I have previously shared a lot of basic knowledge about BIM, but many beginners still have questions. Today, I want to clarify What is BIM, what does it include, and what are the common stages of BIM implementation in China?
1. The Two Main Components of BIM:
1. Transparency of Building Lifecycle Information
The building lifecycle covers planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance. However, information throughout this entire process is often not transparent. Since buildings require upkeep and maintenance during their operation phase, users need clear guidance on when to maintain exterior finishes or structural elements. Unfortunately, most buildings lack user manuals, so current or new users cannot easily understand the building’s history, including past renovations or repairs, just by looking at the building’s surface.
In project management, it’s essential to document key events on construction sites—especially the progress of underground foundation work and any design changes. The overall goal is to prioritize user needs and ensure transparency of information. Today’s information advancements have made many industries transparent, and building lifecycle information should be no exception. BIM aims to provide comprehensive building data to enhance both quality and spatial safety for occupants.
2. AEC Knowledge Integration Platform
Architecture is composed of many specialized knowledge areas, each with unique techniques, regulations, and environmental considerations. Before BIM platforms existed, architectural knowledge was mainly stored in people’s minds or scattered documents. Now, under the BIM platform, modules can be software or apps that integrate into a project or style using a unified structure. For example, many domestic projects in China have leveraged BIM platforms to develop mechanisms for reviewing and submitting architectural drawings directly through BIM models, combining regulatory requirements and software tools.
2. Common BIM Implementation Stages:
1. Implementation during the Volume Planning Phase:
(1-1) Early Stage: Collaboration between Project Designer and BIM Planner
From the project’s outset, a BIM project team is formed based on the owner’s requirements. The team starts design and planning by analyzing the site, conducting energy simulations, and testing models. Designers can plan building volume and orientation to best suit the owner’s needs, improving energy efficiency and spatial use. This early involvement of BIM in the design process can enhance both the building design and construction detail precision, especially if BIM continues into the construction phase.
(1-2) Early Stage: Project Designer and BIM Planner Confirmed
Owners select the architectural design team early in the project and establish a BIM project team to develop designs following the BIM development process. This approach aligns with the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model commonly used in China’s AEC industry.
2. Design Change Phase: No Early Confirmation of Project Designer and BIM Planner
In some cases, the designer initially proposes conceptual solutions based on the owner’s needs, followed by a bidding process to select the final design team. The chosen team may or may not incorporate BIM during the initial volume planning. However, due to bidding requirements and site conditions, teams often rely on multiple software tools to enhance visual presentations, reducing BIM’s role in integrated information management.
This phase is common in China. After bidding, designers must address regulations, energy calculations, and space adjustments, often resulting in design changes that deviate from initial plans. Importing BIM at this stage becomes challenging, complicating communication with the BIM project team and subsequent design planning. Construction companies typically begin rebuilding only after winning the bid using a BIM model, but BIM’s information management benefits are often overlooked, turning BIM into a mere modeling tool.
This “relay” approach can disconnect BIM from the construction phase, lowering communication efficiency between designers and builders, and increasing labor and time costs.
That wraps up our discussion on What is BIM, what it includes, and common BIM implementation stages in China. I hope this article helps you better understand the topic!
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up