BIM standards must define clear methods and processes for information transmission, storage, and sharing. The main challenges addressed by these standards include:
1. Information Storage Format: Different disciplines and project phases often require various BIM software. To ensure that information can be accessed and shared seamlessly across different platforms, a standardized format is necessary. This format dictates how to store and extract diverse types of information such as models, text, and images. In simple terms, this creates a unified storage system so files containing different data types are compatible with multiple BIM tools.
2. Information Exchange Between Users and Phases: It’s essential to define what information is shared during transitions between project stages. For example, when BIM models move from the design phase to construction, standards specify what data the design software should export and what the construction software should import. Establishing these exchange protocols ensures smooth communication and prevents data loss or misinterpretation across different business activities, stages, and specialties.
3. Classification and Coding of Information: Architectural information is complex and varied. By following consistent principles, large volumes of data are systematically classified and encoded to maintain uniform understanding across different software and systems. This process guarantees that the same information is recognized identically throughout the project lifecycle. For instance, if the material attribute for a beam is labeled as “concrete” during design but not consistently coded, construction software might misinterpret or fail to recognize this attribute when importing the design file.
To address these requirements, BIM technology standards include:
- IFC (Industry Foundation Classes): Defines standards for information storage.
- IDM (Information Delivery Manual): Specifies standards for information exchange.
- IFD (International Framework for Dictionaries): Provides standards for classification and coding of information.
Together, IFC, IDM, and IFD form the three essential pillars that enable the full value of BIM to be realized.
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