Building Information Modelling (BIM) - an introduction by Voltimum

Building Information Modelling (BIM), which is actually not a new concept, is a process involving the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of places – like buildings. The aim is to eliminate the typical construction problems that occur on building and other sites, minimise waste and streamline construction using detailed, intelligent investigation techniques, plus evaluation during the design phase.

The National Building Information Model Standard Project Committee in the USA has provided the following definition: ‘Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. A BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition’. 

BIM can also be described a collaborative work effort that is based upon digital technologies that allow more efficient methods of designing, creating and maintaining building assets.

Traditional building design was (and still often is) largely reliant upon two-dimensional drawings (plans, elevations, sections, etc.). BIM extends this to 3D and beyond. It works by using key product and asset data together with a 3D computer model to provide very effective information management throughout a project’s lifecycle – from concept through design and specification to building, commissioning and operation itself.

But it can do much more by – in effect – adding the fourth and fifth dimensions as time and costs – or workflow and quantity surveying. The happy result is to increase productivity and efficiency, save costs in the design and construction stages, and to reduce running costs, after construction.

Therefore, unlike traditional design, whether by old-fashioned drawing or CAD, BIM covers spatial relationships, geographic or local geological information, surveying (quantities and properties of building parts and systems), lighting analyses and much more.

Then there is ‘clash detection’, where BIM shows where – for example – there is no room for a piece of equipment, or where there is insufficient space around equipment for efficient maintenance to be carried out. This is a very valuable time saving feature in its own right.

A ‘game changer’ 

BIM is evolving quickly and is beginning to become ‘mainstream’ for new buildings and related infrastructures, as well as potentially for refurbishments and retrofits. Indeed, Patrick MacLeamy, CEO of HOK1, which is thought to be the largest US-based architecture-engineering firm and the third-largest interior design company, has said: “BIM is the first truly global digital construction technology and will soon be deployed in every country in the world. It is a 'game changer' and we need to recognise that it is here to stay.”

BIM software is used by architectural firms, other businesses and government authorities to help them plan, design, build, operate and maintain a wide range of diverse physical infrastructures. These include houses, blocks of flats, schools, shops to offices, clubs, hotels and restaurants, factories, process plant, warehouses and prisons.

Water, wastewater, electricity, gas and refuse systems and communication utilities, as well as road systems, street furniture, bridges, tunnels and ports etc., are all systems amenable to being improved using BIM techniques, and there’s no reason why electrical systems should not benefit too – which is the reason for this VoltiTECH on BIM.

It may be thought that BIM is only suitable for large projects, and it is true that it has mainly been used on these, but in fact, BIM is a equally suitable for projects of all sizes – including small ones. Being able to accurately schedule quantities, co-ordinate design processes and examine the project in 3D (or more dimensions) is good and beneficial practice for any project.

Can the benefits be quantified?

Construction information is often inaccurate or incomplete, or both, and many instructions to contractors may be ambiguous. The result is that - depending upon the type of construction – up to 60% of the labour effort can be wasted (a shocking amount), that up to 30% of the construction process is re-work, and that up to 10% is lost through materials wastage. In addition, some 3-5% of the construction turnover can be wasted because of interoperability problems2.

Early BIM demonstration projects achieved savings of around 20% during construction, with some projected to make 33% savings over the life of the building. In the future, the targets are for still greater savings, and use of BIM generally reduces costs, speeds delivery, reduces carbon emissions and provides better value and higher quality buildings.

Note that the UK Government has embarked with industry on a four-year programme for sector modernisation with the key objective of reducing capital cost and the carbon burden from the construction and operation of the built environment by 20%. As part of this, the Government is aiming for all publically funded works started post 2015 to be carried out using BIM.

Electrical BIM

Electrical engineers, designers, drafters, and other AEC professionals can complete all aspects of electrical design including power and lighting, fire alarm, communications, security systems, and other building services in a single environment.

Architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and other trade services needing the application of BIM techniques typically use Autodesk Revit, which is becoming an industry standard software package for BIM production. NavisWork is an alternative. These can be used to create virtual construction models that are fully coordinated and which provide clash reporting and resolution. A crucial factor is clearance and detection zones, which provide users with sufficient space requirements and clash detection early on in the design. For example, BS 5839-1 sets maximum spacing requirements for heat detectors.

In such a way, the full integration of structural, civil, electrical and mechanical design allows the delivery of a new building or other structure smoother by removing clashes between traditional separate design packages.

Libraries of BIM objects

These play an important role in BIM. For example, NBS (www.thenbs.com) has its National BIM Library, one aim of which is to issue a significant number of generic mechanical and electrical BIM objects. These help building services engineers visualise their designs and implications at concept design stage, which can greatly help them in the earliest stages of a project. The generic objects, intended to represent a wide range of the most frequently used plant and equipment, can then be simply replaced by proprietary manufacturer's objects as the project develops.

This BIM Library includes fire and detection equipment, control and indicating equipment, point heat and smoke detectors, beam detectors, mimic panels, manual call points, sounders, intruder detection and alarm systems, detectors (PIR and microwave, beam and acoustic), and sounders, as well as LV electrical distribution equipment such as cubicle switchgear, distribution boards and consumer units. Other NBS BIM Library objects include road and amenity lighting, lighting columns, brackets and bollards, plus boilers, heat exchangers, pumps, emitters and heat pumps, ventilation products and water services.

