Group E - BIM for Contractors

For this blog post, my group (Group E) was to read chapter 6 of the BIM Handbook – BIM for Contractors. In this chapter the handbook reveals several different ways BIM can be useful to contractors and how it can be integrated with the construction process. This chapter was very informative and provided a lot of information about the different tools of BIM that I had no idea existed. It is a true insight of what BIM can truly do to help the construction process. In this blog post I will go over some of the BIM tools that I found to be the most interesting from my read.

                One of the more interesting uses of BIM, in my opinion, was clash-detection. Clash-detection is used to show differences in BIM models throughout the construction process. Say that there is an initial design and when it comes time to build it is over budget and cost cuts need to be made. So some changes are made to the design to cut cost, but some of these changes can produce errors when building. Clash-detection can be used to find those error before it’s too late. These can be either large differences in drawings of small ones, they can be system specific of detail specific, all of which can help speed up the construction process immensely and cut down on human error when looking for these clashes. BIM has clash-detection tools built in or you can obtain various types of plug-ins that can do more specific types of clash-detection.

                BIM can also be used for fine-tuned cost analysis. The more detailed the BIM model is the more finite the cost analysis can be. It is also possible to see how much the cost will change by changing small details within the model, such as a type of light bulb that could change the cost dramatically or slightly. BIM can do this analysis quickly and efficiently. One could also use a BIM model to count the amount of a particular item and export it to estimating software.

                BIM offers many different tools to help the construction process become more efficient and quicker, thus providing the world with better buildings quicker and cheaper. Moving completely to BIM in the construction world is truly the next big step in the field of engineering.

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, Chapter 6; Second Edition 2011

Comment:
To: Ryan Donahue

"Mr. Donahue, 
I liked how you stressed the weakness in structural design, and I agree completely.
I also liked how this will close the gap between engineers and architects. This post was highly detailed and was very well written. I am quite jealous of the Co-op experiences you had since mine were so different. Good post though."