WHAT IS BIM? BuildingSMART, the International leading body driving the global use of BIM defines it as: “digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a building. As such it serves as a shared knowledge resource for information about a building forming a reliable basis for decisions during a life-cycle from inception onward”
mutually exchange data and monitor the progress of the project. It allows users to effectively harness the power of technology and collaboration and decrease the cost and time of construction delivery and improving the final product (Mcgraw Hill Construction, ‘Smart Market Report (2009).
BIM provides users to a construction project with a collaborative digital platform where involved parties can access all relevant documents and material relevant to the design, construction and management of a project. This platform is accessible and updated in real time, enabling all users to simultaneously collaborate,
THERE ARE LEVELS OF BIM WHICH DETERMINE THE WAY THAT A PROJECTS ARE MANAGED NAMELY: BIM Level 0
BIM Level 2
No collaboration
Sharing of information, collaborative and using digital technology
THE PAST
BIM IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE UK The 2014 McGraw-Hill Construction Report in the United States revealed that the use of BIM had increased from 17% in 2007, to over 70% in 2012. This dramatic increase was the result of significant increases in project accuracy and reduced time and financial costs. Additionally, the UK government has recognised its substantial benefits and decided that from July 2016, all government funded construction projects would involve BIM. These two nations have developed certain policies and national standards including the UK’s PAS 1992-2:2013, which functions analogous to the BIM model. Research from these developed nations
THE FUTURE BIM Level 1
BIM Level 3
3D and 2D work, no collaboration
Full collaboration between all parties through a single shared digital data environment
has found that the use of an integrated collaborative data sharing platform reduces the ability of opportunistic parties from bringing frivolous claims against others. This opportunistic behaviour has plagued the construction industry for decades, and so the increased use of BIM has demanded greater transparency and accountability for the involved parties. Adopting a collaborative platform also reduces the chance of any miscommunication, misunderstanding or incompatible designs between any of the involved parties. Given the complex nature of construction projects and the vast number of parties involved who all have diverse and often competing interests, BIM allows a more comprehensive and
streamlined understanding of the works to be completed. As miscommunication is the leading cause of construction disputes, having open dialogue and readily available information has alleviated these pressures. The UK Cabinet Office BIM Strategy Paper 2011 found that the use of BIM attributed to a reduction in project conflict and project re-work between 47%-65%.
BIM IN AUSTRALIA Chair of BuildingSMART John Mitchell stated that “our [Australia’s] national competitiveness is at stake if nothing is done to address the issues that are the
THE BUILDING ECONOMIST - SEPTEMBER 2017 - 33