to compare schedules and track construction process, compare the actual construction field to the 4D models, project managers could easily check the project status to see if it is on track or behind schedule. The list goes on…
As I discussed the advantages of the BIM system, still, not every engineering firm is using the BIM system, it is still going to take years for BIM systems to fully implement. For example, some professional engineers have been using AutoCAD throughout their whole career, now by the time goes by, they will have to learn all the functions and shortcuts from fundamental. The poor compatibility of BIM is going to take some senior engineers a long adjustment period to get familiar with these new tools. But in the long term, BIM will still give them much more benefits compare to the short term inconveniences.
BIM will offer all parties involved gains in saving in cost and time, much greater accuracy in estimation, and the avoidance of error, alterations and rework due to information loss. But the implement of BIM system is far more different than just simply change the software we are using, in order to achieve all the benefits it offers, everyone in the architecture, engineering and construction industries will have to learn how to use it fundamentally.


Comments On:
Esther
I really like the graph you put in the post, the graph shows when should we use BIM and when we should not. The poor compatibility of BIM is going to take some senior engineers a long adjustment period to get familiar with these new tools. But in the long term, BIM will still give them much more benefits compare to the short term inconveniences.

Audrey Ryan
I totally agree that BIM will make buildings more efficient. Like I said from my last post, 4D models would be really helpful during the community forums since it could show people clearly how a project would impact traffic, environment and their daily life. Owners will also have drafts to show to the engineers and contractors to make things more clearly.

References:
2013 WSP Group Limited What is BIM?"  n. page. Print.

Chuck Eastman, Paul Teicholz, Rafael Sacks, Kathleen Liston; “Bim Hanbook, a Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Contractors” Second Edition 2011


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