BIM Technology
After years of development, the adoption of policies across various regions in China has led to a more standardized promotion of BIM technology. Consequently, multiple BIM standards have been introduced across different fields. Below is an organized overview of the BIM standard system.
Core Value of BIM
BIM technology is characterized by its intuitiveness, analyzability, shareability, and manageability. It serves as a digital representation of engineering projects, acting as a shareable resource and providing a solid foundation for decision-making. The key to leveraging BIM technology lies in software. Only with appropriate software can BIM’s features be fully utilized, its intended role realized, and its value unlocked.
BIM software can be categorized into three main types: BIM platform software, which supports collaborative and integrated applications; BIM tool software, designed to enhance efficiency in specific business tasks; and BIM basic software, focused on modeling and auxiliary design.
The Center for Integrated Facilities Engineering (CIFE) at Stanford University in the United States has highlighted several advantages of BIM, including:
- Eliminating 40% of off-budget changes
- Controlling cost estimates within a 3% accuracy range
- Reducing the time needed for cost estimation by 80%
- Lowering contract prices by 10% through conflict detection and resolution
- Shortening project timelines by 7%
- Accelerating investment return periods
In summary, the essence of BIM is information, the outcome is a model, the focus is collaboration, and the tool is software.
The information embedded in a building data model accumulates progressively throughout the building lifecycle stages—planning, design, construction, operation, and beyond. This accumulated data can be shared with subsequent technical and management personnel, who can directly access it via computers without needing to re-enter information.
For example, construction workers can utilize the building design information generated by designers and then add construction-specific data to create a construction phase model. Because this information spans multiple lifecycle stages and involves numerous users working with diverse software, developing and implementing BIM-related standards is essential.
By adhering to these standards, technical and managerial personnel can efficiently manage and share information while using relevant software. Thus, establishing an open and scalable BIM standard is a prerequisite for the widespread adoption and application of BIM technology.
BIM Standard System
The universal BIM standard system consists of three primary components:
- BIM Standard Framework: This framework ensures effective use of BIM technology to enhance information sharing. It encompasses three key elements: classification coding, data exchange, and information delivery.
- BIM Basic Standards: These include three foundational standards within the BIM system: building information organization standards, BIM information delivery manual standards, and data model representation standards.
- BIM Standard Classifications: Based on the framework and basic standards, this category forms three major types of standards: classification coding standards, data model standards, and process delivery standards.
During the development of BIM standards, three types of basic standards were primarily employed:
- Building Information Organization Standard: Used to develop classification coding and process standards.
- Information Delivery Manual Standard: Applied in the preparation of process standards.
- Data Model Representation Standard: Used for creating data model standards.
National BIM Standard System
In January 2012, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development issued document No. AI_S_SC_0-5, listing five BIM standards as national standard development projects. These standards are organized into three levels:
- First Level (Highest Standard): The unified standard for the application of building engineering information models.
- Second Level (Basic Data Standards): Includes classification and coding standards for building engineering design information models, as well as storage standards for building engineering information models.
- Third Level (Execution Standards): Comprises delivery standards for architectural engineering design information models and manufacturing engineering design information models.
Highest Standard — Unified Standard for BIM Applications
This standard establishes uniform regulations for the creation, sharing, and application of building information models across all project lifecycle stages. It covers data requirements, exchange and sharing protocols, application necessities, and other specific mandates for project or enterprise implementation. All other standards must align with the principles and requirements set forth in this unified standard.
Basic Data Standards
Information Model Coding Standard: This standard defines how model information should be classified and standardizes building information to meet interoperability requirements. It specifies guidelines for storing building information models.
For example, non-numerical data such as material types often require coding for computer storage, which involves information classification. Additionally, managing vast amounts of building data systematically necessitates consistent classification schemes. Currently, the “Classification and Coding Standards for Building Engineering Design Information Models” have been completed, corresponding to the OmniClass BIM classification and coding standard.
Model Data Storage Standard: This standard specifies the format for organizing and storing model information. For instance, when an architect uses software to create building information for initial approval, the data must be saved either in the software’s native format or in a standardized neutral format. This data can then be shared with other stakeholders, such as structural engineers. This standard corresponds to the IFC standard within BIM data modeling.
Execution Standards
Delivery Standards for Architectural Engineering Design Models: This standard governs the creation, transmission, and retrieval of data based on building information models during the planning and design phases of construction projects. It especially focuses on collaboration between disciplines, coordination among project participants, and the control and delivery of quality management systems.
It specifies requirements for the accuracy and depth of information within the overall model at different project stages, including the division of sub-models by discipline, the classification and content of included components, and the necessary business-related information such as costs, scheduling, and performance. This standard aligns with the IDM and MVD standards in BIM modeling processes.
Standard for Application of Building Construction Models: This standard outlines BIM’s specific application during design, construction, and operation & maintenance phases. It covers basic BIM tasks, working methods, software requirements, and the foundational standards. This corresponds to the IDM standard.
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