In 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Global Benchmark Program released its Building Information Modeling for Infrastructure (BIM) study, highlighting how six “BIM-mature” nations used access to shared, precise data and analysis to enhance the delivery of their transportation projects from start to finish.
While every project these countries undertook was unique, the BIM study found a number of best practices that organizations can apply to their capital projects throughout their lifecycle. From planning to maintenance, these best practices were found to improve collaboration, efficiency and risk mitigation and enhance design efficiency and cost savings.
Each of these benefits was rooted in the BIM’s use of a common data environment, which provided a single source of data for all stakeholders and workstreams, enabling efficient data management, more precise data-driven decision-making and real-time insights.
Here’s how your organization can integrate the use of BIM for your capital projects at each phase of your effort, no matter its size or scope.
From initial planning through design, construction and maintenance, BIM provides capital project teams with a comprehensive approach to managing and executing their projects effectively and efficiently.
With its ability to integrate and represent multiple data sources, BIM provides a shared digital representation of a planned asset, facilitating detailed analysis, visualization and early-stage issue identification.
In particular, teams can:
BIM’s biggest strength during a capital project’s design phase is its ability to facilitate the identification of design clashes during the mock-up phase, helping to eliminate costly delays and make real-time changes.
In addition to clash detection, BIM can be used for:
As projects move into the construction phase, BIM continues to be a powerful resource. For example, BIM can be used to facilitate comprehensive construction planning and safety reviews, ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and prepared for the construction phase.
For example, BIM can provide a platform to measure progress or quantities for payment, track construction progress and manage the construction site efficiently with input from all of the various elements. As a result, projects can benefit from more visibility, coordination and risk mitigation.
All of the data collected throughout the lifetime of a project can then be used to inform the asset management phase. In particular, incorporating BIM during asset management can assist with creating detailed as-built models of assets, encompassing not only the physical structures and pavements but also supporting elements such as drainage, hydraulics, culverts, road geometry and even signage and striping.
BIM also provides a platform from which to capture the precise physical conditions and environmental aspects of the facility through advanced record modeling before transitioning this as-built model into asset management systems for the operations stage. Once done, asset management teams can use the data to aid in maintenance, safety checks and decision-making for future repairs, leveraging essential data from both the design and construction stages.
BIM can be a versatile tool for capital project teams to use across the lifecycle of a program, but not every application will be the same.
This is why it is important for teams to understand where and how BIM can assist with a capital project, evaluating the nature of a project and stakeholder goals to identify the right applications. To help guide this process, the BIM Project Execution Planning Guide Version 2.2, published by the Computer Integrated Construction Research Program at Pennsylvania State University, recommends drawing up a BIM project execution plan at the outset.
Using resources like these can help to ensure that each project maximizes BIM's capabilities effectively and is tailored to its specific needs.