The finer the division of a BIM model, the easier and more accurate it becomes to extract, combine, and process information, resulting in a more precise model display. However, a more detailed model means a larger number of components. Managing information such as supplier data also becomes a massive task. Consequently, modeling speed tends to slow down. Today, we will discuss several factors that influence the speed of BIM modeling.
1. Creation of New Families
Modern architectural designs incorporate numerous new products and materials. Doors, windows, lighting fixtures, gate valves, and many other components have rapidly evolved in shape, leaving almost no identical BIM families available. This requires modelers to continually create and update BIM families. The more accurately a BIM family reflects the real product, the longer it takes to develop, which can significantly impact the overall modeling timeline.
2. Modeling Irregular Structures
Irregular structures—such as unconventional tubes, columns, and beams—are typically modeled using volume-based methods. BIM software employs techniques like stretching, rotating, and cutting to achieve the desired shapes. This process is computationally intensive and time-consuming, often requiring multiple iterations to reach the needed precision. Since on-site computers are primarily configured for daily project management rather than heavy modeling tasks, hardware limitations can create a bottleneck, affecting modeling efficiency.
3. Workset Division
Due to the detailed requirements in construction management, BIM models often include tens of thousands of components. If worksets are too broadly defined, saving and synchronizing files in the BIM central model during later stages becomes time-consuming and prone to failure, severely hindering progress. Conversely, if worksets are divided too finely, errors between them may go unnoticed until the final integration stage. Such errors can cause extensive rework and adjustments, further delaying model delivery.
These are key factors that affect the efficiency of BIM modeling. I hope this article provides valuable insights to help improve your construction workflows!
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