Building Information Modeling (BIM)
The proliferation of advanced technologies in Building
Information Modeling (BIM) is becoming one of the most important
trends in the construction industry. In particular, the transition
from planning and communication processes based on legacy 2D
construction plans to versatile 3D-enabled BIM is expected to
improve the efficiency and quality of construction work
significantly in the coming years. The German Association of
Computing in Civil Engineering together with the associated
university research groups and chairs support these efforts in
research and teaching wholeheartedly along with the participation
in national and European standardization bodies.
Building Information Model
A digital model of a building structure that includes geometric and semantic information relevant to all building components, assemblies and spaces along with their relationships. The information contained in the model should be valid for the entire life cycle of the building structure and available in an object-oriented form.
Building Information Modeling
Processes for the specification of a building information model and its application, management and adaptation for the duration of the entire life cycle.
BIM education at Universities
With this document, the German Association of Computing in Civil
Engineering defines the teaching contents in Building Information
Modeling to be taught at universities in the frame of study
programs in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC). The
document defines basic knowledge as well as advanced knowledge in
the field. There is no specification with respect to the extent of
the curriculum due to the large heterogeneity of the study
programs at the different universities.
The objective of BIM education at universities is to inseminate
methodological knowledge that enables graduates to introduce,
develop, manage and monitor BIM processes in AEC enterprises and
public agencies. To this end, a deep understanding of BIM methods
and technology is mandatory. Accordingly, the focus of BIM
education at universities is on teaching general principles and
technological foundations which are independent from concrete
software products and remain valid over a long period of time. The
theoretical contents are complemented by practical exercises using
up-to-date software products.
In the following list, contents are coloured black which should be
included in the curriculum of any basic AEC study program at the
university level. Contents that are printed in green represent
advanced aspects which enable graduates to become BIM Managers or
BIM Coordinators and which are typically taught in special courses
in master programmes.
Basic BIM knowledge (+ advanced knowledge)
- 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
- 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
- Geometry representation
- 2D representations
- 3D representations
- Boundary Representation,
- Constructive Solid Geometry,
- Extrusion and rotation geometry
- Freeform modeling (e.g. BSplines, NURBS)
- 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
- 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)
- 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)
- Economics
- Lean Construction
- Job profiles and roles
- BIM Manager
- BIM Coordinator
- BIM Modeler
- 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
- BIM applications
- free/open systems
- commercial systems
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
