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BIM Down Under | Events | News | BIM for Estimators | Crossword | Videos
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Welcome
Issue 2
CONTRIBUTORS
Welcome
Fred Mills
Editor
@Fred_Mills
Hello and welcome to the second
hard copy edition of The B1M Mail!
W
hy on earth would you print a
hardcopy newspaper about the
digital age? Well ‘going digital’ means
converting those in analogue. That
simply won’t happen by publishing vast swathes of
(sometimes contradictory) information on digital platforms daily. Nor can you expect everyone to actively
go and find out more about BIM under their own
steam, just because they’re interested. We need to
reach out and engage people in a cool format that
makes taking those first steps easy.
With this paper, we’ve worked hard to create a
simple and engaging read that helps to encourage wider BIM adoption, rising above the digital
noise and reaching the analogue world by hitting
front door mats. We had a fantastic reaction
to Issue 1, from entire lecture theatres reading
copies in Melbourne; to our packed publishing
party in London – your support was phenomenal!
Our subscriber base doubled as a result and we
now reach over 2,000 professionals across six
continents. Make sure you tweet us a picture
from wherever you’re reading!
With growth like this, Issue 2 needed a global
partner and we’ve certainly found that in Exactal; a market leader in BIM estimating software
with users in over 70 countries. Headquarted in
Australia, they make a great sponsor for this issue
where we take a special look at BIM down under.
We’ve also got a BIM news round-up and of
course, the all-important BIM crossword.
Tom Payne
Creative Director
@getlamp
Our paper supports our video resource over
at TheB1M.com, full of engaging content that
makes taking the first steps into BIM that bit
easier. So make a cup of tea, read this paper,
then take a step into the digital world and check
out our cool website!
Fred Mills
Editor
Elly Payne
Designer
@ellypayne
Front cover
©Pedro Szekeley
TOPVIDEOS
One World Trade Centre,
New York BIM Case Study
Where better to see BIM applied
in practice that on New York’s
tallest building? This great video
is part of a series of BIM case
studies on the new World Trade
Center complex; search ‘World
Trade Center’ on TheB1M.com to
see more.
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PAS 1192-2 in 5 minutes
Guidance brought to life
PAS 1192-2 is the British
Standard guidance document
for collaborative working and
information management in a
BIM Level 2 environment. The
guidance and process map are
brought to life in this quick and
engaging animation; a great way
for beginners and busy bees to
gain an overview!
The B1M Mail is the regular BIM news publication from The B1M;
an online video resource inspiring one million people to help mobilise
widespread BIM adoption. Check out these videos and more at TheB1M.
com. To add or create a video contact us at Video@TheB1M.com
BIM Maturity
Easy as 1, 2, 3
Are you confused about the
different levels of BIM? Do you
hear people talking about 4D, 5D
or 6D and wonder what on earth
they are on about? If so, take 4
minutes to learn the different levels
of BIM maturity, what happens
at each level, and the difference
between levels and dimensions.
An evening with BIM estimating
Exploring 5D BIM for the QS
How can BIM be used by
Estimators and QSs for pricing
projects quickly and with
enhanced accuracy? Well Exactal
will help you find out in ‘an evening
with BIM estimating’, showcasing
over an hour of key note
presentations by leading experts
from their recent event in London.
What openBIM does for you
BuildingSMART in 4 minutes
Like us, BuildingSMART are
passionate about openBIM
principles. Find out more about
what openBIM means, its benefits
and how you can work in an
openBIM environment in this
excellent animation created and
kindly shared on our platform by
Building SMART Norway.
© LWYang
BIM Down Under
3
Fred Mills on why Australia will
do a great job of BIM adoption
(largely down to a British head-start)
M
anly beach on the Pacific coast of Sydney
Harbour has to be one of my favourite spots on
planet earth. Surely there are few better places
to sit with a cold beer and watch the sun go
down? As a British man, a large part of my love for the
place is based on its familiarity to home. It’s like Britain, but
the sun shines on a more regular basis.
