Building information modelling (BIM) Technology for Sustainable Design

For modern building and construction industry, building information modeling (BIM) process enhances the structural engineer’s workflow and can position them to be actively involved in the sustainable design of a building. BIM is defined as an integrated process that allows professionals to explore a project’s key physical and functional characteristics digitally - before it’s built. The AutoCAD BIM solutions are based on coordinated, more reliable, high-quality information created with Autodesk

By using BIM, design professionals can:

# Design - innovative, intelligent projects from the earliest stages
# Visualize, Simulate, and Analyze - real-world appearance, performance and cost
# Document - projects more accurately and efficiently
# Deliver - projects faster, more economically and with reduced environmental impact

BIM for structural engineers uses this same approach for the entire structural engineering process. The engineer’s virtual structural model can be used for coordination with architects, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers, and civil engineers. That same digital model is integrated with analysis, design, and construction documentation, and is used as the basis for digital design-to-fabrication strategies and construction. Through BIM, structural engineers have the ability to track material quantities and explore design options that ultimately result in a more sustainable design.

At the core of the structural engineering BIM process is the Autodesk Revit Structure software. BIM and Revit Structure enable structural engineers to minimize waste and maximize the re-use of materials. With Revit Structure, structural engineers investigate building design options for long term use and future flexibility, maximizing design efficiency and minimizing waste and overall embodied energy. The rich intelligent information created through a BIM process can also be used for simulation and analysis--enabling structural engineers to make better informed decisions and optimize the structure for durability, flexibility and long term use.

Looking ahead we can observe industry trends such as BIM, integrated project delivery (IPD), sustainable design and design-to-fabrication continuing to drive the structural engineering market. As the market moves in this direction, it is our hope that sustainability will become a part of the foundation for all successful building projects with every material in the building process selected for its environmental factors and, once the building life ends, all building materials reused or recycled. A sustainable future is one that we can all aspire to.