Last edited 06 Sep 2022

BIM Interoperability benefits in the AEC industry

1 Introduction
2 What is interoperability?
3 BIM in AEC Industry
4 BIM interoperability
5 The Future is BIM Shaped
6 Related articles on Designing Buildings

[edit] Introduction

One of the most difficult problems in the construction sector stems from distinct teams working in silos - or lack of interoperability. These distinct work processes can lead to miscommunication, coordination challenges, and a variety of dangers as a result of a lack of teamwork.

However, modern digital technology provides a more effective means of communicating, sharing knowledge, and learning. BIM may be one of the solutions to construction work process silos. The issue is that many AEC firms are concerned about a lack of interoperability and regard it as an impediment to BIM. Despite this issue building information modelling (BIM) is a critical integrated data system that enables effective project planning and control in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) domain.

[edit] What is interoperability?

As per ISO 37100:2016 Interoperability refers to a system’s ability to deliver services to and accept services from other systems, as well as to use the services exchanged for them to work efficiently together.

AFUL.org states that Interoperability refers to a property of a product or system that allows it to interact with other products or systems, now or in the future, in terms of implementation or access, without any limits.

[edit] BIM in AEC Industry

Building information modelling (BIM) is an integrated data system that enables effective project planning and control in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) domain.

BIM may blend geometric representations of buildings with a range of semantic information. This makes a substantial contribution to the shift in information documentation and interchange among various types of models in the AEC sector.

[edit] BIM interoperability

BIM interoperability implies the capacity to communicate data with various systems without requiring major changes.

When it comes to software, users want to be able to transition between solutions without having to re-enter their information each time. Their data should be consistent and transferable between various systems. This is critical when it comes to BIM.

BIM interoperability develops when teams and organisations on the same project may share the same data. All project information is maintained in one location and may be accessed by various disciplines using a variety of tools.

The concept of interoperability is critical for BIM to function.

BIM interoperability benefits include:

Faster overall project delivery.
Reduced infrastructure vulnerability.
Increased information dependability throughout a project’s lifecycle.
Lower supply-chain communication costs.
Increased customer value.
Eliminates manual data re-entry.
Eliminates business function duplication.
Eliminates dependency on paper to duplicate and share data.

[edit] The Future is BIM Shaped

After decades of poor IT acceptance and reliance on obsolete technologies such as 2D CAD, the AEC sector is now looking to BIM as a means of catching up with other industries in terms of information technology utilisation. This lag is evident in well-known low productivity, a lack of cooperation, and the high cost of inadequate interoperability.

BIM started the process by standardising how information is produced so that it can be easily distributed and fully utilised. The internet of things, smart buildings, mobile and wearable technology, and analytics have all contributed to this trend, allowing real-time data to be used to automate operations and inform decision-making. The national digital twin project will enable that data to be used in ways its creators never envisioned.

More than just the ability to transport information is required for BIM tools to work together. We must be able to communicate meaning. What is sent must match what is understood. To accomplish this, parties must use a consistent information exchange reference model. Semantic BIM interoperability is required.

Many organisations have formed a BIM R&D team to create more advanced BIM technologies, create unique solutions, investigate ways to integrate new systems and teach more individuals within their businesses.