What is beam design technology? BIM technologies in Russia Information modeling of buildings and structures

The abbreviation BIM stands for Building Information Modeling and is translated from English as “building information modeling”. Given the name, it is easy to guess that BIM technology is used in construction. However, each person perceives this term differently.

What kind of technology is BIM?

Many people believe that the letters BIM hide the name of the software. Others think that the drawing of the building is BIM. But such a simple definition cannot be given. BIM technologies in design are based on creating a three-dimensional model of a building, but in this case the model is not just a set of geometric elements and textures. In fact, such a model consists of virtual elements that exist in reality and at the same time have specific physical properties. BIM technology allows you to design a building and, even before the start of construction, fully calculate and determine all the processes that will take place in it.

Today this technology has received an impetus for development, and if previously it was necessary to install special complex and professional applications to work with it, today there are “stripped-down” and simple applications for smartphones and tablets. This allows customers and developers to quickly and conveniently access technology that takes it to the next level.

Benefits of implementing BIM technologies

The very first and obvious advantage is 3D visualization. Visualization is the most common way to use BIM technology. This not only allows you to beautifully present the project to the customer, but also to find better design solutions to replace the old ones.

The second advantage is the centralized storage of data in the model, which allows you to manage changes effectively and easily. When you make a specific change to a project, it is immediately displayed in all views: floor plans, elevation, or sections. This also greatly increases the speed of creating project documentation and reduces the likelihood of errors.

Data management is another plus. After all, not all the information that is in the BIM model can be presented graphically. Therefore, the model also contains specification catalogs, with the help of which the labor costs for creating the project are determined. Financial indicators are also available in the model. Thus, the estimated cost of the project is determined immediately after changes are made to it.

Well, we can’t forget about saving money. The introduction of BIM technology into design will reduce financial costs and significantly reduce the commissioning time of the facility. For this reason, most construction companies try to use modern information modeling techniques in their practice.

What solutions work based on BIM technology?

The most popular solution based on it is the program for architects ARCHICAD. Slightly less popular, but no less useful, is BIMcloud software, with which it is possible to organize joint design online.

EcoDesigner is a solution for calculations and energy modeling. Well, we must not forget about demonstrations and presentations - a mobile application has been implemented for this. However, there are many programs created on the basis of BIM technology; it would take a long time to list them.

Conclusion

BIM is a technology that allows you to create a multidimensional model of a construction project, which will contain all the information about it. Moreover, this model is used not only for construction, but also for operation of the facility. Therefore, it is completely wrong to think that BIM is only a graphical 3D projection. The range of technology capabilities is very wide. Information modeling involves a completely new approach to the creation and management of a building, in which absolutely everything will be taken into account.

All this allows you to avoid possible alterations in design, reduce construction costs, and most importantly, save time. The introduction of BIM has made it possible to make the right decisions at life cycle stages - from investment to operation and even demolition.

However, this technology also requires financial costs. In particular, it is necessary to purchase special software and equipment for training. But these costs will be compensated in the future by reducing the costs of designing and organizing the construction of the building.

This year, the second day of the conference was entirely dedicated to broadcasting technical presentations. All events, held simultaneously in five parallel sessions, are available for viewing on the organizer's website. In the “Architecture and Construction” block, where a total of 12 speakers spoke, representatives of the Artpot bureau Vladislav Livanov and Vitaly Malozemov spoke about their experience of switching from Autocad to Revit.

Looking ahead, it is worth saying that the authors do not offer recipes that will instantly allow you to design in a new environment, but rather, on the contrary, they build the transition process in successive stages. It was thanks to a pre-planned process and an integrated approach that the office’s employees were able to adapt to working in a new environment without wasting time or compromising the design.

One of the main mistakes of architects, according to the speakers, is that most try to transfer all the principles of interaction that they have developed over a long time in CAD design to a 3D platform, which cannot be implemented in principle. Therefore, the studio developed a spiral development model for the transition to working in Revit, which allows you to move in logical segments, consolidating intermediate results along the way.

Three components of success

First of all, the workshop identified three basic principles that are useful to any studio, regardless of the design environment in which it works. These principles may seem banal at first glance, but this is where many people make mistakes, not paying due attention to seemingly obvious concepts. The primary fundamentals of any design, according to the authors, are as follows:

• Single design entity.
• Constant interaction of all participants in the process.
• Unified data storage and transmission structure.

A single project entity implies the joint work of all employees with one file. There should not be many different versions of the project or additional drawings that no one knows about except the author himself. That is, all participants in the process work with the same design drawings. Thus, in the event of modification of one element, these elements are immediately transmitted to other computers, which eliminates the appearance of different versions of the project.

Working in identical files requires good communication, and therefore the authors of the report place special emphasis on the constant interaction of all participants in the process. This is especially important when working with related companies or in cases where different departments are outsourcing development. Therefore, the relationship process during work must be discussed at the very beginning. It is important that all participants are immediately aware of changes, thereby minimizing rework and error correction.

The third problem is related to the files themselves, which many people store and call as they please. As a result, when you need to quickly find the file you need, especially among different versions, it can be very difficult to figure it out not only for colleagues, but also for the authors of the drawings themselves. Therefore, every studio needs general rules regarding storage location, names of folders, files, etc.

First attempt that increased productivity by 1.5 times

To transition to Revit, a separate project group was allocated in the workshop, which, among other things, already included specialists familiar with the program. An ambitious task was immediately set - to fully develop the project in Revit and issue ready-made working documentation, which, however, was not immediately achieved in full.

The transition was easier for the architects than others, and even on the first try they managed to produce working documentation for the AR section ( architectural solutions). But the main problem arose with the rest of the specialists, and, above all, with the designers, who were unable to adapt the system to suit themselves in a short time, so we had to return to developing documentation as usual.

Realizing that they would still have to work in AutoCAD, the studio decided to make the most of the program’s capabilities in order to ultimately save time for staff training and new attempts to switch to BIM design. Binders and dynamic blocks were configured and templates were developed. The dispatcher of publications for printing deserves special mention, which made it possible to put the production of working documentation literally on stream.

For example, when it came time to print a project, no one spent any extra effort. The Publication Print Wizard was launched and worked in completely offline mode. This not only reduces printing time, but also significantly increases overall workshop productivity. By using new tools, it was possible to increase the speed of project creation by 1.5 times.

Need a link

Thanks to a significant reduction in development time, it was possible to transfer one of the designers exclusively to the development of structural models in Revit, which previously had to be somehow built by the architects themselves. This intermediate link made it possible to normalize the interaction between architects who were already working entirely in Revit, and designers and engineers who were still using the dwg format.

This model of work allowed us to make an important change in the work of the workshop - to separate the main design decisions developed at the early design stage from the production of working documentation. That is, the architects continued to work in Revit, and all other specialists received their work in dwg export files and continued to work with files in AutoCAD. At the same time, in parallel with this, the designer working in Revit raised a three-dimensional model of structures from ready-made drawings and coordinated it with the architectural department.

Thanks to this solution, already at the next site it was possible to obtain not only an architectural, but also a structural model of the building. The second experience and all the preliminary preparation contributed to the workshop’s complete transition to BIM design. The third house project, the most complex of the three, has already been completed by all departments in Revit.

Transition to design in four dimensions

Having received the full support of the customer, the bureau decided to continue to improve the operating principles and also establish the construction process in order to radically reduce the cost of constructing the building by reducing overhead costs and increasing the efficiency of installation work. Therefore, to the three directions, the temporary, construction process was also added, becoming the fourth dimension.

At this stage, programs such as Navisworks and MS Project helped, where the entire process was organized, linked to calendar plans, calculated labor costs, etc. Especially for builders, ahead of the construction itself, a separate model of the building was developed, where information was collected, for example, on the amount of materials required for each stage of construction work.

Already at the construction site, the GIP used this particular model to determine what materials needed to be purchased in the near future. And if questions arose regarding the implementation of one or another part, then additional components were developed directly on the model, which were then discussed again at the construction site, thus developing the ideas of paperless design.

Images autodeskuniversity.ru, fundyeng.com

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When we first encounter a new concept BIM, then the following BIM definition is always given (Building Information Modeling or Building Information Model)- building information modeling or building information model. This concept does not reveal any specifics, so I will try to explain this term in simple words.

BIM– a method of managing the entire life cycle of a structure based on the provision of its digital physical and functional characteristics. The concept of the method implies an ideal, clear linkage of all ongoing processes between all participants.

Key aspects of BIM:

1. The base is a 3-dimensional digital model of the structure, in which all participants interact throughout the entire life cycle, from the conceptual stage to demolition. A change in the model by one of the participants will be immediately visible to everyone else, i.e., there is a decrease in the likelihood of data loss, the occurrence of collisions, and an increase in the speed of decision making.

2. Transparency of procurement, estimates, work deadlines, as well as prompt receipt of information on the progress of construction.

