Question a

Introduction of BIM and the content of each dimension of BIM. List out the available
software that can perform BIM at different dimension.

1.1

Introduction

Based on survey conducted from Info Comm International (2016), a trade association who is leading in
audiovisual as well as information communication industries, construction involved a huge amount of
scarce resource. Hence, 57% of money in each project is non value added, according to Construction
Industry Institute in year 2004. The amount of waste generated from the construction industry is estimated
to be USD 600 billion per year. Therefore, the implementation of BIM is crucial to construction industry.
The application of BIM is enable the resource being re-allocated by undergoing proper renewable or
recycle.

Source: (infocomm, 2016)

According to Artic Building Services (2016), United Kingdom Government has targeted 4 strategies to be
achieved by year 2025. They expect BIM plays a main role in reducing waste in construction industry.
The intended that BIM able to minimize

33% reduction of construction costs and lifespan maintenance for the building
50% reduction of overall time starts from inception to completion period
50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions during construction
50% reduction of transaction of building material between export and import

1.2

BIM

BIM, an abbreviation of Building Modelling Design. According to the Info Comm International (2016),
Jerry Laiserin has introduced BIM in year 2002. And, BIM is defined as a tool which embodies virtual
design, construction and facility management. Moreover, BIM process enables the users to share the
information of virtual model throughout the building industry.
National BIM Standard United State (NBIMS-US) defined BIM modeling as
A digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. As such, it serves as a
shared knowledge resource for information about a facility, forming a reliable basis for decisions during
its life cycle from inception onward.
NBIMS-US further statement explained that every facilitator of the related construction project are given
opportunity to overlook the project characteristic initiated from the design stage to the whole life costing
process. The facilitators include the owner, design planners, mortgage bankers, architects, engineers,
contractors, facility managers, safety engineers, lawyers, contract offices, operators of the building as well
as the subcontractors (buildingSmartalliance, 2015).
In Malaysia context, the first BIM adoption project is in year 2010 which is National Cancer Institute in
Sepang. Private sector is leading in the adoption of BIM currently according to Building Smart Malaysia,
an international organization taking initiative to transform building environment to meet the international
standard. The most commonly used software in the industry are Revit, Bentley Aecosim, ArchiCAD as
well as Tekla. With the application of BIM in the industry, Building Smart Malaysia believe that BIM able
to enhance the accuracy in term of cost, value as well as environment performance of each project
(Mybuildingsmart, 2015).

1.3

BIM Dimension

BIM modeling is being developed extensively in recent year. The revolution of BIM in term of functions
have resulted a good feedback from their users. In term of maturity, BIM is categorized into 4 levels. And,
BIM is wheeling from 1Dimension (1D) to 7 Dimension (7D) throughout the decades.
Maturi Dimensi
ty
on
Level
0
1D
Level
1
2D
Level
3D, 4D,
2
5D
Level
3
6D, 7D
Table: Maturity level of BIM in different dimension

1.3.1

Level 0

According to out-law (2016), an international law firm, BIM in the initial stage is the first dimension
(1D).

1.3.1.1

1 Dimension (1D)

According to Design Building Wikipedia, 1 Dimension (1D) is raw data from computer aided design
(CAD) which including 2 Dimension drawing, text in the form of paper or some electronic information.
And, these data is not standardized and not process or can be known as digital drawing board. Another
description of 1D is lonely BIM as the information data of the building is not shared among the
industry (Designingbuildings.co.uk, 2016).

1.3.2

Level 1

Designing Building Wiki, 2016 stated that BIM in level 1 consists of manage CAD. Level 2 of BIM is
more focused on spatial coordination, constructional of standard structure and formats. The 2D and 3D
modeling enable the visualizations of concept models.

1.3.2.1

2 Dimension (2D)

2 Dimensional is using traditional project delivery approach. 2D Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) is two
dimensional drawings. A 2D based drawing will require a 2D taking off process. The design team such as
quantity surveyors is required to use the 2D data in feasibility study of the project for the purpose of
tendering the job (infocomm, 2016).