Sadly I couldn’t justify the 10,553 mile trip down under but
writing from a distance gives the unique perspective of an
outsider looking in (or so I’ve consoled myself). Supporting
me on the ground in Australia have been a large and
enthusiastic group of individuals; from Universities and
contractors, to consultants and Government departments.
Chief among them has been Matt Rumbelow. To call Matt
a ‘BIM enthusiast’ doesn’t really do him justice. From my first
breath about this article (and with a 10 hour time difference
between us) he has communicated relentlessly; sending
through articles, setting up interviews and gathering leads.
I thought I was keen, but I cannot compete with this. What
you’re reading would not have been possible without his
input.
Australia Today
So where are Australia on the BIM map? Well numerous
reports and research studies have assessed this, often
using the position of markets in other countries as
benchmarks. Notable leads and statistics come from
BuildingSMART Australasia, the Australian Institute of
Architects, Consult Australia and McGraw Hill amongst
others.
If there’s one overriding area of consensus it is that the
overall level of BIM awareness in Australia is very high,
but that the general commitment to and use of BIM is
still relatively early as compared to other architecture,
engineering and construction (AEC) markets.
Despite this, survey trends indicate ‘significant further
investment in BIM’ planned by the vast majority of AEC firms
in the next two to three years; no doubt proving particularly
potent when combined with a rising market, and the
increased globalisation and digitisation of the AEC industry
worldwide over the same period. Add in the commitment
to some very large projects and master plans across the
wider region (including in and around Christchurch in New
Zealand) and you have all the ingredients for a BIM greenhouse on the Australasian continent.
It is certainly not that Australia aren’t clicking with the idea of
BIM, nor actively pursuing its adoption; but more a question
of where they are on the journey as compared to other
nations.
Geographical Challenges
The Australian AEC market is highly localised, mainly
due to its geographical positioning. The majority of firms
operate purely in Australia and are isolated from international
markets as a result. To a certain extent, this has inhibited
BIM adoption. There are of course larger, global players
operating in the country they appear responsible for much
of the BIM import to date.
The overall level of BIM awareness in
Australia is very high, but the general
commitment to and use of BIM
is still relatively early as compared to
other architecture, engineering and
construction markets.
Indeed the Australian BIM effort seems to have benefitted
from the significant globalisation of the AEC industry in
the past decade. That’s not to say they have just copied
or jumped on the shoulders of others, but more that the
business case had to be explained and influenced from the
outside-in, before passionate advocators started running
with it and making strong, pioneering contributions. Many
other markets have had similar beginnings.
Demonstrating the limitations of a local market, research
by McGraw Hill in 2014 found that more non-BIM users
(working solely on projects in Australia or New Zealand)
believe their competitors and Clients are not using BIM, as
compared with their peers at global firms. The absence of
BIM in their Client’s requirements or within their respective
competitor’s organisations considerably reduces their
incentive to adopt it.
Local firms, working on small to medium sized projects,
in a local market represents one of the key barriers to BIM
adoption down under. Compounding this, there is an
unfounded perception that BIM doesn’t deliver worthwhile
efficiencies on smaller schemes; 54% of non-BIM users
(again working solely on projects in Australia or New
Zealand) cited that as a ‘significant reason’ for delaying
adoption.
Local firms, working on small to medium
sized projects, in a local market represents
one of the key barriers to BIM adoption
down under.
Larger projects by contrast, are often delivered by
international players in a BIM Level 2 environment.
Examples include the New Royal Adelaide Hospital and
Sydney’s 28-storey 1 Bligh Street tower (right). These
schemes are great case studies, driving implementation
from the top of the supply chain, but more needs to be
done to shake up the domestic mid-market.
The body of research on BIM adoption in Australia points
to some more familiar barriers too, including a lack of
demand from Clients and the need for clear, demonstrable
and compelling benefits. These problems are not unique
to Australia and will no doubt resonate with many readers.
