How We Use Building Information Modeling Technology
Using virtual design and construction to identify and solve problems before they happen.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) has become a cornerstone of modern construction. The process utilizes powerful software to visualize a space and each layer of construction within it, creating a digital model built to the exact specifications of the actual job. This model can then be viewed from any angle, visually rendered to show its appearance under a variety of conditions, validated from a practical standpoint, and much more.
BIM technology has many important applications on a job, from design all the way through completion. Here are three of the ways that Jaynes uses BIM to raise the bar on quality in every job we do.
Bridging Design and Reality
Architects and engineers use 3D modeling software to develop plans. Our job as contractors is to apply these digital models to a real site to verify that all plans and systems will work in harmony together, and then execute that vision. Using laser scanners and drones, we can accurately measure and import real site data into the model to compare and identify any potential issues before we even break ground. The point isn’t to change the design but to validate it and be sure the project can be actualized within a space. This minimizes costly RFIs and change orders and keeps the project on schedule.
BIM scanning tools can verify the completed work against the plans throughout the construction process to ensure everything conforms to expectations. This kind of real-time feedback and a detailed overview helps identify problems before they happen, saving owners significant costs and headaches throughout a project.
Visualizing Results for Stakeholders
The earlier BIM is applied to a project, the more advantages it provides to an owner. Whenever possible, we prefer to start BIM right away during preconstruction so that all analysis can be completed and prefabrication can begin before the construction team is mobilized. But BIM can be helpful even earlier in a project.
For example: BIM models can be rendered to create 3D digital projections of what a project will look like once it’s finished. This helps owners see how the building will appear under various conditions. We can walk them through the construction layer by layer, showing how different components will work together and how the theoretical design applies to the physical space, providing a much richer understanding of the project as a whole.
Once construction begins, we can continue to validate the work done each day against the design plans. Our processes ensure everything is coming together as intended and course correct for any mistakes and unexpected complications. We can even walk through the physical space and, using augmented reality, overlay the in-person view with the model. This level of visualization keeps our jobs on track while viewing every element of construction and how it fits with the whole project.
Envisioning the Future of Construction
Jaynes employs several dedicated in-house modeling team members trained in drafting and construction management. We believe that having a local team familiar with the site and integrated with the construction crew makes a big difference, so we never outsource BIM validation overseas or cut corners. But we also don’t add unnecessary steps and analysis to simple jobs that don’t require the same level of scrutiny. We aim to eliminate problems before they become an issue so we can save owners money – not add extra line items to the contract.
Just a few years ago, BIM was more of a novelty or luxury for most construction jobs. Now, it’s become standard in the industry, and technology is shifting toward increasingly integrated design and planning tools. Through a combination of hands-on training, ongoing education, and exploration of emerging technologies, we stay up-to-date with the newest BIM programs, methodologies, and practical applications.
We may have gotten our start in concrete, but we’re not stuck in our ways. We know that the future of construction is technology, and we embrace these developments to build the future.