BIM Drives Cost-Efficiencies for Plumbing Design

                 Since our construction industry is grappled with severe productivity issues and tight margins, the AEC industry is striving hard to come up with new ways of improving productivity, reducing construction costs and delivering a better-built building. Building Information Modelling, a new technological advancement in the AEC industry after CAD seems to have the potential to address these issues. As per the definition of BIM by The National Building Information Model Standard (NBIMS), “BIM is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility and it serves as a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life cycle from inception onward.” BIM has evolved from being just a buzzword to the centrepiece of AEC technology and it has significant benefits for plumbing design.

            BIM enables a 3D virtual representation of the plumbing systems thus helping to better understand the final outcome, make more informed decisions and detect collisions. One of the major benefits BIM technology serves for plumbing is interference-checking. Using BIM to detect early collisions helps to prevent costly design changes during the actual construction process whilst also reducing guesswork and errors. Since the underground plumbing lines are located in reference to the foundations; BIM enables a plumbing designer with actual building footings marked by the structural engineer to preserve the structural integrity of the building. With the help of the building footings, a plumbing designer can easily coordinate the underground routing without compromising the structural design of the building.

             Building Information Modelling entails developing an information-rich model. In addition to building shape, costs, design, construction time, physical performance, costs and logistics, BIM also provides information about two additional parameters in the case of plumbing fixtures – information about the required GPM flow of the standard fixture and the reduced GPM flow. With an aim to conserve energy and natural resources, there has been an increased focus on green building projects. BIM facilitates easier identification of systems in LEED Plumbing Design by creating different colour systems. Since there is a variation in colour, identifying grey water routing becomes easier and hence helps to prevent cross contamination with other waste systems.

                BIM creates a unified working environment with multiple disciplines working together on a single file. A plumbing engineer can create a design for hot and cold water and simultaneously check the HVAC design worksheet for conflicts.BIM serves a plethora of benefits for plumbing design such as increased efficiency, accuracy and coordination of the system as well as reducing the time and cost involved in it.

BIM : An Effective Way to Reduce Rework and Increase Efficiency

                As the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry faces tremendous pressure to deliver optimal projects within stringent deadlines, improving process efficiency and reducing rework is certainly the need of the hour. The design and construction-related rework is one of the critical factors that adversely affect productivity, profitability and timely completion of projects for both contractors and owners. Besides, it impacts designers, subcontractors, MEP (M&E) engineers, consultants and the entire downstream chain. In comparatively larger and more complex projects, the design-build rework can negatively influence the entire project workflow, delay project delivery, and cost more than what was originally estimated.

            As mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems account for a significant value of the project, the prudent use of building information modelling (BIM) tools to effectively coordinate MEP (M&E) systems helps reduce rework and increase productivity. On the other hand, the lack of well-planned interdisciplinary MEP (M&E) coordination results in duplication of efforts, major interferences and design clashes on site, as well as fabrication changes and errors.

             Since BIM requires comprehensive pre-construction planning and   multidisciplinary coordination, its adoption by the MEP (M&E) team increases technical interoperability among various members during building services coordination. In BIM-led MEP (M&E) coordination, building services designers, consultants, and subcontractors are involved during the design and planning stage. One of the most crucial factors for an effective and accurate coordination exercise is to decide on a specific protocol for creating virtual architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection models of the same facility. Subsequently, the team should agree on mechanisms to merge the models from different trades and create a combined coordinated services MEP model.

              All the above positive effects of MEP (M&E) BIM coordination make the design-build process more efficient by increasing project’s schedule compliance whilst reducing design and construction-related rework.

BIM adoption

                        BIM is about linking data together efficiently and meaningfully in a central location so as to subsequently facilitate high levels of collaboration between project participants. BIM implementation has great potential and this is necessarily scalable, to meet the needs and budget of the client. However, in order to be successful BIM deployment for a particular project must be clearly tailored to the client’s needs, and these relayed to all project team members, so that their rights and responsibilities are equally clearly understood.

