BIM and 5D Planning Lecture Summary 2020 – 2021
BIM and 5D Planning
Summary of the Lectures of BIM and 5D Planning
Lecture 1: Introduction
The Building Information Model (BIM) can be defined as: BIM is an intelligent model-based process
that connects architects, engineers and contractors that are immersed in the construction industry so
that they can more efficiently design, build, and operate buildings and infrastructure. BIM allows them
to collaborate on coordinated models, given everyone better insight into how their work fits into the
overall project.
Can LEGO stop construction mokusatsu? (mokusatsu = pass in silence, ignore a comment)
There is often miscommunication in construction
project also conflicting issues are quite common.
The Building Information Model (BIM) gives a
central model where different parties can work
together, to prevent miscommunication and
misinterpretations. There are no multiple
drawings or multiple interpretations needed. An
example of a BIM software is Revit, there are pre-
defined objects in a central model.
Common communication takes
Common communication BIM communication
place between the different key
players such as the manager,
architect, engineer, worker, and
client. In the BIM communication
process, a BIM-model is the centre
of communication.
The two main topics:
1. Using the technical platform
(Revit for example)
2. Social aspect of transition (how
to communicate)
Tools and technology are necessary for BIM centred design, but we also need to address the soft
issues of agreements and communication.
Lecture 2: Object-oriented Design and BIM
Over the wall syndrome: ineffective communication between the design team and stakeholders.
Different perspectives lead to different interpretations.
Data representation and design semantics: different stakeholders have different languages, and it is
difficult to convey details. Different terms for the same object is called semantics.
Page 1 of 21
,BIM and 5D Planning Lecture Summary 2020 – 2021
Coordination and change order: managing change order is difficult with the current tools and
workflow.
Interoperability means when you generate a representation of data and pass it to the other, and the
template is not compositable for the other stakeholder. The use of different platforms causes a huge
amount of rework.
The current construction project lifecycle is extensive, the following steps are taken:
1. Feasibility planning
2. Detailed planning
3. Detailed design
4. Estimating and bidding
5. Planning and scheduling
6. Execute construction
7. As-built / sign off
8. Operate and maintenance
Complex problem
Design related: Process related (project lifecycle communication):
- Cumbersome design - Interoperability
- Change orders - Complex communication
- Poor visualisation - Standardisation
The following may happen as a result of the current practice:
1. Misinterpretation of design
2. Design / construction errors
3. Information loss
4. Rework
5. Cost overruns
6. Delay
7. Claims and litigations
8. Cost uncertainties
What is information?
Data is factual but isolated. Information is an interpretation
of data (contextualized). Knowledge is a mental concept and
is formed when information is internalized and validated by
a person/organization
Data is a rather meaningless set of numbers or text
expressed in terms of integers, reals or strings. (e.g. 2 433 or
“cold”).
Information is the contextualized data, for example, the
table length is 2 433 m, and the weather outside is cold.
Knowledge is formed when the information is internalized and validated by a person/organization.
Two main types of information:
- Syntactic information: description of relations between signs (concerned with rules,
regulations and specifications). For example, a tree has leaves and branches.
Page 2 of 21
, BIM and 5D Planning Lecture Summary 2020 – 2021
- Semantic information: description of the meaning of the sign (concerned with the meanings).
For example, a tree is a tall plant.
What is communication?
Person A wants to communicate an object to person B:
- Person A forms a concept based on the object
- Person A finds the symbol to reflect the concept
- Person A realises a symbol
- Person B forms a concept based on the symbol
- Person B relates the concept to an object
The interpretation is an individual process, this is for
every person different. We know how to create
standards. We can more or less, communicate through
interpretation But, how can we make computers
interpret symbols? Conceptualism did by computers.
A model is a representation of reality based on a set of available information. It is used to capture,
analyse, and predict the behaviour and characteristics of a real system. A model needs to be possible
and efficient.
Semantic modelling is defined as the formal process of defining the “meaning” of various concepts
and objects to make the communication about those concepts/objects unambiguous and clear not
only for human-to-human communication but also for human-to-computer and computer-to-
computer communications.
We use information models to streamline data exchange, enable computer interpretations, and make
human-computer interactions possible.
Information modelling is the representation of the real world in terms of the concepts, relationships,
constraints, and operations.
Product modelling is when the output of the information system we are modelling is about a product.
Parametric modelling is defining a geometric shape in terms of complex mathematical equations that
can generate a given geometry based on a series of parameters (e.g. height, width, thickness, etc.). A
geometric shape can be also defined by a set of relations/constraints (e.g. attached to, parallel to,
offset from, etc.). Advantages are faster modelling of complex geometry, faster design adjustments,
and compliance checking.