Indeed Australia face the same, more fundamental
questions of any other AEC market on whether high quality,
well-executed, widespread BIM adoption, will ever occur
long term and what form it will take.
Thought you were keen?
Scientific context analysis aside, what the many reports
don’t really capture is the enthusiasm for BIM on the
street. One of Australia’s greatest strengths is the passion
amongst its BIM advocates. That is not to say it is lacking in
other markets, only that I have found it to be most intense
here. Perhaps Australians wear it on their sleeve more?
Matt Rumbelow is the perfect of example of an Australian
AEC professional that has a fundamental belief in BIM, both
as a means of improving the quality of built environment
our industry delivers, and the manner in which it delivers
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4
BIM Down Under
it. He is matched in passion by the likes of John Mitchell,
Mark Tait, Belinda Thompson, Shaun Miller and Charmaine
Ferguson (and many, many more). They organise
events, drive discussion, co-ordinate user groups, share
knowledge, enable education and inspire others (check out
the #BIMANZ hash tag).
When you add ‘passionate BIM advocates inspiring others’
into the greenhouse I described earlier, it is not difficult to
project the results.
Australian BIM Mandate
For all that enthusiasm, Australia still lacks a Government
mandate to really bring direction and focus its energies
(of course a mandate on its own is not the answer, but it
would certainly shake those who currently don’t see the
need to adopt BIM into exploring it further)..
Matt Rumbelow
BIM enthusiast: Matt is involved in several
initiatives including ThinkBIM, TalkBIM
and the BIM Day Out, whilst holding
down a day job at AAM. He gave us the
inside track on BIM in Australia and this
article would not have been possible
without him. Find out more in his profile
on TheB1M.com (B671) and visit his
websites at ThinkBIM.net, TalkBIM.net.
The result has been manifested in a plethora of initiatives
and working groups. All make strong and welcomed
contributions, trying to complement one another rather
than overlap, but in a cruel irony, their sheer number has
perhaps slowed their overall pace of progress. Despite
some significant influencers, there is no one overriding
voice, and no clear leader.
That said, at the top of the tree are influencers such as
BuildingSMART Australasia, who published the ‘National
BIM Initiative’ for the Australian Department of Industry,
Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education
(DIISRTE) in June 2012. That report recommended a
mandate of Level 2 BIM adoption by July 2016, though
such a mandate was not forthcoming (they should be
so lucky …lucky, lucky, lucky). Despite this, the report is
the closest Australia comes to a central Government BIM
strategy and it has had significant benefit in aiding the
country’s progress.
The Future
So let’s get to the good stuff; are Australia ahead or
behind others and what does the future of their BIM
journey look like?
Whenever I mentioned my work on this article, people
always wanted the same thing; a juicy headline about the
United Kingdom (UK) vs. Australia. “Who is winning the BIM
ashes?” “We’re ahead of the UK right?” “Australia are just
copying us aren’t they?” The competition between our two
nations on BIM is at times just as intense as the cricket and
despite not actually travelling any distance, I have been on
quite a journey with this article.
I fear reader disappointment without a view on who is best,
so here goes. I have concluded from research that Australia
is behind the UK’s curb on BIM, but has the advantage of
learning from it and ultimately doing a better job. How’s that
for Commonwealth diplomacy? Comparisons with the UK
aside, I believe they could also learn much from the United
States and many other markets, provided knowledge is
shared effectively.
Australia is behind the UK’s curb on BIM,
but has the advantage of learning from it
and ultimately doing a better job.
Australia have a very good BIM greenhouse. They have
example projects, planned investments, a rising market
and a pre-mapped learning curve offered by other markets,
shared primarily through digital tools across our globalised
industry. Critically, they have incredibly passionate BIM
advocates – and that’s powerful. Once Australia crosses
the tipping point, I predict the growth in BIM adoption to be
both rapid and widespread.
I believe they will take the UK’s start and go further. They’ll
be Australian and always remind us that they are better.
We’ll be British and always remind them of their heritage.
