What is BIM?
BIM or Building Information Modeling is a way to create dynamic visual information about a construction project. BIM covers all: creating a design, developing structural geometry, checking errors, managing time, planning on the project execution. One important component of your BIM modeling process is dimensioning. Using BIM dimensions, it is possible to digitize various details of an ongoing construction project.
Exploring the Different BIM Dimensions
BIM has several dimensions in it. The early construction projects mostly used 2D and 3D modelling formats. However, in today’s construction processes, BIM practices tend to use more advanced BIM models that incorporate more dimensions in them.
BIM dimensions guide your construction process right from the beginning till the end of the project. You can use it for –
- Feasibility analysis
- Reduce time
- Increase productivity
- Estimate and reduce cost
- Bring sustainability
- Ensure less carbon footprint
- Reduce occupational hazards and so on.
2D BIM: Dimensional View
The most primitive BIM is the 2D BIM model. It only uses X and Y axes to create a construction design output in 2D format. This is hardly used by architects and engineers these days except for small-scale construction activities.
In the 2D BIM model, you can only consider two parameters i.e., flat dimensions (L X B) of the model. 2D BIM is generally used for conveying the orthographic understanding of the design.
Key Aspects of 2D BIM – Flat planar drawings
Applications of 2D BIM
- Plans
- Orthographic drawings
- Shop drawings
3D BIM: Shape and Geometry
3D BIM makes use of the third axis along with the 2-D BIM. These are the X-axis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis. With 3D BIM, it is possible to create a 3D geometrical model of each part of the entire project and see it in detail.
The key aspect of a 3-D BIM is the addition of a third axis in the model. This helps to create shape and geometry view for executing a construction project with lesser scope of doubts.
Benefits associated with using 3D BIM
- Enhanced Visualization
- Clash Detection and Coordination
- Improved design communication
- Efficient space utilization.
- Improved Stakeholder Collaboration
Using the 3-D model helps to analyze the flaws that are impossible to figure out in 2 dimensions. Most of BIM practices deploy 3D BIM modeling as their standard service offering.
Key Aspects of 3D BIM – 3D models
Applications of 3D BIM
- 3D models
- 3D floor plans
- Clash-coordinated visualization
- Photorealistic animation
4D BIM: Time, Scheduling, and Logistics
The 4D BIM is where advanced modeling information begins. Think of 4D BIM as 3D + Time or Schedule. It adds time as a dimension to the 3-D model. Adding time helps determine the time for completion, and timely progress of the project, and schedule work in advance to avoid delays.
The key addition here is time. Different BIM software helps you to add time to bar graphs and Gantt charts to schedule tasks and know if you are within the deadline. Adding this parameter helps save time on project development.
Benefits associated with using 4D BIM
- Visualizing Construction Sequences
- Optimized Construction Schedules
- Early Clash Detection and Conflict Resolution
- Resource and Equipment Management
- Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
- Improved Project Control and Decision-making
The 4-D model helps in the timely construction of the project. Using this model helps you to keep up with time, scheduling, and logistics and develop a project within time. The 4-D BIM model is applicable in projects that require testing. By visualizing the progress, it eliminates delays for excess back-testing.
Key Aspects of 4D BIM – Project scheduling
Applications of 4D BIM
- Time graphs
- Grant charts
- Project sequence animation
5D BIM: Cost Estimation and Budget Tracking
The 5D BIM introduces cost within the planning and timely development of a construction. Using the cost parameter helps engineers to find out cost-effective ways of construction. It also helps forecast and predict just the right budget for a project.
The key component of the 5D BIM is cost. This model is based on cost estimation, budget tracking, tracking finances, and preventing shortages as the construction advances.
5D BIM helps developers in budget estimation during project management. It thus prevents buying excess construction materials at each phase. This model through back testing helps in reducing the cost of a mega construction project.
Benefits associated with using 5D BIM
- Accurate Cost Estimation
- Real-Time Cost Analysis
- Quantity Take-off Optimization
- Improved Cost Control and Reporting
- Enhanced Value Engineering
- Greater project transparency
The 5-D BIM model is in use in most large construction projects these days. Using this model helps to allocate budget to each team involved and get the best productivity from them.
Key Aspects of 5D BIM – Cost planning
Applications of 5D BIM
- Bill of materials
- Bill of quantity
- Project budget estimation
6D BIM: Facility Management
The 6D BIM makes use of facility management along with the 6D BIM. This model is to check whether the construction facility is under proper management and maintenance from time to time.
Within this model, the additional component is facility’s assets management during the entire lifecycle of project development. This new parameter lets developers ensure the seamless restoration of the project as the task goes on.
