Significance of 3D BIM coordination services in construction

BIM coordination services are carried out largely in Revit which is highly indispensable building design software. Design is developed separately for different building trades in the preconstruction phase and hence it becomes truly significant to coordinate multidiscipline models for realizing the validity and authenticity of the models. As more and more sophisticated buildings are constructed now days, it’s sort of important for design and construction professionals to perform a quality control check on drawings as well as on models before they are coordinated.

Traditionally, when effective building design software wasn’t available to design and construction professionals, whether it’s the identifications of clashes or the coordination of different trades everything used to be carried out manually which involved large chances of human errors.

But Building Information Modeling which is considered as an effective visualization tool helps architects and engineers in visualizing the potential conflicts that exist between the design elements of different building trades. This is because multidiscipline models are created by architects and engineers in 3D by using BIM tools and these models can be observed by its users from every feasible angle.

When BIM coordination services are hired by clients they achieve effective outcomes by them. In the beginning clash detection is performed by the competent staff of the company wherein in innumerable clashes between design elements are identified. Identification of clashes is followed by providing effective solutions for them which is normally done by implementing changes in the location of the model elements. When all the destructive and dangerous clashes are fully rectified by design and construction professionals then comes the point when their coordination is required. Now the staff of service providing company needs to switch from Navisworks to Revit for performing BIM coordination. All the models which have recently been checked for the potential clashes should now be coordinated with each other in Revit. This time around no hardships are faced by AEC professionals in terms of conflicts between model elements when it comes to their coexistence.

This is way a composite BIM model is created by design and construction professionals which indicates flawless construction ahead. 

Progress noticed in BIM’s implementation over the last few decades

The last few decades have been really instrumental for Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry as BIM’s implementation has grown multiple times when it comes to using it in construction projects. The realization of the fact that BIM can decisively handle construction complications by design and construction professionals has increased its implementation in construction. Today irrespective of the work that they do, all the building stakeholders completely rely on Building Information Modeling for the accomplishment of their task in effective manner.

Countless researches have been conducted by industry honchos over the years which evidently describe the growth of BIM’s implementation in construction projects across the world. Today every nation in the world makes use of BIM for quickly developing or growing their infrastructure in a seamless manner.

Everyone in the construction industry such as architects, engineers, design consultants, modelers, contractors and owners make use of Building Information Modeling for increasing their productivity. Today more than 70% of design and construction professionals all over the world are utilizing BIM on building projects and a large number from the remaining are thing of using it in upcoming projects. If we tackle the facts specifically, it’s the contractors who use BIM maximum. According to research data revealed by industry experts more than 74% of contractors are currently using Building Information Modeling in the construction projects undertaken by them. And the fact remains that they are truly benefited by its use as it helps them in developing the building in a seamless manner which is then delivered to clients within fixed deadlines. Apart from contractors BIM is then used extensively by architects wherein more than 70% of them are presently using this technology for developing effective architectural design.

It is revealed that by the year 2007 only 17% of Architecture, Engineering and Construction firms were optimizing BIM for project execution but its implementation was multiplied manifolds by the year 2012, when nearly 71% of firms began using it on building construction.

So in this way the use of BIM uniformly kept on increasing with the passage of time and today the entire AEC industry is making use of it. 

Hire rendering services and examine the entire building design before its construction

I cannot imagine that in the last few decades Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry have advanced so much that without even constructing a building we can see its images effectively. This have become possible only because of Building Information Modeling which focuses on developing effective models for representing physical and functional characteristics of a building. 3D architectural models that are developed during preconstruction stage can be made realistic by executing rendering services for them.

Virtual Design and Construction or BIM allow design and construction professionals to create the building design in 3D so that it can be viewed from any angle as it can be easily rotated. Whether its architecture, structure and MEP, 3D models are created for all of them and this makes it easier for design and construction professionals to focus on the design of individual building discipline.

Once building design is completed rendering services are then executed for architectural model by the rendering artists. Rendering services are executed for interior segment of the building as well as for its exterior segment. In interior rendering the entire interiors are provided with photorealistic appeal by applying right color, texture, lighting effects and shadow effects etc. Different kinds of materials are developed by rendering artists for applying in the scene to make it photorealistic such as furniture, important home accessories such as curtain, door mat and flower vases etc.  Images of every room can be rendered by rendering artists such as living room, bed room, dining room and kitchen etc by creating important furniture and relevant home accessories.

Similarly the exterior segment of the building can also be provided with photorealistic feel by showing necessary elements in the image such as greenery; path that connects to the road, fencing that separates it from other buildings, and sky etc.

Photorealistic building images are really important for customers who are willing to purchase a flat or apartment as they can see the entire design of the building through these images.  Clients’ property buying decisions are largely influenced by such realistic images. Apart from this photorealistic images are used for government approvals and for marketing purposes. 

Building Information Modeling: It’s effectiveness for modelers!

Building Information Modeling is the process of exhibiting physical as well as functional characteristics of a building in virtual world. For representing physical and functional characteristics of the building in making design development team members develop effective 3D models which can be communicated with building stakeholders quite conveniently.

