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Building Information Modelling (BIM) is not a future trend for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). It's part of today's transformation into a more agile, resilient, and sustainable industry. As industries grapple with environmental and economic changes, the future of BIM in construction has never looked brighter.

With BIM, AEC companies develop collaborative environments that remove silos and foster communication. BIM tools consolidate data into a single source of truth to reduce human error. With all parties working from the same data, plan changes are immediately available, making for a more efficient flow of information. Seeing 3D models of the finished design can even highlight issues that may occur during a building's life cycle.

Understanding BIM and how it's changing the face of AEC is crucial to implementing a technology that is poised to become the leader in computer-aided design. With BIM tools, AEC companies can ensure a competitive edge in the world of digital construction.

How Is BIM Used in the Construction Industry?

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a system for creating a computer-generated 3D model representing a building or facility's physical and functional characteristics. It is a shared resource about a building's life cycle from design to demolition. BIM is becoming the future of digital construction.

BIM solutions use object-oriented software that enables the technology to adjust when changes are made. The BIM objects represent a building component's physical and functional characteristics. For example, a window object contains information on the product and its geometric data. When a change is made to the object, the software makes the necessary adjustments or identifies a potential conflict resulting from the change. Because the model is consistently updated, the model forms a single source of truth for any construction project.

How Is BIM Applied in the Construction Industry?

Why Is the Use of BIM Becoming a Norm in Construction Projects?

The crucial component of BIM in the future of construction is information. The technology provides construction projects with information modelling — not just building models. With different BIM levels of functionality, construction projects can go from a basic blueprint to a 3D model that includes 4D BIM for project scheduling.

By incorporating the cost of building materials and labour, the construction industry can deliver more accurate time and materials estimates. When changes occur, adjustments can be quickly calculated and shared across the project team. BIM applications in the construction industry can even identify virtual conflicts and propose resolutions before a project even begins.

BIM represents the future of digital construction. Building designs can incorporate more comprehensive visuals that provide:

• Parameter-based relationships
• Component dependencies
• Spatial relationships
• Energy analysis

BIM implementation delivers an end-product that reduces costs, improves the environment, and eliminates potential delays.

How Is BIM Changing the Construction Industry?

What Are the Benefits of BIM?

BIM technology not only improves communication and lowers costs, but it also delivers benefits that ensure the future of BIM in the construction industry. BIM services provide the following benefits:

• Faster Completion. BIM technology transforms the design process, making it possible to start construction on time and with fewer delays. Because of its database, BIM information modelling provides data-based insights to improve the design process.
• Accurate Analysis. Leveraging the database information, AECs can identify more energy-efficient materials to lower the carbon footprint of a building. They can provide more realistic cost estimates and outline the cost differential between materials.
• Lifecycle Management. Deploying BIM's 7D capabilities, AECs can assess the lifetime management of a building. They can project operational costs that can inform construction decisions for a better return on investment.

These benefits are just the beginning of the future of BIM and digital transformation in construction. BIM's object-oriented software and database architecture enable AECs to deliver sustainable solutions quickly and at a lower cost. It improves communications and reduces errors for more cost-effective delivery of an end product.

What’s BIM’s Future?

The future of BIM in construction is the future of AEC. Companies implementing BIM solutions will have a competitive advantage as their organisations become more agile and resilient. They will be able to deliver more cost-effective designs in less time and with an improved return on investments. Part of that process includes working with an equal printing partner with the capabilities to deliver superior solutions. Contact us to discuss your printing needs.

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