The implementation of BIM in Spain

A new chapter for the implementation of BIM in the AEC industry in Spain has just begun. No longer an uncertain perspective for the future, Building Information Modeling has finally become a reality.

Last year Spain has witnessed a paradigm shift in the building industry. From the 17th of December 2018, BIM is finally mandatory for all the public construction tenders. With regards to the public infrastructure tenders, the date is set to be the 26th July 2019. The decision was taken by the Ministry of Development of Spain in order to drive the modernization of the building industry, accelerate the implementation of BIM, and foster the use of its standards and its methodology.

And from the 31st of December, the so-called BIM mandate will automatically make BIM mandatory for those building projects of the Ministry and its associated companies such as Renfe (Public railway company) or Aena (Public Airline company).

BIM in Spain: The Past 

Building Smart is the International organization willing to drive the transformation of the build asset economy through the creation and adoption of open, international standards. Building Smart Spain was formally constituted in November 2014 and, within the country, it served as a point of reference. In fact, in such a changing scenario, its main tasks had been to create a common framework, to provide the specifications & documentation, to accelerate interoperability across the sector and to extend the use of BIM disruptive approach. This is how the so-called “Spanish Chapter” started: a new era for all the actors across the building industry keen on modernizing their methodology and work processes through the implementation of BIM.

Spain has also been subject to EU Directive 2014/24/UE.  According to this directive, the member states were invited to encourage the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in construction projects financed by EU public funds as of 2016.

In 2015 the Ministerio de Fomento (Ministry of Development) created the “BIM Commission” with the main mission to establish a roadmap for the BIM methodology implementation in Spain. The BIM Committee had been made up of five different tasks groups that focus on distinct themes: strategy, people, processes, technology, and International Liaison.

Finally, in 2018 the BIM implementation strategy has been approved and there is finally no turning back for modernization of the building industry. 

BIM: What It Is And Its Associated Benefits 

BIM (Building Information Modeling) is the most popular trend topic within the building industry. For many reasons why.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the digital management of the information processes for the design, construction, and management of building projects. The use of the intelligent 3D digital model – the representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a structure – promotes interoperability and the result is a highly interactive environment capable of adapting to changes. In fact, BIM establishes a collaborative work environment able to improve the performance of each phase of the project, as everybody is thinking beyond their context. Design, construction, operation, demolition, and even waste management, BIM creates a framework for the whole building lifecycle.

The real-time 3-D visualization allows better management of the conflict by using the BIM Model. This immediately translates into fewer risks, interferences, costs and time. Also, the documentation produced by each stakeholder derives from a single digital model, guaranteeing uniformity and consistency. Last but not least, BIM allows building smart and sustainable projects, energy efficient, integrated with their surrounding environment. 

elec calc™ BIM 

elec calc™ BIM  stands out as the unique electrical design software solution responding to the BIM challenges. This is the world’s first calculating software that seamlessly integrates elec calc™-  the electrical equipment used in sizing projects – with different design platforms and architectural 3D models, thanks to its unique IFC standard use approach.

BIM simulates the construction project in a virtual environment.  Just as elec calc™ solution allows you to create a one-line diagram of electrical installation from the BIM model and defining the cable routing (calculating lengths, adding cables as objects).

The key benefit of BIM is its accurate geometrical representation of the parts of a building, in an integrated data environment. Some great features of elec calc™ BIM  include IFC Explorer, your electrical objects are recognized from IFC data and interactions between Explorer, 3D Viewer, and elec calc™ one-line diagram, identifying components in real time between your 3D Viewer and the one-line diagram.