1.1 Modern Engineering
The 20th century brought a lot of technologies, raising mankind requirements, demanding and adding new challenges for engineers. As an example, a normal building requires the following discipline professionals: Project Engineer, Architect Engineer, Structural Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Environment Engineer, Planning Engineer, Cost Control Engineer, Communications Engineers and Computer Engineer and Consultants per discipline.
Also it is important to take under consideration that each construction engineer supervises a team of technicians of different disciplines and the number of those technicians’ increases or decreases in accordance to the project scope of work. These large number of specialists involved in the design and construction cycle need to exchange information, collect data, collaborate and manage the construction processes to make sure of the delivery of their project within the cost and budget constrains as well as meeting the client demands and quality standards. (Independent economics, August 2013)
Nowadays with the exceptional explosion of information technology and digital data platforms there was a necessity for the construction business to embark the digital era; therefore several initiatives appeared trying to integrate and increase the efficiency of the building process using digital information and new technologies, the most important among all is BIM, the Building Information Management/Modelling technology. (Thomas Bock, Christos Georgoulas & Thomas Linner)
1.2 Technology affecting the Engineering
Since the inception of intelligent 3D Model, it has been built as the industry’s answer to all of the 2D coordination issues coming from normal 2D. The truth is that Intelligent 3D Model is more efficient, better coordinated. It is well known that it is easy to think of intelligent 3D Model as a solution that makes pretty pictures and accelerates the production of 2D drawings.
Having been in the design and construction industry for many years and monitoring the progress of the intelligent 3D Modelling technologies and how effective they can be for industry and the conclusion was obvious that “I need it yesterday”.
Going through the history of architectural and engineering we can depict the true reasons behind the emergence of 3D and BIM technologies.
First there was hand drafting, where the architects in the above photo really thought about what they were drafting. For two main reasons:
- They took pride in the artistry of their work
- They really didn’t want to erase it and draw it all over again
- Hand drafting took much time, but in the background, with every stroke and every sharpening of the pencil, the architect was constructing and visualizing that building in his mind
The time needed to finish the project was invested to instruct and teach the next generation of architects as well. Then in 80’s the 2D CAD technology on personal computers appeared and everyone have been astonished by the power using computer drafting. (Martin Fischer and John Kunz)
Progressing Stages
This new technology substituted the art of building and took the job out of the office in no time. Nowadays the clients’ demands have raised up to 20 times which require higher speed of production and better quality, what one cannot find in manual and computer drafting 2D.
Abu Dhabi Airport External Design
Nowadays intelligent 3D Modelling technologies have progressively developed and brought to the industry many benefits for all its stakeholders, among these benefits are:
- Contractual, Quantity Surveying and Material Take-off Services
- Develop BOQs based on CSI coding or any other coding required by the client
- Develop summarized and detailed material take-offs (MTOs) per BOQ (Bill of Quantity) aggregated on any WBS level for planning and scope of work definition
- Support procurement operations
- Change Management Support
- Engineering Services
- Develop professional high quality presentations and photo-realistic images (Digital Mockups)
- Support and automate the engineering production of design drawings
- Act as an integrated system for design coordination and clash detection
- Assist in value engineering studies
- Construction and Project Controls Services
- Provide visual planning and visual progress monitoring functionalities
- Establish visual reporting and querying systems
- Establish 3D crane layouts and utilization studies
- Develop logistic plans, site accessibility & constructability studies
- Develop visual simulations for construction method statements
- Support and validate subcontractors´ work
- Post-Construction Services
- AS- Built
- FM / AM Integration
- O&M Integration
- Collaboration and Information Exchange
In summary Intelligent 3D Models (BIM) has taken the industry by storm in every aspect of the project lifecycle. The future of this technology takes 3D to many different dimensions, currently up to 7D as some literatures are advocating. BIM has endless possibilities; it can be utilized through the full lifecycle of a project from concept / pre-engineering all the way till commissioning. (Martin Fischer and John Kunz)
Intelligent Models - BIM Introduction
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. BIM is a shared knowledge resource of information to facilitate a reliable form basis to decisions maker during its life-cycle, defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition. BIM depended on a parametrical model carrying so much information in it. (John Wiley & Sons 2011)
Traditional building design was reliant upon two-dimensional drawings (plans, elevations, sections, etc.). Building information modelling extends this beyond 3D, augmenting the three primary spatial dimensions (width, height and depth) with time as the fourth dimension (4D) and cost as the (5D) till (7D) etc. (John Wiley & Sons 2011)
2D is a drafting way that replacing the need for traditional drafting boards and methods. On the other hand 3D intelligent model is designed to create virtual simulations of building design projects on the computer, something realized as virtual construction. The physical models created by architects, 3D models are useful for design and visualization. However, computer models can go much further than traditional physical models. It can be created more quickly and often more accurately. A single model is used to generate any kind of “drawing,” from plan to section to 3D view. (John Wiley & Sons 2011)
Furthermore, they can contain much more than physical 3D geometry, everything from the properties of the materials used in the design to the performance and life cycle of the facility can be included in the intelligent model and be used in real-time computations to optimize building performance, safety, and function. The more non graphical information that’s included, the more useful the model becomes to the other participants in the design and life cycle of a building facility, including designers, engineers, contractors, subcontractors and owners.
