‘Building Information Modelling’
and the construction industry
The use of building information modelling represents an efficient way in which the key players
(that contribute to the design and construction process of a project) can interact.
This article represents a brief introduction to the subject of Building Information Modelling.
by Dr Pierre Farrugia
B
uilding
Information
modelling may be de-
scribed as a three-di-
mensional virtual rep-
resentation of a project in which all
the elements that form part of the
project are integrated within a virtu-
al model.
Elements that can be represented in
a building information model in-
clude the building structure, finish-
es, services, sanitary fittings and ac-
cessories, fixed and loose furniture.
The design process is in general an
iterative process, where a design
concept is translated into a more
precise and detailed solution. The
ultimate objective is to produce
DESIGN&BUILD
construction drawings that will be
used for the complete construc-
tion and finishing of a project and
its subsequent use. Larger projects,
particularly those of a complex na-
ture, involve the collaboration of
multi-disciplinary professionals. A
significant amount of coordination
is required between different trades
for achieving an optimal design
solution.
An optimal design solution may
be described as a solution in
which the design of the build-
ing structure is fully coordinated
with services as well as with finish-
es thus giving rise to the best pos-
sible use of the space available.
Expediting documentation
production via BIM
The production of documentation
for construction projects, particu-
larly for complex projects is a la-
borious process and requires high
precision.
Before the advent of modern tools
and software for preparing infor-
mation in the form of drawings,
specifications and bills of quanti-
ties required for construction, such
information was produced either
by hand in drawing offices or using
two dimensional drawings tools or
software. Bills of quantities involved
a laborious process where different
Q 2 , 2017
47