What is BIM and what values do we add to this short name
Building Information Modeling (BIM) has become a concept for all who are involved in design within the construction industry. It became the equal sign between 3D models and BIM, but the development shows that the fact is not so. The Term “Modelling” is a generic term for the Abstract information about the total Digital model of the building or construction. Both 2D and 3D models are components within the Digital abstract model called BIM, but it is not just like that. If we add more dimensions such as time and cost, the construction Industry has declared what they call 4D and 5D but anyone realize that documentation such as warranty, control systems controlling the indoor climate are all a part of the total Model.
BIM and aspects
The BIM industry work with 2D and 3D where the 3D is a three dimensional aspect of one object. But there are more dimensions. Since 20 years the digital model in MasterConcept support many aspects of a building or bridge. It can be any aspect such as mechanical or electrical aspect or other aspects such as pictures and movies.
The project can add aspects like technical properties or a picture from construction phase. If we add even more aspects, we talk about Multiple Aspects or multi Data.
We call this nD BIM where the letter n = a random number.
MasterConcept BIM Engineering Data HUB
Our task has been since 20 years back to integrate advanced systems such as BIM/CAD to connect each applications to MasterConcept central storage, Engineering Data Hub, this open the possibility to share data among many user and stakeholders in a project or during the buildings operation.
Selected Data is synchronized and extracted from each model or drawing and what is important is that this is done without manipulating or extracting the graphical data and geometries. The huge amount of equipment’s and material that has to be purchased, technical data used for specifications or just material lists are now accessible for all. A platform for Managers, Projects Managers, Planners, internal maintenance departments and commercial service providers.
Structuring BIM information solving many problems
With the new ISO standard for BIM, ISO/IEC81346, we can offer our customers the possibility to structure the construction in logical, physical and functional areas.
MasterConcept specific BIM CAD Driver applications operates inside both Revit and AutoCAD and extract data from CAD and 3Dmodels in to functional and structural element/object in MasterConcept database. This is done without disturbing or interfering with the graphical data. The handling of graphical exchange of data based on i.e. IFC(Industrial Foundation Classes) is done by the CAD application.
You might say that we tear apart the entire model in to small pieces and identify each element as one object without manipulation of any graphical entity. With this great functionality, the project team get a transparency of all 3D models and CAD drawings.
Other team members can directly start working with calculations or analyzes independent of graphical models and application.
MasterConcept Revit and AutoCAD CAD Driver applications can also add properties in to each CAD element.
Search of object data or equipment data in MasterConcept will search through all documents and 3D models.
IEC/ISO 81346-12 in MasterConcept for the AEC industry
The Object Management in MasterConcept follows the ISO/IEC standard Principles for Structure Handling in order to structure plant objects by different perspectives and functions in a smart and simple way. It was first implemented in MasterConcept 1993 and today the development has gone further with this latest standard in MasterConcept.
Today it’s used for buildings and all its building functions. The new standard is labeled as IEC/ISO 81346-12. The last digits (-12) refers to the BIM area. The new standard have examples how to structure the data. There are two main areas how to structure a building.
Products of construction works are construction units, by which a building is assembled, e.g. foundation, wall, column, ceiling, facade, door, window.
Products of building services are units such as technical plants, plant sections, components, and other equipment used for realizing functions of building services.
Who can be granted Access to data
In pace with more advanced technology, data created by the architect or engineer get more insulated from the rest of the team. 3D modeling and CAD systems as design tools are excellent in its specific functionality, but data will be locked in to each system and creates “Information Islands”. BIM data created in the project has to accessible for all team members not only the CAD users.