So the full range of building services, including all electrically-related ones, can be brought into the project at an early stage with great accuracy and efficiency.

Voltimum Partner involvement

A number of Voltimum UK Partner companies are involved with BIM. For example, Eaton can currently offer BIM files for Memshield 3 MCB distribution boards, Memshield 3 MCCB panel boards, Exel switch disconnectors and Glasgow switch disconnectors. Other product ranges will follow soon. Architects, design-build contractor and surveyors, consulting engineers and others can therefore integrate Eaton equipment into their drawings with ease, and with little or no cost.

In another example, Legrand’s Swifts IEC cable ladder, IEC cable tray, Salamandre distribution trunking and Cablofil wire mesh cable tray systems have been integrated into the industry leading AVEVA PDMS 3D design software. The intention is to increase specifications and place Legrand’s products in the right shop windows in recognition of the industry’s shift to BIM.

AVEVA’s PDMS 3D design software is claimed to deliver maximum productivity and capability on all types of plant projects, from the smallest upgrade to new build projects of unlimited size and complexity. An AVEVA spokesman commented: “Legrand is a world leader in cable management and we are delighted to provide integration for its cable management solutions to AVEVA PDMS 12 series.

“We are working hard to offer our customers greater access to industry standard components directly within PDMS, allowing them to use standard databases rather than being forced to create their own catalogues. This integration is further evidence of why PDMS is widely considered the most configurable 3D plant design solution for the process plant and power industries”, he concluded.

Schneider Electric launched its BIM HD product models a couple of years ago. This solution is based on information-rich model-based designs, laying the foundation for more accurate analysis and simulation of designs and projects.

The software has integrated metadata that provides key information, values and links for improved performance, as well as collision detection for both ‘hard’ equipment collisions as well as ‘soft’ code collisions. BIM HD product models are built in Autodesk Revit MEP format to best use the software’s functionality.

Voltimum Partner Siemens is supporting Amtech in hosting a two-day conference on BIM. ‘Crystal Clear’ BIM will take place on 24th and 25th of March at The Crystal Building in London's Green Enterprise District. With over 20 expert speakers, eight breakout sessions, practical demonstrations and real life applications, this is an important event.

In an example of BIM in action, involving the new 12,500-seat capacity multi-purpose First Direct Arena in Leeds, Philips Lighting worked with main contractor BAM Construction using BIM to ensure efficient delivery of the arena. The arena has been designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating, so sustainability was a key consideration in the design, which included the performance of the lighting.

The honeycomb architecture of the Arena’s external design has created unique mesh areas and illuminating these was a particular challenge for the design team, in terms of positioning the luminaires and avoiding shadows from the acute angles involved. BIM was instrumental in helping to obtain the best, lowest-cost yet most efficient design. To see a fuller description of this project, go to: www.lighting.philips.co.uk/projects/leedsarena.wpd

BIM is also available for ABB’s low voltage HVAC drives and related equipment. The company says that this makes its Revit MEP family of products more easily available to architects and engineers during the design phase, and claims that it offers the most comprehensive BIM HVAC drive family available developed in full compliance with Autodesk Seek and Revit MEP standards.

Because this HVAC drive BIM family is fully Revit MEP and Autodesk Seek-compliant, it is available both from within Revit MEP, as well as on the Internet from the Autodesk Seek website by searching using the keywords: ABB, ACH550, HVAC Drive or VFD. In addition to the Revit files, both the family and the Autodesk Seek website include links to technical information on the specific ABB HVAC drive equipment.

An interactive forum

The ECA has a free interactive forum where ECA experts and members can exchange the latest news, views and information on BIM. The BIM e-forum will also allow ECA members to ask questions and engage in peer-to-peer correspondence on technical and commercial issues, as well as associated matters such as BIM for facilities management. Paul Reeve, ECA Director of Business Services, Giuliano Digilio, ECA Head of Technical Services and ECA Head of Energy Solutions, Bill Wright are among the ECA experts contributing to the new forum, in addition to member contributions.

This capability extends communication with members about what BIM means for building services contractors and their supply chain.

And finally…

Until recently, a project’s electrical part often comprised mostly power summary calculation and terminal level spatial drawing - from the sub-distribution switchboard to lights, sockets etc., and with no short circuit current or voltage drop calculations. For this reason, contracting companies that used BIM software, tended to regard electrical BIM as being ideal for aggregating project common documentation, while the electrical design work was effectively carried out separately.

Today, this is changing, and electrical engineers and contractors can ‘visualise’ switchboards and other distribution and control equipment within the proposed room space and footprint, and see all necessary clearances etc. They can also integrate electrical systems into buildings and other structures to optimise and minimise energy usage, as well as HVAC system sizing and lighting arrangements to be compliant with required lux levels, and so on.

Electrical engineers and contractors would do well to consider using BIM techniques for projects large and small in the near future, and they can start by learning more about BIM and its advantages.

1 HOK ((www.hok.com) maintains more than 1,600 professional staff across a global network of 24 offices and is active in all major architectural specialties.

2 Information from NBS Information Specialist Michael Smith - www.thenbs.com/bim/what-is-bim.asp