Is BIM Only for Mega Projects ??

Unconventional problem solving using BIM for Small Projects

Introduction

BIM has become a trend across the AEC industry. We have all heard how BIM saves time and money by predicting clashes. We have seen BIM mandates coming in almost all mega projects across the globe now, but not on small scale design or construction projects.

Lately real advantages of BIM are becoming less and less visible to the users and most of the value is lost in translation of technical terms like 4D, 5D, 6D BIM, LOD 300, 400, 500, etc.

BIM has gained an image of being too expensive for small developers and consultants. Several consultants and contractors are now using BIM not because they see value in it but because of Company or client mandates. I am not saying this is universally applicable but is a common realization in several projects I have come across in SEA, Middle East, and even in Singapore which is one of the world leaders in BIM implementation.

So, the purpose of this article is to show that, we as AEC experts need to take a step back, Identify, Strategize and Implement. We need to widen the spectrum of understanding of application of BIM and start thinking out of the box.

I have seen Galactic Group (GG) use BIM not only across several large-scale construction projects but also non-construction projects. In this article I shall illustrate a few examples to elaborate on the thought process of ‘Identify, Strategize, Implement.’ Identify BIM Goals, Strategize a solution and Implement the relevant BIM activities.

Case Study 1: A billboard advertiser and the town of Homer

Context

Emmanuel, who is a business development manager and is also the owner of an upcoming small billboard business. He starts out with the good intentions of generating value for companies by identifying a potential site for a billboard erection near the Freeway-81, NY, USA. However, the residents of the adjacent town Homer start raising concerns on social media and with the local government body, that the billboard shall spoil their view or cause ‘light pollution’.

Solution

Emmanuel decides to reach out to GG to dissolve the issue.

GG creates a LOD 100 Digital twin of the region covering the freeway, accurate tree location and heights, the surrounding field and the adjacent town along with the residents’ houses reflecting accurate building heights. This Model was used to create cross sections showing that the existing tree cover blocks the view of the billboard from the lowest to the highest point of each residence in the neighborhood. Mathematically and geometrically dissolving the apprehension of the residents of the area.

The model also served to generate walkthrough and real time rendered immersive VR experiences for board meetings with potential clients and local government body.

Case 2: Salazar Demolition and the Indian Railways

Context

Hirendra Salazar, a demolition contractor, got a contract to demolish 20 old oddly shaped culverts, from the Indian Railways. The demolition would be done in a very organised way of cutting away the culvers in several slices and cut sections. The demolition contractor would be paid based on the total volume demolished and the surface area of the cuts. Conventionally Salazar would manually measure the volume of demotion by LxBxH of any structure, but in this case the culverts were of non rectilinear shapes making manual calculation difficult. Now, Indian railways wouldn’t approve the bill due to the discrepancy in calculations of volume of concrete to be demolished.

Solution

All 20 old oddly shaped culverts were digitally replicated via ‘Scan to BIM’ process that we are all acquainted with. Now these BIM Models were used to create exact splits and replicate the demolition/cutting process. All the required volumes and cut section areas were extracted from the BIM models giving an apple-to-apple comparison report that was submitted to the Indian railways. Demolition calculations and billing has never been easier.

Case Study 3: The Ropeway in the Himalayas Context

A LEED Platinum rated ropeway resort was being developed amidst the mountain ranges of the Himalayas. The ropeway was being developed as the roads in the region were very narrow and rocky. Now the biggest challenge in such terrain is transportation of large volumes of material. The cost of transporting material is very high, for example the cost of transporting multiple trucks of soil for filling post excavation and foundation. The idea was to not just minimize material wastage by using BIM but also to use/reuse material available in and around the site.

Solution

GG 3D scanned the complete mountain that was the site for the ropeway using a drone and replicated the same on a BIM authoring tool. The proposed Design BIM Models of ropeway stations and the resort were placed on the prepared mountain contour BIM, post creating flat building pads.

We were able to extract the volume of soil excavated for creating flat building pads and the foundations using the BIM Models and volumetric Booleans. Due to the estimates from BIM, now this same soil turned out to be enough for the site filling and landscaping, resulting in millions of Rupees saved on several trucks of soil transportation costs. By the virtue of the proposed BIM process, we were also able to create a design with 0 tree cuts, accurate material procurement, minimized clashes resulting in saving several more millions.