Building Information Modelling is a process that involves the generation and management of digital representation of a space. This software is used by anyone – an individual, business or agency, that plans, designs, constructs or operates buildings or other physical infrastructures. It is crucial to ensure proper designing and planning of structures, and is highly efficient for collaboration between different professionals working on the same project. The entire design process from planning to structure can all be done within one 3 dimensional model of the building.
The US National Building Information Model Standard Project Committee defines BIM as,
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. A BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition.'
The concept of visualising design began in the form of 2D plans and blueprints of different elevations. With innovation and new techniques with changing times, people realised how tedious it was to create such 2 dimensional plans, and began visualising design in 3 dimensions. Computer Aided design, or CAD, helped designers view their plans in a digital environment. This technique was further polished to create 3D, which made these plans more realistic. BIM is born out of 3 dimensional blueprints, adding a more futuristic and holistic solution to design problems via this technology.
Building Information Modelling technology is a boon to many design and construction related sectors. Architects find great use of this technology to develop plans of buildings, with inputs from the engineers that can be created within this technology itself. MEP and structural engineers use this technology, along with contractors and civil engineers. Anyone who is designing a building, infrastructure or trying to predict the construction of their project, can use this technology.
Building Information Modelling Technology is also used in green buildings to create sustainable designs that allow architects and engineers to analyse how their green building will respond to environmental changes and time. The usage of solar and other alternative energies can also be conceptualised, along with topographic modelling and climate data in design.
BIM is also called VDC - Virtual Design and Construction in India. India has a rapidly growing construction market due to which BIM has a vast use in the country. It could shorten construction time up to 20% and is ideal for adoption by infrastructural giants in India right now.
BIM greatly reduces costs and resources through its smart technology that suggests more cost effective materials and improvements to reduce human errors that usually delay or cost a project. The project cycle becomes shorter due to the efficiency it suggests in design and construction. It improves communication and coordination between different sectors of the project, and bridges the gap, bringing all the different teams on board. It provides more opportunities for prefabrication and modular construction, both new and recently growing concepts. It ensures higher quality results because every possibility has been planned and mapped to the T.
BIM is still a new technology, to which industries are still adapting. It will play a very crucial role in construction over the years. It will improve visualisation and productivity of the project and increase coordination. It will be able to create simulations that save time and effort of reducing errors manually. Automation is the future of construction and BIM is a great asset to it.
Alok Group aims to incorporate this technology in their construction engineering techniques, as it is very promising and will be a boon to both the clients as well as the project team. Measures are being taken to incorporate this technology as soon as possible, and automate the complete construction process, under Focus2025.
