Week 4 Blog Post - Edward Bruder

The topic I choose is:

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

     I choose this topic mainly because I personally and strongly believe that BIM will make engineers work easier rather than harder. Not only is it easier, it is also, in my opinion, a lot more fun to work with. BIM is much more advanced then CAD or hand drafting thus leading it to improve building in the future as well.

     BIM can be used many different ways, such as; 2D, 3D, and even 4D. At its most sophisticated level, BIM combines all the documents, data, and software packages used during design, construction, and, ultimately, operation and management into a single electronic source. [1] This will ultimately replace all types of engineering into one system. This system is so powerful that I only know a percentage of what the program can do.

     The performance from BIM will ultimately make work easier for engineers. This is because BIM can do multiple operations to help create a final design. Not only can it help find errors it can also help fix them. This will save time and ultimately help engineers create more efficient and creative designs. BIM is a platform that can provide a comprehensive and interactive assembly of the components in a building to create a new type of energy model. As more information is added to BIM for each individual part of the building, BIM becomes increasingly closer to matching the real world building itself. [3]Designs that would never be possible if not for BIM are being created every day. It is truly amazing.

     BIM’s 3D modeling is also impeccable comparatively to some other programs. You can actually see what the project would look like before it is even built. This is a huge advantage to the industry in the sense that you can change the way the building looks and see what the cost difference will be. All of which makes an engineer’s job easier.

[2]

     As seen from the graph the BIM work flow only has an increase in cost and effort in the detailed design phase of a project. This is a huge advantage over the other phases in a project.

In conclusion I believe that BIM works seamlessly with engineers to create amazing projects. BIM will definitely make work for engineers easier and will further the human advancement with in building projects.

References:

[1] Fortner, Brian.  Special Report: Are You Ready For BIM.  Civil Engineering The Online                 Magazine.  May 2008.

[2] Strafaci, Adam. What Does BIM Mean for Civil Engineers. CE News. October 2008.                       http://www.cenews.com/magazine-article----                                                                                     what_does_bim_mean_for_civil_engineers_-6098.html

[3] Alcorn, Terence. "How BIM Can Improve Building Efficiency." Facilitiesnet. n. page. Print.               <http://www.facilitiesnet.com/green/article/How-BIM-Can-Improve-Building-Efficiency--14297

Comment on Other Blog Post:
To Matt Morimoto:

Matt: I liked how you talked about both the positive and negatives of the BIM system but I'm not sure which side you chose. I do understand the pitfalls of using a BIM program but when I looked at the question I thought of BIM in a personal use frame of mind. What I mean by that is I understand that moving from CAD to BIM is frustrating but I believe that once BIM takes over and it more widely taught in schools it will become like a second language. But very nice post, very well written and insightful.