1.3.3

Level 2

The BIM model in level 2 is more mature in term of processing the data. The data is being working
towards the discipline based model according to Design Building Wiki. The separate model in 2D is
federated by remaining their identity. In United Kingdom (UK), a minimum requirement of Level 2 is
required for the procurement of public project stated in Government Construction Strategy, 2011
(Designingbuildings.co.uk, 2016).

1.3.3.1

3 Dimension (3D)

The characteristics of 3D are model walkthroughs, clash detection, project visualization, virtual mock up
of project and prefabrication based on the information summarized by BIM talk. The example models in
3D are existing condition model, safety and logistic model, animation, renderings and walkthroughs, BIM
driven prefabrication and laser accurate BIM driven field layout.
According to Info Comm (2016), 3 Dimension (3D) enable the clients to visualize the project details. The
coordination incorporated in this dimension can help in minimize the error and omission of the design.
A simple schedule of timeline and initial outlook of different stage of the project can be visualized
through 3D modeling. In term of model walkthroughs, discussion on the buildablility can be carried out
among the contractors and designers. Through the 3D model, project team can observe the site condition
of the project without the real time exploring the site. Moreover, the model has clash detection function.
3D in BIM enables early detection of clash of the building system during design stage. The early
detection can prevent the conflicts and delay happened during the construction stage (Bimtalk.co.uk,
2016).
In additional, a prototype can be building for a clearer picture on the large projects. The constructional of
virtual mock up models enhance the understanding of the building functions. 3D modeling enables the
mock up being tested and revised according to cost by the employers (Bimtalk.co.uk, 2016).

1.3.3.2

4 Dimension (4D)

4D modeling is mainly focused on scheduling of the project. The models in 4D are Project Phrasing
Stimulation, Lean Scheduling and Visual Validation for Payment Approval. According to Info Comm
(2016), the integration of 3D with the value adding function of project phrasing and constructional
sequence is 4D. 4D is able to perform detail analysis of the construction schedule during design stage to
the constructional stage. The details of the schedule can be updated from time to time.
As 4D accommodate with project phrasing model, it enable the management of the site space well during
construction. Temporary components such as cranes, lorries and fencing can be added to model to control
and utilize the area of the site. Furthermore, lean scheduling enable the task for schedule visualization. If
any variation of the project happened, the 4D BIM model will figure and change the schedule of the
project accordingly to ensure on time delivery of the project (Bimtalk.co.uk, 2016).

1.3.3.3

5 Dimension (5D)

The fifth dimension is about cost. The 5D is an automated taking off, cost estimating. These is done by
taking into consideration if quantities, costs and locations of each project. While the cost estimating
method technique adopted by taking into consideration of building sequences, costs and resource needed
for the constructed element (infocomm, 2016).
The dominant models in 5D are Real Time Conceptual Model and Cost Planning, Trade Verification,
Quantity Extraction, Value Engineering and Prefabrication Solution. In term of Quantity Takeoff, the
manually take off method is being replaced. The estimating information such as cost, quantities of the
materials, size and area of the site is being utilized effectively when taking off process. Adjustment will
be made accordingly when variation happened, and helps in improving the productivity of the contractors.
Moreover, value engineering can be conducted through 5D model. A rough estimate of material cost can
be conducted during the design stage and the data is helpful in conducting value engineering in the future
(Bimtalk.co.uk, 2016).

1.3.4

Level 3

Designing Buildings Wiki, 2016 explained that the maturity of BIM model in level 3 is about the
collaborative of construction scheduling (4D), cost management (5D and project lifecycle information
(6D) or is known as iBIM (Integrated BIM).

1.3.4.1

6 Dimension (6D)

6D is mostly related to sustainability. The model of 6D contains of Conceptual Energy Analysis, Detailed
Energy Analysis , Sustainable Element Tracking and LEED Tracking. Data capture is one of the function
of 6D. Sensors of the modeling provide feedback and data record when building is under operation.
Hence, energy efficiency of the building can be evaluated and cost efficiency of the building material can

be calculated. After that, the owners can upgrade the facilities according to the data related to cost
effectiveness generated in 6D model (Bimtalk.co.uk, 2016).

