B2 - Group C - Haoying Ye

This chapter starts off introducing the advantages of BIM models for owners and facility managers:

1.       Increase building performance through BIM-based energy and lighting design and analysis to improve overall building performance.

2.       Reduce the financial risk associated with the project using the BIM model to obtain earlier and more reliable cost estimates and improved collaboration of the project team

3.       Shorten project schedule from approval to completion by using building models to coordinate the prefabricate design with reduced field time

4.       Obtain reliable and accurate cost estimate through automatic quantity takeoff from the building model,, providing feedback earlier in a project when decisions will have the greatest impact

5.       Assure program compliance through ongoing analysis of the building model against owner and local code requirements

6.       Optimize facility management and maintenance by exporting relevant as-built building and equipment information to start the systems that will be used over the life-cycle of the facility.

Through parametric modeling, changes to the BIM model harmonize with existing infrastructure in order to reduce construction delays and deliver on time milestones. Besides, through 3D BIM model, building owners can determine how the MEP systems interact with the telecommunications equipment and distribution lines before construction, this allows for actual simulation of maintenance methods that will be used when the building is in operation.

BIM allows the owner to determine the reduction in cost of operations and carbon emissions of green systems through energy analysis and energy conservation software. Owners can also determine how glazing, which allows daylight into spaces, affects the heating and cooling loads and see the variations in building performance as a result. 

BIM and 4D tools can make what-if design explorations, which is far easier and more visible economically than traditional use of real-time and highly rendered walk-through technologies.

Although BIM has a lot of advantage, it is still just a software, a set of technologies and evolving work processes, it cannot replace management, project team and work culture. Before an owner try to adopting BIM, they should perform a pilot project with a short time frame, small qualified team and a clear goal. During the process of the pilot, it’s always best to do a dry run and make sure the tools and processes are in place to succeed. 

Reference
Eastman, C. M. (2011). BIM Handbook : A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers and Contractors. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.