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T O S U CC E E D I N A D I G I TA L AG E , the construction industry must accept the new, with building information modelling (BIM) the key to taking the industry to a higher level of efficiency and effectiveness.

BIM requires a cultural change to achieve its potential and the development of new resources and support services. It is a core component of the Productivity Partnership’s goal of increasing construction industry productivity by 20% by 2020.

The New Zealand BIM Handbook provides the framework to help the design and construction industry with the successful adoption of BIM. The industry, however, needs to develop related databases of key information and user guides for its successful implementation.

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tools to utilise this rich new data resource.Metadata is essentially data about data.

By being able to describe the contents and context of a data file, the quality of the file is greatly enhanced. For example, place an object in a model and links to the related specification clauses appear. Cost data, fire analysis, carbon footprint calculations, thermal and acoustic properties can all be accessed from within the selected object, adding to its downstream value.

However, it is not always appropriate to load the BIM model with all detailed product data, and it may be best stored in a linked information database that can be accessed from the geometric model.

Single data source is keyWhether embedded in an object or accessed from a linked database, the key is having a single data source, avoiding duplication and potential error. An industry-wide set of BIM objects will improve industry stand-ardisation of content while still allowing innovation.

Manufacturers and suppliers of construc-tion products can develop their own branded objects based on the standard format. Standardisation also allows designers and contractors to invest in the tools and

Resourcing BIMThe advantages of BIM are clear. It’s important, then, that allied

resources such as a well managed object library and keynoting are developed and adopted to support its development here.

BY DON BUNTING, FNZIA, EDITOR, CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION LTD, AUCKLAND

BIM more than just softwareBIM digitally represents the physical and functional characteristics of a built asset. Its key advantages are:

● improvement in multi-party communica-tion on a project, with greater ability to visualise and share information

● the ability to visualise design options, validate options against key performance criteria and increase the certainty of project outcomes

● productivity gains from precise design and trade coordination, automated conflict avoidance, easier design interpretation and fewer change orders.

BIM is not just about new software. It’s also about collaboration between the client, designers, project managers, approving bodies, contractors, product manufacturers and end users from day one. To assist this collaborative approach, commercially avail-able BIM-based software systems require locally developed supporting resources.

Object library vitalA properly managed and maintained BIM object library, with standardised objects and data, is vital. To take BIM beyond simple 3D CAD, the objects need to be connected to structured metadata and with the software

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knowledge necessary to make efficient use of this sophisticated information resource.

NZ BIM object library neededCreating and maintaining a BIM object library will require a significant invest-ment. Overseas, organisations are already developing their own libraries. NBS (UK), with support from the UK BIM Task Force, has developed an object library, associated metadata and user guides.

With financial support from the New Zealand Government or another industry source, it would be possible to build on this overseas work to produce a New Zealand-centric version.

The end game for BIM technology is the ability to create a building model that allows direct use of relevant data by all downstream users – designers, tenderers, approving bodies, contractors and facilities managers. To achieve this, the industry

of keynoting to avoid the need for long and repetitive descriptions of an object’s attributes.

A keynote is an alphanumeric code, based on a standard classification system – in New Zealand’s case, CoordinatedBuilding Information (CBI). The keynote might refer to a specification clause, which then describes in detail the particular part of an object referred to, such as its surface finish.

BIM-based software providers such as Revit and Archicad, have their own keynoting systems but are open to the development of a standard approach for New Zealand.

The first step for the industry is to develop a system for linking keynotes to specification clauses and to then enable the user to drag and drop the keynote into the selected BIM object. A method for updating data and for users to add their own keynotes and descrip-tions is also required.

needs to develop and maintain a recognised and universally accepted data structure.

Specifications and BIMMoves to a cloud-based approach to infor-mation management and sharing of data are developing rapidly, providing the incentive for specification systems providers like Masterspec and Productspec to develop cloud-based information management and sharing tools. Others are already following suit, giving the industry greater confidence in moving to new ways of manipulating and sharing specification and product data.

Standard system of keynoting requiredIn future, construction will need to confi-dently share information. Improved and more accurate ways to link specification data and the project model is critical.

The ability to connect metadata to BIM objects at a detailed level requires a system