Introduction to BIM Coordination
The construction industry has undergone numerous transformations, and the recent shifts are arguably the most significant in its history. In the past, most construction processes relied on paper-based drawings. The introduction of 2D modeling via AutoCAD software in the 1960s brought improvements; however, the overall process remained time-consuming, and challenges persisted in linking 2D drawings to actual physical objects within a 3D space.
Fortunately, in the late 1980s, the construction industry saw a new development as companies began exploring the adoption of various digital technologies—including BIM. This marked the beginning of the digital transformation within the construction sector. Although it took a considerable amount of time to gain widespread acceptance and implementation, BIM has now become a frequently used tool, helping to address many challenges in the field of construction.
In the construction industry, the concepts of “clash detection” and “coordination” within the context of BIM are often treated as interchangeable. Both are considered essential for ensuring that a design is realized exactly as intended, without the emergence of any issues or obstacles.
So, what is BIM coordination? In general, it is a process within Building Information Modeling (BIM) that facilitates coordination among mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP), structural, and architectural design schemes.
One of the primary objectives of BIM coordination is to achieve greater collaborative efficiency by integrating the efforts of various professional disciplines within a specific construction project. In this context, clash detection serves as an essential component of 3D BIM coordination, enabling the identification of conflicts between different designs and models, and facilitating the determination of the most effective solutions to resolve them.
Conflicts can be classified as either “soft” or “hard”; the primary distinction between the two lies in the level of effort required to resolve a specific issue. Soft conflicts can be easily addressed through minor adjustments to the BIM model, whereas hard conflicts necessitate the collaborative involvement of a team of qualified engineers to reach a resolution.
Typically, BIM coordination involves multi-disciplinary models—a collection of various models brought together in a single space—to help identify issues during the construction process. Types of models that may be incorporated into these multi-disciplinary models include:
– Interior architectural model
– Mechanical system model
– Prefabricated component model
– Structural model
– Exterior architectural model
– Landscape model
– Electrical system model
The benefits of BIM coordination
Two of the parties that benefit the most from the implementation of BIM coordination processes in construction are engineers and architects. The 3D BIM coordination process offers a variety of benefits, including, but not limited to, the following:
– Easily identify design flaws—errors that, if discovered only in the final stages of a project, would be costly to rectify.
– Optimize the use of space within the structure.
– Clash detection features in software like Revit or Navisworks significantly reduce the number of changes that might otherwise arise during construction if such conflicts had not been identified early on.
– Real-time construction scheduling is another benefit derived from the 3D BIM coordination process.
– Design adjustments or improvements can be implemented more effectively, supported by detailed modeling systems and comprehensive 3D reports.
– BIM coordination facilitates smoother collaboration among stakeholders—including engineers, architects, and contractors—thereby enhancing overall design accuracy and allowing issues to be resolved before they escalate into more serious problems.
– Multiple engineers can work simultaneously on a unified model, ensuring that every change made by an individual is fully captured and reflected.
Coordination through BIM offers significant benefits to an entire construction project; it improves collaboration between different departments and project phases, while also helping to address issues related to compatibility, excessive waste, and various other challenges.
BIM coordination process
Although the actual process can vary significantly depending on many factors—ranging from the type of construction and project scope to the materials used—there are several common steps in BIM coordination that we can share. These steps include:
- Correctly positioning models is a critical factor. Even a slight misalignment between models can lead to inaccurate data regarding potential issues; therefore, precision is of the utmost importance. The process for verifying the relative positioning of models varies depending on the software being used; for instance, programs like Revit offer features such as coordinate systems, project base points, and model linking—among various other tools—to help ensure that models are positioned correctly.
- Selecting the right BIM coordination tools is of critical importance. The market for these tools is vast and diverse, but they can be categorized into three main groups:
Common Data Environments (CDE): Certain CDE platforms allow for clash detection between different models within a shared cloud-based storage space. Common examples include Autodesk BIM 360, Trimble Connect, and others.
Modeling tools: These are suitable for users who perform modeling across multiple disciplines within a single software application—for instance, Autodesk Revit, which offers built-in clash detection for linked models.
Dedicated BIM coordination tools: This group represents the most comprehensive solutions for clash detection, typically featuring customizable detection rules, coordination reporting, and a wide range of advanced functionalities. Prominent examples in the market include Navisworks Manage and Solibri Office. - A common format is essential for enabling models to work together. While different specialists may sometimes collaborate using the same software, it is also common for models to be created across various platforms—such as Revit, ArchiCAD, Tekla, and others. Consolidating these models would be extremely difficult without a shared format like IFC (Industry Foundation Classes—a global standard that facilitates the exchange of construction management information between different software applications). It is important to note that, depending on the software you are using, certain model components may not translate accurately into the IFC format. Consequently, this is an issue that should be thoroughly investigated from the very beginning.
- Combining different IFC models: If you are working with multiple models exported to the IFC format, it makes perfect sense to combine them. Typically, you should use specialized BIM coordination tools—such as Solibri or Navisworks—to carry out this process.
- Consider the scope of the coordination review process. Once the various models have been consolidated into a single, unified model, it is time to define the specific requirements. Are you looking solely to check for clashes between models, or do you also need to verify the consistency of the information? Do you need to ensure that mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems are laid out in compliance with relevant standards? Do you need to verify that there is adequate clearance between installations and building components? These are some of the questions that will help you determine the scope of the review. This step also serves as the starting point for the entire coordination process.
- Define the validation rules. This step depends entirely on the preceding one, translating the answers to those questions into specific rules that the BIM coordination software can execute. At this stage, you will determine the scope of the validation, the level of detail for the process, and other relevant factors.
- Perform a model check. If the software you are using does not do this automatically, you will need to initiate the check manually. The program will then scan the entire model based on pre-established rules to identify any inconsistencies or clashes. Once the process is complete, a list of detected clashes will be displayed; you can view the details of each issue if you wish to examine them manually.
- Identify the parties responsible for resolving the clashes you have discovered. Certain specialized software, such as Solibri, allows you to view labels indicating which department is responsible for addressing each specific clash. However, these are merely suggestions; it is the BIM coordinator’s responsibility to determine which issues can be resolved by individual team members and which require the involvement of an entire department.
- Discuss with team members how to handle clashes (conflicts). This step follows logically from the previous phase, focusing on notifying the appropriate individuals or departments about issues that require resolution. Clash reports are highly effective for BIM coordinators in accurately communicating the scope of an issue to the relevant stakeholders; most contemporary BIM coordination software solutions have the capability to generate these reports.
- Analyze the results of the clash detection process and determine the necessary follow-up steps. Gathering information across the entire model offers long-term benefits, enabling the BIM coordinator to identify whether specific disciplines within the model are experiencing a higher frequency of clashes than others. Furthermore, sharing the results of BIM coordination checks with relevant stakeholders will significantly contribute to minimizing the occurrence of such issues in the future.
You may have already realized that BIM coordination, in general, is not a simple process; it requires the practitioner to possess a certain level of theoretical knowledge to ensure accurate implementation. Nevertheless, we have identified 10 common steps within this process, along with additional information relevant to each step.
Phần kết luận
As you can see, BIM coordination is not merely a process of automated clash detection; it encompasses much more. We have explored the definition of BIM coordination, the benefits it brings to a project, and a comprehensive plan for implementing BIM coordination as a standard workflow.
