Role of BIM in modular construction

1. Role of BIM in modular construction By- Jane Smith Sr. Architect at Tesla Outsourcing Services

2. What is Modular Construction • Modular Construction refers to one or more structural units that are assembled or fabricated in a manufacturing plant away from the job site and is then transported and assembled on-site. • All the modules are prefabricated with trim work and MEP system installed.

3. Benefits of Modular Construction Reduction of the need for workforce Reduction of on-site House Green Gas emissions Improvement of the construction schedule and product quality

4. Benefits of BIM in Modular Construction • BIM acts as the integration for Modular Construction based on production, execution and development of prefabricated panels. • BIM helps the construction professionals with insights and tools to efficiently plan design and construct the building and infrastructure while maintaining it. • It enhances the communication flow among project participants and improves the design and construction process. BIM has made coordination and fabrication of MEP components in Modular Construction be easy and operate smoothly.

5. Facilitates shop drawings of MEP discipline • BIM facilitates fabrication and shop drawings of MEP components in less time and accurately for the building project. • It enables digital design flow to fabrication workflow easily for all the disciplines. • With the use of BIM Modeling Services in Modular Construction, use of prefabricated modules is increased along with resolving all the potential issues in the design stage itself, saving time and money on the project.

6. How Architects can benefit from Modular Construction • Architects will be able to use the Modular Construction standards to size and locate the building object in a modular reference frame that would increase the use of BIM application for the built environment in the prefabrication industry.

7. Collaboration with BIM in Modular Construction • BIM analyzes the exact data of the site with collaboration and gives precise measurements of the prefabricated modules to sub-contractors. It thus enables the perfect fitting of components in the building without leakages. • BIM allows transportation of feasible space for the modules so that they can be viewed in the 3D model and set the modules in place to have efficiency and problem can be solved easily. • Materials at the off-site construction can be effective and efficient if undergone proper surveillance by using BIM through videos and measurements of the modules. • A designing team must check that the BIM integration in modules is interoperable with the software used by prefabrication. Prefabricated elements must be delivered to a job site on time.

8. Challenges of BIM in Modular Construction • Due to modules being transported from one site or factory to another, it becomes problematic for the materials to be inspected during off-site construction. • Wastage of wrong prefabricated elements can be reduced or eliminated if used by the integration of BIM technology for modularization of the building.

9. Conclusion • MEP BIM Coordination Services are one of the essential benefits that BIM provides with integration with Modular Construction. BIM application helps to generate accurate size and space location of the prefabricated modules to ease the process smoothly. • Detailed prefabrication drawings produced in BIM software helps to review and coordinate work between trades along with resolving the issues within drawings. Production of components starts once the coordinated prefabrication drawings are prepared and compiled.