Our three recommendations
for BIM adopters down under:
1
Mandate BIM at
Government level.
2
Showcase and share the
demonstrable benefits.
3
Increase knowledge sharing
with other markets.
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© See-Ming Lee
Will BIM mean the end of estimating?
6
Will BIM mean the
end of estimating?
Fred Mills explores 5D BIM with Exactal’s Simon Lovegrove
and asks whether the days are numbered for estimators.
S
imon Lovegrove knows his estimating. Originally
from the UK, he has spent much of his life in
Australia, holding a directorship at Turner and
Townsend in Brisbane and becoming a founding
director of Exactal. Nowadays, and with 35 years
industry experience behind him, he leads Exactal’s
focus in the UK and Europe, splitting his time
50:50 between there and other offices in Australia,
New Zealand and Hong Kong. If anyone has a
global view on estimating with BIM, he does. Despite enquiring about his
movements and insisting that I fly over to grab a beer on an Australian
beach (apologies for that stereotype) I instead meet Simon on a rather cold
day in London. The agenda? BIM, Exactal’s take-off software, and whether
their product could bring an end to the estimating profession.
The success of
CostX speaks
for itself, and the
product now
supports users
in 70 different
countries around
the world.
Global Success
We start with an impressive low-down on team Exactal. Founded in 2003,
they have built a global firm behind the success of their core software product
CostX. Recognising synergies with the UK market, they quickly branched out
from Brisbane to the less exotic Newcastle-upon-Tyne, before coming to their
senses and going on to open five subsequent bases across Europe, Asia
and Australasia. The success of CostX speaks for itself, and the product now
supports users in 70 different countries around the world.
So why has it proved so popular? Well CostX originally set out to better
integrate the estimating process with that of CAD drawing files. Despite the
presence of several competitors at the time, Exactal’s approach differed in
that they directly tied measurements to specific CAD-drawn elements. This
enabled them to deliver unique bi-directional links between the estimate and
sections of the drawing represented. As estimating started going digital,
Exactal enjoyed the steady success of CostX’s intuitive and straight-forward
workflow resonating with an ever-widening user base.
Let’s stop there for a moment. Simon is a very genuine and grounded guy, but
to avoid the risk of writing pure propaganda I dug around to see what Exactal’s
user base really think of their product offering. Amazingly, I only found positive
feedback and a total conviction amongst users of the efficiencies the product
has brought them. Now, they couldn’t imagine not using it.
‘I fear BIM will replace me’
Interestingly, when speaking to those estimators (and to many others
over recent months) I always encountered a mixed bag when I gently
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moved on from digital tools to raise the topic of BIM. This was despite
an almost universal acceptance of the efficiencies that a digital approach
can bring, even amongst non-users who still prefer manual techniques.
Some described with genuine horror their perception of a ‘push-onebutton’ approach to pricing that would do them out of a job; others were
comparatively well-advanced in using it; whilst some recognised the
potential but pointed to a long road ahead.
Exactal’s journey of success has run pretty parallel to the digitisation of
estimating and inevitably brought them to the BIM question. So I put this
feedback to Simon and asked him straight-up: will BIM mean the end of
estimating?
“Ultimately, professional advice will always be needed to analyse and
interpret cost data in preference to the raw output from any software
program, no matter how sophisticated” he said. “I often come across
estimators and quantity surveyors who carry a fear that BIM will replace
them. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The advent of BIM means they can
actually focus on applying their intelligence and wisdom to a project, rather
than spending 90% of their time calculating a quantity”.
The 5D BIM Value Proposition
What Simon alludes to is the BIM value proposition for estimators and
those involved in the cost planning and pricing of projects. So what does
the ultimate vision look like? The engagement of cost data in the BIM
workflow is known as adding a ‘fifth dimension’ to your project or asset
information set (hence the term ‘5D BIM’). Linking in programme data is the
fourth dimension, whilst incorporating facilities management information is
the sixth. These dimensions are distinctly separate from the ‘levels’ of BIM
Will BIM mean the end of estimating?