              Internationally BIM adoption is on the rise. A number of value propositions justify its use, and this may be accrued at the level of the firm or project. The use of BIM can enhance the attractiveness of individual firms, through improved service delivery and productivity, consequently improving their marketability, potentially resulting in repeat business. It is argued that early engagement with BIM hastens the point at which maximal benefit will accrue. At the project level BIM can provide greater value during design development, document development and construction/fabrication stages. During construction BIM has the potential to add value to the client through improved information flows, better project control and reduced conflicts.

Failure to adopt BIM would affect consultants ability to work internationally

                     Building Information Modeling (BIM) could achieve worldwide popularity and acceptance in a short span of time. Various studies report that around 70% of engineers, architects, contractors and owners are engaged with BIM on their various big and small projects. Dramatic adoption of BIM by contractors is started to experience since 2009 for virtual coordination and prefabrication.  But, it was the engineers, who were least convinced of BIM’s value in 2009. However, they left the reluctance to adopt BIM, when they found that they could solve the issues of content and technical analysis with this technology.

                      BIM is an innovative approach to design and construction, which is now taking its place firmly in the mainstream of construction industry. Like any other technology, BIM also has emerged enough standard and maturity to achieve attention of professional organizations. It expands its use to new tasks and integrates its rich data with many other vital technology tools that will help drive innovation.

BIM IDEAL TOOL FOR ARCHITECTS

                    Several advanced technologies are there, which are serving several industries to make overall working process a simpler one. Building information modeling is one of the best. It is a technique of generating data to present the work done, in digital form. The result of services related to BIM becomes a shared knowledge among the professionals working together. Besides its use in several other sectors, architectural industry is getting out most benefit from it. Information provided by such techniques make it easy for architects, builders , contractors, and workers to share the knowledge about construction very easily. Information is stored as data in computer; therefore, it becomes easy to get relative knowledge. There are various advantages of using such a tool. It provides accurate and overall information about the construction process. High quality documents that contain information can easily be produced.

BIM enables better informed decision making.

During the process of building design, an architect has to consider many options and he also needs enough information to select one. With the help of BIM, the architect can create and study multiple design options within a single model.

BIM, which is powered by high-resolution graphics, qualified details and a 3D modeling interface, helps create an accurate virtual model of a sustainable building project. It is also helpful for creating various types of analysis like quantity takeoffs and clash detection. BIM also enables creation of a 3D model in a quick, easy and cost-effective way that helps architects create multiple alternatives and select the most suitable sustainable design for a construction project.

BIM-based design model ensures that designers and architects get easy access to the information needed for creating sustainability in design. The sophisticated software tools used in BIM enables quick information processing and easy revisions.  The amount required for building materials to complete a project can also be easily calculated using BIM.

Most importantly, BIM helps establish a single point of contact for various participants in a project that will be useful in executing a sustainable building design effectively.

BIM – DNA of Future Construction

            BIM will really lead to a more collaborative way of working across the industry and therefore, we with no doubt can say that it is the DNA of future construction. It helps record all physical and functional information and characteristics of a building digitally from the earliest stages through design and construction. It can be used as a manual for the operational life of a structure. The shared knowledge throughout by BIM will help decision-making and make all process drastically time efficient.

         BIM, more than a just about software, is about process and changing mindsets on how to acquire, construct and transfer information from one stage to the next. As construction industry requires the involvement of many people in different stages including, designing, building and delivering projects, there are possibilities to lose information groups of people. Moreover, starting from scratch to retrieve some pieces of data, it is expensive and time consuming.  BIM really can be a solution to all these problems.

          As a vital information model, BIM can be developed continuously, when a new team takes control of a project. The more extensive information provided by BIM can help simplify more complex structures. As the information is created collaboratively, all involved get a head start with no resourcing or backtracking. BIM can offer a wider scope of digital information at an earlier stage of development that cannot be possible by traditional plans and two dimensional drawings. It records and tags everything including spatial relationships, geographic information, light analysis and quantities and properties of building components.

         The modeling and analysis with the helps of BIM is not only beneficial to present scheme structures, but it also aids the long term care of a building. It helps the owners save a lot of time and money, which is very valuable advantage in construction industry

Autodesk Revit 2015

             Autodesk® Revit® software is built for Building Information Modeling (BIM), helping professionals design, build, and maintain higher-quality, more energy-efficient buildings. Using the information-rich models created with Autodesk Revit software, architects, engineers, and construction firms can collaborate to make more-informed decisions earlier in the design process to deliver projects more efficiently. Any design changes made in Revit models are automatically updated throughout the model, keeping designs and documentation coordinated and more reliable. Autodesk Revit includes features for architectural design, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, structural engineering, and construction and is available as part of Autodesk® Building Design Suite Premium and Ultimate editions, providing a comprehensive solution for the entire building project team.