3. Information for cost calculation must be available. To do this, it is necessary to have a specification with current article numbers for all designs, materials, and equipment used.

4. Information for calculations for the structure should be easily extracted from the 3D model. All structures, materials, and equipment used in the model must have physical properties and technical characteristics.

This method is revolutionary in the construction industry and provides us with the opportunity to optimize all stages of the life cycle. Examples can be given for each stage. One of them is design. Previously, in CAD technology, we created drawings that conventionally symbolized an object, since a 2D format was used. Now we are talking about a digital prototype, rich in information about the future object. You can make decisions much more objectively when everything is together, in one model, and not in different sections, as was previously the case.

The concept of BIM appeared in the 1980s in the USA. And it did not become widespread until the 2000s. The main catalysts for the growth in popularity were software developers: Autodesk (Revit) and Graphisoft (Archicad). The increased popularity of these software gave new impetus to the development of BIM in the United States and then throughout the world.

In Russia, work is also underway to introduce this method. Key dates:

• December 29, 2014. Adoption of a plan for the phased implementation of information modeling technologies in the field of industrial and civil construction
• April 12, 2017. A roadmap for the implementation of information modeling (BIM) technologies at all stages of the “life cycle” of a capital construction project has been approved. This document was signed by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Government Dmitry Kozak. It outlines the action plan from 2017 to 2020 (adopting new laws, orders, sets of rules, etc.)

The question arises whether the domestic construction industry will be able to switch to using information modeling methodology by 2020.

So far, many experts are expressing doubts. The argument was the experience of introducing the methodology in other countries (USA, England, France, Germany, etc.), where there is still no widespread implementation there. The most successful experience is in England, where the transition occurs in a “centralized” manner, the fundamental document being the BIM mandate. In the Russian Federation there are still no new laws, codes of practice, standards regulating work with BIM, as well as a unified library of materials. All this is a huge amount of work that remains to be done in the course of implementing the road map.

BIM implementation programs in Moscow and St. Petersburg

Situation at the end of 2017. In Moscow, all new objects under the Renovation program were required to be carried out using the BIM methodology, and active work in this direction is already underway.

Representatives of the state expertise of Moscow and St. Petersburg are also working on the transition to BIM, training employees, and creating new standards, which will most likely reach the federal level in the future. But for now everyone is waiting for changes at the legislative level. That is, designers, when submitting documents for examination, use BIM models only as additional information and are forced to waste time providing documentation according to the old model.

It is reported that the new standards will be ready in the spring of 2018 and will initially be applied to “pilot” projects (“Renovation”), and with successful experience - to the creation of facilities using budget funds.

BIM software and format

The vast majority of BIM practitioners are committed to Revit software. And also to the data transmission format - IFC, which does not depend on the software used. There are a huge number of programs and applications specializing in BIM, but their use is local. Each company selects software to suit its individual needs and tasks.

An architect of the 21st century cannot get by with whatman paper and drawing ink. Students of technical universities from the first year begin to study the basics of computer design in order to have the opportunity in the future to get a job in a prestigious company and become a sought-after specialist in the market. Our article will simply and clearly tell you about the use of BIM information technologies for building modeling in construction and explain the secret of their popularity.

What is BIM technology: from the history of the issue

This is a way of designing buildings, the main features of which will be:

• creation of a 3D model;
• combining all available information about the future construction into a single whole;

In the middle of the last century, the American architect Chuck Eastman first used the concept of “information model” in one of his articles. By the end of the 80s, the concept was developed in Europe and the USA. The modern term “Building information modeling” is the result of combining the English (Product Information Model) and American (Building Product Model) variants. It appeared in the scientific work of Robert Eisch in 1986, where the basic principles of the new approach were formulated. The scientist's main idea was to automate the process of creating construction models. All the necessary information, including estimates, databases, time calculations, was combined into one 3D computer model. Eisch clearly demonstrated the practical value of his theory by using it to rebuild Heathrow Airport in London. This was the first attempt to introduce a BIM building modeling system into the global architectural and construction industry. Since 2002, it began to be actively used by specialists from all countries.

There is still no single, generally accepted definition. Some understand the BIM model of a building as a finished project, others as the process of creating a structure, others try to explain the specifics of this direction through denial (“this is not a beam, because...”). We will try to convey to you the essence of the concept through its main features.

This is a computer model of a building in which all the necessary information about it is coordinated. If one parameter changes, the same happens to others. You increase the size of the closet, and the program shows how your actions affect the electrical network diagram.

Having created such a project, you will be able to evaluate the internal and external appearance of the building, understand how much money, material and labor will be required for its construction, what equipment will be used, and how the construction process will be organized. This is a convenient form that allows you to take into account all the nuances and avoid mistakes when bringing the project to life.

The scope of its application is extensive:

• Drawing up accurate cost estimates and plans.
• Regulation of work progress.
• Estimation of materials used.
• Calculation of future performance characteristics.
• Coordination of the building as a commercial activity object.
• Control of repair, reconstruction, restoration and strengthening of old structures.
• Operating procedure.
• Demolition.

Information modeling of a BIM project allows you to track the life of a structure from its foundation to its demolition. Construction is a labor-intensive process that requires the participation of a large number of specialists from different professions. BIM design makes it possible to present their work as a single whole, calculate and connect all possible scenarios for the development of events, and make sure in advance that no mistakes were made at the project stage that could affect them in the future.

Recognized architects and well-known construction companies work with information models. In 2006, the creation of the Museum of Contemporary Arts in Colorado according to the plan of D. Libeskind proved that they speed up work several times and significantly reduce costs. The museum was opened a year earlier than expected, and the state treasury saved 230 million rubles ($400 thousand). In 2008, one of the greatest architects of our time and a Pritzker Prize laureate, Frank Gehry consolidated the success of his colleague with the construction of the High School of Music in Miami.

Creating an architectural plan is the most budget-friendly stage of construction. The funds spent on it amount to only 5% of the total cost of construction. But the oversight of developers who did not take into account small details or overlooked something will lead to the fact that the estimated costs will increase. Mistakes made at the design stage can have consequences not only at the construction stage of the building, but also during its operation. Sometimes the consequences of a flawed plan are quite dire: a collapsed ceiling, sparkling wiring and a roof torn off by the wind.

Design software developer ZWSOFT conducted a survey among construction companies in the city. An analysis of the collected data showed that most of them consider costs of 20% of the cost to be the norm. Real accounting reports taken from design studios say that the real figure is 2 times higher. Each order costs 50% more money than planned. Most often, problems arise when working with utility networks: they forget to make the necessary holes, or incorrectly calculate the volume of required materials. Architects, designers and engineers have almost no contact with each other, and the result of joint work is unsatisfactory. 2D drawings cannot solve this problem.

BIM programs automatically detect even minor defects at the design stage, while classical CAD methods detect them only in the midst of work on a new house or at the time of its occupancy. Unforeseen expenses are minimized. Specialists see the changes that their colleagues make, take them into account, and monitor how the new parameters affected their control area. Not only people of different professions, but also several companies can work with one building. This is very convenient if you are planning a large citywide project or network retail facilities.

BIM programs and information design technologies are also a guarantee of coordinated work on construction sites. Responsibilities are clearly distributed between teams. Errors in procurement schedules for materials and equipment are minimized. The management easily controls cash flow. Theft is excluded. Any expenses are tracked, all prices are fixed. Each employee can look at the expense budget or check the accounting report.

The only significant drawback of this method is the difficulty of mastering it. Architects of the “old school” are distrustful of any innovation, even if it modernizes and speeds up their work. Some users claim that the information modeling software is glitchy and crashes. But these are the costs of technology, not the technology itself.

Choose licensed versions from ZWSOFT, and your projects will be brought to life easily and quickly.

The company guarantees its clients:

• Detailed information about the product's characteristics and its compatibility with other software. The supplier monitors global trends in BIM development and regularly updates versions of the offered software for future compliance with this standard. Current options are posted on the official website, and you can download them freely.
• Free consultation with a technical specialist. You can use the online chat, contact the organization’s employees by phone number or visit the company’s office. They will not only answer any questions, but will also select a product with suitable technical characteristics and an acceptable cost. The support service works constantly and you can contact it both before purchasing the software and after. The official website has a forum where users exchange independent opinions on the merits of programs from ZWSOFT, and a “Knowledge Base” section. Study it and you will learn a lot about Russian BIM platforms and the features of their operation.
• Opportunity to try trial versions with full functionality before purchasing. You will be sure that your computer will run the design program and it will not glitch.

BIM design technologies in construction: what it is and how they work

All modern architectural plans are created on a computer. The specificity of the method is that the specialist works not with geometric images, but with a digital model. It is created in two stages:

1. Primary. At this stage, all elements that are purchased off site are taken into account. These are materials, doors, windows, interior decoration, heating and plumbing equipment, elevators.
2. Secondary. At this point, it is calculated how the facade will be built, the walls, what the roof will be, and how many balconies there will be. It is assumed that all parts specified in the first stage will be used.

