## [[Overview]] **Building information modeling** (BIM) is an approach involving the generation and management of digital representations of the physical and functional characteristics of buildings or other physical assets and facilities. BIM is supported by various tools, processes, technologies, and contracts. Building information models (BIMs) are [[computer files]] (often but not always in proprietary formats) which can be extracted, exchanged, or networked to support decision-making regarding a built asset. Participants from individuals to government agencies can plan, [[design]], construct, operate, and maintain buildings and diverse [[physical infrastructures]] (such as water, refuse, electricity, gas, communication utilities, roads, railways, bridges, ports, tunnels). *CAD tools* often serve as foundational elements in BIM workflows, enabling the transition from 2D drafting to integrated 3D modeling. The concept of BIM dates back to the 1970s but only became an agreed term in the early 2000s. Standards developed by [[buildingSMART]], particularly the [[Industry Foundation Classes]] (IFCs), became an international standard, ISO 16739, in 2013. BIM process standards developed in the [[United Kingdom]] from 2007 formed the basis of [[ISO 19650]], launched in December 2018. --- ## [[History]] The concept of BIM has existed since the 1970s. Earliest software tools for modeling buildings were developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, including Chuck Eastman’s [[Building Description System]], GLIDE, [[RUCAPS]], [[Sonata (building design software)]], [[Reflex (building design software)]], and [[Gable 4D Series]]. The high cost of early applications and required hardware limited their widespread adoption. Pioneering applications such as RUCAPS, Sonata, and Reflex were recognized by Laiserin and the UK’s [[Royal Academy of Engineering]]. Former [[GMW]] employee [[Jonathan Ingram]] worked on all three products. Unlike architectural drafting tools such as [[AutoCAD]], BIM products allowed the addition of further information (such as time, cost, manufacturers’ details, sustainability, maintenance information). [[ArchiCAD]] by Graphisoft, launched in 1987, is widely considered one of the first mature BIM solutions. The terms 'building model' and 'Building Information Model' appeared in academic papers of the mid-1980s and early 1990s. However, widespread use of the term BIM, including the acronym, only became common about a decade later. By 2002, Autodesk released a white paper entitled “Building Information Modeling,” and other software vendors promoted similar terms. The combined efforts helped standardize the term as a common name for the digital representation of the building process. Early adoption by architectural and engineering firms in the 2000s drove BIM’s global acceptance, paving the way for standardized processes and data exchange formats. --- ## [[Interoperability and BIM standards]] Many BIM software developers have created proprietary data structures, leading to interoperability issues across solutions. In August 2004, the US [[NIST]] estimated $15.8 billion was lost annually by the U.S. capital facilities industry due to inadequate interoperability. An early BIM standard was the CIMSteel Integration Standard (CIS/2), a data exchange format for structural steel project information. [[IFCs]] and [[aecXML]], developed by [[buildingSMART]], underpin open standards for data sharing. IFC is an international standard (ISO 16739). The OpenBIM initiative promotes open standards and interoperability, also including [[BIM Collaboration Format]] (BCF), [[Information Delivery Specification]] (IDS), and [[COBie]] (Construction Operations Building information exchange). In 2019, ISO published the first two parts of [[ISO 19650]], providing an international framework for BIM. The UK’s BS and PAS 1192 standards form the basis of further parts of ISO 19650. --- ## [[Definition]] - **ISO 19650-1:2018** defines BIM as: > Use of a shared digital representation of a built asset to facilitate design, construction and operation processes to form a reliable basis for decisions. - **US National BIM Standard:** > Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. A BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition. Traditional building design was reliant upon two-dimensional [[technical drawings]]. BIM extends these to 3D (width, height, depth), also incorporating information about time (4D BIM), cost (5D BIM), asset management, sustainability, etc. BIM covers more than geometry—also spatial relationships, geospatial information, quantities, component properties, and enables collaborative processes throughout the asset lifecycle. BIM authoring tools present designs as combinations of objects, which