Autodesk’s BIM solutions for building design

                                 Autodesk^® Building Design Suite is a comprehensive portfolio of building solutions supporting both BIM- and CAD-based workflows, giving architects, engineers and contractors the ability to design, simulate, visualize and construct better buildings.   The Standard edition is tailored for building designers, drafters, and detailers who need a foundational set of documentation tools. The Premium edition provides an optimized set of tools to help architects, MEP engineers, and structural engineers take advantage of the power of BIM with intelligent 3D model–based design. The Ultimate edition builds on the value of the Premium edition, with additional comprehensive tools for design and construction that provide greater insight across the building lifecycle.

Owners Demanding BIM Use On Their Projects

                     BIM has the most chance of being successful and effective when the project owner actively wants the project team to use it, and the number of owners demanding BIM on their projects is growing worldwide. This includes government agencies in many countries and an increasing number of healthcare, educational and commercial owners in markets such as retail, hospitality and corporate office buildings.These owner-driven BIM mandate programs have been effective for introducing the benefits of BIM to a large number of design and construction firms, many of whom become active BIM users thereafter with their other clients and project teams, driving BIM even wider through the industry. 

Construction Project Cost Management in BIM

               Cost is an important issue in construction. The project success or project taking decision also depends on cost. Design documents are always changed due to reduce cost as owner requirements. In this regard, costs are always a vital factor to determine the project initiation or project success. So cost management is an important issue from the very beginning of the project. For cost estimation BIM has unique functionality which will give the estimator accurate model based costing with minimum time. In some management philosophy it distinguished separately as resource planning. In this case the main task is to define the resource requirements. Today’s BIM technological solutions are widely used for taking the quantities or information from various models and transfer it to cost estimating BIM solutions for make cost estimating.

BUILDING TECHNOLOGY & CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT                    

                       

                                  Building Information Modelling (BIM) solutions can help reduce the capital cost and carbon footprint by over 20 per cent in the construction sector, says a study conducted by KPMG and RICS School of Built Environment at Amity University and commissioned by 3D designing software maker Autodesk, the study said project delays, cost overruns and liquidity constraints continue to trouble the real estate and construction sectors. While a number of developed countries across the world have already adopted BIM to reduce project delays and cost overruns, Indian firms are fast adopting BIM, it added. 

                          BIM solutions allow users to construct 'smart' and 'computable' three-dimensional (3D) model of the project to enhance its design, construction and operation using REVIT. Firms involved in built environment sector in India are facing significant schedule and cost overrun on account of poor coordination, wastage of material, significant rework, and lack of information sharing etc. BIM, that offers digital representation of the project during its lifecycle, right from planning to execution of the project, is gradually picking up among Indian firms. This can significantly improve operational efficiencies leading to reduction in project time and cost overruns that the sector currently faces.

Reasons to Get BIM Services

                        Computer techniques have advanced and have way to certain new computer tools.With the help of computer software and tools, it is now easy to design model of a building employing BIM services. Software like this has made an architect’s job much easier. It has helped much to generate new ideas. By using BIM, it is now an easy task to design the model of a building on computer. Virtual design can be made on computer screens and can be shifted as per a client’s wish. The work that was not possible manually earlier can now be done with perfection using REVIT software. Moreover, if a sketch is drawn manually, you cannot see the feasibility of the design. On the other hand, if a work is done on computer it helps one see the practical design and you need not worry about the specifications.

