So what on earth do people mean when they say “4D BIM”?
Well it’s a process that can add a lot of a value to design and construction saving
both time and money. But before we look at what it is in more detail – and for those
of you right at the beginning – it’s important to understand what building information modeling
(BIM) itself actually is. Here’s a quick refresh:
BIM is the process of creating information models or data sets formed of graphical and
non-graphical information in a shared digital space known as a common data environment (CDE).
The information builds in richness as the project stages progress until that complete
data set is handed over to the Client at completion.
As you create an information model, you can add scheduling data to different components,
generating accurate programme information and enabling step-by-step visuals of your
project’s development. It is this is process that is known as 4D BIM.
Linking in cost data in order to support cost planning and generate estimates is known as
5D BIM, whilst the inclusion of information to support facilities management and operation
is called 6D BIM. You can learn more about both of these areas in our related videos
on The B1M channel.
4D BIM involves time-related information being associated to different components of an information
model. For a specific element or work area, that could include details on its lead-time,
construction and installation period, curing and drying allowances, sequencing or its interdependencies
with other areas.
With this data included, Planners can quickly develop accurate programmes for projects,
based on one reliable source of federated information.
The specific activities and items within those programmes can be clearly linked to their
graphical representations.
The inclusion of time-related attribute data also enables 3D visuals of a project’s development
to be created, showing how it will be constructed and how both the structure and site surrounding
it will appear at each stage. This is hugely beneficial in terms of planning work in a
safe and logical way that maximises efficiency on site.
With programme and visual information like this to hand, project teams can effectively
prototype assets in a virtual environment first and provide rapid feedback on design
or methodology changes to their colleagues.
Such an approach helps to negate last minute on-site design co-ordination and rework, ultimately
eliminating waste from the delivery process and speeding it up. This is key as construction
sites are expensive to run and represent a significant proportion of the total cost on
many projects.
The efficiency generated can streamline the cost base for project teams and increase their
capacity, whilst reducing overall delivery costs for Clients.
4D BIM is also a powerful tool for communicating the impact of built assets with local Stakeholders,
both during delivery and once completed. Everyone can see and comprehend a clear impression
of how the asset will appear, rather than having to envisage that from plans or Gantt
charts.
You can work with 4D at any stage of a project, and indeed it can add a lot of value and influence
at the front end when assessing the feasibility of schemes. It’s also really useful during
tendering if you want to get a very quick handle on a project or demonstrate and build
confidence around your methodology as part of the selection process.
Clearly, the information you’ll gain from the process will be quite high-level in the
early stages, and will build in detail as the project progresses.
One important point to note is that “4D BIM” refers to a particular way of linking
data to an information model; an additional ‘dimension’ of data.
It is quite different to the BIM maturity levels that run from 0 to 3 (and beyond) describing
the supply chain’s ability to exchange information in a digital way. 4D, 5D and 6D considerations
can all occur within BIM Level 2. If you’re working with 4D BIM, it would be wrong to
say that you’re working at “BIM Level 4”.
Now if you’re watching this as a Planner then it’s only natural that you might feel
slightly daunted by a new way of working or perhaps feel that it can replace you in some
way.
But that really isn’t the case. 4D BIM actually brings Planners in closer to the heart of
the project team. Rather than creating programmes that require several iterations as proposals
develop, Planners play a greater role in shaping those proposals in the first place.
By providing fast and accurate feedback on timescales and methodologies to their team,
they effectively add more value and become more respected by their peers.
The best advice we can give is to get stuck in and have a go at 4D BIM on a pilot project.
Learn as much as you can from the experience and steadily build your capabilities from
there.
Have a go and let us know how you get on in the comments below.