Frequently Asked Questions

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BIM stands for Building Information Modeling and is a workflow process. It's based around models used for the planning, design, construction, and management of building and infrastructure projects. BIM software is used to model and optimize projects by planning, designing, building, and operating BIM models.

Virtual design and construction (VDC) moves planning and decision-making to the beginning of the construction process, when it’s easier to reduce risk, assess performance, and mitigate cost and schedule overruns. In the simplest language, virtual design and construction means building the project once digitally and working out the big problems, then building it more efficiently in the physical world.

 BIM coordination is the process of bringing together BIM models across disciplines and resolving any conflicts that occur between them. If ductwork crosses electrical wires, for example, a BIM coordinator will use clash detection to identify the issue and review solutions with the coordination team. 

Clash detection is an essential part of a BIM (Building Information Modeling) process, which is a process of creating a sophisticated model that consists of several different models from various engineering and design disciplines.

Independent models are created by MEP engineers, architects, structural engineers, and others. These models are then connected and integrated into creating a BIM model, which is precisely where clash detection comes in.

As the name suggests, the primary purpose of BIM clash detection is to identify specific places where different models may overlap, creating compatibility problems. It is much easier and less costly to solve these problems at the design stage than when the actual building is nearly complete.

With 3D BIM leading the entire construction industry in establishing better project workflows, engineers are pursuing new dimensions to streamline the process and improve project outcomes.

In a 4D model, the fourth dimension is time. It helps the construction team visualize the timeline of the project to ensure its success and timely completion.

All construction team members, including engineers, contractors, and construction managers are taking full advantage of 4D models to ensure a fast, secure, and successful completion of large and small-scale projects.

The fifth dimension that can be linked to the BIM model is cost. Adding cost information to the model components allows a cost profile to be created for the project, which is useful for forecasting how much money will be required at each milestone. It can also be used as a basis for project management, to determine if the project is on track and enable corrective actions to be taken promptly. 

 6D in Building Information Modeling refers to the intellectual linking of all the individual 3D CAD components or assemblies with all aspects of project life-cycle management information. The 6D model is typically delivered to the owner when a construction project is finished so as to have a complete understanding of the project at hand. The “As-Built” BIM model is populated with appropriate building component information such as product data and details, manuals for operation/maintenance, manufacturer information and contacts, etc. This database is made available to the users/owners through a tailor-made proprietary web-based environment. This is envisioned to assist facilities managers in the operation and maintenance of the facility while facilitating a complete informative model to the user. 

in AEC 3D Scanning refers to terrestrial scanning which is a surveying technique performed using ground laser scanners, which essentially generate dense “point clouds”, where each point is represented by a coordinate in 3D space. The 3D point cloud data is then used in CAD programs such as REVIT to create accurate 3D Building Information Model (BIM) of the space or building.