This division is conditional. You purchase a batch of iron entrance doors from one company. It turns out to be defective: the paint peeled off before the workers had time to install them, half of the locks do not work. You return a worthless product and buy a quality product from another manufacturer, but more expensive. The first stage is wedged into the second stage, but this does not mean that you will have to develop the project all over again. All actions you take are reflected in expense estimates and official documentation. The appearance of the house will also change. The building will have the doors you selected the second time.

The information model will exist as long as there are objects that it reproduces. It transforms and modernizes along with the buildings, which is why it is sometimes called 4D. Temporal characteristics are added to the spatial characteristics.

What the BIM model is not

This is a complex, multi-component concept. To make its specifics more clear, we will collect several common misconceptions and try to dispel them.

The BIM project will not:

• A model of parts of a separate structure or a separate computer document. This is a project that is connected and interacts at the level of parameters of each of the BIM objects, which is fully consistent and carried out according to the approved standards of ministries and committees with the involvement of qualified BIM managers who have mastered the discipline of BIM project management.
• Guaranteed error-free operation. The project is developed by people. They can miscalculate, forget something, lose sight of something. BIM will help avoid most mistakes, but will not replace competent, experienced employees.
• Only 3D. The graphic component is important, but not the only part. The information model includes all documentation, tables, graphs, sales receipts, expense estimates, and purchase lists. Builders can do without 3D imaging if it is not required for the job.

BIM creation software will not:

• A robot whose intelligence is equal to that of a human. The information system will show where mistakes were made, but specialists will correct them. You will learn that the house will not be warm enough, but you will look for solutions to the problem on your own. You can order insulation, add radiators, caulk the attic or make a heated floor. The program will calculate the cost of each option, but will not make the choice for you.
• A specific computer program. This is an innovative design method. It realizes itself through complex software. Generally, a single application cannot provide the scale required to construct a building. This is a complex of various modules or programs, the coordinated work of which ensures the creation of innovative architectural projects. The idea of ​​a BIM system as something closed and monosyllabic is outdated and does not correspond to reality. The ZWSOFT company offers to purchase a package of tools for specific specialties (designer of industrial facilities, residential buildings, structures) and additional plug-ins for industry-specific and highly specialized tasks. Users believe that ZWSOFT products are the Russian analogue of Autocad. It is not inferior to foreign options in quality, but lower in cost.
• Closed system. Developers are constantly improving BIM, ensuring that it meets the latest requirements of global architectural and construction design.
• Fully automatic. Technology cannot collect data; its task is to process it. To create a project, the engineer enters all the necessary information into the database.
• Programming. BIM does not imply entering codes. The plan of the future building is developed according to generally accepted logic, including interactively and using graphical means. Replacing a professional. For example, if an architect, designer or MEP specialist does not have talent, no technology will help him.

In our country, this design technology is only gaining momentum. The first attempts at implementation were made in 2011. The government hopes to reduce costs for the construction of residential complexes and industrial facilities by 20-30% through the introduction of BIM into the professional practice of construction companies.

The last successful experiment in this area was the use of information design in the construction of nuclear power plants. The total cost of the facility decreased by almost 2 billion rubles. More than half of this amount was saved due to the reduction of deadlines, and the rest - due to optimization of the work process. The owners of many Russian construction companies appreciated the convenience and practicality of BIM designers. But they are in no hurry to switch to them completely because of the high cost of imported programs. Foreign suppliers are leading the market in this area.

The ZWSOFT company offers an inexpensive analogue of well-known software, including ACAD products. You will appreciate the convenient tools and flexible licensing system. On the official website of the organization you will find a wide range of software for all types of construction work:

• modeling of structures;
• laying a communication line;
• engineering;
• design.

And tools for the following specialties:

• Architect.
• Constructor.
• Surveyor.
• Heating systems engineer.
• Restorer.
• Water supply and sanitation engineer.
• Cadastral engineer.
• Geologist.
• Electrical Engineer.
• Design engineer of low-current systems.
• PPR engineer.
• Mechanical engineer.
• Interior designer.

ZWSOFT develops custom applications. Invite a company employee, and he will not only create individual technical support for your organization, but also help the staff understand it. The software will allow you to achieve absolute accuracy in fulfilling customer requirements, and will not damage the company’s budget. Now you know what BIM technology is. If you want to train your team in modern design methods, replace the traditional approach with an innovative one, increase the speed and quality of construction, purchase the platform from ZWSOFT. The company guarantees technical support, reasonable prices and a large selection

BIM (Building Information Modeling or Building Information Model) - building information modeling or building information model.

1. What is building information modeling

The turn of the late 20th - early 21st centuries, associated with the rapid acceleration of the development of information technology, was finally marked by the emergence of a fundamentally new approach in architectural and construction design, which consists in creating a computer model of a new building that carries all the information about the future object. This has become a natural human reaction to the radically changed information richness of the life around us.

In modern conditions, it has become completely impossible to effectively process by previous means the huge (and steadily increasing) flow of “information for thought” that precedes and accompanies the design itself. And the design result is also rich in information that must be stored in a form convenient for use.

The flow of such information does not stop even after the building has already been designed and constructed, since the new object, entering the operation stage, interacts with other objects and the surrounding external environment (urban infrastructure).

In addition, with commissioning, the internal life support processes of the structure also begin, that is, in modern parlance, the active phase of the “life cycle” of the building begins.

Such an information “challenge” from the modern world around us required a serious response from the intellectual and technical community. And it followed in the form of the concept building information modeling.

Having initially emerged in the design environment and having received widespread and very successful practical application in the creation of new objects, this concept, however, quite quickly stepped beyond the framework established for it, and now building information modeling means much more than just a new method in design.

Now this is also a fundamentally different approach to the construction, equipping, maintenance and repair of a building, to managing the life cycle of an object, including its economic component, to managing the man-made habitat that surrounds us.

This is a changed attitude towards buildings and structures in general.

Finally, this is our new look at the world around us and a rethinking of the ways in which humans influence this world.

1.1. What is meant by BIM

(from English Building Informational Modeling), abbreviated BIM isprocess, as a result of which is formedbuilding information model(from the English Building Informational Model), also given the abbreviation BIM.

Thus, at each stage of the information modeling process we have a certain information model that reflects the amount of information about the building processed at that moment. Moreover, a comprehensive information model of a building does not exist in principle, since we can always supplement the model existing at some point in time with new information. The process of information modeling, like any process carried out by a person, at each stage solves some tasks assigned to its performers. And the building information model is each time the result of solving these problems.

If we now move on to the internal content of the term, today there are several of its definitions, which in their main semantic part coincide, while differing in nuances.

It seems that this situation is caused primarily by the fact that different specialists who contributed to the development of BIM came to the concept of building information modeling in different ways, and over a long period of time.

And building information modeling itself today is a relatively young phenomenon, new and constantly evolving. In many ways, its content is determined not by theoretical conclusions, but by everyday global practice. So the BIM development process is still very far from its logical conclusion. This leads to the fact that some people understand the BIM model as result of activity, for others BIM is modeling process, some define and consider BIM from the point of view of factors of practical implementation, and some generally define this concept through its negation, explaining in detail what “not BIM” is.

Without going into a detailed analysis, it can be noted that almost all currently existing approaches to defining BIM are equivalent, that is, they consider the same phenomenon (technology) in design and construction activities.

In particular, any model assumes the presence process its creation, and in turn any creative process presupposes result.

Moreover, the existing “theoretical” differences in definitions do not prevent any of the participants in the discussions around the concept of BIM from working fruitfully once it comes to its practical application.

The purpose of our book is to convey to the reader the essence of building information modeling, so we will pay less attention to the formal side of the issue, at times “mixing” different formulations and appealing to common sense and an intuitive understanding of what is happening.

Now let’s formulate definitions that, from the author’s point of view, most accurately reveal the very essence of the concept of BIM. We will repeat ourselves in some ways, but I think this will only benefit the reader.

Building Information Modeling(BIM) is process, as a result of which at each stage it is created (developed and improved) building information model(also BIM).

Historically, the abbreviation BIM has been used in two cases: for the process and for the model. Typically, there is no confusion because there is always context. But if the situation nevertheless becomes controversial, we must remember that the process is primary, and the model is secondary, that is, BIM is primarily a process.

Building information model(BIM) is information about a designed or existing construction project suitable for computer processing, while:
1) properly coordinated, coordinated and interconnected,
2) having a geometric reference,
3) suitable for calculations and analysis,
4) allowing necessary updates.

In simple terms, a building information model is a database about this building, managed using an appropriate computer program. This information is primarily intended and may be used for:
1) making specific design decisions,
2) calculation of components and components of the building,
3) prediction of the operational qualities of the object,
4) creation of design documentation,
5) drawing up estimates and construction plans,
6) ordering and manufacturing materials and equipment,
7) management of the construction of the building,
8) operation management throughout the entire life cycle of the facility,
9) management of the building as an object of commercial activity,
10) design and management of reconstruction or repair of a building,
11) demolition and disposal of the building,
12) other purposes related to the building.

