The emergence of Building Information Modeling (BIM) effectively addresses the limitations of traditional engineering calculation models by eliminating redundant modeling, saving time, and reducing errors. BIM model designs contain rich information about engineering components, which are interconnected with graphical elements and offer robust engineering quantity calculation capabilities. The editor from Leg and Leg Teaching Network shares three methods to use BIM models for obtaining pre-construction project budgets:
1. Open Database Connectivity (ODBC): ODBC is a database access method that operates independently of specific database management systems, allowing exported data to integrate with various applications. Utilizing BIM design software as a platform and based on the ODBC principle, engineering quantity calculation software has been developed. This software extracts design BIM model data according to China’s list and quota engineering quantity calculation rules, enabling the smooth transition of quantity information from the design phase to construction. However, this BIM-based calculation model requires developing multiple calculation software modules corresponding to the ODBC database for each sub-project, which is complex and demands further research and development.
2. Application Programming Interface (API): BIM software vendors provide a series of APIs alongside their software. These APIs allow the conversion of BIM design model files into formats readable by BIM calculation software. For example, the GFC data conversion plugin developed by Guanglian Da facilitates such conversions. Alternatively, BIM design software can export data formats compatible with domestic BIM calculation software—for instance, Guanglian Da can read IFC files exported from Revit. This integration between BIM design and quantity calculation software enables interactive use of engineering quantity data.
3. BIM Design Software Itself: Many BIM design tools, such as Revit, come equipped with powerful engineering quantity calculation and statistical functions. These tools can automate quantity calculations and export data to Excel for manual summarization and analysis. However, the engineering quantity information provided by mainstream international BIM design software may not align precisely with China’s list and quota calculation rules, so their accuracy requires verification.
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