The term BIM stands for “Building Information Modeling.” In Chinese, it is translated as “Building Information Modeling” as well. While BIM literally refers to a type of model, it goes beyond being just a simple model or software. According to the Unified Standard for Application of Building Information Modeling (Draft for Comments), BIM is defined as the shared digital representation of the physical attributes, functional characteristics, and management elements of a project or its components throughout the entire lifecycle. With the rapid advancements in BIM technology in recent years, it is more accurate to view BIM as a new technology or a novel production method rather than merely a model.
Tracing the development of BIM, its application has gradually expanded from the early design phase into the construction phase. However, BIM models created during the design stage often fall short of meeting the specific requirements of the construction phase. During design, the focus is primarily on the three-dimensional representation of information within drawings, whereas the construction phase relies more heavily on BIM’s visualization capabilities to guide actual building activities. Essentially, the design phase emphasizes information expression through models, while the construction phase focuses on using models to implement management. Research into BIM’s role during construction is still in its exploratory stages, making this an area of great practical importance.
Using BIM during construction offers the significant advantage of enabling real-time, seamless sharing and unobstructed communication of all project information. This represents a major improvement over traditional construction management approaches. Conventional methods often suffer from considerable energy and resource waste, primarily due to the following issues:
(1) Incomplete information provided during project handovers, which frequently causes waste or even repeated work later on;
(2) Lengthy design change cycles, where adjustments in construction methods and schedules lag behind the design updates, leading to inefficient use of resources;
(3) Detection of clashes only during the construction process, which results in resource waste caused by necessary rework. Effectively addressing these challenges is a key objective of sustainable, green construction practices.
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