This definition is most consistent with the current approach to the BIM concept of many developers of computer design tools based on building information modeling.

A schematic diagram of BIM-related information entering the model, stored and processed in the model, and retrieved from it for further use is shown in Fig. 2-1-1.

Rice. 2-1-1. Basic information passing through BIM and directly related to BIM

1.2. Brief history of terminology

The term BIM appeared in the lexicon of specialists relatively recently, although the concept of computer modeling with maximum consideration of all information about an object began to take shape and take concrete shape much earlier, even in the era of the formation of CAD systems.

Since the end of the twentieth century, the concept of BIM as a new approach in design has gradually “matured” within the then rapidly developing design automation systems.

Concept Building information model was first proposed to the general public by Georgia Tech professor Chuck Eastman in 1975 in the journal of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) under the working title "Building Description System"(Building Description System), although it had already appeared a year earlier in a scientific report he published.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, this concept developed in parallel in the Old and New Worlds, with the term most often used in the United States "Building Product Model", and in Europe (especially in Finland) - "Product Information Model".

Moreover, both times the word Product emphasized the primary focus of researchers' attention on the design object, and not on the process. It can be assumed that the simple linguistic combination of these two names led to the birth of the modern "Building Information Model"(Building information model).

In parallel, in the development of approaches to building information modeling by Europeans in the mid-1980s, the German term "Bauinformatik" and Dutch "Gebouwmodel", which in translation also corresponded to English "Building Model" or "Building Information Model".

But most importantly, these linguistic convergences of terminology were accompanied by the development of a unified content of the concepts used, which ultimately led to the first appearance in the scientific literature in 1992 of the term “Building Information Model” in its current content.

Somewhat earlier, in 1986, the Englishman Robert Aish, a man of difficult fate (at that time related to the creation of the RUCAPS program, then for a long period an employee of Bentley Systems, then moved to Autodesk), used for the first time in his article term "Building Modeling" in its current understanding as a process of building information modeling. But, more importantly, he was the first to formulate the basic principles of this information approach to design, which now form the basis of the BIM concept:

• three-dimensional modeling;
• automatic receipt of drawings;
• intelligent parameterization of objects;
• sets of design data corresponding to objects; distribution of the construction process by time stages, etc.

Robert Eisch illustrated the new design approach he described with an example of the successful use of the RUCAPS architectural building modeling software package during the reconstruction of Terminal 3 at London Heathrow Airport.

The RUCAPS (Really Universal Computer Aided Production System) program has been developed in England since the late 1970s for architectural design on minicomputers manufactured by Prime Computer or Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). By modern standards, it can be classified as a 2.5D system, since the model itself was shown in three dimensions, but the main elements (walls, windows, doors, etc.) were used only on flat views of plans or facades (a tribute rather not to the classical approach to design, but insufficient development of computer technology at that time). But all types were interconnected, so changes in one of them were automatically transferred to the others. Simply put, the model was perceived as a single whole, and not as a set of autonomous flat drawings requiring individual modification.

Apparently, this experience of 30 years ago should be considered as the first case of using the BIM methodology (still in its initial form) in global design and construction practice.

Since about 2002, thanks to the efforts of many authors and enthusiasts of the new approach to design, in particular, the architect and strategist of Autodesk for industrial development Phil Bernstein and the popularizer of the BIM idea Jerry Laiserin, the concept "Building Information Modeling" Leading software developers (Autodesk, Bentley Systems, Graphisoft and some others) also introduced it into use, and they made the concept of BIM one of the key ones in their terminology.

Software developers don't seem to care Model this or Modeling- as long as it works, since programs combine both process and result. To designers or construction workers, this difference also seems insignificant.

Subsequently, the abbreviation BIM firmly entered the lexicon of specialists in computer-aided design technologies and became widely used, and now the whole world knows it.

By the way, we always talk about buildings- this is a variant of the translation of the word Building into Russian, although in the meaning of BIM, they also fit here structures(bridges, embankments, piers, roads, pipelines, etc.) too. Therefore, it is more correct to understand BIM as “information modeling of buildings and structures,” but for brevity we will only talk about buildings, understanding buildings in a “generalized” sense.

Historically (and economically) it has developed that some developers of computer programs essentially related to building information modeling, in addition to the currently generally accepted terminology, also use their own concepts.

For example, the Hungarian company Graphisoft, the creator of the ArchiCAD package widely used among architects, introduced the concept of VB (Virtual Building) back in 1987 - "Virtual building", which, in essence, has something in common with BIM, and incorporated this concept into its program, thus making ArchiCAD practically the world's first BIM application.

Sometimes you can find phrases similar in meaning: electronic construction (e-construction) or virtual design and construction(VDC - Virtual Design and Construction), and in the USA the term CIM (Civil Integrated Management) is also widely used in relation to infrastructure facilities.

And yet, today, the abbreviation BIM, which has already received universal recognition and the widest distribution in the world, is considered dominant in the field of design and construction.

Terms also appear that highlight individual sections of building information modeling. In particular, Bentley Systems has introduced and actively uses the term BrIM (Bridge Information Modeling), which clarifies the BIM concept for this type of structure.

The concept of PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) formulated by Dassault Systemes in 1998 is very close to BIM - product life cycle management, which today has already become fundamental in industrial production and which is actively used by almost the entire engineering CAD industry.

The PLM concept assumes that a single information base is being formed that describes the three main components of creating something new according to the scheme Product – Processes – Resources, as well as defining the connections between these components.

The presence of such a unified model provides the ability to quickly and effectively link and optimize the entire specified chain, which combines the design, production and operation of a product.

Moreover, in the PLM concept, all sorts of technically complex objects can be considered as products: airplanes and ships, cars and rockets, buildings and their engineering systems, computer networks, etc. (Figure 2-1-2).

Rice. 2-1-2. PLM technology is designed to solve a wide variety of problems in the development, production and operation of products. CATIA V5 program

Thus, since buildings and their systems are included in the list of PLM objects, it can be argued that the PLM concept is applicable in construction and architecture.

On the other hand, as soon as we begin to use PLM in this industry, we acquire the specifics of design and construction activities, which take something from mechanical engineering, and replace something with our own or reject it altogether, and whether we like it or not, we get BIM.

So we can state with great confidence that BIM and PLM are “twin brothers”, or, more precisely, that BIM is a reflection and clarification of the PLM concept in a specialized field of human activity - architectural and construction design, taking into account all its specific features. It should not be forgotten that the concepts of BIM and PLM each have their own specific history of emergence and development. But the closeness of these concepts objectively indicates that the development of technical types of human activity follows general laws in a single direction - the direction of information modeling.

It is quite logical that, by analogy with PLM, the term BLM (Building Lifecycle Management) has already begun to appear - building life cycle management, very similar to the already widely used concept of FM (Facilities Management) - service management, denoting a system consisting of organizational, technical and software resources for managing the operation of a building and the processes occurring in it (Fig. 2-1-3).

Rice. 2-1-3. Alexey Kopylov. Project of the bank "Accent". On the left is the appearance of the building, on the right is the modeling of the movement of cash flows and visitors in the building. Diploma project in the specialty “Building Design”. NGASU (Sibstrin), 2010

Of course, having heard all this, BIM skeptics (and there are still many of them) may object: “What BIM? What kind of database management? What mechanical engineering and other concepts? Go to any construction site and see what is being done there! Everyone there walks through the mud in their boots!” (Figure 2-1-4).

Rice. 2-1-4. The Wisla football stadium in Krakow is designed to host Euro 2012. Design and construction are carried out using BIM technology. Computer model and stages of construction of the eastern stand, 2009

In reply, Firstly, let us once again recall the specifics of construction production - everything is built on the ground, so large excavations and the accompanying problems are inevitable.

Secondly, we note that at all times, construction has been classified as the most precise and intellectually intensive type of human activity, just like mechanical engineering.

And the level of technical elaboration of the structures being erected, this very “construction” precision, was always required to be the highest for its period of time.

A striking example of this is the construction of the Eiffel Tower in Paris in 1887-1889, when its creators, with an unprecedented size of the structure, solved not so much construction as “machine-building” problems, bringing all metal structures in advance to the highest degree of assembly readiness and carrying out only “ rivet installation.

The level of construction accuracy has always been determined by the general technical level of development of mankind in general; it has grown steadily and continues to grow in our time. Moreover, the growth is proceeding like an avalanche, so that today, already on a mass scale, construction production is quite comparable in terms of performance precision (taking into account the scale of the “products”) both on particularly significant objects (bridges, stadiums, high-rise buildings, concert halls, etc.), and and on ordinary buildings with modern mechanical engineering (Fig. 2-1-5).

