Interscale Content Hub – Challenges with BIM object libraries are a recurring theme that can hinder the efficiency and effectiveness of Building Information Modelling (BIM) projects.
These digital warehouses contain essential building components, but professionals often face obstacles such as inconsistent quality, poor discoverability, and issues with file sizes.
Unfortunately, these hurdles can lead to project delays, added costs, and overall frustration within the AEC industry.
So, now is our time to review the specific challenges and outline solutions.
What are BIM Object Libraries?
A BIM object library is a massive digital warehouse filled with virtual representations of everything from windows and doors to HVAC systems and structural beams.
These objects are not merely graphical representations but contain essential data necessary for building design, construction, and maintenance, making them invaluable resources throughout a building’s lifecycle.
BIM object libraries are powerful because of the valuable data they contain. They hold a wealth of data vital for every stage of a construction project. This data includes:
- Physical characteristics: Dimensions, materials, textures.
- Performance specs: Fire ratings, energy efficiency, structural loads.
- Manufacturer data: Model numbers, warranty, contact information.
- Maintenance info: Schedules, replacement intervals.
Why do these BIM object libraries matter? Architects and engineers rely on accurate object data for design coordination and analysis.
Contractors leverage them for precise quantity takeoffs and procurement. Even facility managers benefit from BIM libraries for long-term operations and maintenance planning.
Importance of BIM Libraries in Modern Construction
BIM object libraries offer significant advantages throughout a project’s life cycle by streamlining design, enhancing collaboration, and improving accuracy.
Instead of designing every element from scratch, teams gain instant access to accurate, pre-built digital components. This promotes efficiency and reduces the risk of errors.
Additionally, with everyone on the team working from the same standardized library, they communicate using a common language of data-rich objects. BIM objects also improve cost estimation by enabling detailed quantity takeoffs.
The power to run clash detection within a BIM model allows the team to identify and resolve potential conflicts early, saving costs and preventing construction delays.
Another major advantage of BIM libraries is in cost management. They enable detailed quantity takeoffs which are essential for accurate budgeting.
The data within BIM objects includes dimensions, materials, and component specifications, which allows for precise cost estimates and helps manage the financial aspect of construction projects more effectively
Finally, detailed BIM models built with libraries become valuable resources for facility managers, optimizing building operations and future renovations.
The increasing emphasis on international standards, such as ISO 19650, further highlights the importance of BIM libraries.
These standards promote structured data within BIM environments, and well-managed libraries ensure not only project efficiency but also compliance.
You can read “The Challenges in Managing Multiple BIM Models: Who and What Role,” for a detailed perspective about management in various BIM models.
Common Challenges with BIM Object Libraries
One major challenge is ensuring objects are accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to your specific project.
Imagine if a key component you pull from a library has outdated specifications – it could cause errors that are expensive to fix later.
Keeping libraries organized and well-maintained requires a dedicated effort, as changes to building codes, product updates, and evolving projects all demand constant attention.
Inconsistencies across libraries pose another issue. If different teams or organizations use libraries with varying standards, integrating data becomes complex. This mismatch slows down collaboration and can introduce errors.
A 2015 NATSPEC survey of 39 respondents from 19 countries across the globe highlights this lack of global standardisation, emphasizing the need for industry-wide best practices in BIM object creation.
Additionally, smaller firms may face adoption challenges. Even though BIM libraries can save time and money, those with limited resources might struggle to implement and manage them effectively and fully.
Technological solutions like cloud-based BIM are increasingly employed to address some of these challenges.
They enhance accessibility and allow for real-time collaboration across project teams, ensuring that all stakeholders have access to the most current data.
But, issues such as the varying quality of objects, performance impacts due to large file sizes, and the interoperability challenges across different BIM software platforms continue to be significant hurdles.
These problems complicate the discovery and management of objects within extensive libraries, requiring considerable time and resources to manage effectively.
Best Practices for BIM Library Management
To ensure your BIM object libraries function as powerful tools, establish clear organizational standards.
These standards should go beyond mere file naming – they should define what data fields each type of object must include and the appropriate level of detail for different project phases. This consistency is crucial for seamless object search and retrieval.
For broader insights about common BIM data management, kindly read “Here is Your Action Plan for Dealing with Incomplete BIM Data.”
