Building Information Modelling 3D (BIM) Real Needs

The concept of building information modelling (BIM) has received universal acceptance from the building services, structural engineering and architectural fraternity mainly due to its need for lean construction and also its cross-disciplinary usability. 3D BIM modeling has existed for a number of years now and the industry is aggressively adapting itself to embrace the new work flows of the BIM process; however, there is still a lack of clarity amongst the owners (the clients) as to what exactly they can achieve from these models, what they need to achieve and how they can make optimum use of this concept.

This article seeks to explore some beliefs related to the use of BIM and sheds light on when it should be used and to what extent. For the sake of clarity, it is important to know the difference between non-BIM 3D CAD models and a parametric BIM models.

3D CAD models are virtual representations of a facility that provide only visual details. Applications such as AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP are used to create 3D CAD models that can be used for design, development, construction and pre-fabrication. On the other hand, BIM models are intelligent models embedded with parametric details that are extremely important for design, development, construction, pre-fabrication, assembly, analysing energy performance and facility management of the built environment. For BIM projects, the details can be effectively shared between different project stakeholders: facility owners, designers/architects, MEP (M&E) engineers, fabricators, consultants and contractors. Revit Architecture and Revit MEP are applications used for BIM modelling whilst Navisworks is employed to detect clashes between different system models. 

One of the most crucial aspects that helps decide whether BIM is actually required or not is gaining an in-depth understanding of the model's purpose. More often than not, there is so much difference between client's 'stated' needs and his/her 'real' needs. In a lot of cases, clients state that they require a BIM model but actually what they require is a smart clash-free 3D model which can be used to extract respective construction drawings. In such scenarios, AutoCAD MEP or AutoCAD Architecture could easily be used to provide a 3D model that meets this need. Alternatively, a BIM software tool could be used to provide a 3D model without providing additional elements such as data rich 'information'.

In other cases, a BIM model may actually be the basis to plan, design, construct, and manage a particular facility. These scenarios require multidisciplinary project stakeholders to access the BIM model at different stages in the project life cycle. As a result, the most important factor that dictates the success of any project employing BIM is the richness of 'information' embedded into the models.

 So, depending on the project's scope, a full-fledged BIM model may contain valuable information, such as dimensions of building elements, quantity take-off data, material requirements, time scheduling, costing, prefabrication data, activity simulation, and energy performance. Other important factors that contribute to success of BIM include the data-sharing and interoperability standards to allow smooth multidisciplinary collaboration between key disciplines.

Irrespective of whether the client actually requires BIM or non-BIM CAD model, the BIM wave that has spread across the AEC industry has forced the agenda to adopt a more progressive approach to planning, designing and coordinating models and drawings. 

The industry continues to transition from non-BIM 2D approaches to collaborative BIM work flows and 3D CAD work flows and even that is a huge shift for the industry. This change is more often than not influenced by the demand side i.e. the clients.

Keep Personal Information Private

Most important thing identity theft is on the rise and costing Americans and the U.S. economy billions of dollars each year. In light of this, most states have enacted tough new laws aimed to punish those who steal another person's private information and use it to commit fraud. These laws are also designed to help prevent identity theft from occurring in the first place. They address the ways and means that private businesses and government agencies alike are supposed to dispose of a person's private information that they handle or come in contact with in the course of doing business.

The laws differ from state to state, but they are all written with the same goals in mind - to help prevent identity theft, to punish those who commit this crime and to give victims more options in fighting this scourge of the modern information age.

How to Prevent Becoming a Victim of Identity Theft

When you stop to think about the kind and amount of information citizens typically entrust to their government's care, it can be mind-numbing. Not only social security numbers, but medical information and history, income, immigration status, education and work records - a virtual gold mine of information for a hungry and crafty identity thief. Government agencies are tasked with the safe and proper destruction and disposal of this information or they face stiff penalties for failing to comply.

In this war against an increasingly aggressive band of identity thieves, the role of a professional document shredder cannot be stressed enough. These companies make it their business to know the existing, and oftentimes, stringent federal regulations covering the proper and safe destruction of documents containing personal information. They can thus assure compliance with the law.

Moreover, by employing the highest level of security when shredding personal consumer information, they assure the general public that the information they share with the government is secure and out of the reach of identity thieves. This level of confidence goes a long way in restoring a wary public trust in their government, whether on the local or federal level; it gives taxpayers a sense that their tax dollars are being spent wisely and that their government is looking out for their best interest.

Victims of identity theft can spend thousands of dollars and countless hours getting their lives and affairs back in order. Professional document shredders not only safeguard a consumer's personal information, but also save them time and money by preventing them from becoming victims in the first place.