BIM models have overcome the limitations of poor information exchange found in traditional 2D and 3D models. However, the level of informatization in China’s construction industry remains relatively low. The adoption of BIM concepts and technologies in China continues to face significant challenges. To drive the industry toward lower costs, reduced energy consumption, and greater efficiency, several key areas require further research and development.
(1) BIM Standards: Standardization in BIM focuses on the clear coding and classification of building components, data formats, and levels of information detail. It also covers design, implementation, and delivery standards. The success of BIM hinges on a unified framework of standards embraced by the entire construction industry. For example, the BIM research group at Tsinghua University’s School of Software proposed the Chinese Building Information Modeling Standard Framework. Despite this, China has not yet established BIM standards tailored to its specific national conditions. Therefore, both the government and industry stakeholders should actively promote the comprehensive development and regulation of BIM standards to standardize the entire BIM technology ecosystem.
(2) Information Sharing: Information sharing refers to the ability to transfer graphic data directly between different software platforms and professions. Currently, China’s construction industry struggles with “information silos” — isolated pockets of data that hinder collaboration. Due to the lack of common data standards among specialized software tools, effective project information sharing is difficult. Some software cannot retrieve data from others, leading to information disconnects and duplicated effort. As an information carrier, the BIM model should integrate data from various disciplines using standardized formats. Conflicts between different professions must be coordinated through data interoperability. Accelerating research into establishing information standards and implementing data exchange is essential. Ultimately, BIM models should serve as communication bridges that help avoid errors, shorten construction timelines, and reduce costs.
(3) Collaborative Design: Collaborative design involves two or more parties working together to achieve a shared design goal through information exchange and coordinated workflows. This collaboration occurs both vertically and horizontally—for example, between structural engineers, architects, and pipeline designers, as well as among smaller teams within a project’s structural design. Collaborative design enables early problem detection and shortens design cycles through parallel work processes. Compared to traditional methods, BIM’s collision detection capabilities significantly reduce design changes and save designers’ effort. Therefore, project participants should establish a collaborative design platform early in the project to ensure timely information exchange and resolve conflicts across disciplines.
(4) Cloud Platform: Construction projects generate vast amounts of data and require high software and hardware performance. Cloud platforms integrate powerful graphic processing and computing capabilities, reducing the time needed for data calculation and analysis. This ensures that all BIM users have access to efficient graphic and computing services. Cloud BIM combines cloud computing with BIM technology, allowing users to access computing power and storage on-demand. This approach saves computer resources, minimizes waste, and lowers costs. Designers can create and save models directly on the cloud platform, eliminating data transfer delays and reducing errors caused by inconsistent data formats. These advantages highlight the significant application value and promising future of BIM cloud platforms.
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