Hence, always keep in mind that quality control is non-negotiable. Designate a person or team to thoroughly vet each object before adding it to your central library.
This proactive approach prevents errors that could lead to costly rework during construction. Centralize your libraries using either a specialized platform or a well-structured system accessible to all team members.
This makes finding the right object simple and ensures everyone uses the latest version.
Pay close attention to the level of detail in your objects. While accuracy is essential, overly complex objects can strain your BIM software’s performance. Find the balance between the necessary information and the need for smooth model manipulation.
And always keep in mind that collaboration is key to creating truly useful libraries. Invite architects, engineers, manufacturers, and even contractors to contribute.
This collaborative approach brings diverse expertise into the process, ultimately improving the library’s quality and its real-world applicability across multiple project stages.
Finally, BIM libraries aren’t static entities. Ensure your content stays up-to-date with evolving industry standards and new technologies.
Provide regular training for your teams to ensure everyone not only understands how to use the library but also knows how to contribute effectively, maintaining its long-term value.
How to Create Custom BIM Objects
Sometimes, you need an object that perfectly matches your project, and even extensive BIM libraries won’t have that ready-made solution.
That’s when custom BIM object creation becomes essential. Think of it as the ultimate tool for fine-tuning your BIM models.
Creating custom objects involves a bit more work than simply pulling something pre-built from a library.
You’ll essentially be a digital architect for that component, defining both its physical shape and all the important data it carries.
This might include dimensions, performance ratings, installation details – anything your team needs to know about that object.
Defining Parameters
Start by outlining exactly what the object should be, both physically and functionally.
What are its dimensions? What materials is it made from? How does it interact with other parts of the building?
These parameters define the object’s physical and functional characteristics. This detailed specification ensures that the object behaves and interacts within the BIM model as it would in real life.
Drawing and Modeling
This is where you use BIM authoring software, like Revit, to build the virtual object. You’ll work with 3D tools to create the right shape and add accurate dimensions.
In this phase, you integrate essential features, adjust dimensions, and lock in certain design aspects to ensure stability and consistency within the model.
Assigning Materials
Don’t forget to integrate detailed material definitions when building your custom BIM object.
It is important to set the properties of these materials, such as finish, reflectivity, and thermal conductivity, with great care.
These parameters can then be refined directly within your BIM environment, ensuring a streamlined workflow that mirrors how materials are selected in actual construction.
Quality Assurance and Testing
This step is test-driving your object. Import it into your BIM model and make sure it works correctly – does it scale properly? Do the materials display as intended?
This might involve loading the object into a test project, checking for any issues in scalability, material application, or parameter functionality, and making necessary adjustments.
Documentation and Standardization
To ensure long-term value and compatibility with other projects, it is essential to provide clear documentation and standardization.
Adhering to standards like ISO 19650 or the NBS BIM Object Standard is essential for ensuring that your custom objects are compatible and functional across different projects and platforms.
Standardization helps maintain quality and usability, ensuring that objects meet industry requirements and perform as expected.
Interscale to the Rescue
As outlined above, the BIM object library presents a significant challenge, one that can be both frustrating and costly.
We at Interscale understand these challenges and provide tailored solutions to empower your AEC projects.
With a focus on quality, consistency, and technical expertise, Interscale helps streamline your BIM workflows and drive project efficiency.
For example, our work with Ewert Leaf, an architectural firm, showcases the power of BIM in realizing complex designs.
Our role is to provide a robust and reliable supporting system for Ewert Leaf to develop high-quality digital assets, ensuring accuracy and seamless integration within the project’s BIM environment.
And for you, we are ready to discuss your needs and goals to determine how we can best support you.
To initiate this process, we recommend our Interscale BIM management page, which provides insight into how we can assist you in managing your BIM system.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss any aspect of our services. We would be delighted to schedule an appointment.
Conclusion
The most effective way to overcome these BIM object libraries challenges is to adopt best practices for BIM library management and embrace advancements in BIM technology.
This will lead to more efficient, accurate, and collaborative construction projects. I am running a few minutes late; my previous meeting is running over.
With this in mind, all project stakeholders will be prepared to face challenges with BIM object libraries in the long run.
