BIM - Opportunities for Surveyors

After attending the BIM seminar at GEO Business 2018, Richard Groom takes a personal look at the current state of BIM and how it has progressed. It is ten years or more since we were introduced to BIM. We were wooed by the slick, confident and vibrant presentations and saw a future of collaboration, digital twins and whole life costing. Then there was the mandate for all government construction projects with a value of over £50m to be undertaken using BIM Level 2 from April 2016. But if BIM was going to solve all our problems and cut costs by... (read more)

2018-07-04 12:52:29

Bringing BIM Down to Earth

‘BIM’ is a hot topic in the industry, receiving regular coverage at many conferences, seminars and webinars. A lot of companies predict that it is one of the ‘next big things’ for the future, and a not inconsiderable number of companies are already working with BIM today. And that’s a good thing! But it is perhaps wise to look past the hype and keep our feet firmly on the ground. Tomas Sandström from Adtollo brings some nuance into the BIM discussion in this column. BIM stands for ‘building information modelling’, or perhaps ‘building information management’. The best thing about BIM... (read more)

2019-01-24 02:20:34

3D Repo Drives Adoption of BIM by Joining the UK BIM Alliance

3D Repo is helping to promote the adoption of next-generation Building Information Modelling (BIM) best practice by joining the UK BIM Alliance. Through patronage of the Alliance, 3D Repo will help transform the construction industry as it transitions to a digital era. 3D Repo will also be a key player in the Alliance’s Technology Group; which promotes discussion, agreement and adoption of interoperability and Open BIM standards in the UK and Ireland in conjunction with the Alliance’s Standards Group; which in turn helps to raise and support the Alliance’s drive to digitally transform the Built Environment. “As a well-known technology innovator,... (read more)

2018-07-19 10:51:21

FARO Mobile Mapping and BIM Tech Day

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2017-05-31 11:33:25

Plowman Craven Achieves BIM 19650 Kitemark

Plowman Craven has confirmed its position as a leading advocate of BIM, becoming the first dedicated UK survey company and BIM consultancy to achieve BSI Kitemark certification to reflect the new international standards for BIM. Following a comprehensive audit from BSI, Plowman Craven has gained the coveted BSI Kitemark for BIM to reflect BS EN ISO 19650, which includes both Part 1 (Concept and principles) and Part 2 (delivery phase of assets). These international standards cover the organization and digitization of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including Building Information Modelling. The Kitemark also includes BS 1192-4, which ensures the fulfilment... (read more)

2019-08-08 10:36:59

Six Ways Data Analytics is Transforming BIM

The use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) is rapidly increasing in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of building and infrastructure assets. The reason is simple according to AECOM’s James Rosenwax and Ben May: digital technology is making it easier, cheaper and more efficient to manage buildings and infrastructure projects through digital models. Using BIM, we can make digital replicas of physical assets, processes and systems; the so-called ‘digital twins’ of buildings. These models show three-dimensional details of construction drawings including structural, electrical, and mechanical elements, and fire safety systems. In addition to these key design elements, there are a... (read more)

2020-01-13 11:17:45

Plowman Craven’s Spec for BIM Ready Modelling

One of the UK’s leading survey firms has produced a client ready specification for BIM surveys and deliverables. Richard Groom runs his eye over the content. Who better to write a BIM specification than a company that was there at the start. Plowman Craven’s (PCL) BIM specification first appeared several years ago and has just been updated and revamped. Like all good specifications it is an interface document that bridges the gap between the client and the surveyor. This bridge is simple and functional. At first glance 64 pages seems a little daunting but the contents are straightforward and easily... (read more)

2017-08-24 03:42:34

Enhancing Virtual Singapore with BIM Data

Drawing on leading science and design principles, Singapore combines characteristics from both the natural and man-made environments in a way that creates a sense of harmony and balance, also giving the city its unique feel and identity. This is best observed from any number of skyline terrace bars in downtown Singapore, but especially during the sunset hours – the transition between day and night as light reflects across the Marina Bay, and all the shiny edges and surfaces, showcase a real ‘smart city’ in motion. It is clear to see that Singapore’s status, as an often-cited global exemplar ‘garden city’,... (read more)

2018-07-10 10:23:55

Scan2BIM or Scan2Model?

In November, Mark Coombes and Mark King gave the first in the winter series of RICS evening lectures to a packed lecture hall at Great George Street. This fascinating talk covered the recent project to survey the RICS headquarters building using laser scanning. The topic was introduced by Mark Coombes of the Severn Partnership and largely presented by Mark King, the partnership’s scanning guru. The first Mark (Coombes) asked for a show of hands to see where the audience came from. It was split roughly in thirds between geomatics, construction and property. BIM is now of interest to everyone. The... (read more)

2017-08-25 05:31:58

Parlez vous BIM? - GEO Business 2018 Seminar

Half a day of Geo Business was devoted to a BIM seminar session, with a series of well-attended presentations in the Auditorium. Anne Kemp delivered the opening keynote address. Her presentation was largely about language. Indeed she defined BIM as ‘Better Information Management’ – how to manage data to inform better decision making. Thinking about the concept of federated BIM, Kemp thought it could be encouraging the silo mentality rather than encouraging collaboration. The owners of the contributing BIMs represent different disciplines who are protective of their data. She urged the federation to pull together. She wanted the project managers... (read more)

2018-07-06 10:51:56