BIM and the Building Information Model Applications evolve, as do the definitions of BIM

摘要

Recently, I was interviewed by an analyst researching the building information model concept for the AEC/FM (architecture/engineering/construction/facility management) industry. This analyst asked experts what they thought BIM (building information modeling) meant. Here in the United States, groups such as the National BIM Standard and the AGC (Associated General Contractors of America) have their own definitions, as do Autodesk, Bentley and Nemetschek. I have my own definition, which I believe is a compendium of some of their definitions as well as my own take on the subject. I define the building information model as all the information about a project within its property lines to the center of the earth and infinitely to the sky, from its inception through construction and use until its final decommission and elimination. When I say "to the center of the earth and infinitely to the sky," I don't mean it quite literally. But I do reference all the necessary information under a project, such as utilities, earthquake, floodplain and ground compaction information, and all of the information above the building, including as zoning, weather, taxes and noise zones. I see the BIM moniker as a poor acronym for what I consider a 3D graphic information system that will eventually unify all the computerized information contained in all of our databases pertaining to my above definition. I foresee a time when users will be able to cull any information they need from a building project, pulling that information automatically from various private and governmental databases. How soon will this happen and whether it will be one product are interesting topics. The building information model continues to evolve, and pieces of it have been developed. Products from Autodesk, Bentley, Nemetschek and Gehry Technologies meet some of the needs of architects, engineers, contractors and facility managers. The most developed solutions at present involve the architects, who have been using CAD for more than 20 years to improve productivity. Engineering software is now being tied to the building information model, and programs such as Robobat are able to automatically transfer information round trip between such programs as Revit Structure.