Revit which is substantially used by BIM modelers for developing multidiscipline models is available in three different disciplines such as Revit architecture, Revit structure and Revit MEP. Design development teams pick pertinent Revit discipline for accomplishing Revit modeling services, which are highly quintessential for every construction project that is executed in modern time.

Multidiscipline models developed in Revit environment are of totally digital nature and hence it becomes easy for design and construction professionals to suitably circulate these models to countless people at any point of time. Thus making them the best source for disseminating project information to every single person associated with the construction project. The distance of building stakeholders never become a concern for design and construction professionals as 3D models can be communicated electronically to any part of the world within fraction of seconds.

Effective cooperation is facilitated by Revit between interdisciplinary design members for strengthening their productivity as well as for reinforcing overall project productivity. As design data remains sufficiently available to everyone associated with the project there stands no question of incorporating false information in the models. The authenticity of design data is maintained in Revit by making it available to everyone through central model which is placed in an effective location so that design members can access it suitably. Whereas design development members make a copy of this model and start working on it. Though design members work independently in Revit on the models that are saved by them in their local workstations, they stay connected with each other through Revit server. All of them are also connected to central model again with the aid of Revit server and this allows them to share authentic information among each other.

In this way different Revit disciplines help their users with developing high end building design for an upcoming building. Building Information Modeling applications govern the entire design development phase in preconstruction. 

How is BIM useful in Renovation?

Though Building Information Modeling has largely been used in the execution of new construction projects so far, but now it is also used in renovation, refurbishment and retrofit projects by design and construction professionals. For years now, BIM has provided desired results when it comes to the design and construction of building projects and it is believed that it is equally helpful in renovation and restoration projects as well. When it comes to renovation projects BIM is implemented along with laser scanning technology for obtaining better project outcomes. It will not be incorrect to say that laser scanning technology is optimized by BIM users for producing better project outcomes.

In every renovation project surveying the existing building remains the first and most important  step but the fact remains that prior to the existence of  scan to  BIM process, it used to be the most difficult phase of a renovation project. Manual surveying was difficult because too many efforts were required from architects and engineers in terms of measuring the dimensions of the building correctly. Getting exact dimensions used to be really difficult for architect and engineers as human errors used to occur frequently and this used to create huge obstacles for them. Rework after rework used to be quite obvious in renovation process.

But the optimization of laser scanning and BIM technology by AEC professionals in renovation projects has proved to be really beneficial for them. Scanning the existing building has now become just a matter of few hours which once used to take days and weeks. The data obtained with the assistance of effective laser scanners is used by the BIM experts of a service providing company. The point cloud data provided to them is first indexed by them and then used in the project. The entire existing conditions are trapped in point cloud data which help BIM modelers in developing effectual as-built models. As-built BIM models eliminate all the doubts of design and construction professionals concerning the geometrical composition of the building. This allows them to understand the location of the elements of different building disciplines and this helps them greatly in execution the project.

Accurate construction drawings can also be obtained by AEC professionals from BIM models and are referred during renovation of the building. In short renovation process becomes largely uncomplicated because of  scan to BIM services.

  

Why is it important to perform steel detailing?

For the effective design and construction of any building that involves steel as its major ingredient steel detailing process is highly significant. That means for design and development of any steel structure it is paramount for design and construction professionals to execute steel detailing process wherein a variety of important drawings and documents are created. All those drawings, documents and reports that are created during steel detailing process are extremely important in the construction of steel structure.

Steel detailing is indispensable for any kind of structure that is developed by using steel parts. That means steel detailing process is executed by the construction team while constructing residential and commercial buildings, hospitals, resorts and institutional projects etc. Steel detailing is required not only for building construction but also for the construction of variety of other structures wherein steel is used.

All sort of detailed drawings, plans and estimates etc that are created by steel detailers at the time of steel detailing are either used by fabricators or by steel erectors. Before developing these drawings inputs are required from various sources such as architects, structural engineers, fabricators and building contractors. Specifications delivered by architects and structural engineers are indispensable for steel detailers as basic instructions which are necessary for developing drawings are provided through them.

Drawing which are used by fabricators are called structural steel shop drawings and they are significant for them due to their detailed nature. Information related to steel parts is incorporated in a detailed fashion in shop drawings. Drawings are incorporated with notes and instructions that provide clarity to fabricators or steel fabrication firms. All kind of information related to braces, truces, columns, handrail and joist etc is provided in shop drawings such as their size, dimensions, material specifications and other details. With the help of this information it becomes very easy for fabricators to manufacture steel parts as per project requirements.

On the other hand erection drawings are specifically created by steel detailers for providing assistance to erectors in terms of guiding them with the appropriate method of placing steel members while erecting the structure.

The above description of detailing process indicates that it is truly important for the construction of effective structure. 