7
maturity running from zero to three. You may find 4D, 5D and 6D
data are all used within a Level 2 BIM environment for example.
Fundamentally, successful working in a BIM environment and
realisation of true value from the process demands (amongst other
things); 1) earlier design development and options testing (from a
clear set of Employer’s Information Requirements) before progression
to the detailed design phase, and; 2) holistic project team
collaboration, including from cost planners and the specialist supply
chain, right from the outset.
‘Professional advice
will always be
needed to analyse
and interpret cost
data in preference
to the raw output
from any software
program.’
Simon Lovegrove
In a 5D BIM environment, rather than working in isolation to offer cost
advice or take-off quantities for a project, estimators are participating
in data exchange from day one. “They get to play on the team
instead of watching from the side-lines” as Simon puts it; “automated
quantities generation provides a faster, more accurate tool to analyse
data and provide better advice. This enables real-time options
modelling and facilitates scenario testing to explore ways of improving
building design, efficiency, performance and cost”. Far from replacing
them, 5D BIM actually enables estimators to better collaborate with
project teams, explore opportunities, eliminate risk and focus spend
on a Customer’s needs more effectively, resulting in a higher quality
built asset that truly supports their business outcomes.
Barriers to Adoption
So the proposition sounds great, but why the slow uptake? How do
we get the majority of the estimating profession from where they are
now to using BIM? Simon explained: “At the moment, we’re finding
one of the main challenges is receiving incomplete models, missing
some sections for example. That can be frustrating for estimators
and some use this as an excuse not to adopt”.
A potential solution lies in CostX’s support for 2D take-off in addition
to 3D model data: “We not only allow the estimator to manually
measure from the model if required, but also by supplementing 2D
drawings where necessary. There’s no need to switch from one
program to the other”. It means that where information is missing
from a model the estimator doesn’t have to completely write it off.
“The hybrid approach is great for estimators until we reach ‘BIM
nirvana’ where all models are complete” Simon continued.
Indeed in any project information model there is a considerable
amount of attribute data not actually ‘modelled’ but instead provided
(linked) on 2D product data templates, specification pages or note
sheets cut from the model. CostX allows additional quantities to
be measured from these sheets for augmentation with 3D data,
covering the gaps. Simon points out that this allows them to support
the traditional workflow on non-BIM projects, enabling estimators
to gradually progress to BIM. He believes there will always remain
a place for 2D data and drawings as the ‘universal language of
construction’.
But surely the real issue still lies in the accuracy of data provided by
designers, regardless of whether it’s 2D or 3D, hand-drawn or CAD
generated, BIM or non-BIM? Most estimators already fill the gaps
in information with their judgement, particularly in the early design
stages, and this is where the profession’s real skill lies. “That’s the
biggest thing” Simon said. “Accurate take-off tools can’t make up
for poor model information being issued in the first place and in that
respect there’s little difference between a BIM environment and the
2D world that most people are used to”.
BIM is all about information and its management; bringing information
to the forefront of our approach to minimise risk and placing greater
emphasis and reliance on our transactions with it during project
development. That demands a greater level of integrity in the
information that all of us produce on a scheme, not just designers.
As projects progress, the degree to which information needs to be
relied upon for decision making increases; from agreeing a business
case, submitting for Planning approval and entering contract, right
through to releasing drawings for construction and then referencing
as-built and real-time performance data in an asset information
model, post-completion.
incredibly professional people. It’s just that BIM will enable us to do
better. The problems estimators experience with 2D information are
certainly still there in a BIM environment, but are easier and quicker
to spot. Long term, BIM will drive improvements in the quality of
information released and its adoption represents a great step in the
right direction. It’s just going to take time.
Other barriers to 5D workflow include the misconception of BIM as
an area purely for designers, and the creation of data models in a
format not conducive to 5D purposes. Simon explained how CostX
challenges the latter issue by supporting industry standard file formats
(including IFC and DWF) whilst allowing users to manipulate data
within the model to suit their needs. Of course to enable that, we are
faced with the broader and more fundamental hurdles of ensuring
that training and technical know-how are in place; something no
doubt affecting many in the profession who are new to BIM.
