BIM currently has many
advantages over traditional design and construction processes. The main
advantage is that BIM utilizes increased collaboration to produce fewer
conflicts and better results in the design and construction of structures. This
then branches out into other areas such as lower costs, higher quality work, more
accurate scheduling, and increased efficiency.
While BIM can extend
the entire design process, actually drafting the plans can occur faster since
most of the major components have already been decided. Since the different concentrations
collaborate earlier in design process, they can figure out what methods they
can use to increase the efficiency of the building and its various parts while
keeping the cost within reason. They can look at various combinations of
systems before the drawings are even made to find what works best for the needs
of building. This also gives them more time to devote to figuring out the more
complicated aspect of the building such as customized components.
BIM allows users to
work closer together during the design phase to find any conflicts that could
easily go unnoticed normally. These issues are generally found between the
different divisions of the building (architectural, structural, mechanical,
electrical, plumbing, etc). Since BIM software allows these conflicts to be
found earlier on in the design phase, it saves time, resources, and money in the
construction phase. This also allows the scheduling of the building to be more
accurate since there will be less delays. This also guarantees that the plans will have
has many mistakes. This in turn should give the subcontractors a better
understanding of what needs to be done. When fewer conflicts arise, there will
be fewer mistakes made in the construction process, so money and resources will
not have to go into correcting them. This is much better for the contractors
and owners. With fewer interruptions in the construction phase, the assembly of
the building can occur faster and smoother.
When the construction phase
goes smoothly, the architectures and engineers don’t have to go back and fix too
many issues. This gives them more time and energy to devote to other projects
or to go back and improve something they may have rushed earlier.
Bridget,
ReplyDeleteI also think the main advantage of BIM software is the collaboration between design disciplines. Though there is a lot of progress that can be made to improve the parametric modeling of each type of system, the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and structural systems can be viewed in one model. This has drastically increased collaboration, allowing for integrated project delivery from the initial design concept to construction. I liked your point that BIM has given designers more flexibility to explore alternate aspects of each system.