Intelligent model is referred in the industry as a Building Information Model or (BIM). BIM is not a particular product, but rather a description of the process and intent of the deliverables used to describe, construct and even maintain a facility. (John Wiley & Sons 2011)
Most of the companies continue to use a variety of tools in the design and production of building facilities. This means that 3D and 2D are often used side by side on the same project; there are many ways that the two ways can be used together. 2D drawings can be incorporated into 3D projects and even refreshed to show the latest changes when the 2D file changes.
3D model projects can be exported to a number of file formats, including 2D drawings, for easy collaboration with outside firms not using 3D. Once you see the benefits of using 3D instead of 2D in your design and documentation process, any discomfort experienced in the transition will seem a small price to pay and great benefit to gain. (John Wiley & Sons 2011)
The expanding use of BIM models for design, analysis, construction planning, coordination, and fabrication creates an opportunity to capture and unify the information built-in these models into a record model of the as-built facility. It is far more valuable to integrate and deliver a live BIM model of the project, rather than handing off printed documentation and static records during the commissioning phase. The information in the model can support the day-to-day operations and planning needed to ensure that the facility continues to operate reliably and at peak efficiency.
Realizing the benefits of BIM
Governments around the world are now realizing the benefits of BIM, especially for large construction funded with public and are beginning to mandate the use of BIM for these projects. A lot of recent studies by reputable organizations revealed the fact about the continuous increase in utilization of BIM by the construction business stakeholders.
The following chart shows how much BIM implementation is progressing in several countries in the globe.
BIM in several Countries: McGraw Hill Construction, 2013
It is believed that when the construction companies become more engaged in BIM process the greater their ability to receive its benefits and to realize very strong return on their investments in BIM. The below study from McGraw Hill shows that Half of the contractors at the highest level of BIM engagement are reporting very positive ROI- in excess of 25% on their investment in BIM- compared with 11% of the firms at the lowest level, over a third of whom are still at negative or break-even ROI.
investment in BIM Source: McGraw Hill Construction, 2013
The reality is that the industry is moving this way as they have already recognized the advantage of using BIM. The issue has been the slow adoption of the client to realize the benefits of the BIM approach – to the point that some are still rejecting the final as-built BIM model, considering it an unnecessary cost rather than realizing that it will reduce the AM/FM costs of running the building. Given that government is often the client, it would appear that this is actually an internal issue between government agencies or even roles with the same government agency that need to be resolved as quickly as possible. The UK has appointed a "Head of BIM" within the Cabinet Office. David Philp's role is to accelerate the adoption of BIM and mandate its use. The result of BIM is impressive ROI figures: (Neil Calvert 2013)
- 20% reduction in build costs
- 33% reduction in costs over the lifetime of the building
- 47% to 65% reduction in conflicts and re-work during construction
- 44% to 59% increase in the overall project quality
- 35% to 43% reduction in risk, better predictability of outcomes
- 34% to 40% better performing completed infrastructure
- 32% to 38% improvement in review and approval cycle”
Benefits of BIM Process (Neil Calvert 2013)
Analyzing the benefits of BIM
Neil Calvert with his experience brings up the benefit of BIM and some figures which affect the construction industry. Using BIM leads to less man power required which gives the opportunity to compete in the construction market with less budget needed. Reduction in costs over the lifetime of the building means that all measurements have been taken into consideration using BIM before building had been erected. Before applying BIM, coordination between the engineering design disciplines (Architectural, Structural, Electrical and Mechanical) is taking place, especially most of these designs happened to be in different design offices which leave the gap of errors during the process of construction time. Re-work appears when a contractor finds himself obliged to demolish a wall because one of the mechanical parts has not been taken into consideration.
BIM gives accuracy in details as well as increase in the overall project quality, reduction in risk, better predictability of outcomes, better performing completed infrastructure because using one 3D model and extracting the information from it leaves no chance for errors. In traditional design lifecycle the improvement in review and approval cycle of the drawings enters a process of issue for design, for approval, for construction and every one of this issues has several revisions, therefore this procrastinating process vanishes after using BIM because the 3D has all the information required to eliminate this issuing process. (John Wiley & Sons 2011)
Under the guidance of a Virtual Design and Construction Project Manager, BIM can be seen as a companion to Product Lifecycle Management, since it goes beyond geometry and addresses issues such as Cost Management, Project Management and provides a way to work concurrently on most aspects of building life cycle processes.
BIM makes a reliable digital representation of the building available for design decision making, high-quality construction document production, construction planning, performance predictions and cost estimates. Having the ability to keep information up-to-date and accessibility in an integrated digital environment, which gives the project team and owners a clear overall vision of all their projects. BIM has been promoted as the solution to reduce waste and inefficiency in building design and construction. However, many software vendors and consultants continue to promote it has the answer for improving efficiency of the entire construction industry. (John Wiley & Sons 2011)
In conclusion, BIM has tangible benefits in all the below mentioned areas:
- Provide design concept schematics
- Outline & single line drawings
- DFR’s (Diagram of functional relationship)
- Sketches or renderings
- Always submitted for approval
- Preliminary drawings prepared to the degree that owner can visualize the total project.
- Preliminary drawings complete enough to allow the preparation of a realistic budget estimate.
- Anything that can contribute to a more complete understanding of the client shall be considered.
- Interface Management and Coordination
- Shop Drawings Support
- Clash Detection Capabilities
- Material Take-off Extraction and Scope Management
- Site Logistics - Tower Crane Coordination
- Temporary Works Constructability and Optimization
- Construction Sequence – 4D Studies
- QA/QC Support
- Drawing Traceability and File Management
- Sustainability and Green Initiatives Support
- Facility Management and GIS Integration (John Wiley & Sons 2011)