Jan 28, 2015 -- BIM is evolving and its adoption and its implementation across the building and construction projects is widespread. The technology induced process is used with several other new technologies for improved results.

Here we shall discuss the evolving nature of technology and trends that have a profound impact in the way buildings are designed, built and managed across the lifecycle.

Laser Scanning and Survey

Point Cloud Modeling is the technology that has created waves across the industry and is being increasingly used to aid BIM. The technology was much in trend amongst discussions; however the high price of scanning devices and relatively low value as compared to the prize was the reason why this technology wasn’t used more often.

However now as highly sophisticated scanners that offer 3D Laser Scanning to Accurate Revit and BIM and great value for money are available. In 2015 it is predicted that scan to BIM will be increasingly and widely used for building documentation, Point Cloud For Clash Detection, renovation and reconstruction. This technology is and will be further used especially to revive heritage buildings and buildings of architectural significance.

BIM for Energy Analysis

Once your design is complete, then doing energy analysis and reworking your design accordingly can be time consuming. Today there are several software and tools that allow creation of BIM and analysis energy consumption right through the concept stage. With the growing energy crunch, sustainability has become the top priority for architects and engineers. The trend of green buildings, net zero energy buildings and zero carbon buildings will grip the common mans architecture as well, and not be just limited to large facilities, hospitals and other such buildings.

Lean BIM

Lean BIM is a concept that several architects and builders are acknowledging as vital to making the construction process more prudent. However, lean does not mean cheap.  Lean construction involves reducing the generation of waste and hence saving the money that are involved in processing this waste.

BIM enabled lean construction involves curbing waste in terms of talent, inventory, onsite activities, rework due to defects, over production and over processing and hence result in eventually saving money. One such activity that promotes lean construction is prefabrication wherever possible. Enabling and encouraging prefabrication will be seen as a growing trend this year.

Enabling and encouraging prefabrication

The construction site is a complex environment where spatial requirements keep changing, there is a lot of movement, risks and hence liabilities. In such an environment is the best to prefabricate whenever and wherever possible in order to decrease the complexity and liabilities and hence efficiently manage the onsite activities. Even small and medium size firms will use BIM technology to automate production and prefabricate building components thus reduce onsite generation of waste and save money.

Management of the ‘I’ in BIM

BIM is being redefined as building information modeling aided management. Now with cloud based computing the data storage and management becomes all the more easy and efficient. As all the critical data moves to cloud and becomes centralized, all the teams and people who need to access data stay updated and on the same page. Establishing and implementing good governance models in accordance with BIM will transform the way data is managed and construction projects are handled.

All the above mentioned factors will definitely lead to increased adoption of BIM. Building information modeling is used only for select projects and for specific purposes like documentation, or facility management; however this will soon change as people will realize that using BIM across the buildings lifecycle gives better returns.

About Author:

Bhushan Avsatthi is a senior manager, consultant, BIM expert and a green building advisor with more than 15 years of industry experience. Bhushan imbibes the prophecy of efficient and prudent use of energy in his day to day life and advices his team to do so as well. He is also involved in green initiatives like nonprofit tree plantation project and promotes using cycles for commuting small distances. Bhushan, handles a team of architects, Structural and MEP engineers, LEED consultants and Energy modeling experts.