BIM 360 document management & BIM modeling
What is BIM?
BIM (Building Information Modeling) is a technology for the whole cycle of construction projects: design, construction, operation stages. Project information is created and edited on base of digital prototype (virtual copy) of a building or structure being built or operated. This technology is based on an attributive 3D model consisting of elements (walls, ceilings, pipes, equipment, etc.) corresponding to future construction objects. Any information: the price of these objects, their sizes, material, the status of logistics, documents linked to them, - all these items are filled in the attributes of the corresponding elements or linked to them by their id (guid).
Today, BIM is most widely used in design, since it primarily evolved from CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. There is a large selection of tools that represent BIM technology for architects and engineers around the world. But BIM is intended not only for design automation and obtaining its better quality, but also for applying BIM data to the next stages of project implementation, especially construction, which operates with much bigger budgets and needs to be effective.
BIM 360 Document Management
CDE (Common Data Environment) is an important part of BIM collaboration. This is a unified digital space for interaction of all stakeholders in the construction process, including file exchange, document approval and issue management on 2D documents or using BIM models.
BIM 360 Docs is the world's most widely used cloud-based CDE system for construction today. Since 2021, it has been renamed as ACC Docs (Autodesk Construction Cloud Docs). This system allows you to organize a complete electronic document management at the construction site and it supports BIM.
BIM 360 Docs (ACC Docs) has gained wide popularity due to the open API, using which any IT developer from all over the world can write its own web application. It will be fully integrated with the CDE as a platform.
SIGNAX is a software working on the base of BIM 360 (ACC). Its integration with BIM 360 allows users to work comfortably in the same window. The workflow for users looks like connecting an additional function to a familiar solution. All access settings, permissions and existing projects are synchronized between both systems. As you create a new project in BIM 360, it instantly appears in SIGNAX.
SIGNAX expands Autodesk Construction Cloud solutions to meet the needs of developers and construction site demands.
BIM benefits
- High quality submittals
- Exact scopes and valuable information from BIM model
- Construction schedule and budgets (4D and 5D) visualization
- Issues in a digital way connected to the model elements
- Remote visualization of completed works
One of the main advantages of BIM, which was the first thing that designers discovered for themselves, was high-quality submittals. BIM allows the development of better 2D drawings, consistent with each other and without any collisions. The designer does not make human factor mistakes with the help of BIM. For example, windows on the plan and facade are located differently, the opening is not moved after the moved pipe, the door does not open because it is located against the landing or suspended ceiling. All this is out of the question.
BIM model also allows you to get the exact scope of work and materials quickly. This is especially useful when there are changes in the project and you need to recalculate, update new volumes and see what has changed. Previously, each party Quantity Surveyor had to recalculate the amount of work multiple times using PDF drawings (he didn’t trust the numbers in the spreadsheets). All this took a lot of time and effort at each stage. Now all the specialists look at the same model, get the necessary data in seconds and see where the scopes come from. All changes in the process also become transparent to everyone.
When starting work on a construction site, BIM is useful for linking the construction schedule with the model, to obtain 4D (time) and 5D (budgets) visualization.
The function of linking issues to BIM model elements is needed during the active work on the construction site. Project issues are much more visible than in the spreadsheet, when the Customer sees them on one screen. It is more convenient to control and navigate between issues in 3D: there is confidence that nothing can be lost.
Another advantage of BIM technology for construction is the overview of completed elements; marking and visualizing of the works performed according to the model and obtaining the completed work scopes. It is easy to show it to the Customer with the help of BIM model. This can be the 100% reason for performed works payment. The process allows to increase the transparency of construction, to remove disputes at meetings and speed up the approving of contractors invoices.
BIM standards
BIM standard is a set of corporate documents that describes the rules for applying BIM technology within a certain company. It describes the naming rules, modeling rules and much more. Design companies apply their own best BIM practices if there are no specific BIM requirements from the Customer.
EIR (Employer Information Requirements) - Customer’s BIM requirements, which describe the goals and objectives of applying BIM technology on the project (its BIM-uses). Requirements for the composition and content of information models are created on base of this. The document also describes the project activities, data transfer methods and the interaction between various project stakeholders.
BEP (BIM Execution Plan) - the document defines the exact project stakeholders roles, their permissions and contacts. The document also describes project software and other project dependent things. BEP should also outline all EIR deviations, approved by the Customer.
BIM consulting
Companies often hire BIM consultants to help organize processes and implement BIM. Such consultants may be companies or individuals. BIM consultants help prepare BIM standards and train employees in usage of BIM software. BIM consultants can help with the definition of IT tools required for the selected BIM uses and help with adapting them to the specific tasks. BIM consultants are often able to develop software plugins or Dynamo scripts.
BIM consultants can develop solutions to integrate BIM with other company processes, link data from designers with procurement, construction or operation stages.
SIGNAX acts as BIM consulting company. Our specialists are located in Dubai, UAE and are ready to come to the Clients office to share our experience and answer all the questions. We are also ready to contact you remotely by ZOOM at any convenient time.
The Customer often has no existing BIM requirements prepared for an already started project, but he doesn't want to wait for the next project to start using BIM. In such cases, BIM consulting companies can help with modeling from 2D CAD drawings in order to get a BIM model. This can work if project designers have not yet switched to BIM and act according to the classical workflows.
BIM modeling
BIM modeling can be used to solve tasks of design verification and project audit: simulation of designed 2D drawings and collisions checking. Another goal is to get the exact scope of works or 5D visualization. In other words, you can have all the advantages of BIM for your existing project right now!
BIM model can also be used as a digital twin of the facility, for example, for reconstruction or repairing, as well as to integrate the BIM data to enterprise asset management (EAM) software.
SIGNAX performs all these works. We are ready to provide preconstruction and construction site works using the power of BIM; scanning and developing as-built models. We are also ready for each kind of modeling works, performing collision checks, managing project digital data and providing BIM support for all the stages.