BIM - Introduction

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the documentation process
consisting of information about different phases of any project
like design, construction planning, construction, facility management
and operation. It is one holistic documentation process beneficial
for operational visualization, and construction application
such as estimating, scheduling and design coordination. Main
advantage of implementing BIM application is the visual coordination
of the building systems such as MEP (Mechanical, Electrical,
and Plumbing) systems and it also identifies the possible
conflicts between the building systems. By detecting the conflicts,
problems can be resolved before actual construction which in turn
saves money and time invested, (Damian, Han Yan and Peter (1)).
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), reported
(NIST, 2004 (2)) that the lack of adequate interoperability
cost the U.S facilities industry about $15.8 billion per year. In India,
the BIM application is not widely practiced till now has scope
to use this technology in a much wider scale.