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