What is 5D in BIM Industry ?
As we already familiar with 3D in Design & BIM Industry
But isn’t this what architects have always been doing?
Precisely. But we also used to travel on foot. Now we use cars. The benefits? It saves a lot of time, energy, and cost. BIM breaks down the building into its constituent elements to understand and store information about it. It then clubs this information with aspects of construction beyond the 3 dimensions – time, cost, sustainability, operation, and safety.
The ideal building should be structurally stable, energy-efficient, and aesthetically pleasing. This is only possible through coordination between the various disciplines involved, like architectural, structural, and Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP). Earlier workflows were slow – the architect would draw a plan, send it to the structural consultant, then they would revise the drawings accordingly, then send it to MEP consultants.
One of the most time-taking and error-prone activities … is literally the process of taking off measurements and quantities from a set of drawings. Generally, this process has involved physical blueprints or, today, digital versions of those blueprints.
Being able to access this information in a 3D model, without manually measuring or counting everything in the project, well, you might imagine that it can … productivity by an order of magnitude.
Advantages of 5D BIM:-
5D allows more people to be involved in the conversation from the onset instead of working in isolation waiting to provide information about their piece of the project when it is time. This technology also allows automatic generation of quantities to be processed quicker, provides more accurate data and allows the estimator to explore new ways of providing efficient designs, performance and costs.
A better way to understand it is if we take that same idea and apply it to brands and social media. When using social media, brands have a way to assist more consumers quicker than in the original phone or email customer service ways, a “generation of quantities to be processed quicker.”
It allows a brand to have a direct voice to the consumer providing “accurate data” or information. Social media also gives an insight into the consumers “likes”, “dislikes”, and opinions on their product in order to provide future “efficient designs, performance and costs.”
According to a study, It has been found, 75 per cents of companies who have started using this added element to BIM has found a positive return on investment.
Five-dimensional technology has provided those using it shorter project cycles, savings on time with things like paperwork and even down to material costs. With such successful results, governments in countries like Britain, Finland & Singapore have decided this use of BIM for all public infrastructure projects.
Visual and data modelling capabilities translate into a better understanding of project scope. Formulas drive costs on each building system based on the specific design, materials, site conditions, phasing and other parameters according to the owner’s timeline.
The entire project team develops an understanding of the proposed design, assumptions and cost drivers. They then have a concise and accurate description of scope, cost, and schedule—which directly impacts funding decisions.
Data is provided in real time as the model is developed or changed. Alternative concepts can be easily explored; while owner and project team can see the cost and other data unfold instantaneously. This drastically shortens design and estimation cycle time. Reliable, accurate updates in real time drive efficiency.
5D BIM software: How it can improve construction project management:-
BIM relies on a Common Data Environment where all different project agents can collaborate and exchange valuable feedback. In that sense, 5D BIM software can have a powerful impact on the construction management process when it comes to cost-related information.
More analytically, thanks to 5D BIM, data connected to cost are continuously updated as the project progresses. This means that cost is dynamically evolved and readjusted instead of solely being defined at the beginning of the project.
That’s a revolutionary approach which makes it easier for the project managers to monitor changes while keeping the project running within the agreed budget. In the long run, this can improve cost predictability and resource management.
On top of that, establishing a good connection between the construction site and the office will prevent teams from working in silos and will pave the way for more fact-based decisions.
Of course, digital adoption plays a decisive role in the successful use of 5D BIM software. Otherwise, the new project data will never make it to the BIM model. Once this barrier is down, everyone can be sure that they are working on the latest and up-to-date project version.
5D BIM for Cost Managers:-
5D BIM can be a game-changer for cost managers, as well. In general, it adds much more flexibility to their work and improves considerably their decision-making process.
Simply put, through 5D BIM, cost managers have full control over a project’s budget as any alteration or update on the design reflects directly on the budget.
Based on the available data, cost managers can quickly reach to price estimations and provide project teams with instant feedback on executing or developing a task, or even an entire stage of a project, within the agreed budget.
Furthermore, by connecting cost to planning there is a more accurate ordering process. Cost managers know with great precision when items are needed on site and they can plan their orders accordingly.
Like that, project teams avoid having materials or equipment sitting unused on site for long periods and they are also in a position to plan ahead and submit orders for long-wait items in advance so they can arrive there at the right time.