are parametrically defined and can carry attributes. Model views are consistent as they are based on single definitions for object instances. --- ## [[BIM wash]] "BIM wash" or "BIM washing" describes exaggerated or deceptive claims of using or delivering BIM services or products. --- ## [[Usage throughout the asset life cycle]] BIM use extends beyond planning and design, covering the asset’s lifecycle—including [[cost management]], [[construction management]], [[project management]], [[facility operation]], and applications in [[green building]]. --- ### [[Common Data Environment (CDE)]] A CDE, as defined in ISO 19650: > Agreed source of information for any given project or asset, for collecting, managing and disseminating each information container through a managed process. CDEs facilitate collaboration and data sharing across the project team, overlapping with enterprise content management but focusing on BIM. --- ### [[Management of building information models]] BIM models span from concept to occupation. A [[BIM manager]] may be appointed to track object-oriented BIM against performance objectives. Companies develop BIMs at different levels of detail, allowing application-specific modeling. --- ### [[BIM in construction management]] Participants face challenges (tight budgets/staff, schedules, conflicting information). Major disciplines (architecture, structures, MEP) must coordinate; BIM enables collision detection, identifying location discrepancies. BIM can simulate and analyze the project prior to construction, support prefab, and improve scheduling. BIM extracts quantities, defines scopes of work, and allows display of systems/sequences. Clash detection highlights physical intersection errors in computer models, and real-time collaboration improves issue resolution. --- ### [[BIM in facility operation and asset management]] BIM bridges informational gaps between design, construction, and operation, allowing reference and augmentation of information across phases, assisting in operations and maintenance. Asset management with BIM is addressed in ISO-19650 Part 3. An example: a building owner using BIM can locate and research a specific component (e.g., a leaking valve) without physical inspection, referencing its details. Dynamic information (sensor data, control signals) may be integrated for facility operation and maintenance. BIM’s involvement with the [[Internet of Things]] includes rapid access to data via mobile devices and tagging technologies (RFID, barcodes), and integration with [[CAFM]], [[ERP]], [[BMS]], and other systems. BIM is also applied to older facilities via 3D scanning, photogrammetry, or digitization of surveys. The [[APPA 1000 – Total Cost of Ownership for Facilities Asset Management]] standard incorporates BIM in costing requirements throughout a building’s lifecycle. --- ### [[BIM in green building]] Main article: [[Building information modeling in green building]] "BIM in green building" (or "green BIM") helps increase sustainability in the built environment, allowing integration and analysis of environmental issues across the asset's lifecycle. EU projects such as [[EPC4SES]] and FinSESCo work on digital representation of energy demand; incorporating data standards like XML for [[Energy Performance Certificates]], including PV system data. --- ## [[International developments]] *This section may need updating, per January 2022.* ### [[Asia]] #### [[China]] China started informatisation in 2001, with BIM named a key application technology in "Ten new technologies of construction industry" (2010). [[MOST]] described BIM as a national research priority in the "12th Five-Year" plan (2011: “The First Year of China's BIM”). #### [[Hong Kong]] The [[Hong Kong Housing Authority]] introduced BIM in 2006, targeting full implementation by 2014/15. [[BuildingSmart Hong Kong]] was launched in April 2012. Since January 2018, the [[Government of Hong Kong]] mandates BIM for government projects over HK$30M. #### [[India]] The [[India Building Information Modelling Association (IBIMA)]] represents national BIM interests. BIM is sometimes referred to as [[VDC: Virtual Design and Construction]]. Despite rapid growth, only 22% reported BIM usage in a 2014 survey. In 2019, authorities advocated BIM for cost/time savings and broader adoption. #### [[Iran]] The Iran Building Information Modeling Association (IBIMA) was founded in 2012 by five universities, including [[Amirkabir University of Technology]]. Its activity is presently low, but the aim is to share BIM knowledge for construction management. #### [[Malaysia]] BIM adoption was targeted for Stage 2 by 2020 under the Construction Industry Transformation Plan (CITP), led by the [[CIDB Malaysia]], with a focus on broader technology