   


Autodesk Revit Solutions


Autodesk Revit is one of the most popular building information modeling (BIM), solutions today. This course covers the differences between the various editions of Revit and shows architects and engineers who are new to the software how to use them. Learn how to choose a template; set up the basic levels, grids, and dimensions; and start adding walls, doors, and windows to your model. Also shows how to create views and documentation that clearly communicate your plans, import files from other CAD programs, and produce construction documents

Around the World with BIM

                       There is no doubt that BIM adoption in the AEC industry has come a long way since the term was introduced in 2002—most of the larger firms are using BIM on many of their projects, and it has come part of the standard lexicon of the AEC industry. We would be hard-pressed to find anyone working in the industry who has not heard of BIM. But most of us have a rather myopic view of BIM, quite naturally so; we are aware of what’s going on with BIM implementation in our own countries, but not that much about what is happening in other countries. This  is an attempt to capture the key developments in BIM implementation in different countries around the world, so that we have a better global perspective on BIM. We are all aware that the pace of globalization is rapidly increasing, so it is helpful to stay informed about technological developments elsewhere and be better prepared in case they also have an impact on us.

A Guide to Strategic Planning of Transitioning to BIM Process

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                 Transitioning to BIM platform is more than just a technology or process change; it's a culture change. Prompt Academy collects and disseminates best practices as a service to the architects, owners and construction professionals.

                Transitioning to BIM platform is more than just a technology or process change; it's a culture change. A successful BIM transition requires careful planning, selection of right tools, buy-in from senior management and all facilities related constituencies on BIM strategy, making everyone in the transition and preparing them for the changes ahead. Prompt Academy collects and disseminates best practices as a service to the architects, owners and construction professionals. Appropriate use of the information provided is choice of yours!

 BIM-The New Generation of Design

              Proper planning and coordination are the keys to the successful execution of projects in the construction industry. Advancements in 3D technology and the advent of Building Information Modeling (BIM) have revolutionized the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry.

                 

                      Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the creation of parametric, or intelligent, 3D models. A BIM operates on a digital database and any change made to this database is reflected throughout the entire drawing. This allows everyone involved in the building lifecycle – architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and building owners - to sync together allowing them to view the model in different ways and seamlessly share information. BIM’s produce construction documents that resemble those created by 2D CAD Drafting, but are done much faster and contain information about quantities, materials and other data that can be used in both the construction and management of a building. We offer Building Information Modeling services creating parametric, sophisticated, intelligent models that expand communication to all members of the project.

Integrating BIM to Improve MEP Services
          
           Today’s demanding business environment is driving a push in the direction of more proficiency and integration in building industry supply chains. Proprietors are asking for better built buildings for significantly less money in less time. Architects, Engineers and Contractors are under pressure to streamline their building designs and delivery process – seeking out solutions to enhance productivity, lower costs, and provide better-quality products.

            The success of BIM for building design – as demonstrated by the rapid adoption of BIM solutions such as Autodesk Revit Building software – is redefining clients’ perceptions of their MEP consultants. BIM for MEP is a design methodology defined by the conception and use of coordinated, constant computable details regarding a building’s MEP design. It includes the information utilized for design decision-making, development of precise documentation, envisaging performance , cost estimating as well as construction planning, and, eventually, for handling and operating the facility.


            Several key principles of Revit Systems are fundamental to comprehend how BIM impacts the MEP design process: the utilization of a computable building model, holistic design, as well as parametric change management.

BIM FOR DESIGN

BIM‐authoring software applications combine three-or four-dimensional models with imbedded intelligent building objects related in a contextual database. As a result of BIM’s data-rich 3D modelling, various design disciplines can extract and manipulate relevant tabular and graphical building views (reports and drawings, respectively) (Eastman, et al. 2008). BIM is less commonly thought of as a design tool, yet the ability to rapidly derive alternate, information‐rich views of building models can yield an efficient and effective design process (Laiserin 2010). It might be borne in mind that even “constructiondocuments” are not fabrication documents, but intended to convey design intent only (Simpson and Grant 2005A and 2005B).

                 

                   BIM is well suited for this task. Moreover, the energy performance of smaller buildings is far more influenced by site and climate than their larger counterparts. Climate and how we design for it has a much larger impact on a small building's energy consumption and performance .Good quantitative data is essential for architects to make more intelligent choices.

