What is BIM? Why do we need it? How do we do it? A collection of graphic images explains the advantages of using a coordinated data-rich 3D model for design communication and collaboration.

1. Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
Building Information Modeling
Nancy Yen-wen Cheng, University of Oregon
• What is BIM?
• Why do we need it?
• How does it work?

2. Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
What is BIM?

3. What is BIM? Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
A Building Information
Model is a virtual object
database shared by AEC
partners
- connects 3D forms to
non-graphic attributes
(material properties,
cost, scheduling and
performance
information, etc.)
Image courtesy of Revit

4. Consistent Information Nancy Yen-wen Cheng

5. Consistent information reduces miscommunication Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
Slide courtesy of IAI North America

6. Benefits throughout the Building Lifecycle Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
Timo Hartmann & Martin Fischer, Stanford CIFE, 2008

7. Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
Why do we need BIM?

8. Why BIM? Downward Construction Productivity Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
2004 2008 2012 2014 2018 2022 2024 ….
Paul Teicholtz

9. Benefits of BIM compared to previous 2D CAD or paper Yen-wen Cheng
Nancy
• Better: Coordination and clash detection reduces errors
• Cheaper: Efficiency saves money
• Faster: Minimizes redrawing
-- Chuck Eastman, Georgia Tech
**

10. Benefits of BIM compared to previous 2D CAD or paper Yen-wen Cheng
Nancy
• Better: Coordination and clash detection reduces errors
• Cheaper: Efficiency saves money
• Faster: Minimizes redrawing
-- Chuck Eastman, Georgia Tech
ArchiCad

11. Why BIM? Islands of Automation in Construction Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
Slide courtesy of Matti Hannus, VTT

12. Traditional Design Decisions Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
Abili
ty
Effort
Litigation
Phase
SD DD CDs Construction
Time
Slide courtesy of Patrick MacLeamy, IAI International

13. Earlier Design Decisions with BIM / IP Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
Abili
ty
Effort
Litigation
Phase
SD DD CDs Construction
Time
Slide courtesy of Patrick MacLeamy, IAI International

14. Benefits for Sustainability Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
Facilitates
• Integrated practice
• More seamless performance modeling
• Post-occupancy monitoring & responsiveness
Image courtesy of Turner Construction

15. Sustainability requires integrated practice Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• More stakeholders involved in design earlier
• Shared risk & rewards: Your success depends of success of others –Michael Hricak
• Cultural Transformation needed. New tools don’t change thinking or processes
— The Toyota Way by Jeffrey K. Liker
Image courtesy of Green Building Services

16. Integrated Practice Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• One aspect affects all others. Adding mass for a thermal flywheel effect would
have triggered a seismic upgrade. As soon as you did something to the
flooring, suddenly it wasn't just that cost, but it was the next cost, the next
cost. So that was the early design process: dead end, let's back up, let's go
this way, try again."
- Mark Heizer, Interface Engineering
Diana Fischetti

17. Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
How does BIM work?

18. Interoperability Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• Get the right kind of information to the right people.
-- Michael Hricak, USC
Image courtesy of Victor Várkonyi, Graphisoft

19. Interoperability Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• Changes to Architectural design changes Structural view
• Industry Foundation Classes provide a common exchange language
(driven by the Building Smart Alliance, formerly International Alliance for Interoperability)
Image courtesy of Victor Várkonyi, Graphisoft

20. Level of Detail Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• Model complexity should support each phase of development
Onuma Inc.

21. BIM works at all scales Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) coordinating with building
scale models through GeoSpatial Consorium
Image courtesy of Geospatial Consotium, Onuma, Inc., Portland Maps

22. BIM works at all scales Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
coordinating with building scale
through GeoSpatial Consorium
Images courtesy of Onuma, Inc.

23. BIM & Energy Analysis Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
Slide courtesy of Phil Bernstein, Steven Brittan, Mark Dietrick, Rick Huibregts **

24. BIM & Analysis Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• From simplified zone analysis to room-based analysis
Perimeter
Core
Image courtesy of Christine Clevenger, Stanford CIFE

25. Performance-based design Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• Round trip from model to analysis to reshaping the model

26. BIM & Analysis software Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
Images by BuildingGreen.com & Autodesk

27. Form & Performance Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• Solar radiation mapped onto form
SOM’s Pearl River Tower uses PV and
wind turbines
Slide courtesy of SOM, Ecotect

28. Shadow Casting Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• Burt Hill Architects' Parkway 22 condominium complex in Philadelphia
Slide courtesy of Phil Bernstein, Steven Brittan, Mark Dietrick, Rick Huibregts

29. Shadow Casting Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• Burt Hill Architects' Parkway 22 condominium complex in Philadelphia
Slide courtesy of Phil Bernstein, Steven Brittan, Mark Dietrick, Rick Huibregts

30. Parametric Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• Parameter = variable (i.e. dimension or count)

31. Parametric modeling Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• Adjustable form with Bentley’s Generative Components
Images by Wilson Chang, Simon Frazier University

32. Modeling to Fabrication Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• Adjustable form with Bentley’s Generative Components
Images by Wilson Chang, Simon Frazier University

33. Construction visualization Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• See Stanford CIFE’s Virtual Design and Construction
Slide courtesy of Washington DOT

34. BIM in the Construction Industry Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
Slide courtesy of Martin Fischer, Stanford CIFE

35. Form and Performance Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• Graphic feedback: Deviation map obtained by mapping laser scan
data collected during construction onto 3D design model
Slide courtesy of Dr. Burcu Akinci, Carnegie Mellon University

36. Facilities Management Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• 4D Modeling, GSA
Slide courtesy of Caroline Clevenger

37. Building Information Networks Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• Building dashboard by Lucid Design Group

38. Building Information Networks Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
• Operations, Services via Online connections
Slide courtesy of Phil Bernstein, Steven Brittan, Mark Dietrick, Rick Huibregts

39. What matters? Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
From McGrawHill The
Business Value of BIM,
SmartMarket Report, 2009,
www.bim.construction.com

40. Benefits of BIM Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
From McGrawHill The
Business Value of BIM,
SmartMarket Report, 2009,
www.bim.construction.com

41. Benefits of BIM Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
Evidence
• 20-30% higher productivity in the field
• reduction of Requests for Information (RFI) & Change
Orders (CO) by a factor of ten or more,
• higher engagement of all stakeholders (~70% positive in
2007 survey)
• consideration of more design options from more
perspectives
--Martin Fischer, Stanford Center for Integrated Facility
Engineering (CIFE)
BIM
• Reduces redundancy & errors
• Provides visual communication
• Facilitates adjustable Form with Performance
Onuma, Inc.

42. Summary Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
Caveat
• Don’t mistake change for innovation.
• With computers, bad design can happen really fast.
— Michael Hricak
Slide courtesy of Onuma, Inc.

43. Summary Nancy Yen-wen Cheng
nywc@uoregon.edu
Sustainable Design requires Integrated Practice
– Engage stakeholders early
– Share risks & rewards
BIM supports the full building life-cycle
BIM: Building Investigation Model
BAM: Building Assembly Model
BOOM: Building Operation Optimization Model
-- Patrick MacLeamy, HOK
Slide courtesy of CH2MHill