Building Information Modelling: a compulsory requisite in public works

BIM (Building Information Modelling) has become an increasingly common practice in building projects worldwide, and now it will also be backed up by Spanish legislation. As of December 17^th, it will be a legal requisite in all publicly funded projects. This is the final boost to a highly efficient tool that has revolutionized the sector at a technological level and helped to coordinate the work of all the professionals involved in such projects. Simulations, communication and collaboration are three major advantages of a system to which Keraben Grupo has long been committed.  

BIM is a collaborative building creation and management system where all the different stages of a project can be visualized on different scales and in real time. This means that the different professionals involved in the project (designers, builders, architects, engineers etc.) have access to a virtual model identical to the final building, with all the necessary information integrated in the system. It can be used to carry out prior simulations, to compare environmental data or to consult delivery deadlines, among many other applications. Keraben is bringing out an e-book which offers a detailed insight into BIM and its main advantages.

Anfapa (the Association of Mortar and EIFS Manufacturers) estimates project measurements to be 37% more accurate and costs to be cut by 20% when BIM is used. Its benefits include better use of time through the automatic generation of all documents and the reduction of energy impacts, since it details the environmental effect of each of the materials used in the project.

Another interesting point is the system’s international potential. To access contracts and calls for tenders in many countries where the Public Administration has specific regulations and requires BIM to be used in projects, it is fundamental. This is the case in Australia and the United States, as well as European countries such as the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands and Denmark. In fact, European Directive 2014/24/EU urges the 28 member states to use BIM in publicly funded projects.

Since the drafting of this directive, the level to which BIM is used has risen, and it is hoped that it will go on doing so after it becomes a prerequisite in public projects from this year on. While it is standard practice in countries such as the United Kingdom or the Netherlands, in others BIM is a burgeoning tool that promises to make building projects more efficient.