As AEC professionals, we have consistently encountered data loss challenges during different stages of construction. However, after years of diligent research, the industry has resolved these issues, achieving efficient and sustainable design and construction processes.
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The fusion of BIM and GIS facilitates the creation of accurate virtual models and lends a geospatial context to infrastructure design. It ensures organized workflows, improved collaboration, and informed decision-making.
Everyone likes numbers, and so do we in the AEC industry.
In 2022, a survey found that 65% of professionals in the construction industry see BIM-GIS integration as a crucial element for sustainable infrastructure projects. Moreover, research concludes that employing BIM and GIS integration could reduce costs by up to 20% for infrastructural projects.
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Understanding BIM and GIS Integration: Operational Workflows
The integration of GIS and BIM is now becoming a new trend in the AEC industry. GIS improves BIM’s advantages, such as advanced geometric and semantic information. It facilitates the creation of geospatial models and decision-making processes based on geo-visualization.
The importance of BIM-GIS integration is also linked to its role in enabling the creation of advanced infrastructure projects like smart cities. It covers various tasks such as conducting quantitative analysis, urban management, integrating data, and employing various technologies.
BIM and GIS: Core Concepts
In the architecture engineering and construction industry, we frequently use the term BIM, which stands for Building Information Modeling. It refers to creating a 3D digital model of a building and its components. It also includes data related to the physical and functional aspects in line with the building information modeling Bim project’s requirements.
BIM tools such as Revit, Navisworks, Revitzo, BIM 360, etc., are used to construct a building model. These tools help us identify and resolve multidisciplinary clashes by coordinating each element and system in the building. Further, BIM services are useful for modeling, clash detection, BIM coordination, construction simulation, cost calculation, facility management, maintenance, and operations.
The Geographic Information System, or GIS, is a computerized framework for storing, analyzing, and visualizing geographic data. It works by combining data associated with a specific location and integrating it with a map, including location data and descriptive information.
GIS generates important data considering geography, social economy, demography, and other factors. It collects map data to manage and analyze spatial information. It helps users understand various characteristics, spatial connections, and geographical circumstances, which helps in smarter decision-making.
How it works
Integrating BIM with GIS works by merging detailed architectural and geographical data to produce detailed project models. It encompasses the small-scale specifics provided by BIM, such as a building’s materials, orientation, precise location, and the larger geographical context provided by GIS data, such as potential environmental risks (such as flood-prone areas), utility connections, and road network links.
These detailed architectural and larger territorial aspects allow professionals to plan, design, and manage infrastructure projects. These projects range from individual buildings to regional infrastructures like roads, airports, and bridges.
The initial step involves preparing BIM and GIS data, which is integrated into a single comprehensive system after being meticulously cleaned, standardized, and formatted. Various methods such as point to point, middleware, or cloud-based techniques accomplish this integration. It results in a data bank that can be analyzed to provide crucial insight into the project.
This data bank can be stored, accessed, and managed in the cloud. This cloud storage eliminates the need for repetitive data conversion and promotes data reuse in varying contexts.
Benefits of BIM-GIS integration in infrastructure design projects.
It has introduced multiple benefits to the AEC industry. It helps in space utilization by incorporating a variety of BIM modeling layers into the geospatial aspect. In this way, designers can benefit from location details facilitated by GIS data. It can influence project form, construction techniques, and building materials.
Some of the key benefits are given below:
Long-Term Savings and Sustainability
The combined use of BIM and GIS enables efficient asset management, facilitating real time tracking of asset location and condition, optimizing maintenance, and reducing costs. It provides invaluable information for assessing environmental impacts and complying with environmental regulations. These steps help to promote sustainable urban development.
This integration also offers a unique spatial context to the construction process. It allows improved logistical scheduling and material waste reduction. Whether contractors opt for on-site construction or factory-level prefabrication, integrating BIM and GIS adds a spatial context to the process.
Last but not least, the future improvements in software interoperability will enable the creation of a digital twin project. This twin project will allow designs to align better with real world context and lead to a successful, efficient project life cycle.
Eliminate errors and boost accuracy!
Employing BIM-GIS technology boosts accuracy in planning, design, and construction. It also improves safety by showing critical data about potential site suitability issues and hazards before the work begins. The shared data among stakeholders ensures everyone is updated and alert. It prevents the progression of any hazardous situation.
Quality Management
phase to the construction of the project. It stimulates collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, including architects, engineers, urban planners, and GIS specialists.
Bridging the Data Gap between BIM and GIS
The integration between BIM and GIS enables smooth data exchange, which takes place across four steps: design, build, manage, and plan. Here, BIM primarily manages the design and build stages, using geospatial data for construction.
For instance, in the case of autonomous vehicles, the integration of BIM and GIS allows for a highly accurate machine map enriched with real world geospatial data collected in real time. It facilitates seamless navigation and adapts to changes such as lane closures.
Conclusion
In conclusion, GIS-BIM integration is no less than a technological reform in the planning and construction of infrastructure projects. It makes decision-making, accuracy, and safety better through a detailed and unified design module. For AEC professionals like us, this innovative integration has greatly simplified infrastructure project management.
FAQs
Is BIM part of GIS?
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