building_themen_bim_neuland-bim_gettyimages-174964278_2000x1125.jpg

BIM – Building Information Modeling

BIM provides new approaches to solutions for planning and implementing construction projects, as well as building operation. The core of BIM is a digital data model, which creates virtual models of the planned building prior to physical construction.

WAGO supports users by providing planning modules. These undergo continuous development and are regularly adapted to current technology.

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

MM-305281_website-update_bim_2000x1125_blank_new _pl

Digitization offers companies clear advantages: The manufacturing sector in Germany has increased its productivity by an average of 34.1 percent over the past ten years. Initial positive effects can also be discerned in the construction industry, where productivity rose by 4.1 percent over the same period. The digitization of the construction sector will continue to progress. Continuous data modeling of buildings will be available throughout their entire lifecycle. New communication models and standardized interfaces for data exchange will form the basis for integrated, coordinated planning and execution processes. BIM makes it possible to model a digital simulation of the building in the early planning stages. Compared to the traditional planning method, this approach shifts the expenses to the preliminary design phase and the design phase proper (see diagram). Errors and conflicts in the timing of work on the various different building systems can be detected early on, allowing adjustments to be made at significantly lower cost than would be possible if the planning phase ran concurrent with construction. In addition, creating a digital twin gives everyone involved a clear understanding of the required performance of the project. This minimizes the risk of construction delays due to additional demands and the associated legal disputes.

A Quick and Easy Explanation of BIM

Have you always wanted to know what “Building Information Modeling” (BIM) is? BIM is not software! BIM is a planning method that connects people and technologies with processes and guidelines. In this interview, Dörthe Knefelkamp, Market Management for Building Installation, gives clear answers the most important questions about BIM.

What BIM Offers

Companies that use BIM report improvements in operations planning, budgeting and risk analysis, as well as better implementation of team-oriented work procedures and improved building management. The digital building model is always aligned with the current planning status and enables project participants to make decisions based on a solid data foundation. This prevents duplicated effort, since the technical models created by the building designers are used directly by specialists when scheduling their projects. The common problem that expensive errors are first identified on the construction site itself is eliminated – for example, scheduling conflicts between the work on different building systems, such as electrical and plumbing, are detected earlier. Actual material requirements can be calculated based on the BIM. In addition, various scheduling alternatives can be simulated, and necessary changes can be implemented easily and efficiently.

Advantages for Builders and Operators

3D models make planning changes easier to understand
Transparent budgeting, scheduling and control minimize the project risk
Easy progress tracking and target monitoring support successful project management.
Visualization and process simulation provide a clear representation of implementation variants for everyone involved.
All the model information can be handed over to facility management.

Benefits for Architects and Engineers

Potential for improvement through cooperation among different building trades
Transparent 3D-based variant testing and simulations
Optimization of communication and coordination in planning processes
Digital data sharing between the various building trades prevents duplicated effort.

Benefits for Contractors

A tested data model as a working basis
The quantity survey cost calculations are based on the digital model for a high degree of confidence in projected costs
Accurate information on required qualities, quantities and dates from the digital model reduces the risk

Benefits for Facility Managers

Acquisition of the digital model with all graphical and technical information according to the execution
Documentation with all structural and technical information
A good basis for cost estimates for conversion or renovation

BIM Gains Ground Internationally

Digitization of construction is not a new topic. In architecture and structural design, 3D data has been used in planning for years. However, the different building trades still exhibit degrees of adoption.

The introduction of the BIM method has progressed at different speeds in different regions. Some countries have already implemented directives concerning BIM in their national guidelines.

As the illustration shows, Scandinavian countries have been using the digital approach for several years. At EU level, a 2014 EU Directive recommends the use of BIM as a public procurement criterion.

The German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure published a phased plan for “Digital Planning and Building” on 2015-12-15. The phased plan requires mandatory use of BIM in public infrastructure projects in Germany from 2020. But fundamentally, the BIM standards have yet to be fully worked out. A number of organizations are working on standardizing processes, data and structures for the BIM method on both the international level – namely ISO and CEN – and the national level.

BIM – a Solid Component in WAGO’s Digitization Strategy

WAGO has established itself on the market as a manufacturer and supplier of building automation and pluggable electrical installation solutions. We offer custom solutions based on your needs. We consider our local experts’ proximity to customers, the support we provide during the planning process and our ready-made solutions to be key success factors. This also includes extensive documentation from the design to the execution phase, which we provide you for the planning and execution process, because our goal is to give you the best possible advice and support as a planner. We apply the same high standards to implementing the BIM building automation method and to standardization, data provision and planning of smart buildings for electrical installation.

building_themen_bim_neuland-bim_portraet-kohlhaas_2000x1125.jpg

The Uncharted Territory of BIM

Experts Andreas Kohlhaas of the consulting firm GSP Network and Dörthe Knefelkamp of WAGO discuss the opportunities and challenges of digital construction.

WAGO PARTcommunity Portal

Data for our products is available in .rfa (Revit) and .ifc format.

Go to the portal

Digital Planning of Buildings

In this short application film, an example illustrates the integration of an automation distributor into Revit software.

The Levels of Detail in BIM

Different levels of deployment (LoD) are envisaged for the BIM method. The LoD describes the depth of information and the level of detail of the model and thus the “degree of completion” in the coordination model. The categories are LoD 100 to LoD 500, with LoD 100 representing a very shallow depth of information and LoD 500 representing the greatest depth of information. The LoD, as well as the LoG and Lol, depend on the planning progress and the user of the data. An architect needs different information about a particular section of a building than a ventilation engineer does; the building trades do not need as much information for preliminary planning phase as for installation planning. The important thing is to keep the data for the technical planning and coordination model transparent and manageable. As a general rule, the LoD should be contractually stipulated for the individual building systems in so-called client information requirements.

Your WAGO Contact

kontaktmodul_kundenservice_zentrale_300x300_1

Main Office

Mon-Thu 8 am - 5 pm CET

Fri 8 am - 3 pm CET

+49 (571) 887-0

info.de@wago.com