The architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AECO) sector, in general, is the least efficient in terms of productivity compared to others, such as livestock, agriculture, or especially the industry. This is evidenced by a declining trend that can be clearly observed in the comparative graph showing the productivity evolution of the industrial and construction sectors between 1998 and 2013. Source: (integrated labor productivity index (2009=100) construction and manufacturing industries). (Teicholz, 2015)

The Civil/Structural engineering sub-sector is not exempt from this trend, having barely evolved during this period. New and better tools have emerged, computers are becoming more powerful, but activities and procedures remain unchanged.

Agents develop their part of the project separately without sharing information during its development, and when it is shared, it is done in the form of plans or documentation on paper or digital form in 2D, which is not interoperable.

With the emergence of building information management (BIM), we are facing a new work methodology opposite to the traditional one, opening infinite possibilities that result in an increase in the productivity of the sector and the quality of the project. The shared 3D virtual model is the center of all workflows from the beginning of the design phase and throughout the entire lifecycle of the asset.

Improved Collaboration and Communication

The BIM methodology consists of three main axes: tools, processes, and people. These three factors can positively influence an improvement in communication by replacing traditional communication means, especially those using paper as a support, with others that are easier to monitor and more sustainable at the same time. Communication based on models in Common Data Environments (CDE) uses the models to communicate through them, allowing for the generation of issues and assigning them to the agents responsible for their resolution through the cloud environment itself or using communication formats such as BIM Collaboration Format (BCF). BIM also establishes a series of standards to make this communication better understood by all project participants through file nomenclature, which will be established in the BIM execution plan (BEP) drafted by the company’s or project’s BIM Manager in a collaborative manner that involves all people. All of this will result in better collaboration among all agents involved in the project, established in ISO 19650, from the awarding authority to the main contractor, subcontractors, and work teams. However, involvement from all the individuals involved is required, which can show quite a bit of resistance, as is common with all major changes.

Enhanced Clash Detection

Since the BIM methodology is based on the prior modeling of the 3D geometry with its corresponding information of the buildings or infrastructures to be constructed, we can use this third dimension to digitally compare the geometries of the elements that traditionally have generated conflicts or collisions among them too late, already in the construction phase.

Using desktop tools like Solibri or Navisworks, or cloud-based ones like Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) or Trimble Connect during the design phase, we can compare these geometries and anticipate by detecting collisions and preventing them from being transferred to the construction site, which would generate delays and additional costs.

Clash detections are performed between the models of different disciplines (architecture, structure, and installations) or also between critical elements within the same discipline, such as between pipes and ducts within the mechanical installations model.

To configure these collision detection operations, it is necessary to use a clash detection matrix that establishes the priorities of each element concerning the others.

This way, it is possible to know to whom each detected collision should be assigned since it can be determined which element is fixed or has precedence in a collision, for example, the structure prevails over the electrical installation usually.

Increased Efficiency and Reduced Costs

Improvements in communication, increased collaboration, and the introduction of 3D clash detection directly affect the subsequent BIM dimensions: time (4D) and cost (5D). On the one hand, it facilitates the introduction of workflow and process management tools such as Lean Construction, which directly adapts to the BIM methodology. Apart from this, having prior planning and having digitally constructed the work before actually building it allows avoiding various expenses, such as logistics, transportation, or materials.

If BIM achieves a reduction in the duration of the work through better planning and a better use of resources by avoiding unforeseen events, the sector’s efficiency will significantly improve since the time and costs dimensions have a direct impact on it.

Better Lifecycle Management

Another benefit that BIM can provide is better management of the asset throughout all phases of its life cycle, not just the project or design phase.

Considering that the operation and maintenance phase generally has a longer duration and, therefore, a much higher cost than the other phases, it is worthwhile to pay more attention to it, without forgetting that the BIM methodology is valid and important for the entire lifecycle of the building. BIM aids in better asset management by evolving the model started in the design phase but continues incorporating information and collecting data during the construction phase to have an as-built model at its end, which can be enriched or modified to generate a useful model for the operation and maintenance phase. This phase opens up a world of new possibilities with the introduction of the BIM methodology to assist in facility management through the connection with new technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) or digital twins.

Comparison with Traditional Non-BIM Processes

Design Phase

Traditionally, Non-BIM processes have had a great dependence on the use of paper as a support for project documents, plans, and even in communication. Not even the popularization of computer-aided design (CAD) tools managed to change this trend, as work was done individually with the aim of printing the final result on paper; the digital file was little valued as a product.

On the other hand, BIM bets on digital construction and on taking advantage of this context to carry out more effective communications. The methodology is based on collaboration; plans or documents are no longer printed unless strictly necessary. To review or coordinate the structures, BIM models are used, whether in 3D in native format or through openBIM formats, mainly IFC. Reviews and markups are also done directly on plans in PDF or DWF format, and the use of specific tools like Blue Beam or Design Review allows creating review clouds that can even be synchronized directly with the modeling tool.

If we compare the advantages of BIM processes in the design phase, they are superior to Non-BIM processes, although one must expect resistance to change due to the effort required for professional retraining. Even certain professions disappear to make room for new ones or for the same professions with different functions and responsibilities, known as BIM roles.

Construction Phase

The civil/structural discipline plays a decisive role in meeting the CO2 emission reduction goals for the year 2050 since construction is currently responsible for 37% of these emissions, according to the UN. This has an added difficulty, which is the context in which many countries find themselves with a lack of housing or even housing emergencies, which forces sustainable construction to be increased.

BIM processes allow for improved planning of works through the use of 4D assistance tools, which in combination with Lean Construction provide a plus in the construction phase to establish and achieve objectives, avoiding the uncertainties and unforeseen events of Non-BIM processes due to their technological limitations.

Reaching the construction phase more planned and industrialized makes other more ambitious objectives achievable with the help of BIM, for example, meeting energy efficiency standards such as PassiveHaus or sustainability or well-being standards such as BREAM or WELL.

Maintenance Phase

Non-BIM processes have traditionally been more corrective than preventive, although the maintenance and operations sub-sector is far ahead of BIM in terms of management, the limitations of computer equipment and other technological tools made its widespread implementation unfeasible in all types of constructions.

BIM processes bring democratization to the maintenance phase of assets since there are many more affordable technologies at all levels. Large asset management programs like IBM Maximo are no longer exclusively used in large buildings like industrial factories and now have a wide range of alternatives that, with the help of BIM models, allow any system’s implementation to be scaled according to the asset size.

In addition, BIM has energy simulation tools designed to generate preliminary models with the goal of increasing the comfort and efficiency of homes, offices, or other types of constructions.

Conclusion

Probably, the AECO sector in general and the civil/structural discipline face a great challenge; the sector is receiving many challenges and technological advances in a short time. We live in an exciting era full of challenges for those of us who use BIM; it is a difficult path but also a beautiful challenge to contribute to reaching the theoretical BIM level 3 and at the same time improve the planet through sustainability objectives.