BIM construction site logistics
BIM logistics planning through the management of BIM models helps to meet project delivery times. Let’s find out how
Effective site organization is the key to a successful project.
Let’s see how BIM can help planning a construction site and how to simulate the evolution of the different activities thanks to a building project management software.
What is BIM logistics planning?
Managing a BIM construction site means planning all the construction project activities in terms of space-time and associating them with the 3D geometric model of the project.
The outcome is a complete information model for managing digital information about a built asset’s entire life cycle: from project, to construction and from maintenance to disposal.
Improper organization of the construction site can negatively affect productivity and cause delays in project delivery, also increasing the estimated costs during the project phase.
To better manage a construction site it is possible to use BIM models that simplify planning and logistics leading to optimal management of the project and its implementation.
This process includes the management of equipment, vehicles, materials, work team organization, also using innovative technologies such as virtual reality.
BIM logistics planning
Conventional planning methods often do not include a clear vision of all the planned activities and this implies a waste of resources even very burdensome in the case of large projects or non-ordinary work.
BIM enables multidimensional models including space constraints, time, costs, materials, design and manufacturing information, finishes, etc., to be created and even allows the support for information-based real-time collaboration.
In fact, all project data, including those related to the construction phase, are associated with the digital 3D model that is updated as the project progresses. This type of model is also known as as builtand includes the exact position and characteristics of the structural, MEP and architectural elements of the building during and after its construction..
The BIM dimension that deals with the organization of a construction site is 4D.
4D BIM modelling is the process for creating intelligent connections between the 3D digital model (which defines the project geometry) and the information on the execution time of the various activities required for construction. In this way a real simulation of the phases of a construction project, or its elements, is obtained as a function of time, as well as space.
These models offer realistic views of the complete project and the whole process of project sequencing. In addition, the geometric model is associated with project-useful information (installation diagrams, technical sheets, assembly manuals, etc.).
In case of variations in progress, the BIM model is modified and all views and documents are automatically updated in real time. It is also possible to analyze the consequences on the sequence of activities, on the final delivery time , on the expense, etc. induced by the changes made.
The virtual model facilitates collaboration between key stakeholders who can clearly understand the phases, sequences, logistics and their impacts on the site. Any potential issues can be identified in advance and rectified before the actual construction begins.
Can BIM be used for site modeling?
Among the various advantages and uses of BIM we can also find management of the project implementation phase. BIM, in fact, can be used to model the construction site in 3D and 4D using a construction site management BIM software and generate real virtual models useful for the study of safety, the simulation of activities and the training of workers.
BIM model of the construction site
The site model is automatically integrated with the safety plans and allows you to:
- understand the evolution of the site as a result of the various processes envisaged;
- check activities space-time overlaps;
- highlight the risks generated by the contingent logistical and spatial situation;
- manage the different executive phases with 4D representation of the models and spatial interference of the activities;
- produce working drawings (floor plans, cross-sections, elevation viewss, etc.) always updated and connected to the model;
- create real-time renderings of the site and models to navigate online and in immersive virtual reality to make site virtual tours;
- share the cloud site model in IFC format;
- simulate risk scenarios useful for workers training.
