From Virtual to Reality: How BIM and Advanced Technologies are Transforming Pre-Construction Planning

In construction management the advent of various modern methods and their uses improved the construction quality, reducing the time and cost of complex projects, and increasing the productivity of the personnel. These improvements are long desired by the design team comprising #aecindustry architects, engineers, general contractors, etc.,

After the design team captures the client's requirements, the project moves into the next phase where the processes get sorted into three main stages: #preconstruction, #construction, and #postconstruction. Our main area of focus here is on the pre-construction stage, and how adopting BIM can better streamline the processes and help the people involved in the project focus on other significant tasks in the construction and post-construction stages.

The design process in pre-construction is categorized into four phases wiz., #predesign and #feasibilitystudy, #conceptualdesign, #designdevelopment, and #procurement. 

This article focuses on the procurement side of pre-construction and helps us understand how widely adaptation of #bim can ease the construction industry and its processes. Building information modeling (BIM) is a digital technology that may facilitate pre-construction, #prefabrication plans, and project execution #schedules. A 3D digital model of the project may be created using BIM, allowing for more effective collaboration and communication amongst project stakeholders. Conflicts in the design process may be identified and resolved with the use of BIM, which can lessen the need for rework during construction.

Additionally, BIM is a simulated multidimensional model which takes into account building geometry, spatial linkages, geographic data, the quantity and characteristics of all building components, and their intelligent interoperability. It is a new approach to how the design team and contractors will provide schematic drawings using 3D modeling, implement and manage the subs using effective sequencing and scheduling, release material into production using prefabricated plans, and do the design optimization in the computer before even construction begins.

In the construction industry, there were several problems with the traditional way of plan presentation, and the inception of BIM lead to fixing those problems and the overall improvement in the workability of the #construction process. The BIM process is a fundamental evolution in work infrastructure, not an advancement or growth of work processes. The outcome of building information modeling assists the design team from the initial phases of brainstorming in design through the construction stages and, finally, during project operation.

One of the key elements in pre-construction is the procurement of materials, it is one of the main reasons for project failure because of the unavailability of materials on-site on time. Pre-fabrication can help address this problem, where building components are designed and manufactured offsite. This is a new method of construction that is gaining traction all over the world and pre-fabrication can reduce construction costs with the help of #mechanization of the whole manufacturing process, reduce the manpower involved, and increase the quality and durability of the structure. It is a more sustainable process as it leads to less environmental degradation.

Moreover, the pre-fabrication process can be aided by BIM's ability to provide exact material lists and quantities that allow manufacturers to precisely construct the needed components. Moreover, BIM may be utilized to create a more precise and thorough construction schedule that can be modified and updated during the project.

After pre-fabricating the pieces of building components, they are assembled based on the instructions in the project execution schedule. In the next stage, they are packaged, counted, named, and shipped to the site, where all these parts are installed on site.

Challenges in adopting BIM in pre-construction and pre-fabrication are associated with the relatively slow adoption and integration of advanced information technologies, along with industrialization principles such as mechanization, #automationengineering, #roboticsolutions, #standardization, and #modularization.

When challenges are transformed into opportunities, BIM in addition to software such as:

a.    Tekla structures - The steel structure can be configured for loading, partial mapping, assembly, and even provide the clipping program for the CNC machine. #teklastructures

b.    Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) - used to monitor and analyze data from sensors and equipment to improve decision-making, optimize resource allocation, and prevent delays or errors. #cyberphysicalsystems

c.    Internet of Things (IoT) - used to collect data on the construction site conditions, material availability, and labor productivity, which can be used to optimize the planning and scheduling processes. #iottechnology

d.    Cloud computing - used to store and share project documents and data, enabling real-time collaboration and communication between stakeholders. #cloudcomputing

e.    Cognitive computing - used to analyze data and generate insights on project risks, costs, and schedule optimization. #cognitivecomputing

These technologies can be used together and they are all compatible with BIM to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and speed of the pre-construction phase by providing real-time data analysis and decision-making capabilities. They can help to reduce errors, optimize resource allocation, and enable more effective collaboration among stakeholders, leading to better project outcomes.