Intro
As an engineering company with many years of experience we follow the trends and changes in development of software for creating projects. Our task is to develop high-quality working documentation in due time. So having studied all differences between CAD and BIM, our company confidently changed over to BIM modeling.
Earlier, we have already described various aspects of BIM modeling. In this article we would like to review, more detailed, what CAD and BIM are and why we believe that the future is with BIM.
CAD: What is it?
CAD is a computer-aided design system. Namely, it is a software for creating drawings and projects. The CAD system includes such products as AutoCAD, Inventor, SolidWorks and many others.
Advantages of CAD
These programs are designed to develop various parts of a project as 2D or 3D drawings. Thus, to create engineering or architectural drawings of plans and sections of a building, design engineers use AutoCAD. To create individual units and parts of machines in 3D, we use such specialized programs as SolidWorks, Inventor and others.
Challenges in Using CAD: Unfavorable Aspects
The main disadvantages of working with CAD are associated with a high risk of inconsistency and discrepancies between plans and sections of individual parts of the project.
The project parts are developed separately by different specialists:
✔️ general layout;
✔️ architectural and civil part;
✔️ technological part;
✔️ utility lines and systems;
✔️ design documentation.
Each part of the project is carried out on a separate computer in separate files.
Due to the fact that people do not have a common overview, there is a risk of inconsistencies, collisions and discrepancies between plans and sections.
Therefore, the main disadvantage when working in AutoCaD is the high risk of mismatch between plans and sections on different drawings.
Besides that, the drawings created in CAD system contain information only about the geometry of buildings, utility lines and individual units.
BIM: What is it?
Information modeling of buildings, or BIM, means creation of a model that is linked to an information database. The so-called “Smart Model” contains information about all components of the facility, including geometry, materials, data about process systems and equipment installed.
Advantages of BIM
Information modeling is an invaluable tool, which contains a lot of benefits for designing both civil and industrial facilities.
M HEAVY TECHNOLOGY successfully applies all possibilities of BIM, going beyond the construction object model and creating comfortable working conditions both for the company staff and for the Customer.
Advantages of BIM for specialists of design companies
BIM provides an opportunity to work in the most suitable programs for specialists of design companies, who work in different departments and develop separate parts of the project. It is of a great importance for the time and quality of project implementation.
OPEN BIM concept makes it possible to link individual parts of a project into a common model with a database.
Thus, there is practically no risk of solution mismatches or data loss. It reduces necessary chances or errors which can occur due to a large number of design participants.
Additionally, OPEN BIM has the following advantages:
✔️ Project managers have full control and ability to track updates of all parts of the project.
✔️ Every design process participant has an opportunity to use actual data from related departments and take prompt decisions if changes are needed throughout the entire life cycle of the model.
✔️ Based on regularly updated information, project managers are able to organize and conduct effective meetings, correct work schedules, initiate project approval stages, and make decisions in proper time.
Advantages of BIM for Customers
BIM capabilities are not limited by the walls of design companies.
When working with a BIM model, the Customer also gets access to current data that are constantly updated. It makes possible to:
✔️ control the work process, follow and analyze the project progress;
✔️ timely provide comments and suggestions during the project implementation;
✔️ organize and hold effective meetings with both project participants and local services, including contractors, for various types of work;
✔️ have steady access to up-to-date drawings of all parts of the project, including equipment and material specifications;
✔️ use BIM throughout the entire life cycle of the facility. It opens wide possibilities for effective production analysis and eventual modernization.
Advantages of BIM for the project implementation.
✔️ Using BIM capabilities makes it possible to perform a thorough cost analysis of the entire project and find the most cost-effective solutions.
✔️ Working with a BIM model enables construction managers to analyze the project and make changes long before construction works start on the site.
✔️ BIM improves data accuracy and consistency at all project stages. It helps minimize errors and reduce the time for correcting mismatches.
✔️ Ultimately, the use of BIM significantly reduces the project implementation time, decreases the number of inconsistencies both in design documentation and on the construction site, which subsequently reduces capital construction сosts.
Limitations Associated with BIM
Despite wide possibilities of BIM technologies, there are some limitations that have an impact on the project implementation.
One of the key problems at the early stages of using BIM is the complexity of integrating data from different sources, that can cause difficulties in work coordination among different project participants. Besides, the cost of implementation and training of employees is quite high, and the need for regular software updates becomes an obstacle for many companies.
Main differences: Comparison of CAD and BIM
| CAD (Computer-Aided Design) | BIM (Building Information Modeling) |
| CAD design is based on 2D or 3D drawings, which are a set of individual elements (lines, planes). CAD tools are more focused on creating graphic drawings. | BIM is a more generic process that creates not just drawings but information models. These models contain not only geometric data but also attribute data about elements, such as materials, cost, technical characteristics and operational parameters. |
| CAD drawings can display geometric information, but they do not provide information about physical properties of the objects. Each part is modeled separately, and information about element interactions is limited. | BIM models real objects with associated metadata. For example, if it is a wall, the model contains information about the material, thickness, thermal conductivity and other properties. BIM helps to automatically update data in case of changes in the model. |
| Absence of direct relation between drawings from different disciplines (architecture, engineering, structures) can lead to data inconsistencies and errors that have to be corrected manually. | BIM provides a single information space for all project participants (architects, engineers, builders, etc.). This simplifies coordination and helps avoid errors at design stages, since all changes are visible in real time for all participants. |
| CAD is mainly used at the stage of design and preparation of drawings. Designing a facility and its operation require additional tools and data. | BIM covers the entire life cycle of a building – from design and construction to operation and subsequent dismantling. BIM can be used for operation planning, monitoring the condition of the facility. |
| In CAD systems, automation is limited to creation of drawings and 3D models. Analytical calculations (for example, for loads or energy efficiency) require additional programs. | BIM platforms allow for analysis at different stages of design, for instance, performing calculations of energy efficiency, equipment loads, selection of pipeline diameters depending on the transported medium and automatic creation of specifications and estimates based on the model. |
Assistance in CAD and BIM Designing
M HEAVY TECHNOLOGY Assistance For CAD and BIM Projects
The plant was put into operation in the 80s of the last century. Some equipment is in a rather worn-out condition and requires replacement and modernization.
The main equipment of the furnace shop is unchanged and has not been replaced since construction, but over the pastime a significant number of repairs, replacement of auxiliary equipment and transfers have been carried out. These changes were not always archived by the enterprise.
In order to update the existing location of equipment and communications, it was decided to create a 3D model of the shop. This model provides an understanding of the current configuration of the building, dimensions and placement of equipment, building structures and process pipelines.
The process of creating a 3D model was divided into several stages:
- Collection of existing shop drawings.
- Based on the collected data, a work order was developed to perform 3D scanning with determination of scanning points number and location.
- Laser scanning was carried out by means of modern, sophisticated equipment.
- The scanning results were processed to obtain a final point cloud, reflecting the actual location of the equipment, building structures and utility lines.
- Based on the obtained point cloud and equipment data collected, 3D models of the main and auxiliary equipment were created.
- Placement of the equipment was performed with consideration of its actual location in the shop, based on the scanning data.
- Modeling of process pipelines, ventilation and other systems was performed.
- Modeling of building structures was carried out.
The final 3D model is planned to be used:
- for modernization and revamping projects;
- during repairs.
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Conclusion (Summary)
Despite high cost and complexity of the software, M HEAVY TECHNOLOGY has completely gone over to work with BIM models and considers it to be an integral attribute of the company.
