How can BIM help reduce waste in construction?
The construction industry is currently responsible for 50% of the solid waste that is generated worldwide. This is a staggering number which has long lasting environmental impact and has created considerable concern in the recent decades. Green building methods have been adopted around the globe as a strategy to curtail construction waste. Construction waste majorly consists of the debris that is generated during the renovation, construction and demolition of buildings and infrastructure. The application of BIM Services could provide significant value at different stages of the building’s lifecycle in terms of waste management.
Construction Waste Reduction through effective planning
Construction Waste Reduction advocates proactive minimization of potential construction waste. The principle behind using BIM is that the least amount of waste is generated by proper planning and organization. Virtual construction adopted at the planning and designing stage could lead to efficient designing. With 3D visualization it is possible to get a clear understanding of the building design and any changes that need to be implemented are done in the virtual model instead of doing them onsite. Similarly, with Clash Detection it is possible to detect any hard or soft clashes which if detected onsite would lead to rework or redesigning. Thus, BIM Coordination Services enables a creation of federated BIM model that reduces scope of mistakes onsite which could cause considerable waste. Even its enhanced communication capabilities goes a long way in keeping everyone on the same page and thereby optimizing design and reducing scope of onsite changes.
Moreover, utilizing BIM it is possible to design for adaptability, disassembly and reuse. It involves utilization of sustainable and durable materials that can be reused, open-span structural systems that can be easily moved or relocated and finally using modular building components and assemblies.
Prefabrication to minimize construction waste
Replacing some onsite activities with prefabrication is one of the more popular ways to reduce construction waste. Today, a lot building components are prefabricated like heating and cooling units, HVAC ducts, walls, doors etc. They are then assembled and installed onsite. Firstly, the prefabrication process is in itself very sustainable. It reduces environmental impact and lessens the air, noise and water pollution that is caused during onsite construction activities. Since prefabrication takes place in a factory controlled environment the excess materials can be immediately stored and reused according to the requirements. The indoor environment also allows to use modern technology like machines, drones, robotics etc. which brings utmost precision and can reduce the total waste.
Using Building Information Modeling allows to extract accurate shop drawings for the prefabrication of building components. This ensures that the components that are prefabricated are of the correct dimensions and that they actually fit onsite.
Scan to BIM for reduced waste during renovation and demolition
Scan to BIM is the process of 3D laser scanning a physical site, space, building or structure and utilizing the resultant point cloud data to create its accurate digital representation. The precise information acquired through the laser scanning process holds a tremendous value for reconstruction, renovation, retrofit and refurbishment projects. Knowing the exact building conditions including the technical details like material conditions, characteristics of the components allows the architects, engineers and designers to identify which the building components can be reused and which need to be replaced. Scan to BIM Services thus goes a long way in preventing unnecessary changes during reconstruction. Additionally, the conventional BIM deliverables stated above also apply during designing and onsite construction stage for a renovation, reconstruction or refurbishment project.
Furthermore, the information acquired through laser scanning can also be used for evaluation of waste that will be generated during demolition. As stated before when the building components are in good condition they can either be reused or recycled rather than disposed. This reduces the total waste as well as saves any resources that would have been utilized for the manufacturing and construction of new components. Finally, with BIM it is also possible to create simulations of the demolition process which drastically mitigates risk.
The reduction of waste is not a singular benefit of BIM. But, it could prove to be a crucial one in the battle for sustainability and the construction industry goal to become greener.