Graphical representation vs. Parametric model CAD vs. Parametric modelling
Page 3 of 21
BIM and 5D Planning
Summary of the Lectures of BIM and 5D Planning
Lecture 1: Introduction
The Building Information Model (BIM) can be defined as: BIM is an intelligent model-based process
that connects architects, engineers and contractors that are immersed in the construction industry so
that they can more efficiently design, build, and operate buildings and infrastructure. BIM allows them
to collaborate on coordinated models, given everyone better insight into how their work fits into the
overall project.
Can LEGO stop construction mokusatsu? (mokusatsu = pass in silence, ignore a comment)
There is often miscommunication in construction
project also conflicting issues are quite common.
The Building Information Model (BIM) gives a
central model where different parties can work
together, to prevent miscommunication and
misinterpretations. There are no multiple
drawings or multiple interpretations needed. An
example of a BIM software is Revit, there are pre-
defined objects in a central model.
Common communication takes
Common communication BIM communication
place between the different key
players such as the manager,
architect, engineer, worker, and
client. In the BIM communication
process, a BIM-model is the centre
of communication.
The two main topics:
1. Using the technical platform
(Revit for example)
2. Social aspect of transition (how
to communicate)
Tools and technology are necessary for BIM centred design, but we also need to address the soft
issues of agreements and communication.
Lecture 2: Object-oriented Design and BIM
Over the wall syndrome: ineffective communication between the design team and stakeholders.
Different perspectives lead to different interpretations.
Data representation and design semantics: different stakeholders have different languages, and it is
difficult to convey details. Different terms for the same object is called semantics.
Page 1 of 21
,BIM and 5D Planning Lecture Summary 2020 – 2021
Coordination and change order: managing change order is difficult with the current tools and
workflow.
Interoperability means when you generate a representation of data and pass it to the other, and the
template is not compositable for the other stakeholder. The use of different platforms causes a huge
amount of rework.
The current construction project lifecycle is extensive, the following steps are taken:
1. Feasibility planning
2. Detailed planning
3. Detailed design
4. Estimating and bidding
5. Planning and scheduling
6. Execute construction
7. As-built / sign off
8. Operate and maintenance
Complex problem
Design related: Process related (project lifecycle communication):
- Cumbersome design - Interoperability
- Change orders - Complex communication
- Poor visualisation - Standardisation
The following may happen as a result of the current practice:
1. Misinterpretation of design
2. Design / construction errors
3. Information loss
4. Rework
5. Cost overruns
6. Delay
7. Claims and litigations
8. Cost uncertainties
What is information?
Data is factual but isolated. Information is an interpretation
of data (contextualized). Knowledge is a mental concept and
is formed when information is internalized and validated by
a person/organization
Data is a rather meaningless set of numbers or text
expressed in terms of integers, reals or strings. (e.g. 2 433 or
“cold”).
Information is the contextualized data, for example, the
table length is 2 433 m, and the weather outside is cold.
Knowledge is formed when the information is internalized and validated by a person/organization.
Two main types of information:
- Syntactic information: description of relations between signs (concerned with rules,
regulations and specifications). For example, a tree has leaves and branches.
Page 2 of 21
, BIM and 5D Planning Lecture Summary 2020 – 2021
- Semantic information: description of the meaning of the sign (concerned with the meanings).
For example, a tree is a tall plant.
What is communication?
Person A wants to communicate an object to person B:
- Person A forms a concept based on the object
- Person A finds the symbol to reflect the concept
- Person A realises a symbol
- Person B forms a concept based on the symbol
- Person B relates the concept to an object
The interpretation is an individual process, this is for
every person different. We know how to create
standards. We can more or less, communicate through
interpretation But, how can we make computers
interpret symbols? Conceptualism did by computers.
A model is a representation of reality based on a set of available information. It is used to capture,
analyse, and predict the behaviour and characteristics of a real system. A model needs to be possible
and efficient.
Semantic modelling is defined as the formal process of defining the “meaning” of various concepts
and objects to make the communication about those concepts/objects unambiguous and clear not
only for human-to-human communication but also for human-to-computer and computer-to-
computer communications.
We use information models to streamline data exchange, enable computer interpretations, and make
human-computer interactions possible.
Information modelling is the representation of the real world in terms of the concepts, relationships,
constraints, and operations.
Product modelling is when the output of the information system we are modelling is about a product.
Parametric modelling is defining a geometric shape in terms of complex mathematical equations that
can generate a given geometry based on a series of parameters (e.g. height, width, thickness, etc.). A
geometric shape can be also defined by a set of relations/constraints (e.g. attached to, parallel to,
offset from, etc.). Advantages are faster modelling of complex geometry, faster design adjustments,
and compliance checking.
Graphical representation vs. Parametric model CAD vs. Parametric modelling
Page 3 of 21
