BIM For Existing Buildings – 4 Factor that affects renovation

BIM For Existing Buildings – 4 Factor that affects renovation

BIM processes are well established when it comes to the construction of new buildings. However, the majority of the existing buildings are deficient in terms of documentation and control of building conditions. Integrating these in BIM model is a challenge that is faced in the implementation of BIM modeling across existing buildings.

The promising returns that BIM offers to all the stakeholders motivate them for the state-of-the-art overview and research in the implementation of BIM modeling for existing buildings.

The factors that determine the approach to the implementation of BIM can be broadly classified as:

#1 Functional or service capabilities

The building undergoes numerous design, engineering, construction, maintenance and deconstruction services during its life cycle. The benefits of BIM are manifold due to its potential application. Architectural BIM, structural BIM and MEP BIM is integrated along with the constructional, fabrication or monitoring functionality depending on the requirements of the project. These can either be embedded in the BIM model (3D BIM, 4D BIM or 5D BIM) or they can be attached to BIM as an independent application.

#2 Informational Support

BIM facilitates interoperability between different software systems without the loss of information. This is achieved by linking the required information to the BIM model.

#3 Model characteristics

A BIM model is created to fulfill the required functionalities. The model characteristics depend on the LoD (Level of Detail) required by the designated functionality. The functionality related LoD determines the technical specifications of the data that needs to be captured and the model that needs to be created for an existing building. Most of the existing buildings are deficient on preexisting building documentation. Therefore, a point cloud to BIM (also known as Scan to BIM) process is used to gather and model actual building conditions.

#4 Organizational and Legal Issues 

When BIM is used in maintenance and deconstruction processes, there are several organizational and legal issues such as collaboration of stakeholders, liability, etc. that influence the implementation of BIM. Determining the role of the stakeholders and their rights to information, liabilities, access to the model or their obligation to provide a special functionality will influence the BIM process. The “Contact” worksheet in COBie defines the roles and liabilities of the stakeholders which can be linked to the BIM model.

The major challenges that are faced in the implementation of BIM in existing buildings are

  • Automation of the process of data capture and BIM model creation (without preexisting BIM)
  • Updation and maintenance of information in BIM
  • Handling and modeling of uncertain data, objects, and relations occurring in existing buildings in BIM

Architects, engineers, and contractors play a major role in the adoption of BIM for existing buildings. While the use of BIM for new buildings is slowly gaining ground, its use for existing buildings is still limited. Efforts are on to capture and integrate the data of existing buildings into BIM. However, there are challenges in these and overcoming these challenges will be a key to the implementation of BIM.

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