BSRIA Topic Guides TG 4/2012

Building Information Modelling

Introduction Books, reports and guides

Building information modelling (BIM) is the process whereby members of a construction The impact of building information
project team collaborate around their design. The model itself is a 3D representation of a modelling. Transforming construction.
building or structure and the collaboration occurs in a common data environment (CDE). Crotty, R. Spon Press, 2012
An introduction to Building Information
BIM has developed over a number of years and is sometimes perceived as an extension to
Modelling (BIM), Conover D, Barnaby C et
computer aided-design (CAD). However, a more fundamental change has occurred in the
al. USA ASHRAE, 2009
BIM-enabled modelling process. Whereas 2D or 3D CAD continues to represent a design as a
series of lines, shapes and volumes, BIM represents the design as a series of computerised Building information modelling. A strategic
objects which contain both graphical and non-graphical information. Because of its origin in implementation guide for architects,
objects, BIM is automatically a 3D environment—even a simple representation of a window engineers, constructors, and real estate asset
has height, width and depth. managers. Smith D K, Tardif M. Wiley
2009.
The power of designing with BIM lies in its ability to replicate standard objects, like a Constructing the business case. Building
manufacturer's catalogue of standard products. Also, BIM software uses algorithms that
information modelling. Nisbet N, Dinesen B,
interrogate and report on the model, like clash detection which looks for two objects trying to BSI 2010
occupy the same point in space.
BIM - management for value, cost and
Modelling or management? carbon improvement. A report for the
There is some discussion concerning whether the ‘M’ in BIM stands for ‘modelling’ or Government Construction Client Group.
‘management’. This is more than just a dispute about semantics. The distinction is really BIM Industry Working group, Constructing
whether or not BIM is considered to be just a 3D model with relevant information attached to Excellence, March 2011
the objects in the model.
BIM Handbook. A guide to building
The ‘management’ viewpoint is that all the information required for the building process information modelling for owners,
(ideally design, construction, facilities management—including infrastructure) has to be managers, designers, and contractors.
effectively and efficiently managed too. So, processes and standards for BIM need to be put in Eastman C, Teicholz P, Sacks R et al. Wiley,
place to make this happen. Some BIM users are now more conciliatory and have adopted the 2008
acronym ‘BIMM’, which means ‘building information modelling and management’. Investors report. Building information
modelling (BIM). Department for Business
BSRIA’s view is that building information has to be managed as well as modelled. Whilst Innovation and Skills, BSI 2010
some leading edge organisations may have already adopted the wider management processes,
much of the industry arguably needs to be brought up to speed with 3D modelling. Journal articles
Building Information Modelling for fire
BIM software protection. Jones S A. Fire Protection
Although BIM is really a process or an approach to design, it is often used to describe Engineering, 4th Quarter 2011, (52) pp34-36
software that provides the design environment. Some software products come from vendors
who have previously developed CAD systems, whilst others address specific aspects of Achieving your BIM obligations, Building,
June 2011, (25), pp55-58
building modelling such as energy or lighting. Other software is often used to combine and
co-ordinate technical detail in separate models.
Engineering-centric BIM, Wilkins C,
Software of some kind is necessary, and it may be easier for a team to collaborate if all Kiviniemi A. ASHRAE Journal, 2008, 50
members are using the same package—but BIM software is not an absolute requirement. (12), 44-48

One role of BIM software is to provide import and export functions so that models can be BIM – the inside story, Wilkins, C.,
Building, 29 July 2011, (30), pp34-39
shared across different packages. There are two commonly used formats for importing and
exporting BIM models: Green Building XML (gbXML) schema and Industry Foundation
The latest model, McGowan S, Ecolibrium,
Classes (IFCs). The IFC format is defined through international standards, whilst gbXML was
developed by Green Building Studio in the late 1990s. However, it is unlikely that the transfer July 2011, Vol.10 (6), pp30-35
of models between software packages will be seamless for a little while yet.
Finer points of building information
modelling, Malherek E Laing G, HPAC
Using BIM on construction projects Heating/Piping/Air Conditioning
BIM can be used on a construction project in a number of ways. These have been summarised Engineering, May 2011, Vol.83(5), pp26-33
by a ‘BIM Maturity Model’ developed by industry experts Mervyn Richards and Mark Bew.
Other dimensions, Cervi R, CIBSE Journal,
BIM Level 0. At its simplest, BIM can be used by a single organisation as an extended CAD January 2011, Vol.3(1), pp22-26
package, but this does not enable any of the advanced functionality of BIM to be used.
BIM Level 1 is where much of current practice is thought to be. This may be defined as a
project where the partners are using BIM in a semi-collaborative way. The Avanti project by
the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the mid-2000s similarly researched and
developed a collaborative methodology for the use of IT in construction project teams.
BIM Level 2 is the realistic medium-term objective for the industry and its clients. This stage

