In recent years, with the rapid development of BIM Technology in our country, its powerful capabilities and comprehensive design concepts have greatly benefited numerous curtain wall projects. This is especially true for curtain walls that are super tall, large-scale, and structurally complex, where the reliance on BIM is increasing day by day. However, some areas still fall short of expectations. Today, we will discuss the current shortcomings of BIM software used for curtain wall applications.
1. Limited modeling capabilities for curtain walls
Most existing BIM software offers curtain wall modeling functions within door and window system tools, which are convenient for 3D modeling. Typically, standardized modeling tools are available, allowing easy creation of non-vertical or curved curtain walls in 3D. However, for the curtain wall design industry, the ability to produce more professional detailed drawings and manufacturing documents is crucial, and current BIM tools often lack depth in this area.
2. Inability to manage the entire lifecycle with a single software
No single BIM software currently supports the full lifecycle of steel structure engineering, including initial design scheme selection, 3D modeling, detailed design development, construction drawings, factory manufacturing documentation, and direct machine manufacturing. For structural mechanics calculations, users still need to switch to other specialized structural analysis programs before returning to modify the BIM model.
3. Insufficient dimension specification rationalization features
While BIM software has its strengths, most lack comprehensive dimension specification rationalization functions. Additional auxiliary software is often required to enhance surface analysis and dimension specification rationalization, after which the model must be updated accordingly. Moreover, extracting elevation, layout, and construction dimension data for curtain walls with complex shapes remains insufficient, necessitating further external tools.
Despite these notable shortcomings, the application of BIM in curtain wall projects—such as those at the Shanghai Center—shows promising progress. Although our industry started late and the technology adoption was initially slow, continuous efforts and a practical approach to BIM have illuminated a bright future. Furthermore, according to a 2013 survey on BIM usage in the North American construction industry, over 50% of design cases and 70% of construction cases utilized BIM technology. This strongly suggests that the widespread adoption of BIM in construction is an irreversible trend, and the curtain wall industry will undoubtedly benefit greatly from it.
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