Rice. 2-1-5. On the left is St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow (built in the mid-16th century), some “discrepancies” in the parallelism of the octagons of the Western Pillar are clearly visible; on the right – installation of glazing of the Swiss Re Building in London (early 21st century)

At the same time, again, due to the specifics of architectural and construction design and production, as well as their differences from mechanical engineering (for example, a building can be designed, constructed and operated at the same time), it is worth noting once again that BIM is still not PLM.

1.3. The relationship between old and new approaches to design

The approach to the design of buildings through their information modeling involves, first of all, collection, storage and complex processing in the process of designing all architectural, design, technological, economic and other information about a building with all its interrelations and dependencies, when the building and everything related to it are considered as a single object.

Correct definition of these relationships, as well as accurate classification, well-thought-out and organized structuring, relevance and reliability of the data used, convenient and effective tools for accessing and working with available information (data management interface), the ability to transfer this information or the results of its analysis for further use in external systems are the main components that characterize building information modeling and determine its further success.

And plans, facades and sections, which previously dominated the design process, as well as all other working documentation, visual images and other types of project presentation, are now assigned only the role of presentation results this information modeling. True, results that allow you to quickly assess the quality of the project and, if necessary, make the required adjustments to it.

Looking ahead a little, we note that one of the main advantages of information modeling is the ability to work with the entire model, using any of its types; in particular, plans, facades and sections familiar to designers are excellent for these purposes.

Someone in such a situation may see an obvious contradiction - by moving away in design from flat projections to an information model, we retain the right of flat projections to form this model.

I think there is no contradiction here. You just need to take into account the following circumstances.

1. Building Information Modeling is Coming not instead classical design methods, but is development the latter, therefore logically absorbs them into itself.

2. Unlike the classical approach, working through flat projections is accessible and familiar, therefore convenient for many, but not the only one method of working with the model.

3. With the new design method, work with flat projections ceases to be “purely drawing” or “geometric”, it becomes more informational. And flat projections play the role of a “window” through which we look at the model.

4. The result of design using the new method is model(now this is a project), and a heap of drawings and documentation (what was previously considered a project) is now just one of the forms of its presentation. By the way, some examination bodies, for example Mosgosexpertiza, have already begun to use an information model instead of the classic set of paper documentation.

If you look closely, it is not difficult to see that with the concept of building information modeling, fundamental design decisions, as before, remain in the hands of humans, and the “computer” again performs only the technical function assigned to it for storage, special processing, output or transmission of information.

But another, no less important difference between the new approach and previous design methods is that the increasing volume of this technical work performed by a computer is of a fundamentally different nature, and a person himself with such a volume in the ever-decreasing time allocated for design is no longer able to cope with.

1.4. The BIM concept is based on a single model

In 2004, a major tragedy occurred in Moscow - the dome of Transvaal Park collapsed. Then they decided to make the author of the project Nodar Kancheli guilty - it would be convenient for many. One of the most serious accusations against the architect is that in a number of cases the wrong brand of concrete was used. But the case was not completed, but closed due to an amnesty. The investigation showed that several dozen changes were made to the building design during the process of its approval and implementation, both structural and materials, in particular, a change in grades of steel and concrete. As a result, many changes, sometimes carried out without proper calculation justification, accumulated errors that led to tragedy. And if the creators of Transvaal Park had a single information model, all calculations in the event of each change could be carried out in a timely manner and with high accuracy. But, unfortunately, no one had heard about BIM at that time.

A unified model of the object under construction is the basis of BIM, which is an integral part of any implementation of this technology. This is the solution to all the problems described above. Only a single model gives complete and consistent information around the building.

If there is no single model, it is no longer BIM, but some approximation to it, or even just a pathetic parody (“there is 3D, so everything is fine”) of the building information model.

In 2008, the 308-meter skyscraper One Island East, designed in one year and built in two years, was commissioned in Hong Kong, becoming a global example of the use of BIM technology (more about it in Chapter 3). In particular, his unified information model was used to find all the inconsistencies and collisions that appeared during the design of this complex building by a large team of various specialists. According to the general contractor, Swire Properties Ltd, during the work on the project, about 2,000 such errors were promptly discovered and corrected. In the Digital Project program used at that time, as in the vast majority of modern BIM complexes, the search for collisions occurs automatically, but their elimination, of course, is the work of a person.

A unified information model of a building, including architecture, structures and equipment, is not something particularly outstanding, but a completely normal and easily implemented phenomenon, accessible even at the educational level. Only using a single model of a building can one carry out full calculations of its characteristics, as well as generate specifications and other necessary working documentation, plan the flow of funds and the supply of components to the construction site, manage the construction of the facility, and much more.

But a single model in BIM should not be confused with a single file. A single or composite file is already a way of organizing work with a model in a specific BIM program or a complex of such programs. As a rule, parts of the model related to different topic areas can be autonomous. For example, it makes no sense for an electrician to see all the loads and connections of building structures in his file; it is enough for him to see the structures themselves (their contours). In addition, large projects generate huge information models, working with which as a single file already presents considerable technical difficulties. In such cases, the creators of the model forcibly divide it into parts, organizing their joining. This is a common practice for current IT technologies, due to the level of development of modern computer technology.

On the other hand, if the volume of a single file is small and taking into account the specifics of the tasks being solved, there is usually no artificial need to divide it into parts. For example, the file below represented virtually a single architectural design model, after some preventive cleaning it had a volume of 50 MB and was well processed on a regular computer (Fig. 2-1-6).

Rice. 2-1-6. Evgenia Chuprina. Project of an Orthodox church in Novosibirsk. The work was done in Revit Architecture, NGASU (Sibstrin), 2011

In other situations, directly related to the volume of information, the internal complexity of an object forces designers to have many files in a single model. For example, the project below for underground development (7 floors deep) and general reconstruction of Sverdlov Square in Novosibirsk contained 48 files that directly form a single model, and about 800 family files, but was processed quite efficiently on a regular personal computer (Fig. 2-1- 7).

Rice. 2-1-7. Sofya Anikeeva, Sergey Ulrich. Reconstruction project of Sverdlov Square in Novosibirsk. The work was done in Revit Architecture, NGASU (Sibstrin), 2011

The specific technology for working with a unified information model is determined both by the content and scope of the project itself, and by the software used, as well as by the user’s experience, and usually allows for many options.

If with “small” projects everything is simple - you can work with one file (with software suitable for its versatility, of course), then “large” ones are doomed first to division, and then to “stitching” the parts into a single whole. Moreover, this “stitching” must be correct in order to obtain consistent information, and not a set of disparate “drawings in electronic form.” Some BIM programs, such as Bentley AECOsim Building Designer, immediately write a single model into several thematically separated associated files to solve this problem.

Sometimes you can hear the opinion that when doing information modeling, you need to take the program that does it best to complete each section of the project, and then somehow put it all together. Of course, it’s good if you end up with an information model against which you can at least check for collisions. But more often than not, this “gathering together” reduces all information modeling to zero - parts of the project are simply not assembled into one model. To avoid getting into this situation, we must remember that computer-aided design, especially BIM, is like a game of chess, where you need to think several steps ahead. In particular, when working with parts of the model, you must immediately clearly imagine how it will later come together into a single whole. If you don’t imagine this, don’t think about BIM and draw in AutoCAD; in classical design, this program has never let anyone down!

Those who think a few steps ahead have discovered that a single model can be assembled in many ways, and that in very large cases this even creates some specialization among employees. Moreover, even special terminology has appeared.

For example, federated model(federated model) - this model is created by the work of various specialists in various programs with their own file formats, and the assembly of the general model is carried out in special “assembly” programs (such as Autodesk NavisWorks). Today, this is one of the most common options for building a unified information model for large objects (Figure 2-1-8).

Rice. 2-1-8. Ekaterina Pichueva. Checking collisions in Autodesk NavisWorks. NGASU (Sibstrin), 2013

Or integrated model(integrated model) - assembled from parts made in open formats (such as IFC).

Separately worth mentioning hybrid model(hybrid model), which combines both three-dimensional elements and associated 2D drawings.

There are other terms, but I would not like to fill the reader’s already busy head with them, once he has “reached” this page. I will only formulate the basic principles that should be followed when obtaining a unified building information model:

1. If the model cannot be divided into parts, it is better not to do this, but to immediately work with a single model.
2. If dividing the model cannot be avoided, then it is better to use the option of a central file and local copies for each user.
3. If this does not work (for example, architects and electricians require different file templates), then you need to use external links.
4. If external links are also problematic (for example, the performers of parts of the project are located in different cities), then get ready to “stitch together” the parts using specialized programs.
5. If you cannot work at all in one software (or in a single file format), then you will also have to “stitch together” parts of the model in specialized programs, or be prepared to lose some of such information and “manually” restore it.
6. If you have reached this point, having skipped the five previous ones as not suitable, then forget about BIM and draw in AutoCAD, or invite 1-5 students trained in information modeling - they will do everything for you quickly.

