From the perspective of design institutes, the ideal application of BIM is to leverage parametric modeling to enhance design efficiency and use collaborative design along with clash detection to minimize errors. For standardized structures, parameter-driven and skeleton-driven approaches can indeed boost modeling efficiency. However, when it comes to producing construction drawings rather than merely visualizing the design, a high level of model refinement is required. Moreover, converting 3D models into 2D drawings tends to be inefficient, which can slow down the overall design process.
Currently, most large-scale BIM bridge projects in China are modeled using BIM only after the construction drawings have been completed, without involving BIM in the drawing phase. Implementing BIM technology in bridge design demands professionals who are well-versed in both structural design and BIM, which disperses the focus of key design personnel. This creates technical and management challenges that disrupt the design workflow and significantly affect the project timeline.
The vast majority of bridges with specialized structures are non-standard. Without relevant experience in BIM software modeling and parameter settings, even minor changes in the structural design during the process can disrupt the model’s logical relationships. In fact, the volume of changes can exceed that of traditional 2D modeling, and various software tools often lack flexibility. Manually adjusting the modified drawings can be labor-intensive. To prevent such issues, designers need to have deep familiarity with the logical connections and operational workflows across different BIM software platforms, which substantially raises training costs.
Furthermore, certain components—such as prestressed steel cable diagrams and reinforcement drawings—that cannot be effectively represented in 3D models still rely on 2D CAD drawings. Meanwhile, steel structures and contour drawings are created using BIM software. This separation makes cross-checking between the two formats difficult, adding complexity to the design process.
These factors currently contribute to higher costs when using BIM for construction drawing design. However, as BIM technology proficiency improves over time, there is considerable potential to enhance both design efficiency and project management quality.
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