BSRIA Limited
Old Bracknell Lane West, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 7AH, UK
T: +44 (0)1344 465571 F: +44 (0)1344 465626
E: information@bsria.co.uk W: www.bsria.co.uk/information
 BSRIA Topic Guides TG 4/2012

of BIM consists of a collection of separate models prepared by different members of the

project team, but the maturity level uses the British Standard (BS ISO 29481-1:2010) to Attributes of building information modelling
manage the information delivery process. implementations in various countries, Wong
BIM Level 3. The ultimate use of BIM is for use beyond the completion of the construction A K D, Wong F K W, et al, Architectural
of the building or structure into facilities management. After all, effective management of a Engineering & Design Management, 2010,
building or structure requires knowledge of all the components and materials that have gone Vol.6(4), pp288-302.
into it, and this is just what the building information model contains. Level 3 is also the level
at which different BIM platforms are communicating seamlessly through independent data Standards
formats such as IFC. Building information modelling—
Information delivery manual Part 1:
Methodology and format. BSI, BS ISO
29481-1:2010
Library objects for architecture, engineering
and construction. Recommended 2D
symbols of building elements for use in
building information modelling. BSI, BS
8541-2: 2011.

Conference proceedings
BIM 2010, UK, 2 November 2010
http://www.bsria.co.uk/services/design/bim/
bim2010/

National BIM Conference (National Institute

of Building Sciences, USA), Anaheim
UK government BIM strategy California, 20-22 May 2008,
The UK Government published its BIM strategy paper in March 2011 and one of the key http://www.buildingsmartalliance.org/index.
objectives of the strategy is to save money and carbon on public sector construction projects php/newsevents/proceedings/nationalbimcon
(both buildings and infrastructure). The government has set a target for public projects to use ference_2/.
Maturity Level 2 (see above) by March 2016.
BSRIA services and contacts
Achieving this target requires a combination of client-side pull (with a clear set of data and BSRIA Information Centre. BSRIA members
information expectations being set out by public sector clients), and supply-side push. Supply-
can borrow books, standards, journal articles
side consists of a substantial programme of support work being delivered to improve the and other items from our extensive technical
capability of designers, contractors, specialists and manufacturers.
collections. Visit www.bsria.co.uk, email
information@bsria.co.uk or call (+44)
One of the key requirements as set out by the government’s BIM strategy will be for project
(0)1344 465571. We’re open 8.30 – 5.00pm
teams to use COBie (see below) as a mechanism for transferring information from the supply
Monday to Thursday, 8.30 – 4.30pm Friday.
chain to the client at key points during a project. Much more guidance is being prepared
including specifying the necessary information management processes and protocols, and BSRIA Sustainable Buildings Group
defining the levels of development of BIM models. provides a range of services to support
whole life cycle and energy assessments of
Much of this guidance is being prepared initially to support the implementation of some pilot buildings –email
projects which will be used to illustrate the BIM approach and to test and refine the guidance sustainablebuildingsgroup@bsria.co.uk.
for wider publication and use. The aim is to have many of the initial reports ready by the end
of March 2012 and to refine and develop them during the remainder of the year.
Feedback
If you have any feedback or suggestions for
COBie future Topic Guides, please email
COBie stands for ‘Construction and Operation of Buildings information exchange’. It is a information@bsria.co.uk.
data exchange standard enabling information from the design and construction stages of a
project to be used during building operation and maintenance. COBie originated with the US
Army Corps of Engineers and the US Veterans Association, both of which have roles in Published February 2012
managing and maintaining large estates of buildings.

COBie2 is structured as a multi-sheet workbook that can be used in Excel and other
compatible programs. The worksheets are filled in by the project team in a structured way as
the design and construction stages progress. Some of the information can be exported straight
into the COBie worksheets from BIM software.

Review and revision of this topic guide

BIM is a very fast-moving subject at the moment. The completion of some key government
draft guidance documents in Spring 2012, as well as further developments from the supply
chain, will mean that this topic guide is likely to be revised in late Spring 2012.

BSRIA Limited
Old Bracknell Lane West, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 7AH, UK
T: +44 (0)1344 465571 F: +44 (0)1344 465626
E: information@bsria.co.uk W: www.bsria.co.uk/information