1.5. BIM - a tool for scientific research and experimentation

Building information modeling has another very interesting quality - it makes it possible to conduct scientific research and experiments on almost all issues related to planning, design, internal arrangement and equipment, energy consumption, environmental friendliness, design and construction features and other aspects of design and construction activities .

For these purposes, a model is created not of a specific projected or already existing object, but of some abstract computer construction that imitates the situation under study to the required extent.

Subsequently, this design is subject to computer influence (changing its parameters) and the results obtained are analyzed (Fig. 2-1-9).

Rice. 2-1-9. Igor Kozlov. Development of a permanent formwork block system using a research building model. Based on the results, a RF patent was obtained. The work was done in Revit Architecture, NGASU (Sibstrin), 2010

It is logical to call such a model Research building information model or Research BIM (RBIM).

Of course, one could argue that when designing a building, various options for layout, design, equipment, etc. are always considered, and the most suitable one is selected.

But the difference between a research model and a “regular” BIM is that RBIM is, from the very beginning, designed to study some general aspects of the design, equipment or functioning of buildings and may not correspond to any specific structure at all.

RBIM is another feature of BIM that takes building information modeling technology far beyond conventional design (Figure 2-1-10).

Rice. 2-1-10. Svetlana Valger, Maxim Danilov, Yulia Ubogova. Modeling of permanent formwork elements and calculation of the structure for deformation when pouring concrete. Modeling was performed in Revit Architecture, calculations were performed in ANSYS, NGASU (Sibstrin), 2014

1.6. Practical benefits of a building information model

However, terminology is still not the main thing. The use of building information modeling significantly facilitates work with the object under construction and has many advantages over previous forms of design.

First of all, it allows you to virtually put together, select according to their intended purpose, calculate, connect and coordinate the components and systems of a future structure created by different specialists and organizations, “at the tip of the pen” to check in advance their properties and viability, functional suitability and performance qualities as individual parts and the entire building as a whole.

BIM technology also makes it possible to avoid the most unpleasant problem for designers - the appearance of internal inconsistencies (collisions) that arise when combining its component parts or adjacent sections in a single project. Or rather, you cannot avoid the problem, but solve it effectively, spending tens of times less time on it than with the previously used “manual” or even CAD approach and, most importantly, guaranteeing that all places of such inconsistencies are determined (Fig. 2- 1-11).

Rice. 2-1-11. The project of the new building of the New World Symphony higher music school in Miami (USA) by architect Frank Gehry, developed using BIM technology. The components of a single model are shown separately: general visualization, outer shell of the building, load-bearing frame, complex of engineering equipment and internal organization of premises

Unlike traditional computer design systems that create geometric images, the result of information modeling of a building under construction very often becomes object-oriented digital model of the entire structure, which can be used to model the process of organizing its construction.

And even if the creators of the model did not set themselves the task of organizing the process of constructing a building (although this is a mandatory part of any project), based on the information model this is much easier than with the traditional approach (plans, facades, etc.) (Fig. 2-1-12).

Rice. 2-1-12. Ekaterina Pichueva. Building construction schedule based on an information model. The work was done in Revit Architecture and NavisWorks. NGASU (Sibstrin), 2013

We list several characteristics that distinguish BIM from traditional computer models of buildings:

• Precise geometry– all objects are specified reliably (in full accordance with the real, including internal, structure), geometrically correct and in exact dimensions;
• Comprehensive and enrichable object properties– all objects in the model have some predefined properties (material characteristics, manufacturer code, price, date of last service, etc.), which can be changed, supplemented and used both in the model itself and through special file formats (for example, IFC) outside of it;
• Richness of semantic connections– in the model, such relationships of connection and mutual subordination of component parts as “contained in”, “depends on”, “is part of something”, etc. are specified and taken into account when considering.
• Integrated Information– the model contains all information in a single center, thus ensuring its consistency, accuracy and accessibility;
• Life cycle maintenance– the model supports working with data throughout the entire period of design, construction, operation and even the final demolition (disposal) of the building.

Most often, work on creating a building information model is carried out in three stages.

First stage. BIM is an object-oriented technology. Therefore, first, certain blocks (families) are developed - primary design elements corresponding to both building products (windows, doors, floor slabs, etc.), and equipment elements (heating and lighting devices, elevators, etc.) and much more another, which is directly related to the building, but is produced outside the construction site and during the design and construction of the object is used as a whole, and not divided into parts.

Second phase– modeling of what is created on the construction site. These are foundations, walls, roofs, curtain facades and much more. This involves the widespread use of pre-created (at the first stage, which, by the way, can be carried out in parallel with the second) elements, for example, fastening or framing parts when forming curtain walls of a building.

Third stage– further use of information from the model created at the second stage in a suitable format (the IFC format is specially developed for these purposes) in specialized applications for solving individual problems related to building design.

Thus, the logic of building information modeling, contrary to the fears of some skeptics, has left the area of ​​programming that is incomprehensible to designers and builders and corresponds to the usual understanding of how to build a house, how to equip it and how to live in it. This greatly facilitates and simplifies the work with BIM for both designers and all other categories of builders, as well as owners, managers and operators.

As for the division into stages (first, second and third) when creating BIM, it is quite conditional - these works can be carried out almost in parallel.

You can, for example, insert windows into a modeled object, and then, for new reasons, change them, and the already changed windows will be used in the project.

The information model of the designed object, built by specialists, becomes the basis for obtaining specialized information on its various parts, units and sections. It is actively used for creating working documentation of all types, developing, calculating parameters and manufacturing building structures and parts, assembling a facility, ordering and installing technological equipment, economic calculations, organizing the construction of the building itself, financial support for construction, as well as solving technical and organizational issues. issues of subsequent operation.

One of the impressive examples of the integrated use of BIM in the construction of a large, technically complex and particularly significant facility is the construction of the new building of the American higher school of music (conservatory) New World Symphony in Miami. The design of this structure using BIM technology began in 2006, construction in 2008, and commissioning in January 2011, as planned (Fig. 2-1-13).

Rice. 2-1-13. Construction of a new building of the American higher music school New World Symphony and its future external and internal views

This building has a total area of ​​10,000 square meters, the main hall can accommodate 700 spectators. It is adapted for webcasting and recording concerts, as well as external 360-degree video projections. On its top floor there is a music library, a conducting studio, as well as 26 individual rehearsal rooms and 6 for joint rehearsals of several musicians. The estimated cost of the facility was 200 million dollars, the final cost was 160 million (another interesting, but already quite predictable result of using BIM).

The design of such an object, carried out in a fairly short time, was associated with a large number of very diverse and very complex calculations performed using the building information model, and once again clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of BIM technology (Fig. 2-1-14).

Rice. 2-1-14. New World Symphony Higher Music School: main entrance. Architects Gehry Partners, 2010

A building information model can (should) exist throughout the entire life cycle of the facility, and even longer. The wide variety of data contained in it (initially entered) can then be changed, supplemented and replaced, reflecting the current state of the building.

This approach to design, when an object is considered not only in space, but also in time, that is, “3D plus time,” is often called 4D, and “4D plus (non-geometric) information” (for example, cost) is usually referred to as 5D. Although, on the other hand, in a number of publications 4D may be understood as “3D plus specifications,” but this is becoming less and less common. Some take pride in the fact that they make 6D or even 7D models. I think that the pursuit of the number D is some kind of fashion statement. The main thing is the internal content of the new design concept.

BIM technology has already shown the possibility of achieving high speed, volume and quality of construction, as well as significant budget savings. For example, during the construction of a new building of the Museum of Art in the American city of Denver, the most complex in shape and internal equipment, an information model specially created for this object was used to organize the interaction of subcontractors in the design and construction of the building frame (metal and reinforced concrete) and the development and installation of plumbing and electrical systems (Figure 2-1-15).

Rice. 2-1-15. Museum of Art in Denver (USA), Frederick S. Hamilton building. Computer model and construction of the building frame. Architect Daniel Libeskind. Tekla Structures software

According to the general contractor, the purely organizational application of BIM (the model was created only to work out the interaction of subcontractors and optimize the work schedule) reduced the construction period by 14 months and led to savings of approximately $400 thousand against the estimated cost of the project of $70 million. Such results ($400 thousand and 14 months - “at the tip of the pen”) are impressive (Fig. 2-1-16).

Rice. 2-1-16. Museum of Art in Denver (USA), Frederick S. Hamilton building. Final look. Architect Daniel Libeskind, 2006

But still, one of the most important achievements of BIM is the opportunity that has now appeared (and was almost absent previously) only through “intelligent” efforts to achieve almost complete compliance of the operational characteristics of a new building with the customer’s requirements, even before its commissioning (more precisely, even before the start of its operation). construction). This is achieved due to the fact that BIM technology allows you to recreate the object itself with a high degree of reliability with all the structures, materials, engineering equipment and processes occurring in it and debug the main design solutions on a virtual model. In other ways, such verification of design solutions for correctness is not feasible - you will simply have to build a life-size model of the building. What happened periodically in the past (and still happens in some places now) is that the correctness of design calculations was checked on an already created object, when it was almost impossible to correct anything. In the previous history of construction, there were many cases when, after the construction of a building, the very purpose of the object was adjusted according to its real characteristics or restrictions were imposed on the conditions of its operation.

