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Achieving Accuracy and Success with BIM

The construction world is highly competitive, which is no surprise. However, what is new is the current race toward efficiency and precision for the success of any project. The BIM (Building Information Modeling) methodology presents itself as the key tool to achieve these goals, especially regarding construction measurements.

Let’s look at how BIM optimizes the way measurements are made, improving accuracy, reducing overcosts, and contributing to the overall success of the project.

BIM and Accuracy in Construction Measurements

One of the greatest benefits of BIM is its ability to improve the accuracy of construction measurements. By using a digital model, human errors that typically occur when interpreting 2D plans or making manual measurements are eliminated.

Imagine a hospital construction project where a precise amount of pipes is required for the water system. In the past, errors in manually measuring the pipes could have resulted in delays and additional costs. With BIM, the exact length of the pipes is extracted directly from the 3D model, eliminating the risk of human error and ensuring the correct quantity of materials is ordered.

With BIM, measurements are extracted directly from the model, ensuring their accuracy and consistency. This leads to a significant reduction in errors in estimating material quantities, which in turn positively impacts the project’s budget.

Measurement Levels in BIM

To understand how elements are measured in a BIM model, it’s important to know the four levels of measurement:

  • Level 1: Measurement by Elements: Based on identifying and counting individual elements in the model, such as walls, doors, or windows. This level is similar to traditional measurement using CAD and Excel.
  • Level 2: Measurement by Typology: Groups elements by typology, such as “brick walls” or “aluminum windows,” making it easier to quantify materials and prepare budgets.
  • Level 3: Measurement by Systems: Focuses on measuring complete systems, such as the electrical or HVAC systems. This level allows for a more comprehensive view of the project and facilitates coordination between disciplines.
  • Level 4: Measurement by Zones: Divides the project into specific zones or areas, such as floors or rooms, allowing for a more detailed analysis of measurements and costs.

To extract reliable measurements from the model, it is essential that the model is well-structured, the elements are properly coded (e.g., with OmniClass or UNICLASS), and it follows a taxonomy.

BIM 8D and Risk Management

BIM 8D introduces prevention and risk management factors throughout the project’s life cycle. Its main goal is to identify and mitigate safety risks as early as possible to avoid harm to people on the site.

For example, BIM 8D can help identify risks such as falls from heights, collisions with objects, or exposure to hazardous materials. By identifying and mitigating these risks during the design phase, accidents, project delays, and costly repairs can be avoided.

Reducing Overcosts with BIM

The accuracy of construction measurements directly impacts the project’s costs. By avoiding errors in quantity estimation, material waste is reduced, and resource management is optimized.

Design and Planning Optimization

BIM allows for cost savings by optimizing design and planning processes. Design changes and revisions, which are traditionally costly and slow, are expedited with BIM.

Early Detection of Interferences

Additionally, BIM enables the early detection of interferences between different building systems, such as electrical installations and pipes. By identifying these conflicts during the design phase, unforeseen modifications during construction are avoided.

Reducing Errors in Measurements

BIM also helps reduce design errors that affect the budget and show up in the construction process. By minimizing these errors, additional costs associated with changes and rework are avoided.

Preconstruction with BIM

With BIM, the concept of “preconstruction” is introduced, which involves the complete virtual development of a project to determine whether it is actually feasible to construct. This helps identify potential problems and optimize the design before physical construction begins, resulting in reduced costs and execution times.

According to a study, BIM benefits in cost reduction can range from 5% to 20%, thanks to improved communication and the decrease in interferences that cause issues during the various stages of the project.

Examples of Successful Projects Using BIM

There are many examples of projects that have successfully used BIM to improve measurement accuracy and reduce overcosts. Some of them include:

  • Ciudad de la Justicia in Córdoba, Spain: This project used BIM as a pilot experience for infrastructure planning, control, and management, achieving greater efficiency in construction execution.
  • Shanghai Tower in China: The first BIM project in China, the Shanghai Tower, benefited from collaboration between parties, overall project monitoring, and a 30% reduction in the estimated time for completion.
  • Bellvitge Health Sciences Campus Auditorium in Barcelona, Spain: The use of BIM in this project allowed for effective communication between disciplines, accurate element listings, and a 19% reduction in budget.
  • Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar: BIM facilitated multidisciplinary design integration, conflict detection, materials and cost management, and construction planning, contributing to the success of this mega-project.

By using a digital model that centralizes all project information, BIM allows for greater efficiency and the ability to reduce errors and optimize resource management. The implementation of BIM not only improves measurement accuracy but also contributes to reducing overcosts, early detection of interferences, and enhanced communication among all stakeholders. Additionally, BIM can be used to plan social infrastructure and transport networks, expanding its impact beyond individual construction projects.