Façade BIM ( Curtain Wall BIM Services )

Introduction to BIM

3D facade modeling offers various advantages during the design phase including time & cost savings. Creation of facade models facilitates reduction of a number of steps, improving design time, at the same time retaining minute details of the final architecture plan. Facade modeling allows architects to visualize the building in physical space and predict clashes.
Building Information Modeling is the process of creation of parametric, or intelligent, 3D models instead of 2D perspective ‘un-intelligent’ drawings. A BIM model operates on a digital database . Any change made to the BIM database is reflected throughout the entire set of drawings. Every party involved in the building lifecycle (architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and building owners) – will be able to sync together their corresponding database allowing them to view the model in different ways. This allows seamless sharing of information without any hiccups.
There are endless number of advantages for utilizing BIM in construction. Some of them are:

• Saves time
• Reduces information loss
• Easy accommodation of design revisions
• Saves project cost
• Risk sharing
• Peak load sharing
• Easy handing over from one party to next

BIM enables the virtual information model to be handed over from Design Team (architects, surveyors, consulting engineers, and others) to Contractor and Subcontractors and then to the Owner, each adding their own contribution in their discipline. Specific knowledge and tracking of changes are accommodated into the single model. This greatly results in the reduction of information loss that usually occurs when a new team takes "ownership" of the project as well as in delivering extensive information to owners of complex structures far beyond that which they are conventionally accustomed to having.
BIM enables the production construction documents that resemble those created by 2D CAD Drafting, but are which are much faster and contain precise information about structure, quantities, materials and other data that can be used in both phases— the construction and management of a building. Using BIM, designers may assess the building design in detail and locate human errors, if any.
BIM can greatly reduce errors made by design team members as well as by the construction team (Contractors and Subcontractors) by enabling the use of conflict detection where the computer actually informs team members about parts of the building that are in conflict or clashing, and through detailed computer visualization of each part in relation to the total building. This kind of error reduction allows for a great part of time & cost savings realized by all members of a project. It is important to realize that this reduction can only be accomplished if the models are sufficiently developed from the Design Development phase. The Industry Foundation Classes (IFC/ifcXML) are an open forum for Building Information Modeling (BIM) and are used to share and exchange BIM in a neutral format among various software applications. GBxml is an emerging schema, a subset of the Building Information Modeling efforts, focused on green technology and operation.

BIM in Façade

Utilization of BIM in Façade industry enables Facade Engineers to effectively manage the façade design and fabricators to manage the manufacturing process. This will result in the development of both functionally and aesthetically superior complex building envelopes that are crucial to contemporary buildings. From the perspective of a façade engineer, BIM creates room for a better and more effective communication of details and quantities of a building among the various parties involved including designers, construction workers, architects, etc.
The primary purpose of implementing a BIM model in facade systems is to solve design issues and conflicts between facade building components before the actual construction process. This will enable considerable saving of time and money in all stages of construction process. The core of Façade BIM process is the transition of an authoritative BIM model among the various parties involved from which a complete and accurate set of construction documents are extracted.
Implementation of BIM in Façade is envisaged in the following three phases.

Design Phase

The implementation of BIM in the façade design phase involves a detailed study of Building Information Modelling across the construction industry, and of design and manufacturing process in façade engineering. The purpose of this phase is to identify current barriers to the application of BIM in façade design and specify the requirements for an effective implementation.

Developing a prototype

The second phase involves the development of a prototype BIM for specific application to façade design in response to the issues faced. This will involve the BIM software as addons and a database of information that are to be captured and followed. The prototype model thus developed will be utilized to gather detailed feedback from various design professionals involved at that stage to inform the final design.

Application to a live façade project

In this phase the prototype is refined and fine tuned and then applied it to a section of a live project. This will serve as a detailed testing and observation of BIM application to a façade design.