It is especially important to emphasize that the building information model is a virtual model, the result of the use of computer technology. Ideally, BIM is a virtual copy of the building.

At the initial stage of creating a model, we have a certain set of information, almost always incomplete, but sufficient to start working as a first approximation. Then the information entered into the model is replenished and adjusted as it becomes available, and the model becomes more accurate and rich.

Thus, the process of creating an information model is always extended in time (it is almost continuous), since it can have an unlimited number of “clarifications”. And the information model of the building itself is a very dynamic and constantly developing formation, “living” an independent life. It should be understood that BIM physically exists only in computer memory. And it can only be used through those software tools (set of programs) in which it was created.

1.7. Forms for obtaining information from the model

The building information model itself, as an organized set of data about the object, is directly used by the program that created it. But in some cases, the model itself is not needed for work; it is important for specialists to only be able to take information from the model in a convenient form and widely use it in their professional activities outside the framework of a specific BIM program.

This raises another important task of information modeling - to provide the user with data about an object in a wide range of formats that are technologically suitable for further processing by computer or other means.

Therefore, modern BIM programs assume from the outset that the building information contained in the model for external use can be obtained in a wide range of views. Moreover, various forms have already appeared (sometimes called “containers”) of representing the model, in which this model is, as it were, in some kind of protective shell that allows one to receive information, but does not allow any changes in the model itself. This “read-only” form of presenting a model is very convenient when working with related companies, third-party organizations, simply for open access, ensures the preservation of copyright and protects the model from unauthorized changes.

The minimum list of forms for outputting information from the model today has already been quite clearly defined by the professional community, does not cause any debate and can only be expanded (Fig. 2-1-17).

Rice. 2-1-17. Types of graphical representation of a building information model. Tatiana Kozlova. Architectural monument “House of Composers” in Novosibirsk. The model was made in Revit Architecture. NGASU (Sibstrin), 2009

Such generally accepted forms of withdrawal primarily include:

1) files with data in certain formats for exchange with other programs (today - IFC format and some others);
2) drawing 2D working documentation and drawing 3D views of models;
3) flat 2D files and volumetric 3D models for use in various CAD programs and other applications;
4) tables, statements, specifications for various purposes (Fig. 2-1-18);

Rice. 2-1-18. Ivan Potseluev. Reconstruction of the Central Clinical Hospital of the SB RAS. General view and fragment of the premises finishing sheet. Diploma project in the specialty “Building Design”. The work was done in Revit Architecture. NGASU (Sibstrin), 2010

5) files for viewing and using on the Internet;
6) files with engineering tasks for the manufacture of products and structures included in the model;
7) files-orders for the supply of equipment and materials;
8) the results of certain special calculations (in tabular, graphical or animated representation);
9) graphic and video materials reflecting the simulated processes; Visual representations of various quantitative characteristics of a building are especially important for a qualitative assessment by the user - pictures of insolation, strength characteristics, pollution levels, patterns of intensity of use of premises, etc. (Fig. 2-1-19);

Rice. 2-1-19. Igor Kozlov. Visualization of the strength characteristics of the building frame. The model was made in Revit Structure and transferred for calculation to Robot Structural Analysis. NGASU (Sibstrin), 2010

10) files with data for calculations in other programs;
11) files for presentation visualization and animation of the model (Fig. 2-1-20);

Rice. 2-1-20. Elena Kovalenko. Project of the Center for Contemporary Art. Diploma project in the specialty “Building Design”. The model was made in Revit Architecture. NGASU (Sibstrin), 2009

12) files for various types of “hard” prototyping of the created object according to its computer model (three-dimensional printing) (Fig. 2-1-21);
13) the logical development of this direction will soon be simply the construction of a building using a construction 3D printer;

Rice. 2-1-21. Mediatheque project in Rio de Janeiro. On the left is a computer model, on the right is a model made from it. The model was made in Revit Architecture. Architectural firm SPBR Arquitetos, Brazil, 2006

14) types of volumetric sections and other complete or incomplete fragments of the designed building in various modes, facilitating its spatial perception (Fig. 2-1-22);

Rice. 2-1-22. Tatiana Kozlova. Architectural monument “House of Composers” in Novosibirsk: three-dimensional section of the building. The model was made in Revit Architecture. NGASU (Sibstrin), 2009

15) data for manufacturing the model or its parts on CNC machines, laser or mechanical cutters or other similar devices;
16) any other types of information that will be required during the design, construction or operation of the building.

All this variety of forms of output information ensures the versatility and effectiveness of BIM as a new approach in building design and guarantees its decisive position in the architecture and construction industry in the near future.

1.8. BIM and information exchange

A logical result of the development of computer-aided design in recent decades is the fact that today work based on CAD technologies seems to be quite organized and streamlined.

Now, 30 years after its appearance, the DWG file format created by the AutoCAD package has taken the place of the generally accepted standard for working with a project in CAD programs and has begun to live a life independent of its creator.

It would be more correct to note that currently there are actually two DWG formats.

The first, usually referred to in the literature as RealDWG for clarification, is a closed licensed format and is developed by Autodesk for the needs of its software (primarily AutoCAD in various modifications).

The second format, to avoid misunderstandings, referred to in publications as Teigha (until recently - DWGdirect, even earlier - openDWG), is supported by the Open Design Alliance (ODA), which unites more than 200 leading CAD manufacturers from around the world (Bentley, Siemens, Graphisoft, etc.). It is an open format and is widely used by various programs for storing and exchanging data.

Considerable popularity has also come to the DXF format, also developed at one time by Autodesk for data exchange between various CAD programs, on the one hand, and others, including computing systems, on the other.

Now almost all CAD programs can accept and save information in these formats, although their own, “native” file formats sometimes differ significantly from the latter.

Thus, we state once again that the DWG and DXF file formats have become a kind of “unifier” of information for CAD programs, and this did not happen by command from above or by the decision of some general meeting of software developers, but was historically determined by the very logic of the natural development of computer-aided design in world and the successes of the AutoCAD package.

As for BIM, today the form, content and methods of working on building information modeling are entirely determined by the software used by designers (architects, designers, related professionals, etc.), of which there is now a lot for BIM and the number of which is growing like an avalanche.

The introduction of BIM technology into global design practice is currently (by historical standards) at its initial stage, so a single standard has not yet been finalized for software files that create building information models, or for data exchange between these programs.

Moreover, due to the rapid development of BIM, there is often not even top-down compatibility between different versions of the same program. In other words, if you switch to a new version of a BIM program, you won’t go back to the old one. A kind of “forced” progress, but with objective reasons. The situation is almost the same with transferring a model from one program to another, if these are programs from different vendors.

Therefore, in the global BIM software industry, an understanding of the need for common standards is ripe, and serious attempts to develop common “rules of the game” are already being made. But, I think, a lot of time must still pass before the global communities of designers and software producers develop generally accepted “templates” for BIM that unify the rules for storing, transmitting and using information. It is possible, of course, that a solution to this issue will be found by analogy with CAD systems, when one of the BIM complexes spontaneously becomes the most popular. Of course, this will take a lot of time, and in itself it is unlikely. But work in this direction is underway. For example, despite competition, Autodesk and Bentley Systems have already achieved significant success in the mutual exchange of files of information models and library elements.

Still, a more promising path seems to be the targeted development by the user community (more precisely, the union of software developers and the design and construction industry) of file formats both for the information model itself and for data exchange between BIM systems from different manufacturers.

In this case, we should be talking about some open standard for storing information, tied to the specifics of architectural and construction design. At the same time, the data itself can be used to model a building, its equipment, operation, reconstruction, etc. Moreover, the standard should be open, that is, accessible to everyone, and not the proprietary format of a specific BIM program.

This approach will open up access to BIM to a wide range of developers and users who solve countless specific problems. Without this, the mass introduction of BIM into design and construction practice seems impossible.

Currently, the IFC format is already widely used in the world (in various versions) for exchanging data between BIM programs or obtaining this data from the model for use by other programs. The ability to save a model in IFC format has even become a certain “quality mark” for a BIM program. But there is still a lot of work in this direction.

Unfortunately, due to the reason just mentioned for the lack of a unified standard, transferring an information model from one software platform to another (namely transfer, not transfer of some part of information) without loss of data and significant alterations is still almost impossible.

So, architects, builders, related professionals and other specialists working in BIM today significantly depend on the correct choice of the software used, especially at the initial stage of their activities, since in the future they will be firmly tied to it, in fact they will become its “hostages”.

