Share Your BIM Projects
by Dennis Neeley, AIA

On September 23, 2009, Reed Construction Data presented a Webcast titled: Lessons in BIM Adoption.

After the panel presentations, viewers were given the opportunity of asking questions. Several of the questions from the audience concerned my statement during the presentation, “architects and engineers need to share their BIM projects”. The questions included:

For an architect what is the liability exposure by allowing use of the building information model by parties outside the Owner/Architect Agreement? When contractors are part of the design process, and when BIM models are shared with contractors, sub-contractors, manufacturers, suppliers and the owner it is critical that all parties understand what they are responsible for, what they can add and take away from the model and how those changes must be documented.

What do you mean “Architects will need to share BIM projects”? The BIM models are valuable for contractors to use in planning the specifics of their work. Contractors using the models can see and correct conflicts prior to construction. They can also get valuable information on products that are fabricated off-site and brought to the project. The model needs to be maintained during construction for both design and data on the products actually installed. When completed this model can..... Read More>>>

How SMART is BIM?
by Mark Mergenschroer, TME, Inc.

There seems to be so many different definitions for BIM. It is really hard to say which one is correct, but I personally like this one. Building Information Modeling is a process of generating and managing a building's information through three-dimensional design. It is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. Since these models are supposed to be generating building information, should we consider these BIM models as being Smart? I think so, but just how smart are they. What does it take to make a BIM model Smart? Let’s explore this idea and see what we come up with.

In my opinion there are several keys to building a Smart Model, but the first thing that should occur is planning for the BIM model. All aspects of the design and constructions team should be included in this planning process. This will only help as we try to pack this model full of Smart information. Not only do we have to take into account how the building looks, and how the building is going to perform, but we also have to..... Read More>>>