BIM for Engineering: How Can it Be Used for Better Project Delivery?

Have you been under the impression that BIM is only applicable to architects? What if we tell you engineers can also use and benefit from BIM adoption in their workflows? Construction projects cannot happen without the skills and knowledge of engineers, and BIM ensures these skills are utilised to the max by providing efficient workflows. So how does BIM positively affect the engineering sector, and what career opportunities does it offer?

What is BIM?

Building Information Modelling, better known as BIM, is a methodological approach to creating, managing, and sharing comprehensive digital 3D models of a building or infrastructure project. A study by Pinnacle Infotech reveals that by 2027, the global BIM market is forecasted to reach USD 23,950 million. This might come as a surprise as there have been many implementation challenges but it is easy to understand these numbers once you know how BIM is used in engineering projects and why BIM adoption is growing in this sector.

How is BIM Used in Engineering?

Catering to a broad field like Engineering, which includes structural, MEP and civil etc, BIM technology must provide appropriate features for each of them. And it does not disappoint. BIM implementation in the engineering field is quite akin to that of architecture since the fundamental principle is the same. However, as engineers design structural and MEP systems in the BIM software, the type of information embedded in them would also differ.

Construction projects, both architectural and infrastructure, are becoming increasingly large and complex. BIM for engineering, including civil engineering, allows managing even the highly complex projects by facilitating team collaboration and sharing knowledge on digital built asset information for seamless integrations and workflows.

4 Top Benefits of BIM for Engineers

It has been a common misconception that engineers cannot use BIM or that it holds no benefits for engineers. BIM offers equally to the engineers the positive values of digitalisation from conceptual to detailed design.

BIM for Civil Engineers

BIM has been gaining interest among civil engineers as a means to improve project outcomes with multiple design solutions and scenarios and ease of management, of the information and other construction professionals, throughout the projects. Their aim for seamless project delivery on time and budget is easily achievable with BIM. For civil engineers working on infrastructure projects, creating visualisations and walk-throughs with AR/VR can also impact the project delivery and how your current and potential clients perceive your ideas, which can also indirectly impact gaining more work or approvals.

Produce an Accurate Site Model

Let us begin with the site. BIM software allows engineers to produce large 3D models of the project site and its surrounding real-world environments, making it a data-rich model. In addition to 2D and reality capture data, the 3D model can now be incorporated with GIS data for better accuracy. An accurate data-rich model is important for the next steps in the construction process - site analysis and detailed infrastructure design.

Read more: Revit MEP: Its Benefits and the Revolution of BIM workflows

Achieve Optimal Outcomes

This model is now optimized for subsequent detailed work. We can further utilise this intelligent model to perform analyses and simulations for better-informed design decisions. Flood simulations, roadway configurations, parking space allocation and structural analysis for bridges are the least of what BIM software, such as Infraworks, Revit and Navisworks, can do. Based on the findings, the engineers can offer optimal design solutions.

Mitigate Potential Risks

One prevalent advantage of BIM in any industry is its ability to store information in 3D models. By sharing said information easily across multidisciplinary teams, every stakeholder can understand the project impact and design scenarios better, all the while, preventing any omissions or errors that could turn expensive and cause delays. Site engineers can also predict and mitigate any potential risks and hazards on the construction site, while for architects and other engineers the risk of schedule and budget overruns.

Who is a BIM Engineer?

The rise of BIM in the construction industry has created a demand for BIM professionals. This demand means better pay and opportunities and, unsurprisingly, many AEC professionals have also become interested in the new opportunities. If architects can become BIM designers or BIM architects, engineers can potentially become BIM engineers. It is not the only career option! Engineers can also become BIM coordinators, managers and more.

Let’s look at the role of a BIM engineer, a common starting point for most engineers in the BIM industry.

Scope of Work

In any construction project, several engineers get involved to construct and handle the structural, mechanical and electrical systems required. It is usually simple for houses, but the same cannot be said for large-scale property development and infrastructure projects. BIM engineers combine their expertise in the engineering discipline and their knowledge of BIM to ensure safe and efficient project delivery of the respective systems.

Responsibilities include:

• Design systems using BIM methodology for better coordination in the project team
• Produce documentation, schedules and material take-offs while overseeing the development of the engineering systems.
• Report to BIM coordinators or Managers, who may also delegate extra duties.
• Coordinate with core engineers, who are considered specialists just without BIM knowledge, for inputs on design systems to come up with the most efficient design
• Train BIM modellers to create BIM models for the projects.

Qualifications

To become a BIM engineer, one must have a degree in engineering along with a few years of field experience in the construction industry. As for the academic degree, most professionals who have a few years of experience, and are sure of their career choice, will go on to study Master's degree in Construction Management or equivalent. For freshers in the field, going for BIM courses is a more sensible option to hone their skills in BIM effectively in a shorter period.

BIM Software for Engineers

And it needs not be mentioned that BIM skills are a must. These skills should not only be limited to modelling as BIM is more than that – it is about documenting and collaborating with other principles. Even for modelling, there are several software a BIM engineer needs to be familiar with.

• Revit : Together with its many plugins, Revit is a popular choice for all BIM workflows in every AEC niche.
• Civil 3D : The tools in Civil 3D make it a must-have for civil engineers to design civil infrastructure projects
• Infraworks : This is also another important tool for engineers to generate and evaluate data-rich models
• Navisworks : It allows engineers to review, annotate and even render project models

All these software are part of the Autodesk AEC collection and are also commonly used by BIM engineers.

Read more: 6 Best BIM Courses With Placements (2024)

5 Applications of BIM for Engineers

BIM is a versatile process that is redefining the ways of work in the field of engineering. So, let’s explore how does BIM find relevance for engineers across various verticals. 

Clash Detection

The use of BIM software enables clash detection by overlaying different engineering systems (such as structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical) within the same model. It allows engineers to identify conflicts between systems early on, preventing costly issues during construction. 

Construction Management

During construction, BIM serves as a valuable tool for engineers to track progress, manage resources, and improve site safety. By linking the BIM model with scheduling and cost data, engineers can optimize construction sequences and anticipate logistical challenges.

Energy Optimization

Engineers use BIM to conduct energy analysis and evaluate the environmental performance of buildings. By simulating energy usage, daylighting, and thermal performance, engineers can optimize designs for energy efficiency and sustainability. 

Facility Management

Beyond construction, BIM models are valuable for facility management and maintenance. Engineers can leverage the data-rich BIM model to access information about building components, maintenance schedules, and lifecycle costs. 

Cost Estimation

BIM facilitates accurate cost estimation throughout the project lifecycle. Engineers can extract quantities directly from the model to generate detailed cost estimates and identify areas for value engineering. This data-driven approach improves cost control and budget forecasting.

In Conclusion

With the advancements in technology, fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotechnology, and sustainable infrastructure are expected to see substantial growth and innovation driven by engineering expertise. Therefore, the demand for engineers who can integrate technology with human needs and environmental sustainability will continue to rise. Additionally, engineering will undergo a cultural shift towards greater innovation and inclusivity, embracing diverse perspectives and fostering interdisciplinary approaches. 

So, if you are an engineer why not start your career in BIM? Novatr welcomes you to join the BIM Professional Course, an 8-month online learning programme, especially curated for engineers to master BIM. The course is delivered by industry experts through the sharing of professional experiences and case studies. Additionally, the participants get to work on RIBA- certified capstone projects that allow them to apply their learnings in real-time.

Interested to learn more about BIM and its career opportunities? Go to our Resources page to find more insights on these topics and more.