Chapter 6 - BIM for Contractors

For this week’s blog posting, my group (group E) was assigned to read Chapter 6 - BIM for Contractors. In this chapter, the handbook gives a really detailed introduction about how BIM could help contractors during construction process. This chapter contains a lot of information about new software that could help contractor to save their time and effort. I will introduction few of them in my post.

This chapter made a discussion about the various types of application areas that BIM can provide the contractors benefits for their special needs. The one I found interesting was the reduction of design errors using clash detection. Clash-detection software provides much more advantages than traditional 2D coordination methods. The standard way detect a clash was to put all the drawings on a light table and let a person to check to see if there are any problems. This method sometimes led to a lot of human error which could only be seen doing the actual construction. 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 it is also much safer.

       Another section I found very interesting was the import of the 4D model into the modern construction process. Different than 3D model, 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. 4D models could also 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.

       BIM would give contractors so many new technologies to help them save money and time, could also move the constructions much quicker and more efficiency which can take the construction process into the next level. BIM models is not particularly perfect, but we would definitely see more and more companies and firms using BIM, and moving completely into BIM construction world is just around the corner.

Reference:

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

Comments On:

Dongyan Qi

I personally like to use Google SletchUp too, it is much more straight forward to me compare to other sketch software. The change from 2D model to virtual 3D building model is really a revolution, is changes the way that how people demonstrate a structure. The advantage of integrated project delivery is also good for all parties involved.

Stephen Bartal

Stephen, I really like the part that you put your own story about the Revit and AutoCAD, very interesting. I did not know about this function about Revit before, I used to spend hours making small changes through the project, definitely will try the parametric modeling function next time.