6D BIM bringing sustainability data into Building Information Modelling (BIM), takes project planning from just the design stage to looking at the whole life cycle.
Just imagine a building where every part of how it operates, from energy use to maintenance schedules, is planned and managed in great detail. For instance, a case study of a multi-storey building showed that 6D BIM could cut annual energy use by up to 43% through things like optimizing daylight and reducing air leakage.
That’s what 6D BIM can do. It’s about building sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective structures that meet the needs of today and tomorrow. Now, we’re going to talk about 6D BIM.
What is 6D BIM?
6D BIM is when you bring sustainability and energy data into the BIM process. The main goal of 6D BIM is how to use data to make buildings more energy-efficient, track their environmental impact, and make sure they meet sustainability goals throughout their lifecycle.
While 3D focus on design, 4D adds the time element, and 5D helps to make cost estimates, 6D BIM combine environmental and operational efficiency to the project lifecycle. Combination of each BIM dimensions makes building planning more complete.
For more insights on 4D BIM, kindly read “4D BIM: Definition, Benefits, Workflow.” You can also find out more details about 5D BIM in “What is 5D BIM? Definition, Features, Benefits, & Applications in Construction.”
In short, 6D BIM is a step up from the other dimensions by including data about how the building will be used and maintained. This includes info on energy consumption, maintenance schedules, and even emergency response plans.
What are the Benefits of 6D BIM?
6D BIM is a great way to make facility management easier and improve how buildings perform.
For example, Aleksander K. Nicał and Wojciech Wodyński highlight how 6D BIM can make building operations and maintenance more efficient in their paper, “Enhancing Facility Management through BIM 6D.”
This can save a lot of time and money. In addition, 6D BIM can help cut costs by making energy use and maintenance schedules more efficient.
As Grace Ellis, an Autodesk representative, points out in, “The Evolution of BIM Dimensions: 3D, 4D, 5D & Beyond,” the 6D BIM makes it possible to plan and avoid unexpected issues, downtime, and repair costs.
If building owners plan ahead for maintenance, they can avoid any annoying downtime and expensive emergency repairs, which means everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
On top of that, 6D BIM helps make buildings more sustainable, which is great for the environment.
6D BIM lets you create energy-efficient buildings with a smaller carbon footprint by incorporating energy analysis and simulation tools. In addition, 6D BIM makes it easier to make better decisions about the building at every stage of its life.
The data in a 6D BIM model is really useful for understanding how a building is performing, which helps you make better decisions about maintenance, upgrades, and renovations.
Role of 6D BIM in environmental sustainability
6D BIM lets architects and engineers use energy analysis and simulation tools to design buildings that are more energy-efficient and have a lower environmental impact. This not only cuts operational costs but also helps us build a greener future.
If you’d like to know more about the costs involved in using BIM technologies, as well as the financial benefits and sustainability factor, we’d suggest reading “How Much Does BIM Cost? Factors Influencing & Pricing Structures.”
Now, let’s go back to what Grace Ellis says in Autodesk website about how you can integrate sustainability data like energy usage, air quality and water usage into the BIM model. This helps teams identify the most sustainable building approach.
For instance, in “Sustainability and Energy Efficiency: BIM 6D for Multi-Storey Building- A Case Study,” we can see how 6D BIM could be used to make a police headquarters building more energy-efficient.
By making a few simple changes, like tweaking the window-to-wall ratio, reducing infiltration, and improving lighting efficiency, they managed to slash their annual energy use. This example shows how 6D BIM can be a great way to create eco-friendly buildings.
6D BIM Software
There are a few software platforms out there to help you implement 6D BIM sustainability. They integrate energy modelling and sustainability assessments into the BIM process.
Insight 360
Autodesk Revit with Insight 360 is a popular choice for 6D BIM needs. This software lets you analyse energy in real-time and see sustainability metrics. Insight 360 lets you simulate and compare different design options to find the most sustainable solution.
Green Building Studio
Another great 6D BIM software is Green Building Studio (GBS), a cloud-based platform for energy analysis. GBS lets you simulate different designs and see how they affect energy use. This helps you compare options and choose the greenest solution.
This feature helps you to get the performance of your building just right, which is one of the main benefits of 6D BIM sustainability.
EcoDesigner STAR
Then there’s EcoDesigner STAR, which is integrated within ArchiCAD. This 6D BIM tool offers full energy modelling and lifecycle assessments that meet sustainability standards.
How to Get the Best 6D BIM Effectively?
One of the main issues with adopting 6D BIM is a lack of in-house resources or expertise. Building a dedicated team is also time-consuming and requires a significant investment in training and technology.
That’s why my team at Interscale offer a full range of BIM management services, including 6D BIM service. Interscale can help with everything from checking the model and spotting issues from 3D to 6D BIM.
The idea is simple: you can focus on your core construction activities while also adopting a 6D framework.
Of course, there’s a lot more to it than what we said in the marketing section above.
We know it might be a bit confusing. We’re sorry if our marketing has caused any confusion. So, to help you get up to speed, we suggest you do a bit of research. Have a look at our Interscale BIM Management page, read our case studies, and see how we’ve helped other AEC companies overcome their challenges.
We’d also love to catch up – maybe over a coffee and a croissant? Let’s talk about the BIM issues you’ve been facing and see how we can help you resolve them.
In Closing
6D BIM is a big step forward for the construction and facility management industry. As the industry keeps changing, it’s worth thinking about using 6D BIM to make buildings more sustainable, efficient and cost-effective. So, we’d love to hear what’s holding you back from adopting this 6D BIM service.
FAQ about 6D BIM
How does 6D BIM differ from 3D, 4D, and 5D BIM?
3D BIM represents the building’s physical geometry, 4D adds the time element, and 5D incorporates cost analysis. Meanwhile, 6D BIM goes a step further by integrating sustainability data and energy analysis to improve a building’s long-term environmental impact.
What type of data is used in 6D BIM?
6D BIM incorporates data related to energy use, environmental impact, water use, waste management, material sustainability, and other factors affecting the lifecycle performance of a building.
What are the benefits of 6D BIM?
6D BIM benefits include enhanced sustainability, lower operational costs, efficient energy management, reduced carbon footprint, and improved decision-making based on a building’s lifecycle performance data.
