What is BIM?
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an intelligent 3D model-based process that gives architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure. It can also span into the operation and management of buildings using data that owners have access to. This data allows owners and stakeholders to make decisions based on pertinent information derived from the model— even after the building is constructed.
In the past, blueprints and drawings were used to express information about a particular building plan. This 2D approach made it very difficult to visualize dimensions and requirements. Next came CAD (Computer Aided Design), which helped drafters see the benefit of plans in a digital environment. Later on, CAD turned 3D, which brought more realistic visuals to blueprints. Now, BIM (Building Information Modeling) is the standard— but it’s more than just a 3D model, it is becoming the required method of design.
What is BIM used for?
BIM is used to design and document building and infrastructure designs. Every detail of a building is modeled in BIM. The model can be used for analysis to explore design options and to create visualizations that help stakeholders understand what the building will look like before it’s built. The model is then used to generate the design documentation for construction.
BIM not only allows design and construction teams to work more efficiently, but it allows them to capture the data they create during the process to benefit operations and maintenance activities. This is why BIM mandates are increasing across the globe.
How can BIM help you?
BIM brings together all of the information about every component of a building, in one place, which makes it possible for anyone to access that information for any purpose, e.g. to integrate different aspects of the design more effectively. In this way, the risk of mistakes or discrepancies is reduced, and abortive costs minimized.
Reduce risk
The need for shorter project timeframes due to financial constraints puts the entire project team under increasing pressure to deliver projects quickly. In order to meet these expectations and deliver on time and on budget, the project must go as smoothly as possible. Greater project coordination is essential to be able to deliver on these promises.
A further complication is the increasing ambitiousness of architectural designs. Advanced and highly precise working methods are crucial for an error-free design. As a result, BIM is continually evolving to cover every aspect of design and construction. Reinforced concrete, as one of the most widely used building materials in construction projects, is one such area where BIM is being used for successful delivery.
Implementing BIM in reinforced concrete structures
One of the biggest objections to implementing BIM in reinforced concrete design is the rebar detailing solution price, training and workflow changes. However, engineers often find that the time savings from modeling and automating the reinforced concrete detailing will soon repay these costs. Add in the error reduction that comes from an integrated team approach – both on site and during the design – and it’s an easy decision to make the switch to BIM.
Error-free planning and construction is demanded by clients and investors alike. Taking advantage of the latest developments in BIM and 3D modeling for your reinforced concrete detailing is a smart way to please your clients and remain competitive.
STRAKON – The BIM-CAD Software for Civil Engineering, Building Construction and Precast Construction for Structural Design
STRAKON is a 2D / 3D / BIM CAD system for structural design. The focus is on formwork and reinforcement planning. You can create 2D or 3D plans. You can edit the project in BIM or only in 3D or 2D. As changes during the phase of planning and construction are very common, a high degree of modification comfort is very important. Furthermore, cooperation with many project participants via fast electronic data transfer is absolutely essential. STRAKON allows you to communicate digitally with all project partners such as contractors, architects, structural engineers, MEP-planners, construction companies, etc. BIM in particular requires good interfaces in structural design, where formwork and reinforcement plans play a central role. Here IFC, CPIXML or 3D PDF offer a very good standard.
With STRAKON you are excellently positioned in the field of formwork and reinforcement planning for the future. The focus of planning with STRAKON is in the field of formwork and reinforcement planning in 2D, 3D and BIM. With STRAKON you can work on different specialist fields. A structural engineer will find that STRAKON ideally supports his point of view when it comes to Structural engineering, civil engineering, bridge construction, precast construction, semi construction and much more. But STRAKON can also be used for processes in the fields of architecture, steel construction, timber construction etc.
The rapidly growing number of STRAKON users shows that STRAKON is gaining more and more approval and becoming the standard system.
The CAD software STRAKON offers for structural designers:
- fast, modern and economical design of construction, formwork and reinforcement
- reinforcement planning with automatic bar representation, lists and files for data transfer
- associative reinforcement resulting in automated corrections
- automated plan generation from the 3D model
- associative 3D plans for quick changes and consistency in the project
- automatic sections and ground plan views (engineering view)
- automatic hatching of cut surfaces, view surfaces and rising parts
- breakthrough planning with project partners
- automatic breakthrough, opening and 3D object labeling in the plan
- the world’s best CAD system for concrete reinforcement
- BIM planning according to buildingSMART rules
- sophisticated IFC interface (2×3, 4.0) for integration into a BIM process chain
- automatic and individual evaluable data on 3D objects (material, position, volume, release, fire resistance classes, degree of reinforcement …)
- 3D planning with modern “STRAKON Cube” technology
- fast and understandable 3D modelling
- 2D planning fast and reliable
- various interfaces to project partners
- very high modification comfort
- beautiful professional 2D or 3D plans as a result
- automatic error checking in modelling and reinforcement planning
- 2D and 3D embedded parts
- multiple designers for one project at the same time
- world coordinates
- topographic models
- straight and spiral staircases and ramps
- roadways, gradients, clothoids, polynomials, splines
- buidling construction, construction engineering, civil engineering, industrial construction, bridge construction, tunnel construction, power plant construction, structural precast parts, semi precast parts
- steel construction in 2D with design and variants and 3D via STAHLBAU 3D – VirtualSteel
Read more about 3D reinforcement modeling here.
For more information about Strakon feel free to contact us.