Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Sustainable Building Construction

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Building information modelling (BIM) allows engineers, architects and construction professionals to design, simulate and analyze the performance of the buildings before starting the construction process. Designers can optimize the energy efficiency of the buildings, reduce the waste materials and lower the overall costs thus adding benefits to make sustainable building designs.

BIM effectiveness in making sustainable designs of buildings

Energy efficiency optimization

BIM has the ability to optimize the energy efficiency of the buildings.

The architects and engineers are allowed to simulate the energy performance of the buildings and also identify those areas in which energy consumption can be minimized. This helps to make informed decisions about the use of materials and technologies for improving the energy performance of the buildings.

Waste reduction

The waste during the construction process can also be reduced by BIM software. The optimization of the used materials can be done with BIM which helps to reduce the waste amounts during the construction procedure. BIM also allows the designers to identify the conflicts at the construction site and ensure the correct delivery of the materials at the construction site. Thus, BIM helps to reduce waste and improve efficiency by making sustainable building designs.

Cost reduction

The construction cost of the building has been also reduced by using BIM software. The potential conflicts in the design process can be detected early by using BIM software which helps to reduce the costly reworks during the construction process. Thus, this helps to ensure that the entire process of construction should be done within a fixed budget and time.

Safety enhancement

BIM allows the designers to simulate the entire construction process and create a detailed construction plan, identifying hazards and addressing those hazards before beginning the construction process.

Improved collaboration

This collaborative tool helps to allow the designers, architects and construction professionals to work together, and share real-time information. Thus, the risk of misunderstanding or errors has been reduced which helps to get sustainable building designs.

Green Building Certification

The certification process for the green building standard including LEED and BREEAM has been supported by BIM. The essential documentation which is required to support the certification requirements has been provided by BIM software. Thus, designers ensure that the higher standard of building sustainability has been met.

Improved building performance

BIM helps to improve the performance of the buildings throughout its lifecycle. This can be done by identifying the overall improvement areas. The building performance can be predicted by BIM under different scenarios including changing weather conditions.

Modular construction

The opportunities for modularization have been identified by BIM software. This optimization of the modular components of the buildings with the help of BIM helps to ensure that those components are fit for the construction process.

Elements required for green building

Nature centric design

Greenery is used in the interior of the green buildings which helps to create pleasant microclimates within those buildings. This greenery helps to reduce the CO2 levels in the buildings as well as ensures fresh air inside the buildings.

Use of local materials

In green buildings, reused materials are used. In addition, those materials which directly impact the environment are reduced in green constructions.

Management of water

The rainwater harvesting and the water treatment system are the important features of green buildings. These systems help in the appropriate recycling of the water for the purpose of reuse.

Smart designs for facade

Green buildings have facades which help to control the impact of the outer environment. This type of smart facade design helps to provide a huge impact on the energy used by the buildings.

Energy efficiency

The installation of green-rated appliances in green buildings helps to reduce the overall HVAC and electrical energy thus taking less energy and load. Renewable sources of energy like solar plants are also used in green buildings.

BIM and green building

BIM helps to integrate various environmental factors in 3D models which helps to influence the decision-making process towards the construction of green buildings. Usually, 4 aspects are used in BIM to make green buildings which include:

Water

BIM helps to optimize the designs in drainage and water supply as well as supporting the inefficient use of water.

Land

The progression of the construction procedure as well as the site procedure has been regulated and simulated by BIM.

Energy

The energy consumption within the building has been controlled by BIM. in addition, BIM also helps to analyze the energy deficits.

Material

BIM is also useful in checking the material consumption and usage at all stages of the building construction project.

To get online demonstration, watch the following video tutorial.

Video Source: Islam Mashaly

Advantages of using BIM in green construction or building structures

Improved collaboration with stakeholders

The maintenance of transparency at the design stage enables better collaboration with the stakeholders. This improved collaboration with stakeholders helps in the supply of the correct materials, products, and chemical information as well as helps to achieve environmentally friendly constructions.

Evaluating and calculating sustainable alternatives

A Decision Support system has been supported by BIM which helps to evaluate and calculate appropriate building components and sustainable design alternatives thus helping to achieve environmental-friendly green buildings.

Offering a cohesive project view

BIM helps to simulate various building components in the digital view along with environmental factors. This helps to better analyse the building project, maintaining transparency in the project as well as helping to make appropriate decisions regarding the designing of the green buildings.