Benefits associated with using 6D BIM
- Efficient Facility Operations and Maintenance
- Lifecycle Cost Analysis
- Improved Asset Performance and Longevity
A 6D BIM is necessary for construction projects that run for several years or even decades. Using this model will keep you updated on lifecycle information, restoration, updation, and maintenance of the facility from time to time.
Key Aspects of 6D BIM – Asset management
Applications of 6D BIM
- Cobie data
- Assets performance update
7D BIM: Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
The 7D BIM uses sustainability along with the previous parameters. This model helps us to know about the durability and lasting of a project after its development. But this is not it. This parameter helps to consider sustainability metrics while project execution. It is being utilized throughout from design to construction phase to reduce the environmental impact of constructing the project.
The key component of this model is the addition of sustainability and durability. The creation of warranty, and standard operation manuals, helps increase the sustainability of your project.
Architects and Engineers need to know about the durability of a large, constructed building before spending millions of dollars on it. Ideally, this model should be used in such cases. Applying this model in the development helps attain energy efficiency at its peak. Use this model to keep track of your carbon emissions during construction.
Benefits associated with using 7D BIM
- Enhanced Project Visualization on sustainability metrics
- Improved consideration of time, cost, and environment in totality
- Enhanced facility management with Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
Using the 7D BIM model helps develop a sustainable project for several decades. It helps to forecast the entire lifecycle of the project or how long the construction can remain functional.
What Can 7D BIM Sustainability Software Do For You?
Built-in Object Library for Carbon Calculation – The use of sustainability software comes with an inbuilt package that does carbon calculation within each phase of development.
Qualify Material Suppliers to Minimize Embodied Carbon – This helps developers choose quality materials that are more sustainable and have less embodied carbon energy in them.
Carbon Tracking and Control Using Dashboards – Check on the dashboard and keep track of total carbon emissions throughout each phase of project completion.
Open API for Third-Party Integration – You can further introduce open API integration in your 7D BIM software to add third parties and check their sustainability standards too.
Key Aspects of 7D BIM – Sustainability analysis
Applications of 7D BIM
- Energy simulation
- Lifecycle assessment
8D BIM: Occupational Health and Safety
This model looks to reduce the chances of occupational health and safety on site. The safety experts will check the working conditions and find out any loopholes that compromise the safety of the workers.
In addition to all the parameters, you can assess the health and safety of the works through this model. This is an important parameter for the typically hazardous construction tasks. For example, construction of an oil rig, skyscrapers, and installation of towers.
Benefits associated with using 8D
- Proactive Safety Planning and Hazard Mitigation
- Enhanced Project Efficiency through Real-Time Risk Management
- Cost Savings through Risk Reduction
- Regulatory Compliance and Reporting
Applying the 8D BIM helps in planning for safety. It helps to create a work environment where the risk of injuries and potential hazards can be eliminated in advance. This helps in having a highly productive and dedicated workforce.
Key Aspects of 8D BIM – Safety consideration
Applications of 8D BIM
- Potential threats mapping
- Safety prediction and simulation
9D BIM: Lean Construction and Comprehensive Risk Management
The 9D BIM introduces us to lean construction as the additional parameter to 8D BIM. Under this, the entire construction process undergoes optimization to reduce the emission of waste and increase productivity.
Benefits associated with using 9D BIM
The key idea of this model is risk management and making the development and construction process leaner to avoid waste production. It helps in canceling redundant tasks and minimizing damage to the environment through zero waste production standards.
By using this model, you can develop a lean construction process that reduces risks of waste generation and increase productivity. The ultimate objective of 9D BIM is to ensure reduced emissions, wastes and construction time.
Other BIM Use Cases
Industrialized Construction
You come to know about industrialized construction in the 10D BIM model. This model uses off-site component developers or third parties to designate tasks of design and manufacturing. The developer thus only needs to focus on assembling them.
Conclusion
So, as you can see there are so many models for BIM dimensions. The type of model you need to choose depends on the type of project in hand, its complexity, resources, geography, and other parameters.
Future of BIM Dimensions in the Construction Industry
It is possible to add more dimensions to the BIM model in the construction industry. For example, the concept of the 11D BIM model is in progress which adds post-construction facility management. Other important parameters that may add to the future of BIM models include social and cultural impact and so on.
Further Reading
BIM in Oil and Gas Industry Construction Project
BIM for disaster Management
Importance of Scan to BIM
BIM for Home Builders | Build Smarter, Build Faster
Building Information Modeling Management
Cloud-based building information modeling
BIM 360 Design Collaboration Explained
BIM Level of Development | LOD 100, 200, 300, 350, 400, 500
