BIM

Building Information Modeling

The spread of Building Information Modeling technologies is one of the most important trends in the construction industry, which in the next few years will change the planning and communication processes in the construction industry, which have so far been largely based on 2D plans. It can be expected that this will be accompanied by a significant increase in efficiency and quality in the planning and execution of buildings. The AK Bauinformatik and the chairs represented in it support this process in research and teaching as well as through participation in the national and European standardization committees.

Building Information Model

The digital model of a building that provides geometric and semantic information on all relevant building objects, such as components, assemblies or rooms, and their relationships in object-oriented form for use throughout the entire life cycle.

Building Information Modelling

Processes for specifying a Building Information Model and its use, management and adaptation throughout its lifecycle.

BIM in university teaching for the subject of building informatics

With this, the AK Bauinformatik defines the most important teaching content for the training of competences in the field of Building Information Modeling, which should be taught at the universities in the courses of construction in the subject of Bauinformatik. Both basic content and advanced content are defined. There is no specification regarding the scope to be taught, as this is not considered to be expedient due to the heterogeneity of the courses at the various locations.

The aim of the university education is to impart methodological knowledge that enables graduates to introduce, design, monitor and further develop BIM processes in companies and public institutions. An in-depth understanding of the underlying methods and technologies is essential for this. The focus of university teaching in the field of building informatics is on teaching general principles and techniques that are independent of specific software products and have validity over a period of several decades. The theoretical content taught is supplemented by practical exercises with current software products.

The following list shows the content for the subject of building informatics for which every graduate of an undergraduate course in building should have knowledge and skills. The aspects marked in green address in-depth special knowledge that enables students to become “BIM Managers” or “BIM Coordinators” and are usually taught in the corresponding specializations in the master’s degree programs.

  1. Introduction and Motivation
    • Definition of BIM
    • BIM-based AEC vs. drawing-based AEC
    • Benefits across the entire life cycle
    • Added value by sustainable digital processes
    • BIM maturity levels
  2. Digital modeling of buildings and infrastructure facilities
    • Object-oriented modeling (UML)
    • Properties, relationships
    • Types and families
    • Parametric modeling, feature-based modeling
    • Classification systems (e.g. Uniclass, Omniclass, buildingSmart Data Dictionary)
    • Ontologies
  3. Geometry representation
    • 2D representations
    • 3D representations
      • Boundary Representation,
      • Constructive Solid Geometry,
      • Extrusion and rotation geometry
    • Freeform modeling (e.g. BSplines, NURBS)
  4. BIM Data exchange
    • Open BIM vs. Closed BIM (advantages of neutral data formats)
    • Data modelling languages (XML, EXPRESS)
    • Industry Foundation Classes (in detail)
    • COBie
    • Certification
    • Level of Development
  5. BIM  data management
    • Database Management Systems (DBMS)
    • Common Data Environments (CDE)
    • BIM Server
    • Concurrency control, version management
    • Data security
    • System architectures (client-server, cloud, software-as-a-service)
  6. Digital modelling of processes
    • Computer-supported collaborative work
    • Responsibilities
      • Project coordination
        • BIM project execution
          • BIM Execution Plan
          • Legal aspects
          • Project delivery options (Integrated Project Delivery)
        • Formal process description
          • Information Delivery Manual, Business Process Modeling Notation
        • Data exchange specification
          • Exchange requirements
          • Model View Definitions
        • Model integration and coordination
          • Federated model
          • BIM Collaboration Format (BCF)
  7. Economics
    • Lean Construction
  8. Job profiles and roles
    • BIM Manager
    • BIM Coordinator
    • BIM Modeler
  9. BIM downstream applications
    • Rendering, Visualization
    • Drawing generation
    • Clash detection
    • Quantity Take-Off
    • Scheduling (4D), Cost estimation (5D), Calculation, Tendering
    • Structural analysis
    • Energy analysis
    • Manufacturing of pre-fabricated elements
    • Construction site logistics
    • Construction progress monitoring
    • Facility Management
    • Risk Management
  10. BIM applications
    • Free/open systems
    • Commercial systems

Basic BIM knowledge (+ advanced knowledge) :

By educating BIM on the basis of these contents, the graduates gain the following competencies:

  • Definition and coordination of digital processes in the AEC domain
  • Initiation and management of BIM projects
  • Analysis and assessment of BIM software products, planning of software deployment
  • BIM research and development, Conception of novel BIM software products
  • Implementation of strategic enterprise decisions with respect to BIM
  • Consultancy for building owner (employers), in particular for the public sector
  • Consultancy for political decision makers