If you want to keep track of BIM development, let me tell you that it has come a long way since its inception. Who doesn’t want work to be simplified? Even the most workaholic person would like to reduce the workload. BIM Industry realized this fact in time and worked to improve it, and that is the reason why we can now see its many extensions, such as 3D, 4D, 5D, and 6D BIM.
In the initial stages, only 3D BIM models were available for use in the construction and architectural engineering industry. That means the rest of the ascending gradations like 4D or 5D were not in the image. Architects and engineers used to generate 3D models for architectural, structural and MEP projects for clients. With the help of a 3D BIM model, many things can be done, such as coordination and collision detection.
4D model: The need for improvement was felt in the construction industry and that shaped 4D BIM. It is generated after ‘Time’ since a new dimension is integrated with the 3D. This model is more capable than the previous one. Much more information can be gleaned from this such as construction documents and schedules etc. It greatly benefited the contractors by informing them of the project completion schedule.
Then came 5D BIM: It is the extension of 4D where the ‘cost estimate’ is added as a new dimension. Once the cost estimate is added, the model becomes eligible to estimate the total cost of the project. Contractors and owners optimize the 5D model to improve project productivity. Material takeoffs can help estimate the individual cost of the resources used in the project. Material take-off is the calculation of materials in terms of quantity, which is necessary for construction. With its help you can also determine the cost of the material and ultimately the total cost of the project.
BIM 6D: The curiosity to innovate even more the construction process gave rise to 6D BIM. It is used by architects and engineers to design the green building, which is a fairly new concept as of now.
With its help, an energy analysis can be carried out which helps to calculate the total energy consumption in the building. It also emphasizes green architectural design.
I don’t think it is necessary to describe anything more about the benefits of BIM in the construction industry, its implementation has revolutionized the entire construction process.