T h e A p p l i c a t i o n o f B I M i n V o l u m e t r i c C o n s t r u c t i o n
61
THE APPLICATION OF BIM IN VOLUMETRIC CONSTRUCTION
Amar Seeam
*
1, 2
, Tianxin Zheng
1, 2
, Yong Lu
1
, Asif Usmani
1
, David Laurenson
1
1 School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, UK
2 Enemetric, UK
* Corresponding author's email address
Abstract
The authors are collaborating with a manufacturer of custom built steel frame modular
units which are then transported for rapid erection onsite (volumetric building system).
As part of its strategy to develop modular housing, Enemetric, is taking the opportunity to
develop intelligent buildings, integrating a wide range of sensors and control systems for
optimising energy efficiency and monitoring structural health, while adopting a BIM
approach throughout the design process through to construction and lifetime
management. Furthermore, combining BIM with real-time monitoring of energy
consumption and structural health with simulation techniques (dynamic thermal
simulation, on-line structural assessment) a robust and intelligent solution for managing
modern buildings can be developed.
Enemetric have recently been embracing BIM to improve workflow, in particular cost
estimation to enterprise resource planning (ERP) and computer aided manufacture
(CAM). By leveraging the existing data generated during the design phases, and
projecting it to all other aspects of construction management, less errors are made and
productivity is significantly increased. Enemetric may work on several buildings at once,
and scheduling and priorities are important for effective workflow. The parametric nature
of BIM is also very useful in terms of building management, whereby real-time data
collection can be logically associated with individual components of the BIM stored in a
local Building Management System, including structural health monitoring and
environmental monitoring and control. BIM reuse is further employed in building
simulation tools, to apply simulation assisted control strategies, in order to reduce energy
consumption, and increase occupant comfort.
Keywords:
BIM, Modular structure, Volumetr
ic Construction, Prefabrication
Introduction
In an increasingly technology driven world where everything is beginning not only to be
intelligent but also interconnected while also constrained by green pressures (such as
energy efficiency, life cycle performance and costs etc.), society is placing ever
increasing demands on industry to improve their products by taking advantage of new
technologies. At the same time, companies have to comply with increasingly stringent
performance requirements imposed by the pressures of sustainability and climate
change. As part of its strategy to develop modular housing, Enemetric (a small Scottish
manufacturer of volumetric building systems) is taking the opportunity to develop
intelligent buildings, integrating a wide range of sensors and control systems for
optimising energy efficiency and monitoring structural health, while adopting a BIM
approach throughout the design process and in the future, deploy BIM in construction
and lifetime management. Furthermore, when combining BIM with real-time monitoring
of energy consumption and structural health with simulation techniques (dynamic
thermal simulation, on-line structural assessment) a robust and intelligent solution for
managing modern buildings can be developed.
