Embracing BIM in construction

Building Information Modeling (or as it’s usually known, BIM) revolutionized the way Summit Steel Buildings approaches building projects. This digital marvel has proven to be an essential technology for our construction ventures. I wanted to share the impact BIM has had on what we do and the way it benefits clients and their future building.

BIM is essentially a digital representation of the various physical and functional aspects of a project. But calling it just a model doesn’t do it justice. It’s a powerful communication and coordination tool that fosters collaboration among all stakeholders, aiming to minimize the hiccups we sometimes encounter during construction.

BIM extends beyond its obvious planning and execution benefits. Construction projects are notorious for their complexity – think about the number of tradespeople, engineers and decisionmakers involved, the myriad of regulations, as well as the mountains of documents generated at every stage. BIM steps in as a crucial ally in navigating these challenges, making the entire process smoother and more efficient. 

Our extensive experience in design and engineering

Over the years, our Summit Steel Buildings team has explored various ways to leverage BIM in our projects, and here are the ways it has stood out for me:

• Building out more effective schedules

BIM isn’t just about static models; it’s also about smart integration with other project and planning data. By linking it with the baseline schedule, we can create dynamic simulations that can be rendered into 3D representations – either as construction drawings or as client renderings. This ability contributes significantly to project delivery, optimizing workflows and spotting construction conflicts before they become costly problems. We can subsequently see the critical path of a project and compare the planned sequence of events to the actual work being done. Creating a second simulation with the as-built schedule and comparing it to the baseline helps in pinpointing discrepancies and ensuring everything stays on track.

• Visualising projects in 3D

One of the coolest aspects of BIM is the ability to create detailed and interactive 3D models of our projects. Imagine being able to offer your team and clients a visual walkthrough of the project, showcasing its components, scope of work and the operational constraints right from the outset. It’s true what they say – a picture is worth a thousand words. This visualization tool has made explaining complex concepts and potential issues with clients and crews so much easier and more intuitive. Combine these drawings with our virtual reality platform that lets clients explore their future building and walk around to get a feel for how it will look and flow, and the building process becomes a lot more real for clients and a lot more efficient (and thus, less expensive) for everyone involved.

• Simplifying the process for project updates

Changes are inevitable in any construction project, but with BIM, managing these changes becomes a lot less daunting. By comparing the initial design model with the modified version (whether requested by the client or as a response to site conditions and technicalities), we can easily visualize the scope and impact of any change. This clarity helps to easily communicate adjustments to all parties involved, making sure everyone is on the same page and reducing the risk of misunderstandings.

The growing value of innovation in engineering 

Technological advances like BIM are pushing Summit Steel Buildings to rethink traditional construction methods and embrace innovation. We believe that advances in our design and modeling software, including virtual reality, could have a future impact on construction similar to the revolutionary effect that pre-engineering had on the building industry. As we move forward, more digital tools will become indispensable in improving our project work and increase the durability, precision and strength of our buildings. 

BIM is not just a tool; it’s a transformative approach that’s here to stay. We’re excited to see how BIM will continue to evolve and shape the future of construction. Let’s embrace it and build a smarter, more efficient future.

Contact us now online, by email at info@summitsteelbuildings.com or at 877-417-8335 and we'll provide you with a free consultation and quote.

About the author

Frank Melo has a construction civil engineering technology and business background with over 25 years of experience as a business owner and contractor. He was born and educated in London, Ontario and now divides his time between projects primarily in Ontario and British Columbia. He can be contacted at Summit Steel Buildings at (778) 951-4766 or by email at frank.melo@summitsteelbuildings.com or through LinkedIn.