Scan to BIM: Its importance in heritage restoration

National heritage structures remain the indispensable part of a countries’ history and culture and hence it becomes important to preserve them so that the coming generations can also have a look at them. We cannot treat national heritage structures as common buildings and sites as they are the only living examples of a country’s past and tremendously represent its ancient cultural identity. Our future generations equally have the right to experience such magnificent structures and sites so that they can also connect with them. A country’s rich cultural identity remains alive only through national heritage structures and hence it becomes our responsibility to preserve them safely for future. 

But these structures are constantly getting damaged due to natural calamities such as earthquakes, cyclones, high speed winds and floods etc. We must renovate them from time to time without compromising on their quality and the artistic creativity due to which they exist today. That means renovation should not damage the integrity of the structures in terms of losing their rich artistic formation.

Renovation of heritage structures and monuments such as old temples, palaces and churches etc includes a lot of complications and require a lot of attention. Prior to the  knowledge of scan to BIM services preservation of these structures was a difficult task but now it can be done with ease as laser scanning technology is very effective in this case. Prior to the implementation of laser scanning technology in construction projects measuring the existing structure remained one of the most difficult tasks for architects and engineers who are accountable for renovating the structure. The manual surveying of large structures often resulted in discrepancies in terms of measuring the dimensions and this cannot be disputed as human errors are inevitable in manual surveying.

However scan to BIM technology has proved to be a leader in the execution of renovation, retrofit and refurbishment projects. Laser scanning technology which helps in scanning the structure provides accurate building data in the form of point clouds. Laser scanning process results in bringing billions of points that represent the actual existing geometrical composition of the building. High end laser scanners complete the scanning process really fast and there is no comparison between manual surveying and surveying a structure with the assistance of laser scanning technology. Exact as built-data helps in developing accurate models for the renovation of heritage structures. 

When renovation is carried out with the help of scan to BIM process no damage is done to the structures and they can be renovated without losing their cultural essence. 

CAD drafting and its numerous advantages!

Computer aided design technology which is the full form of CAD technology, is tremendously effective when it comes to developing technical drawings for the construction projects. Numerous benefits have been provided by CAD technology to the employees of AEC industry when it comes to developing construction drawings in terms of maintaining accuracy and speed at which the drawings are generated. CAD is the most significant and quintessential tool for design and construction professionals when it comes to avoiding errors or inaccuracies in design, drafting and documentation of construction projects.

CAD Drafting had been in use for centuries prior to the emergence of CAD technology and it used to be considered as highly strenuous task by architects and engineers who used to be solely accountable for all kinds of design, drafting and construction activities earlier. When manual drafting was the only option available for design and construction professionals it used to take them weeks to develop construction drawings for a project. And the worst part was that even after putting weeks of hard work to accomplish a task it used to have high possibilities of human error in it.

Another disadvantage of manual drafting was that it used to be really demanding or hard to apply modifications in the drawings. Drawings used to be reviewed by architects and engineers several times before making necessary changes in them which used to eat a lot of time. Sometimes AEC professionals had to start the process from the beginning when major mistakes were confronted by them. So instead of making changes into the existing drawings they used to find it easy to develop the drawings from the scratch.

But after the emergence of CAD technology all such demanding and arduous problems have now become really easy for design and construction professionals. One of the greatest advantages of digital drafting is the application of modifications in the drawings. CAD software like AutoCAD can smoothly and effectually apply changes on the drawings within a click of mouse.

The second important benefit of digital drafting is that construction drawings can be generated with much faster and can be delivered rapidly to clients. And the third important benefit of digital drafting is that unmatched accuracy can be achieved or obtained on drawings due to the potential tools of CAD software. 

Solve your construction problems with BIM!

As a process that is implemented by AEC professionals in the accomplishment of construction projects Building Information Modeling makes the best use of innovative methodology. Effective planning and execution remains at the heart of building process and BIM remains the most effective tool for design and construction professionals for accomplishing this. Development of 3D models remains at the center of BIM process wherein huge importance and attention is given to secure information in digital form. In other words 3D models remain indispensable part of BIM methodology and these models are largely accountable for effective construction.

BIM focuses on the digital representation of building disciplines and in this process AEC professionals are greatly supported by Revit. Highly reliable BIM models are created with the assistance to Revit tools. Preservation and creation of building data in digital form makes it easy to be coordinated and distributed to building stakeholders. Since data is transferred electronically it can be communicated among design and construction professionals at any point of time. This data or information is used by different building stakeholders for planning and decision making.

Various BIM software are developed by Autodesk that are used in design development phase such as Revit, Navisworks, and 3ds Max etc. Availability of software is very important for design and construction professionals for precise execution of preconstruction services. Availability of Revit Architecture, Revit Structure and Revit MEP to design and construction professionals solves half of the construction problems as they are crucial for design development.

Each and every part of BIM models can be successfully examined and analyzed which leads to effective decision making. This means project related decisions that are taken by potential stakeholders are thoroughly based on BIM models.

BIM models are instrumental in generating material takeoffs, construction schedules, bill of materials, simulation videos and cost estimates etc. Construction drawings which include architectural, structural and MEP drawings are tremendously important for AEC professionals and can also be extracted from BIM models. 

When it comes to seamless construction clash detection remains at the heart of BIM methodology.