Revit Modeling Services

                   Autodesk Revit MEP is notably used by Engineers, Architects, and other MEP professionals for performing MEP Services as well as Revit Modeling Services. This software is widely used across various industries especially in AEC (Architectural, Engineering and Construction) industry for reducing risk, creating high quality designs, and improving project delivery. For example, a plumbing engineering firm may develop Revit MEP to make plumbing system models for engineering customers, which helps customers in understanding the system thoroughly and getting their desired product. In HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) manufacturing company, Revit Modeling Services are executed by using Revit MEP for generating 3D models of duct, heating & cooling system, air conditioning system, etc. In construction industry, this software is applied for developing MEP models of buildings.


              Revit MEP helps you in developing precise 3D coordination models of Mechanical HVAC, Electrical & Plumbing components. This software enables all project members along with contractors and builders to share their models with each other and communicate with each other without any problem. Hence, this software assists in eliminating confusion among team members and generating highly accurate 3D MEP models. This, in turn, aids project members to take more informed and accurate design decisions that not only save time which is required to complete a project but also increase overall building performance.

An Indian perspective

                                     BIM is next generation construction technology that is changing the face of     design in the construction industry worldwide. Though relatively new to India, it is picking up rapidly and gaining popularity amongst architects and developers. The use of BIM is primarily being driven by practicing architects and consultants in the industry, who are rightly utilizing the technology to increase work efficiency, saving time and resources. Engineers and architects are also utilizing this tool to push the design envelope and explore newer concepts and techniques in structural services and MEP requirements, as project stakeholders increasingly use BIM for improved coordination through its design and virtual building capabilities. A key benefit of BIM is the creation of an atmosphere where clients, designers, material producers and construction companies can work together with the goal of achieving the best possible solution. BIM is not just a technological solution; it helps enable new ways of working together in a more collaborative and informed process.

                     In India BIM is also known as VDC: virtual design and construction (VDC). India is     an emerging market with an expanding construction market and huge potential for large scale residential and commercial development (because of population and economical growth). It has many qualified, trained and experienced BIM professionals who are implementing this technology in Indian construction projects and also assisting teams in the USA, Australia, UK, Middle East, Singapore and North Africa to design and deliver construction projects using BIM.

             Autodesk Revit MEP 

                     Autodesk Revit MEP is a building information modeling (BIM) software created by Autodesk for professionals who engage in MEP engineering. MEP stands for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, which are the three engineering disciplines that Revit MEP addresses. By utilizing BIM as opposed to computer-aided drafting (CAD), Revit MEP is able to leverage dynamic information in intelligent models — allowing complex building systems to be accurately designed and documented in a shorter amount of time. Each intelligent model created with Revit MEP represents an entire project and is stored in a single database file. This allows changes made in one part of the model to be automatically propagated to other parts of the model, thus enhancing the workflow for Revit MEP users.

How is Revit MEP used?

Autodesk Revit MEP is used by professionals across many industries to help reduce risk, develop better quality designs, and improve project delivery. For example, a HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) manufacturing company may use Revit MEP to develop detailed BIM-ready product models for engineering customers, which not only saves customers from having to spend hours drawing a single piece of equipment, but also increases accuracy and helps them deliver a more buildable product. In the case of an architectural firm, Revit MEP may be used to fast-track the design and construction of a military community hospital; leveraging BIM to allow everyone involved in the project to explore, visualize, and understand the outcomes of design choices from the earliest stages of the project. Ultimately, Revit MEP is used to streamline the engineering design process using a single model to enhance the communication of design intent before construction begins. This, in turn, helps stakeholders to make more informed and accurate design decisions that not only reduce the time it take to complete a project but also have a significant impact on overall building performance.

REVIT AS A SALES TOOL

                       As designers, we sometimes tend to forget that others either cannot, or do not, see our vision.  Customers look to us to create their final vision.  This is not an easy task; if it were, everyone would be a designer.  The often overlooked visual representation tools afforded by Revit can be the perfect sales tool.  It may take a bit more effort on the front end to create a conceptual model for a serious customer, but what better representation of your proposal than a model showing exactly what you are proposing? 

                 The amount of time spent on the model is up to each designer, but the ability to show a rendered photograph of the finished product or even a walkthrough video will always tell more than any conversation can.  The beauty of Revit is this: When you create a conceptual model, you have already started a working model.  No more will you have to take a SketchUp model and recreate it in Revit; the conceptual model will take its place.  No more will you have to convert a hand sketch to a model. That task has been eliminated and you may have gained a sale because of it.