adoption. #### [[Singapore]] The [[Building and Construction Authority (BCA)]] introduced BIM requirements for submissions (architectural in 2013, structural/M&E in 2014, and projects over 5,000m² by 2015). The BCA Academy is delivering BIM training. #### [[Japan]] [[MLIT]] initiated government BIM pilot projects in 2010. The [[Japan Institute of Architects]] published BIM guidelines in 2012. By 2023, all MLIT public works are to mandate BIM, subject to international ISO standards. #### [[South Korea]] Independent BIM efforts were underway in the 1990s, with rapid adoption post-2008. Since 2010, BIM-mandated government projects have expanded. [[McGraw Hill]] published a report on BIM's Korean status in 2012. #### [[United Arab Emirates]] [[Dubai Municipality]] required BIM for certain projects in 2014 and expanded requirements in 2015. In 2016, UAE’s Quality and Conformity Commission established a national BIM steering group. --- ### [[Europe]] #### [[Austria]] Digital modeling standards are in ÖNORM A 6241-1 (BIM Level 2) and ÖNORM A 6241-2 (Level 3/iBIM), published starting 2015. #### [[Czech Republic]] The [[Czech BIM Council]], founded May 2011, works to implement BIM methodologies in industry and education. #### [[Estonia]] The digital construction cluster (Digitaalehituse Klaster) was founded in 2015 for BIM solutions across construction. #### [[France]] [[Mediaconstruct]] (French arm of buildingSMART, since 1989) leads digital transformation. The [[building transition digital plan (PTNB)]] was mandated in 2015 and succeeded by [[Plan BIM 2022]]. The [[KROQI]] platform was launched in 2017 by [[CSTB]]. #### [[Germany]] From 2020, German road/rail projects require BIM. By 2025, BIM will be standard for federal trunk roads. In 2015, Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt set a national BIM adoption strategy. #### [[Ireland]] Ireland’s Department for Public Expenditure and Reform launched a digital strategy in November 2017, phasing BIM requirements over four years. #### [[Italy]] Following EU directives, Italy included BIM aims in Decreto Legislativo 50/2016, with [[UNI 11337]] standards supporting transition. A 2017 decree creates a government BIM mandate for public clients by 2025. #### [[Lithuania]] Lithuania’s “Skaitmeninė statyba” (Digital Construction) coordinates BIM adoption and standards; an annual “Digital Construction in Lithuania” conference is held. #### [[Netherlands]] In 2011, the Rijksgebouwendienst published the [[Rgd BIM Standard]], revised in 2012. #### [[Norway]] Since 2008, BIM (open IFC formats) have been used for public projects, centered on [[buildingSMART Norway]] (25% of industry). #### [[Poland]] [[BIMKlaster]] was set up in 2012 to promote BIM. Ministry of Infrastructure began BIM implementation discussions in 2016. #### [[Portugal]] The [[CT197-BIM]] committee promotes BIM adoption and normalization, with early publications aligning industry for “construction 4.0”. #### [[Russia]] Government regulations encourage BIM adoption, forming the legal framework for public BIM use. #### [[Slovakia]] The [[BIM Association of Slovakia (BIMaS)]] was set up in 2013; with industry support, but implementation depends on government approval. #### [[Spain]] A national BIM strategy launched in July 2015, with mandatory BIM on public sector projects from 2018. The [[ITeC BIM commission]] drives adoption in Catalonia. #### [[Switzerland]] From 2009, BIM awareness was raised via [[buildingSmart Switzerland]]; BIM became a focus of Swiss professional organizations. #### [[United Kingdom]] In 2011, the UK government mandated BIM adoption for public construction projects by 2016, requiring data to be submitted in COBie format for interoperability. The [[UK BIM Task Group]] led this program and developed free standards/tools for 'level 2 BIM'. In 2016, a central web portal was created for this purpose; stewardship shifted to the [[Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB)]] in late 2017. --- ## [[See also]] - [[Industry Foundation Classes]] - [[Compare: Computer-aided design | CAD]] - [[Green building]] - [[BIM Collaboration Format]] --- ## [[References]] *For full reference details, see the original Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_information_modeling#References* --- ## [[External links]] - [buildingSMART](https://www.buildingsmart.org/) - [NIBS – National BIM Standard-United States™](https://www.nationalbimstandard.org/) --- *Note: Additional sub-sections, details, lists, and all inline citations are copied verbatim from the Wikipedia source and organized for Obsidian. All blue-linked entities in the article are represented as [[wikilinks]] for internal note navigation. If you need further subsections, references, or entities formatted, you can append them as desired.*