Thought Leadership
Attempting to address these barriers, Exactal really are becoming
thought leaders on 5D BIM and want to see its wider adoption,
regardless of the software used. In March 2014 they hosted two
events in the UK exploring the barriers and opportunities of 5D BIM
for estimators, which saw Simon joined by Trevor Woods, a lecturer
at the Dublin Institute of Technology and founder of the DPW Group
(the full event video can be seen on TheB1M.com). Trevor echoed
much of Simon’s views in his talk; “It’s less work at the outset, that
is, less work doing the counting, but you’re doing that more often as
you feed information back to the designers and project team”.
As for Simon himself, he remains positive about the ultimate impact
BIM will have on the estimating profession, recognising the pull of the
value proposition and maturing professional capabilities eventually
becoming strong enough to force barriers aside: “Once the quality of
information develops and estimators take the gradual step from digital
CAD take-off into a full BIM environment, the demonstrable benefits
will drive rapid uptake. BIM will mark an evolution in the estimator’s
role and see them adding much more value to the project delivery
process”. Having partially pioneered the integration of estimating with
CAD on a global scale, I would say Exactal’s predictions and advice
are worth listening to.
As I wrap up our conversation and leave to walk out along the street,
the earlier London gloom has surrendered to some warm sunny
spells. My hope is that estimators reading this, for all the unfounded
doom-talk of BIM ending their existence, might just experience
something similar.
For more on Exactal visit Exactal.com, follow them on
Twitter @Exactal and check out “An Evening with BIM
Estimating” on TheB1M.com.
It will take everyone time to get used to this new, more exposed way
of working and if anything it’s a little embarrassing that our industry
is only gradually reacting to the new concept of things ‘having to be
right’. I don’t mean to knock us with that comment; we deliver some
phenomenal environments and feats of engineering, through some
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News roundup
8
UAV surveying and data capture
NEWS ROUNDUP
Surge in use of UAVs for data capture
Data capture is moving up in the world.
Thanks to reducing technology and hardware
costs, specialist survey firms are increasingly
using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or ‘UAVs’ to
fly over and map large sites and terrains. Yes,
we’re talking drones taking pictures.
The process is largely centred around
‘photogrammetry’ (the process of determining
the geometric properties of an object/area
using photographic images) and 3D laser
scanning, a process that collects information
on millions of different points within a specific
area. Each of these points are then collated
into one digital 3D image or ‘point cloud’.
UAVs fly over a site and capture data from
two or more overlapping perspectives
(using the same base co-ordinates) to
ensure a high level of accuracy when these
perspectives are later combined. The 3D
data captured can then be imported into
modelling software for integration with the
design process, ensuring greater accuracy.
The process can generate other niche data
sets too, including information on surface
ground types and topography.
As you might imagine, flying drones and
taking pictures has its controversies,
particularly in inner city or residential areas
and those sensitive with the military or
intelligence agencies. There’s also other air
traffic, electricity/telephone cables, trees and
built structures to contend with. Thankfully
pre-determined flight plans go some way
to preventing UAVs from straying into too
much trouble; routes, heights and the data
sets to be collected are all agreed and pre-
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programmed beforehand enabling many
of these issues to be considered and for
permissions to be sought. Birds just seem
to give them a wide berth. Various providers
now capture data this way including
SkyQuad (operating from the North West of
the UK and covering Europe) and Remote
Sense (operating out of Perth, Australia).
NFB launch series of 30 minute
BIM webinars
The UK’s National Federation of Builders
(NFB) are launching a new series of free
webinars, aimed at helping beginners get
to grips with the practicalities of working in a
BIM environment. The Wednesday lunchtime
sessions offer a 20 minute presentation
followed by an opportunity for 10 minutes
of questions. The series kicks-off in early
September and runs through to 15 October.
