BIM methodology, the revolution in construction and architecture

For a few years now, even more than it might seem, the term BIM has become popular in the world of construction and architecture. But what is BIM methodology?

If there is one thing we can be sure of, it is that in the world of construction and architecture, in a matter of a few years, new tools and construction methods have come to stay.

One is the BIM methodology, which brings together the whole process of a project, from the first sketches to its rehabilitation. In this post we will discuss its origin, its definition, its implementation and the most common software used to work according to this method.

BIM, what does that mean?

BIM is the acronym for Building Information Modeling, and refers to a working methodology for construction and architecture. This methodology aims to concentrate the information of the projects in a digital way incorporating all its participants.

The BIM methodology includes everything from close-ups to information on materials, structures and other technical aspects. As the implementation of BIM has grown, more agents and information have been added to the process.

Among others, BIM includes from the geographical information, the geometry of the work, the quantities of the different materials, etc., covering the whole life cycle of the project, even up to the rehabilitation of the building.

The great advantage of the methodology is that the BIM platforms automatically update changes made in any part of the project. These changes act on all layers and sections, thus avoiding contradictory or outdated information.

One step back. The origin of the methodology

Although the popularization of BIM as a methodology and the development of specific software took place in the 2000’s, the history of the methodology goes back to the end of the 1970’s.

It all started with a series of building modeling tools such as RUCAPS or Sonata, aimed at architects and considered, along with others such as Graphisoft with its ArchiCAD, as the precursors of the BIM model.

These first programs did not include the methodology as we know it today, but they did take the first steps by allowing operations such as working with 2D and 3D geometries, within the same program or from an external computer.

It was not until the early 2000s when the BIM methodology became firmly established in the industry and began to grow. It was in 2002 when Autodesk, after acquiring Revit, published a report on BIM. At the same time, other software manufacturers were added.

Software. From ArchiCAD to Revit

As we have seen in the previous point, ArchiCAD was one of the pioneers of software applicable to the BIM methodology, as it was released in 1982. Today it is still one of the most widely used tools, especially in the countries of Central Europe (Graphisoft, the parent company, was born in Hungary).

Archicad

ArchiCAD is a CAD type software, i.e. computer aided design. Its working concept, and what has made it one of the pioneers of BIM, is that of the Virtual Building. This means that, as the project progresses, all the documentation is generated automatically.

Its Teamwork function allows several users to share the same project, and to develop from the basic construction elements to the interior design, through the BIM methodology.

Another great advantage is that it allows you to import DWG, DXF and IFC files, as well as export to AutoCAD, SketchUP or 3ds, among others. All this adds up to the fact that its learning curve is not as steep as in other tools.

Revit

On the other hand, Revit is currently the most popular software for working with BIM methodology. Since 2002 it belongs to Autodesk, the company that created the famous AutoCAD, and has been gradually implemented as the BIM tool par excellence.

As with ArchiCAD, Revit allows collaboration between different users within a single project, and covers all stages of the project. It also includes planning tables for extracting data from elements of a project and the possibility of installing external add-ons.

These are the two best known and most used software, but there are different alternatives, such as Allplan, Vectorworks or Edificus. The truth is that the methodology is being implemented quickly worldwide and, although ArchiCAD and Revit are ahead of the game, there is room for more tools.

International implantation

At the international level, the implementation of the BIM methodology has followed an uneven pace. For example, China began its research in 2001 to implement the system 10 years later.

However, in other countries the arrival of the methodology has been delayed or its incorporation as a standard for public works has been legislated.

BIM in the EU

At European level, through a directive enacted by the European Parliament and the Council in 2014 on public procurement. The need to use electronic systems in works procurement processes from September 2018 was established.

Within the directive, reference is made to the use of tools for modelling and information on constructions, leaving open the possibility for Member States themselves to require the use of certain tools.

The directive’s roadmap would arrive in 2019 with the mandatory use of BIM methodology in public infrastructure tenders. Some countries had already implemented the BIM requirement in their public works, such as Finland, Norway or Denmark.

BIM in Spain

In Spain, the BIM methodology for publicly funded infrastructure and building projects was implemented in December 2018 to become mandatory, following the European directive, by mid 2019.

Although initially the implementation in the companies of BIM was slow, currently the degree of penetration has grown at the same time as the investment in public works.

Currently there are different options when using the BIM methodology, not only software, but also libraries or resource sites to use in projects. For example, the STACBOND catalogues and products can be found in BIMobject, one of the best known libraries of BIM objects