BIM Maturiy Levels - Level 2 BIM

Previously we have seen overall picture of BIM and what it means in as simple manner as possible. As BIM is emerging technology and still in developing stage, there is lots of misconceptions about it, especially about various Levels of BIM.

As UK is the first country to make BIM mandate by legislative rule, in this article we will see many BIM maturity levels as specified by UK Government in its Construction Strategy Document which states as

“Government will require fully collaborative 3D BIM (with all project as assets information, documentation and data being electronic) as a minimum by 2016”

As 2016 is near upon us, most of the AEC industries across UK are rushing their BIM implementation initiatives. While giving the mandate of 2016, UK Government is talking about Level 2 BIM.

So what are this Levels of BIM or more specifically BIM Maturity Levels?

Let’s try to understand it with as very simplified version of BIM Maturity Level chart issued by UK Government.

 

 

The definitions of different maturity level in this scheme are as follows:

LEVEL 0: Unmanaged CAD, usually in 2D format, with paper (or electronic paper e.g. pdf files) as the main data exchange mechanism

LEVEL 1: Managed CAD in 2D or 3D format with a collaboration tool (extranet) providing a common data environment, possible also using some standard data structures and format

LEVE 2: Managed 3D environment held in separate discipline ‘BIM’ models and tools with attached data. Data exchange is mainly on the basis of proprietary exchange formats. This approach may include 4D (includes time i.e Program Timeline) and 5D (includes cost data).

LEVEL 3: Fully open process with a single project model and data integration and exchange using IFC standards, the process is managed by collaborative model server.

No comprehensive assessment of current or recent activities across AEC industry in terms of this model is done. But according to statistics published by various BIM groups and organization across the globe, it is safe to say that relatively small numbers of practitioners are operating at Level 2, others are most likely to be at Level 1 at best, with most at Level 0.

As per National BIM Report 2015 – NBS, most of the organization are rapidly marching towards Level 2 BIM. Level 2 signifies a major step on the Path of Full or Intimate BIM. AS per recent UK Government report on BIM, it is recommended that all AEC organization should be capable of operating at least at Level 2 by 2016. At this point it will be very useful to see what does Level 2 BIM really means.

Current BIM practice at this level varies on the participants involved; the system and software applications used; the scale and complexity of the project; and other factors. But it typically involves:

- A project strategy or plan that provides for information sharing between all key design/construction disciplines via BIM, including exchange formats and procedures.

- A baseline 3D model of the Building, by the architects/lead designer and distributed to other design/construction disciplines for them to create their own models. This baseline or reference model is updated during the design process with input from other disciplines to represent key points in design development.

- Separate 3D (and ‘nD’) models for each key design/construction discipline, based on baseline model but developed by each discipline using their own specific software and modelling tools; and used to update the baseline model at key points in design development.

- Information exchange via proprietary file formats, which are file structures developed by individual software vendors that are enable other vendor’s software to read and write their files (for example, Autodesk’s DXF format).

- Design co-ordination via face to face (or video-conferencing) meetings of key disciplines in the design and construction team, structured around each discipline’s contribution to the central baseline or reference model.

In time, as experience in BIM increases and more sophisticated technology become deployed, the baseline model of the project that supports real time and concurrent input by different disciplines. This is what working at Level 3 will involve, which will see in as we go further.

For further details and latest survey of BIM adoption across UK refer latest NBS-National-BIM-Report-2015 (Which is more focused on Level 2 BIM)

http://www.thenbs.com/topics/bim/articles/nbs-national-bim-report-2015.asp

We will dig deeper into the Level 2 BIM and Corresponding standards ..Stay Tuned!

 

 

Beginning with BIM (Building Information Modelling)

Okay, here I am writing my first blog. Wanted to do it from long time and finally got started on 15th April 2015. Excited and nervous about choosing the topic. After lots of thinking, there is one thing which I am studying, following, implementing and has close association with from last two years and that is Building Information Modelling aka BIM.

What is that? Any professional from AEC (Architectural, Engineering and Construction) industry knows this term very well and those who are hearing it for first time for them this going to be something very interesting. Even if you are not, even remotely, related to AEC industry, this is something very cool happening around you...so let's start with the basics.

With the UK government calling for the use of ‘Building Information Modelling (BIM)’ in all its construction projects by 2016, BIM become a buzz word in construction industry. Many construction firms are now investing in ‘BIM’ technologies during bidding, preconstruction, construction and post construction. BIM exploits the potential in computer based modelling technologies to provide a new way of designing buildings and managing design and construction processes.

In worldwide scenario there continues to be considerable comment about Building Information Modelling (BIM). BIM is a way of approaching the design and documentation of project by utilising 3-D design, physical performance and other information regarding the entire life cycle of the building  in the construction information/building model. It is clear that the use of BIM is increasing. An NBS survey of the construction industry conducted between December 2012 and February 2013 found that 39 per cent  of responding were using BIM, which does not sound a lot but it was up from 13 percept in 2010.

What is BIM?

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is described as:

“A digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. As such it serves as a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decision during its life cycle from inception onward”

(As per National BIM Standard – Unites States, 2010).

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is the process and practice of virtual design and construction throughout its lifecycle. It is platform to share knowledge and communicate between projects participants.

BIM is not just the latest release of CAD software; it is an entirely new way of looking at the design and construction of building. Conventionally, a good deal of design and construction work is document-based. Information is communicated and stored via a variety of drawings and reports that, despite being stored and distributed in digital form, are essentially ‘unstructured’ and thus of limited use. Not only is this information unstructured, it I held in variety for forms and locations that are not formally coordinated (information on individual building component, for example, are contained on drawings, specification, bills of quantity, description, etc.). Such an approach has considerable potential for data conflicts and redundancy as well as risks to data integrity and security. Conversely, by providing an intelligent, digital structure of for project information and ultimately a means by which the information can all be held centrally as ‘single model’- BIM opens up a wide range of possibilities for improvements.

BIM is based on digital models of a building that store information about the project (relating to architecture, engineering, construction and so on) in a way that enables it to be shared across and between different design and construction discipline. Not only that, 3D dynamic modelling software can be used to develop and manipulate these digital models to refine thae design, and also to test and validate its potential performance across a range of criteria, including build ability, energy performance –in-use, whole life cost etc. The potential for all key project information to be stored and manipulated in computer is what sets BIM apart form more conventional approaches, and BIM-based design solutions differ from their traditional counterparts in that they :

- are created and developed on digital databases which enable collaboration and effective data exchange between different disciplines

- allow change to be managed through these databases, so that change in on part of the database are reflected in (and coordinated through) changes in other parts; and

- capture and preserve information for re-use by all members for the design and construction team, including facilities management (FM) and user operation and management.

A correctly assembled BIM is reliable, digital, three dimensional, ‘virtual’ representation of the project to be built, for use in design decision-making, in construction scheduling and planning, in performance predictions and cost estimates.

It is very cool right..yes ..but it's just a beginning...will talk about it in even more detail...

Stay tuned!