Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP
Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP

BIMiD – BIM Reference buiding in Germany

Defining the BIM reference process
© Fraunhofer IBP
Defining the BIM reference process.
Structural design of the reference building
© OP Engineers
Structural design of the reference building.

Aims

Using two real, exemplary construction projects, the method of Building Information Modeling (BIM) is demonstrated and evaluated. The findings will be used to popularize BIM methods in the German construction and real-estate industry (which is still sharply characterized by small and medium-sized businesses), and to provide decision support and recommendations for introducing BIM methods.

 

Methodology

The office building "Bürogebäude Haus 11B" in Braunschweig (owned by Volks­wagen Financial Services AG) and the office and business property "OfficeCenter Pionierkaserne" in Ingolstadt were monitored by IBP scientists. Apart from technical aspects and issues of the application methodology, BIMiD project partners were also interested in aspects of work organization, user acceptance, and contract drafting.

 

Result

It was established that model-based, integral planning makes the building process more efficient thanks to employing a 'digital twin' of the structure, which remains usable across the entire life cycle of the construction project. It is however crucial for the success of a building project that the decision to use BIM is made early in this process and that other stakeholders are included.

A general construction process that considers all usable elements of the BIM method could be developed for Germany. This so-called "BIM Reference Process" is considered to be the first reference for all parties involved in the construction process who are aiming to continuously improve their specific construction processes. During the design and construction phase of the two building projects, the "BIM Reference Process" was adapted and optimized according to the lessons learned.

 

Project partners

  • Fraunhofer IAO
  • IFM, University of Mannheim
  • AEC3 Deutschland GmbH
  • buildingSMART e.V.
  • Jade University of Applied Sciences

 

Project founded by

The project received funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) as part of the funding initiative "eStandards: Geschäftsprozesse standar­disieren, Erfolg sichern" in the scope of the funding priority "Mittelstand-Digital – IKT-Anwendungen in der Wirtschaft" under reference no. FKZ: 01MS13005A.

Project is managed by