What is Building Information Modeling?

According to the National Institute of Building Sciences’ National BIM Standard Committee, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is defined as, “a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility.   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.”*

The concept behind BIM is to have an integrated digital file that is created or gathered on a structure that contains coordinated, reliable information about the project from design and construction through to operations.  While the information may be proprietary, it can be shared with others who are responsible for planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining similar facilities.  BIM in itself is not propriety software but a standardized format used for storing digital files.  Although the term dates back earlier, it was widely introduced into the industry when Autodesk, a company that specializes in 3D design and engineering software, published a white paper on “Building Information Modeling” in 2002.

Wikipedia states that BIM is more than 3D visualization, but also “covers spatial relationships, light analysis, geographic information, and quantities and properties of building components (for example, manufacturers' details).”  As such, BIM is a tool for not only architects but also for engineers and contractors as it helps to connect design, analysis, and documentation together.  In the early design stages, it aids in increasing performance and efficiency of a structure and allows changes to be made that are less costly than further along in the construction process. 

Since creating the BIM on a project starts from the earliest planning stages to completion of the facility, it is a time-consuming job and an expert may be brought in to manage the task.  This person is in charge of coordinating all of the processes and information that takes place throughout construction to fully represent a horizontally integrated building.

1.     http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/NBIMSv1_ConsolidatedBody_11Mar07_4.pdf

2.     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_information_modeling

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