B2 - BIM Handbook Chapter 2 - Derek Zacheo

This chapter goes through a brief history of 3D BIM modeling and how it has developed from and is different from 2D CAD models. It says that the BIM modeling is different because it forms 3 dimensional relationships with other objects. This is great for creating reinforcement bar schedules or materials lists that can be updated real time while the designer is changing their design. It also differs from CAD because it gives both a 2D and 3D representation of the structure with the designer having the ability to determine how much 3D depth they want to go into. The chapter also goes into how BIM modeling can utilize preexisting objects to increase how quickly the designer can create a working model,

The chapter goes on to talk about how parametric object modeling has revolutionize editing and that without it modeling would be tedious and difficult with a lot of opportunities to make errors. In general parametric modeling can provide generalities of the object dimensions and how they relate to each other. These objects can be constrained in a way that will provide the designer with a lot of opportunities to see very quickly if what they propose will work and how it will interact with the rest of the environment. Essentially parametric modeling is what makes editing 3D objects geometry possible and usable.

I personally think that BIM modeling has and will continue to revolutionize design and construction in general. It can almost let you actually build and see the structure you are designing in real time. It is similar to building it so you can easily see any design conflicts that might be easily missed in the interpretation of a standard 2D CAD drawing. Though civil engineers lag behind technologies often I think that BIM modeling will continue to grow and strongly influence the field.

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References:
Eastman, Charles M. 2011. BIM Handbook : A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers and Contractors. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2011. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost (accessed January 18, 2016).