1.3.4.2

7 Dimension (7D)

7D is the facility management application. The model includes Life Cycle BIM Strategies, BIM as Built,
BIM embedded O&M Manuals, Cobie data population, BIM Maintenance Plan and BIM file Hosting.
During the construction phrase, the designer will update the detail of the project ended with eh as built
model upon completion. The as built model consists of specifications,, operations and maintenance
manuals and warranty information which is useful in conducting maintenance (Bimtalk.co.uk, 2016).

Figure: Type of modeling in different dimension. Source: (Bimtalk.co.uk, 2016)

Dimensi
on
1D
2D
3D
4D
5D
6D
7D

Characteristics
A point with space in one direction
Points in space in 2 directions (A line or series of lines drawn)
An object holds 3 directions. (Width, Length and height)
Time of that object moving through space (phrasing and
sequencing)
Aspect of cost to a project (cost estimating, specifications, and
energy analysis)
Aspect of life cycle management for the building owners or facility
managers

Figure: Characteristic of different dimension in BIM. Source: (Autodesk, 2016)

Dimension

Software

Functions

Footnot

1 Dimension (1D)

Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD)

- create, modify, analyse the design

(Wikipe

2 Dimension (2D)

ARCHICAD 18

-plant, people and vehicle can be 2D elements

and visualisation of the project.

(Graphs

Allplan Engineering

-From the conventional 2D method through to

the BIM-based intelligent building model: As
a comprehensive CAD program, Allplan
Engineering supports efficient general
arrangement and reinforcement design in all
phases of planning.

(Allplan

MicroStation PowerDraft

-able to generate two dimensional detailing

and drafting

(Bentley
2016)

Rhinoceros BIM Structure

-used by architects, designers and engineers to

conceptualize, refine, analyze and release
structural design models built within the 3D
Rhinoceros workspace.

(RhinoB

Maxon and the Real Time Renderer

-developed under Allplan Architecture,

provide photorealistic visualization of 3D
looks

(Allplan

Bentleys SITEOPS

-ground-breaking 3D civil/site design software

(SITEO

Project Wise

-Share project information with secure

information mobility in 3D among the project
participants

(Bentley

Micro station

-produce detailed drawings and

documentation, renderings and animations in
3D

(Bentley

3 Dimension (3D)

Software of BIM
Dimension
4 Dimension (4D)

Software
Innovaya Visual 4D Simulation
Vico 4D Manager
SYNCRO Pro

5 Dimension (5D)

Vico Cost Explorer

Glodon Tender Series

Application Programming Interface
(API)
ODBC connection

Dimension
6 Dimension (6D)

Software
Optram Enterprise

SUPERLOAD Bridge Analysis

Hevacomp Dynamic Simulation

Functions
-4D planning and constructability analysis tool
supporting MS Project and Primavera
-used for communicating and analyzing the
schedule that was designed with Vico Office
Schedule Planner
- provide real time visualization to give you
insight and control over your projects at every
stage
- budgeting application that allows the
extended project team to visually understand
which aspects of the project are contributing to
changes in cost
-an cost estimating tool
- direct link between the costing system and
Revit, provide cost information to estimators
-estimating programs such as CostX or
ITALSOFT, integrating data-centric
applications like specification
management and cost estimating with building
information modeling

Footnote
(Innovay

Functions

Footnote
(Bentley,

-automation tools for load, store, position,

check, test and automate measurement vehicle
data
- provide real-time route validation based on
the size/weight of the permit vehicle and the
constraints and conditions of specified routes
-design accurate building simulations while
staying compliant with United Kingdom
building regulations

(Vicosoft

(Synchro

(Vicosoft

(Glodon,
(Autodes

(Autodes

(Bentley,

(Bentley,

Trimble 4D Lite

7 Dimension (7D)

EcoDomus

Onuma

-designed for surveyors, engineers and

scientists to perform campaign monitoring of
data/time series without the need to integrate
directly with onsite hardware and sensors
- provide whole lifecycle building information
from design, construction to operation and
maintenance stage
-an ecosystem tools, allows programming,
rapid design, design and construction, and
visualize facility data

(T4dlite,

(Ecodom

(ONUMA