BIM and Prefabrication For Improved Construction Standards
In the ever-changing construction world, the blend of technology and innovation brings big changes. The growing need for construction has led the AEC industry to find smarter, quicker, and more efficient building methods. Thus, construction experts are increasingly adopting BIM modeling services for Prefabrication to create safe and sustainable structures in less time.
In this blog, we will look into how BIM and Prefabrication work together to change the construction industry.
How BIM and Prefabrication Improve Construction Quality?
Prefabrication construction, where parts of a building are put together off-site and then brought to the construction area, has long been known for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. However, designing prefabricated materials becomes a difficult task, putting contractors at risk of creating components that may not fit together correctly once installed on the construction site.
The integration of BIM modeling services takes the construction methodology to a whole new level. Architectural BIM services use 3D modeling, a collaborative platform with lots of data, and real-time project visualization, making planning and execution much better.
Prefabricated BIM-based construction ensures material accuracy, reducing waste and increasing productivity in the factory. In addition, it saves time on-site, improves the building's quality with better finishes, makes it safer, and is better for the environment by reducing material waste.
Thus, with 3D BIM modeling services, Architects and Engineers ensure that the parameters of even a tiny component of the MEP system are exact and will fit and install according to the design.
Benefits of BIM-based Prefabricated Construction
The integration of BIM and prefabrication presents substantial opportunities to boost efficiency and quality in the construction sector. This integration brings advantages such as more efficient design processes, enhanced visualization, clash detection, cost optimization, and improved time management.
Time-Saving
Prefab skids save time during onsite installation by reducing deliveries, minimizing material handling, and maintaining better inventory control in a controlled fabrication environment. In-house prefabrication of mechanical systems leads to substantial cost savings for both companies and customers. Modular mechanical assemblies, prefabricated in the shop, can be delivered to the project site and installed as a single unit, saving time and eliminating the need for heavy equipment to hoist and connect individual components onsite.
Moreover, BIM-based prefabrication or precasting helps reduce the time spent in preparing complex component assemblies. Prefabricated components such as beams, columns, stairs, walls, slabs, and façade walls can be standardized and saved as BIM Revit families. These saved components can be used for future projects or in different ways. It helps everyone involved to see a detailed 360-degree view and improves coordination and data-driven decision-making.
Increases Assembly Accuracy
Prefabricated components need special numbers or IDs for assembly, following the standards in the plan. Each component gets a unique number for assembly, following specific guidelines. This unique ID, along with detailed data in a QR code, makes on-site assembly quicker and more accurate. Once all components have their unique numbers, the details are added to each floor plan for faster on-site assembly, reducing the chances of mistakes.
Thus, proper sequencing with unique numbers of all components ensures a smoother construction process.
Increase Precision
Rigorous design and quality checks are conducted on clash-free 3D models using automation tools like Avvir, Dynamo, plugins, or APIs. An example scenario involves identifying minor clashes in structural junctions, like where columns, beams, and slabs intersect. Additionally, extracting IFC drawings and 2D shop drawings from approved 3D models, free of interference, contributes to enhanced accuracy in prefabrication.
Experts in prefabrication can ensure accurate and smooth execution of each building component mentioned above in offsite facilities.
Safety and Comfort
With reduced on-site construction time, BIM-based prefabrication lowers the risks associated with field activities, and spares trade workers from weather-related discomfort, promoting a safer working environment. Prefab skids contribute to waste reduction and faster onsite installation, while also minimizing the space required for installing mechanical systems.
Collaborative Planning
Improved teamwork is possible with architectural BIM modeling services, aiding efficient collaboration in 3D for constructability reviews. Construction management software enhances supply chain activities. Tools like Autodesk Navisworks and Autodesk BIM 360 support collaboration among various parties—owners, designers, contractors, and fabricators. These cutting-edge digital tools play a crucial role. Ideally, project design should consider fabrication from the start. In prefab situations, the aim is to install a prefab modular skid as a single unit.
During preconstruction, Navisworks helps visualize the project's scope and work out design details. BIM 360 is then used for 3D model coordination, streamlining constructability reviews, and onsite installation. The fabrication shop can utilize Navisworks for detailed clash detections.
Cost Effective
Unpredictable weather conditions and shorter daylight hours can drive up construction costs due to increased material and labor expenses. For example, harsh weather may necessitate the replacement or extended storage of certain materials, leading to higher costs. In contrast, prefabrication is less labor-intensive and occurs in a controlled factory environment. Additionally, specific prefabricated components can be reused, disassembled, and relocated, resulting in time, material, and cost savings.
Thus, accurate planning and reduced material waste lead to cost savings, making BIM-based prefabrication a financially prudent choice for construction projects.
Environmental Friendliness
Prefabricated construction using BIM minimizes material waste, making it a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to building. Unused materials in a factory can have their properties identified and be recycled. Prefabrication also lessens the need for on-site consumption of water, energy, and fuel, thereby decreasing pollution and the carbon footprint.
Quality Control
Architectural BIM modeling services contribute to better building quality by providing detailed planning and accurate specifications for prefab elements, resulting in improved finishing. A skilled crew conducts each sub-assembly in a controlled environment, where materials are unaffected by rain, wind, or snow, ensuring enhanced material quality.
Minimizes Wastage
Building equipment is made off site with accurate BIM information, enhancing concrete casting. Precise 2D drawings reduce errors, ensuring reliable manufacturing and zero rework. Detailed fabrication drawings prevent material waste, saving costs and reducing construction time during quick offsite prefabrication of standard elements.
Maximize Your Benefits With Prefabrication Through BIM Services.
Prefabrication emerges as a sustainable solution in the construction industry, enabling the AEC sector to achieve larger profit margins and deliver higher-quality products. Understanding the role of BIM and incorporating BIM services into the process enhances the success and benefits of prefabrication by detecting clashes, correcting errors, improving scheduling, enabling simulation, ensuring precision, providing better views of assembled parts, and ultimately reducing overall construction time.