Building Information Modelling (BIM)


A BIM model is a highly detailed 3D virtual model of a facility, with information and data embedded in a way that allows for intelligent design, construction and operations over the facility life cycle.

This specialisation will introduce students to Building Information Modelling (BIM), a model-based project delivery process facilitated by technology, which brings together multiple built environments disciplines.

Using BIM requires collaboration across multiple built environments disciplines, with each discipline contributing differently to create a shared digital model with integrated information that covers the life cycle of a facility. BIM can be used on many different scales, from a 3D model of an individual building through to a scale virtual model of an entire city.

Knowledge of BIM is becoming increasingly valuable to built environments industries, and students who complete the BIM specialisation will have the skills to seek employment in BIM-related areas, or to explore BIM further in their Masters degree.

Students wanting to undertake a Specialisation in Building Information Modelling should complete both of the following subjects:

CONS30001 Building Information Modelling

Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its associated technologies and processes can integrate the project team and facilitate high-quality work. This subject will present BIM as tool for creating and managing building project information during design, construction and operation phase using three-dimensional, real time, dynamic building modelling software. The subject will focus on 3D BIM representation of a simple building using Autodesk Revit Software or Archicad.  It will introduce students to 5D BIM quantity extraction with CostX software, model coordination/clash detection with Solibri software and construction sequencing and simulation with Synchro.

CONS30002 Building Information Management

This subject builds on the previous subject of the Specialisation: Basics of Building Information Modelling.

Students will be introduced to typical workflows of applying BIM on projects by multidisciplinary teams. Topics include :

  • Analysis of process
  • BIM Execution Planning
  • Collaborative model-sharing
  • BIM guidelines, standards and policies
  • Interoperability and ‘Open BIM’
  • BIM’s impact on project procurement (contract and delivery)
  • BIM across the supply chain

Over the duration of the semester, students will be introduced to typical workflows of applying BIM on projects by multidisciplinary teams. As part of this analysis of process, the concept of BIM Execution Planning and collaborative model-sharing will get explained.

Students will learn about guidelines, standards and policies that help regulate information-flow on BIM projects and they will explore how these apply in practice. As part of this topic, students will learn about the concepts behind software interoperability and information-sharing via ‘Open BIM’.

The subject will outline BIM’s impact on project procurement, both in terms of its contractual implications, as well as considering project delivery mechanisms associated to BIM.

Under the ‘whole of life’ topic, students will learn to position BIM efforts by various contributors on projects across the entire supply chain, from clients, consultants, contractors, fabricators, and Facility/Asset Managers.

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