Of course, this state of affairs does not contribute to the widespread development of building information modeling.

Designers who have switched to BIM technology are entirely dependent on the general level of development of information technology, the level of understanding of the problem and the skill of the creators of computer programs. In most cases, they are limited in their professional activities by the framework that programmers provide them. It may seem that this is bad, but in modern conditions the dependence of designers on the level of development of information technology is only growing, and, unfortunately, there is nothing else and there will never be anything else. Of course, this adds arguments to supporters of “manual design” who “didn’t depend on anyone” and “did everything themselves,” but returning to the previous level of technology is a path of regression and is impossible.

On the other hand, in mechanical engineering, for example, the level of development of aviation or shipbuilding directly depends on the level of development of machine tool industry. And this does not hinder progress. If everything is coordinated correctly on the scale of entire industries. On the contrary, the needs of aviation and shipbuilding largely stimulate the development of machine tool industry.

This suggests a paradoxical conclusion at first glance: the further development of architectural and construction design will depend on the level of development of computer technology and software tools. As well as another conclusion: problems arising in design and construction (as well as in other areas of human activity) stimulate the development of information technology. Everything is interconnected. Thus, design, construction and computer technologies today are combined into a single, jointly developing complex. Perhaps not everyone will like it, but it is already a reality. A reality that determines the development strategy of the entire design and construction industry for a fairly long term.

1.9. Main misconceptions about BIM and their refutation

To better understand the essence of building information modeling and based on the experience of discussions going on around new design technology, it will also be useful to clarify what BIM cannot do, what consequences it does not lead to, and what it is not.

It should be noted that by the time the second edition of this book was published, many misconceptions had lost their relevance, and they were removed from the text, but new ones appeared.

So, let's try to understand what “not BIM” is and what properties of BIM are attributed completely in vain.

BIM is not "artificial intelligence". For example, information about a building collected in the model can be analyzed to detect possible inconsistencies and collisions in the project. But the ways to eliminate these contradictions are entirely in the hands of man, since the design logic itself is not yet amenable to mathematical description.

For example, if you reduce the amount of insulation on a building in the model, then the BIM program will not think for you what to do: either add (purchase) more insulation, since what you proposed is clearly not enough, or reduce the area of ​​heated premises, or increase heating system, or move the building to a new location with a warmer climate, etc.

The designer must decide such issues himself. Almost certainly in the future, computer programs will gradually begin to replace humans in the simplest (routine) intellectual operations in design, as they are now already replacing in drawing, but it is too early to talk about this in real practice.

When this happens, it will be fair to say that a new stage in design development has begun.

BIM is not perfect. Since it is created by people and receives information from people, and people are fallible, there will still be errors in the model. These errors can appear directly when entering data, when creating BIM programs, even during computer operation. But there are fundamentally fewer of these errors than in the case when a person manipulates information himself. In addition, BIM has many more internal levels of data correctness control. So today BIM is the best there is.

BIM is not a specific computer program. This is a new design technology. And computer programs (Autodesk Revit, Digital Project, Bently AECOsim, Allplan, ArchiCAD, etc.) are just tools for its implementation, which are constantly being developed and improved. These are tools for storing model data and working with them. But these computer programs determine the current level of development of building information modeling; without them, BIM technology is meaningless, it simply cannot exist.

BIM is not 3D. This is not only 3D, it is also a lot of additional information (numerical, attribute, etc.), which goes far beyond just the geometric perception of these objects. No matter how good the geometric model (which, by the way, in itself also represents only a correctly organized set of numerical data) and its visualization, objects must also have quantitative and attribute information for analysis.

If it is more convenient for someone to operate with the symbol D, we can consider that BIM is 5D. Or 6D. It's not about the number of D. BIM is BIM. But 3D is not BIM, it is rather a “shell container” for BIM, and with certain reservations.

BIM is not necessarily 3D. These are also numerical characteristics, tables, specifications, prices, calendar charts, email addresses, etc. Of course, a virtual model of a building is created in volume, but if solving specific design problems does not require a three-dimensional model of the structure, then there is no need to use 3D - such work will be redundant. BIM also widely uses 2D tools. Simply put, BIM is exactly as much D as is needed to effectively solve the problem, plus numerical data for analysis.

In general, comparing (let alone contrasting) BIM and 3D is wrong. With the same success, following M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin, one can talk “about the constitution and stellate sturgeon with horseradish.”

Many of those who contrast BIM and 3D believe that 3D is simply a way of displaying information. You can often hear the phrase from them: “The designer does not necessarily need to see the building in volume; flat drawings are enough for him.”

In fact, 3D is, first of all, a format for storing (geometric in meaning) information for visualization that is understandable to humans and the convenience of subsequent operations with this information. This is the root of many misunderstandings and misconceptions about BIM.

In general, BIM is information about the object and ways to use it(in other words, specialized programs, interfaces), which directly depend on the tasks assigned to the designers. And all the conversations (and even discussions) about the number “D” are very useful only because they present a good, “fashionable” and intelligible way to popularize BIM ideas for an audience that has not yet been prepared.

BIM is parametrically defined objects. The behavior (physical and technical properties, geometric dimensions, relative position, etc.) of created objects, their relationships, dependencies and much more is determined by sets of various (not necessarily geometric) parameters and depend on these parameters.

If there is no parameterization in the model, it is not BIM.

BIM is not a set of 2D projections that collectively describe the building being designed. On the contrary, all these projections (plans, facades, sections, etc.), like many other graphical representations, are automatically obtained from the building information model and are its views (consequences). The model in this case, speaking in philosophical language, is primary.

This property of BIM - automatic tracking of model changes in all types (including drawings, tables, specifications) is one of its strongest and most important aspects (Fig. 2-1-23).

Rice. 2-1-23. Leonid Scriabin. Ethnographic Center of the Peoples of Kamchatka. Diploma project in the specialty “Building Design”. The stages of three-dimensional sketching, creating a model, visualization and obtaining the drawings necessary for the project are shown. The model was made in Revit Architecture. NGASU (Sibstrin), 2010

BIM is an incomplete (frozen) model. The information model of any building is constantly evolving, updated as necessary with new information and adjusted to take into account changing conditions and new understanding of design or operational tasks.

In the vast majority of cases, BIM is a “living”, evolving model. And if understood correctly, its lifetime completely covers the life cycle of a real object.

BIM doesn't just benefit large projects. There are many benefits on large sites. On small ones, the absolute value of this benefit is less, but the small objects themselves are usually larger, so again there is a lot of benefit. And the percentage of benefits from BIM is approximately the same. So building information modeling is always effective.

BIM does not replace humans. Moreover, BIM technology cannot exist without a person and requires from him high, maybe even more than with traditional design methods, professionalism, a better, comprehensive understanding of the creative process of building design and greater responsibility in work. With all this, BIM makes a person’s work more efficient and productive, increasing its intellectual component, freeing them from routine work and protecting them from errors.

BIM does not work automatically. The designer will still have to collect information (or manage the process of collecting information, or control this process, or create a model, or formulate conditions for this model, etc.) on certain problems.

On the other hand, BIM technology significantly automates and therefore facilitates the process of collecting, processing, systematizing, storing and using such information. Just like the entire building design process.

BIM does not require a person to “dumbly stuff data”. A designer working in BIM technology is not a mainframe computer operator sitting in a white coat punching punch cards surrounded by flashing lights.

The creation of an information model is carried out according to the usual, familiar and understandable logic for constructing a building, where the main role is played by his qualifications and intelligence. And the construction of the model itself is carried out mainly by traditional, familiar and convenient for design graphical means, including in interactive mode.

For example, if you “draw” a floor plan in any of the BIM programs, then as a result you create not a floor plan, but the floor itself - the corresponding part of the information model of the entire building. This, however, does not completely exclude the possibility of entering some (for example, text) data from the keyboard. Nor does it exclude data entry by any other means, for example, a volumetric scanner or voice.

BIM does not make the “old guard” of specialists unnecessary. Of course, any guard sooner or later becomes “old”. But experience and professional skill are needed in any business, especially when designing using building information modeling technology, and they usually come over the years.

Information models can be created by working in the style familiar to specialists formed in the “classical” era (through plans and facades), it’s just that a lot of new things have been added to them. Another thing is that former specialists (all of them, not just the “old ones”) will have to make certain efforts (some even considerable) in mastering these new tools and switching to new technology. But practice shows that this is all from the realm of the real.

Mastering BIM is not a matter for a select few and does not require much time. More precisely, it takes exactly the same amount of time to master BIM as it takes to professionally master any other technology - “the period of initial training plus the whole life.”

Implementing BIM does not require a lot of money. This money will be required almost as much as it is needed to implement any new technology.

The implementation of BIM is not only beneficial for large companies. This is also beneficial for small firms, since the speed of making changes to the project, checking collisions, accuracy of calculations and documentation, and many other qualities of BIM save money for everyone.

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