SteelTech Engineering

BIM Based Construction Trade Coordination and Communication

BIM at Core:

At the heart of the BIM process is the 3D Building Information Model and this is created by advanced software tools. Unlike the simple lines and curves associated with traditional 2D CAD systems, BIM software technology introduces intelligence into the design. As well as being described by dimensions and locations, objects also have data attached relating to materials and compositions. In simple terms, in a Building Information Model, every object knows what it is, where it is, how big it is and what it is made of. Through aforementioned collaboration in the business process, the key elements of design, that is, Architectural, Structural and MEPF, (Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing/Fire protection), are integrated into a single Building Information Model enabling all design data to be assembled in one space rather than via the 100s or 1000s of drawings associated with the traditional process.

BIM Based Building Trade Coordination:

Building Information Modeling is becoming a standard methodology worldwide, with multidisciplinary and multinational teams involved in model-centric projects. This requires a higher level of working coordination between practices, clients and regulators. Model compatibility, standards compliance and code following has to be assured for the whole methodology, so a certain level of BIM coordination is required.

Projects are getting more complicated. Schedules are getting tighter. Labor is getting more expensive. BIM mitigates complication, improves team communication, deepens schedule discussions, and finds more errors. Are you using BIM for your coordination? Coordination is a “team sport”. Each of the participants is relying on the deliverables of others on the team. If one participant is late or underperforming, it can affect the quality of the coordination for the whole team. Using BIM for 3D coordination of MEPS systems provides significant value in quality and efficiency when a team functions well.
SteelTech is fully capable and experienced of organizing and running the Coordination phase of a construction project. SteelTech has real time experience of modeling and coordination efforts on dozens of multi-million sf. projects. SteelTech effectively uses tools like Solibri*, NavisWorks* to collaborate and communicate among various project stakeholders.
In order to further assist and empower our clients construction team, we can assign one or more of our BIM professionals/coordinators to your design team for the duration of your project. Our BIM professionals will help in your office or in the field, while the rest of the team at SteelTech guides you from our offices. This ensures seamless coordination between SteelTech team and all project stakeholders.

SteelTech further assist clients design team by assigning more BIM professional at our end and providing updated 3D Models. Our BIM professionals help clients from our office or provide direct coordination assistance in the field

BIM Based Coordination Process

SteelTech has been involved in the coordination in a diverse range of projects. From affordable housing, to commercial, to healthcare, to hospitality, to infrastructure. Each project is different with different players and each coordination effort is unique. SteelTech team works as “Extended Team” of our client and ensures to make available “Integrated Data Rich 3D Model”.

The same model becomes a common source to access project information/details. This is in addition of drawings, which is advantage over traditional way of communication and coordinating. 3D Model depict the real time visualization of project in all terms. The model is useful for all stakeholder of the project, including project team. Project managers, site teams and all other consultants.

During Schematic/Conceptual stage and during design stage BIM delivers, Design Validation Support, Finalizing the designs faster and overall visualization of project. BIM implementation and effective usage potentially reduces RFI and eventually it helps to clear RFS’s much faster than traditional way of clearing RFI’s. SteelTech has implemented most advanced BIM Coordination and Communication tools that centralize the RFI’s either on server or coordinator’s machine or on dedicated any specific server. This is as good as keeping all project development/history throughout project execution life cycle.

Using dedicated BIM tool all project stakeholders can access latest status of project and progress and various aspect of project. Advanced BIM tools like Solibri Model Checker (SMC) software finds potential faults before a single brick is laid. It performs advanced clash detection, deficiency detection, BIM and accessibility compliance, model comparisons and full information take off. It’s the ‘one stop shop’ for you who needs to stay on top of a building project. Solibri Model Viewer (SMV) is the software that everyone can use within the construction industry. It’s free of charge and allows you to open all Standard IFC and Solibri Model Checker Files. Transparency is given on open issues and challenges. Share information to save time, money and resources. The software is reliable, easy to use and is compatible with Mac or PC platforms. It brings the value of BIM to everyone that needs it.
SteelTech works with building owners, architects, construction companies and facility managers. We offer greater quality control in the design, building and maintaining of spaces. By using SMC one can manage costs, delivery timings and maintenance work.

With our assistance, your firm can do the following:

Use SteelTech’s Unique BIM based Coordination module to provide impartial validation that the project can be constructed as intended by the design tea
Trade Coordination with BIM (Facilitating meetings, assisting trades with BIM coordination or presenting reports)
Creating and executing a BIM Trade Coordination Management Plan
Federated BIM Model Management and Creation of Collision Reports (Solibri and NavisWorks) Mitigates risk & Controls cost during schematic, design and construction stage
Increases the probability of finishing ahead of schedule and under budget
Eliminates the need for capital investment in software, hardware and training
Clearly communicate BIM coordination requirements. Outline a coordination schedule based on project-specific complexity.
Create project and requirement specific a Level of Detail (LOD) plan.
Assess the skills and experience of various participants and train for utilizing BIM for effective coordination and communication.
Effectively kick-off coordination so expectations can be managed and questions answered.
Efficiently manage ongoing coordination using our proven best practices.
Accurately measure progress and issues

Use of Advanced BIM Tools for Coordination & Communication.

BIM works on the basis of collaboration in construction. In this environment, all stakeholders in the construction process including Owner/Developer, Project Managers, Consultants, Contractors, Sub-contractors and Facilities Management, have access to the same design, cost and scheduling information at the same time.
SteelTech deploys the most advanced yet practical BIM tools for addressing coordination and communication. SteelTech ensures to customize these tools and the deliverables to customer and project specific requirements. This ensures that our customer finds it easy to use and efficient at the same time. While SteelTech deploys BIM tools like NavisWorks*, we also effectively and efficiently use Solibri*. Solibri can be effectively used to locate flaws and exceptions in models made by different design teams. Avoid expensive rework by knowing both models match. Solibri provides dedicated functionalities to communicate and coordinate with various project stakeholders.

BIM Based Coordination Benefits

Any definition of business benefits should concentrate on two elements:

Reduction of Costs by increasing the efficiency of those working the business process and eliminating unnecessary waste of time and materials. Improvements in Quality of the finished construction, communication throughout the process plus environmental requirements and building efficiency.

Some of key benefits and a demonstration of how the BIM process and technology can protect profit levels, even in the current climate, are shown below.

Making Efficient and Seamless Communication, Reducing Costs – The Business Process

Rapid exchange of design information easy what if scenarios allows more design iterations and a more efficient decision making process. More time spent making decisions time saved documenting decisions.
Centralized “Data Storage” to be accessed by any stakeholder having authority. Exchange model based comments. Model based tracking of project development.
Instant access to design, site updates thru model status reports. Reduced RFI’s. Faster clearing of RFI’s.
Data required for calculation of structural integrity produced from model time saved producing engineering calculations. Production of drawings (to construction quality if required) directly from the model rather than creating them individually time saved in drawing production.
By leveraging the BIM process, BIM based Coordination can provide the Builder/Developer or Contractor/Subcontractor a basic model for trade coordination. This model will help mitigate costs through the reduction of change orders, RFI’s, and schedule delays

BIM Services

BIM Based Construction Trade Coordination and Communication