Be sure to register in advance at builders.
org.uk.
CIBSE pioneer Product
Data Templates (PDTs)
BIM is all about information management
and more important than any 3D modelled
component is arguably the ‘attribute data’
linked to it. Manufacturers already involved
with BIM are well aware of this and are faced
with growing demands from designers
for information on their products. To date
this has meant repeated wasteful effort in
creating customised data sets for each
different customer’s request.
Now the UK’s Chartered Institute of Building
Services Engineers (CIBSE) are introducing
a new standard format for product data,
backed by the UK Cabinet Office. The
consistently formatted schedules, mandated
and used industry-wide, will enable
manufacturers to create complete data sets
for their products just once, whilst giving
project teams and end-users familiarity in
the attribute data they search for.
Product Data Templates or PDTs (to add
another acronym to our industry) are
standard MS Excel format questionnaires
for each product type or genre, compatible
with a wide range of 3D modeling software.
Each PDT aims to anticipate the information
sought by every party; right from specification
through to operations and decommissioning.
The PDTs created to date (written by
volunteers and given to CIBSE) only cover
building services products and there’s a long
way to go to cover every product used in
the AEC industries. Indeed, the task will be
a rolling one, as new products continually
come to market. At this time it is vital that
manufacturers and trade associations help
to develop more PDTs using the master
template as a base; a classic opportunity to
shape your future before it shapes you!
If you’re willing to be involved in writing
templates email pdt@cibse.org and obtain
CIBSE’s consent before starting. Where no
one else has signed up already, CIBSE will
agree a timetable with you and assign a
mentor to guide you through the process.
CIBSE are trying to create one industry
standard template per product type so your
final draft must be approved by them. They
will remain custodian of all PDTs, but clearly
acknowledge authors in published versions.
What are you waiting for!
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Events
9
UPCOMING
EVENTS
What’s happening
in the world of BIM?
In association with
@BIMdiary
BIM Execution Planning, Free Webinar
17 September 2014, Global
Full details and registration (part of a wider series):
eventbrite.co.uk/e/bim-execution-planning-freewebinar-17-september-tickets-12190152073
BIM International Conference 2014
09-10 October 2014, Lisbon, Portugal
Full details and registration:
bimforum.com.pt/index.php/en
BIM through the Plan of Work
24 September 2014, London, UK
Full details and registration: thenbs.com/training/
conferences/bim-through-the-plan-of-work.asp
RTC Europe 2014
30 October – 01 November 2014,
Dublin, Ireland
Full details and registration:
rtcevents.com/index.php
The BIM Day Out 2014
01-02 October 2014, Perth, Australia
Full details and registration: bimdayout.com
Autodesk University 2014
02-04 December 2014, Las Vegas, USA
Full details and registration: au.autodesk.com
BIM Forum, Dallas 2014
07-09 October 2014, Dallas, USA
Full details: expo.bimforum.org
SPAR Europe
08-10 December 2014, Amsterdam,
The Netherlands
Full details and registration:
sparpointgroup.com/europe
Are you a bit bamboozled by BIM jargon? Do you find yourself
nodding along or tuning out when people start talking in code?
Well fear not! Here we take some of the key BIM terminology
and explain it in simple English for you.
Employer’s Information Requirements (EIRs)
Where the Client (Employer) clearly sets out the information needed to
enable informed decision making at key points in the project delivery
phase. It will detail processes, standards and preferred information
formats and must be in place from the outset. Where an Employer
doesn’t provide an EIR, project teams can develop one with them using
plain language questions to understand their needs.
BIM Dimensions
Elements of data provided in addition to the 3D graphical model; 4D
refers to time or programme data, 5D to cost data and 6D to facilities
management data. These dimensions should not be confused with the
BIM maturity levels. Each of these dimensions could be found within a
Level 2 BIM environment.
Federated Model
The process of combining models produced by different providers into
one model is called ‘federation’ and results in a ‘federated model’.
Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)
An open file format developed by buildingSMART to facilitate
interoperability across the AEC industries. For example, if your providers
were using different authoring software they could each export (save)
their work into IFC format (a common language) to enable federation. IFC
is neutral and not owned by any software vendors.
© Sylvain Collet
Building Information Modelling
(BIM)
The process of designing, constructing and
operating a built asset using electronic objectorientated information. BIM creates value throughout
an asset’s life-cycle by the creation, collation and
exchange of shared 3D graphical models and the
non-graphical structured data attached to them.
There are 0-3 levels of BIM maturity (as defined
by Bew-Richards) and the global AEC market is
currently striving to achieve Level 2.
Project Information Model (PIM)
Term for the information model (formed of both
graphical and non-graphical data) during the
design and construction phase of a project.
Asset Information Model (AIM)
Term for the information model during the
operational phase of a built asset’s lifecycle. A
good AIM will support optimum operation and
maintenance of the facility it relates to, and inform
future development.
Still confused?
BIM Execution Plan (BEP)
Master Information Delivery Plan (MIDP)
A document prepared by the information
exchange participants at the outset of the project
delivery phase. It explains and sets parameters for
how the information modelling aspects of a project
will be carried out.
A document that clearly sets out what project information is required,
when it is required by and who is producing it. The MIDP will also detail
the format and protocol for exchange and management of information
once ready for issue. Task Information Delivery Plans (TIDPs) will sit below
the MIDP and cover specific trades and/or work-streams.
PAS 1192-2
Clash Detection
A publically available specification (PAS) that
provides a consistent, industry-wide framework
for collaborative working and information
management in a BIM Level 2 environment,
produced by the British Standards Institution.
The process of combining (‘federating’) two or more models together to
highlight undesirable collisions between building elements.
Common Data Environment (CDE)
A shared online area that everyone in the project
and/or asset management team has access to.
It is a single point for the collection, management
and dissemination of all approved documentation
for multi-disciplinary teams working in a BIM
environment.
BIM Wash
Making over-hyped, over-inflated or deceptive claims about your
progress in adopting BIM and/or working in a BIM environment.
REMEMBER: if someone talks jargon to you, stop them, and politely
remind them that widespread BIM adoption will never occur if we don’t
use inclusive, plain language.
Definitions developed by The B1M with reference to Bond Bryan
Architects and The British Standards Institution (specifically PAS
1192-2: 2013).
Tweet us @TheB1M any terms you don’t understand and we’ll explain in the next issue
The B1M Mail // TheB1M.com // @TheB1M
Cut this page out, stick it to your wall and tweet us a photo @TheB1M
The terminology explained
Cut this page out, stick it to your wall and tweet us a photo @TheB1M BIM BAMBOOZLED
Cut this page out, stick it to your wall and tweet us a photo @TheB1M
10
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BIM Bamboozled
Crossword
11
BIMCROSSWORD
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Across
3 T he process of 3D laser scanning and importing the point-cloud
data generated to your model (4, 2, 3)
5 Leading provider of modelling software (10)
9 Employers Information ____________ (12)
10 The B1M’s mantra, Share + ________ (7)
11 Information about building elements, linked to or embedded
within the model (9, 4)
14 The E in COBie (8)
15 The process of combining independently produced models
from different disciplines, into one file (10)
17 Key document for any BIM project, the rules of engagement for
information exchange (8)
19 Leading provider of BIM estimating software (7)
Down
1 Make sure you have one of these before you start (9, 4)
2 Master Information ____________ Plan (8)
4 A shared online area for exchanging information (6, 4, 11)
6 The fifth dimension (4)
7 The fourth word in The B1M’s Facebook bio (8)
8 The B in BIM (8)
9 Co-author of the BIM maturity diagram, Mervyn _______ (8)
12 The level of BIM maturity addressed by PAS 1192-2 (3)
13 Universal file format (3)
16 Abbreviation for a digital file created in Autodesk Revit (3)
18 Popular hash tag amongst BIM users in Australasia (6)