Leading BIM experts and organizations in the United States have established a clear and comprehensive definition of BIM, particularly through the American BIM standard (NBIMS). This definition emphasizes that BIM is a process that leverages digital technology to design, construct, and operate construction projects. The outcome of this process is an information-rich, multidimensional project model known as the BIM model.
Based on this, the American buildingSMART alliance has identified 25 specific BIM applications across the stages of project planning, design, construction, and operation. Similarly, industry professionals in China have compiled various summaries of BIM applications, tailored to their practical experiences and the unique characteristics of the Chinese construction sector.
Regardless of whether these lists include 25 or 30 types of applications, and whether they are compiled by international experts or domestic practitioners, these BIM applications share several common traits:
– They cover the entire lifecycle of a project and involve all project participants;
– BIM is not a single software but a collaborative process;
– Many of these tasks existed before BIM, though the methods and tools used were different.
While many BIM definitions remain high-level and abstract, making it difficult to understand BIM’s practical functions, the extensive lists of specific applications can also be confusing, as many of these activities occur even without BIM. Nevertheless, two fundamental points are widely recognized in the industry:
First, BIM is a tool used by professionals—it does not replace professionals or most other tools.
Second, the core of BIM lies in its handling of information, often referred to as “big data.”
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up