What Is 8D BIM: Definition, Benefits, Software

I will start this article with a short sentence: 8D BIM tackles one of the industry’s ongoing issues, which is worker safety.

For Australian construction projects, where keeping workers safe is still a big issue, using 8D BIM makes sure everyone sticks to the rules, improves the project results, and helps manage the site in a way that’s good for the environment. One example of this in action is its use in urban rehabilitation projects, where there are more risks involved in demolition because of the age of the infrastructure.

But what exactly is 8D BIM? How is it implemented? Does it require special software? In this article, I will explain it all.

What is the 8D in BIM?

8D BIM is all about making sure everyone stays safe. It puts safety protocols right at the heart of the model. This dimension works by helping to discover and address potential hazards during the design and construction phase of a construction project.

It lets you model permanent building parts as well as temporary structures like scaffolding, machinery, and signs, so you can see what the construction site will look like. Using 8D BIM in urban rehab projects is a solid way to identify and tackle risks related to temporary structures, worker safety, and hazardous materials.

3D BIM to 8D BIM, how does it work

Now, to grasp the importance of 8D BIM, it’s key to distinguish it from other BIM dimensions.

• 3D BIM: Focus on visual aspects
• 4D BIM: Adds time to the BIM model
• 5D BIM: Adds cost analysis by linking the 3D model with financial data
• 6D BIM: This dimension helps you analyse energy use and evaluate the environment for sustainability
• 7D BIM: Covers facility management and asset maintenance
• 8D BIM: Adds safety information

Benefits of 8D BIM for Construction

Using 8D BIM helps us spot and avoid potential problems before construction starts, which makes the workplace safer for everyone.

Alcínia Zita Sampaio et al., in “8D BIM Model in Urban Rehabilitation Projects: Enhanced Occupational Safety for Temporary Construction Works,” show how 8D BIM models help make sure that occupational safety and health are managed well in building rehabilitation projects.

Another big plus is how it makes things more efficient by spotting and dealing with potential problems early on. By catching potential issues early on in the design phase, 8D BIM helps make workflows more efficient, reducing the likelihood of having to do work over again and causing costly delays.

For instance, in urban projects where old structures need to be handled with care, planning the demolition and construction sequence using 8D BIM can save time and help avoid delays.

This also means the 8D BIM modelling helps the design and construction teams to communicate clearly and consistently, so everyone involved in the project knows what the safety protocols are.  Plus, 8D BIM makes it much easier to coordinate different trades and disciplines involved in construction.

If you can simulate and coordinate activities across multiple teams, you can avoid conflicts and delays caused by miscommunication or overlapping tasks. 

8D BIM Software Lists

There are lots of different software options out there for using 8D BIM in construction projects. 

Revit

One of the most popular options for 8D BIM is Revit, which is a well-known BIM software used for modelling and clash detection. In their paper, Alcínia Zita Sampaio and colleagues use Revit to create a 3D model of the building, including the façade, the temporary steel structural system, and the surrounding elements.

Navisworks

Navisworks does more than just flag up clashes. It also simulates real-time construction processes, which helps project managers and site supervisors see potential problems before they become actual hazards.

BIM 360

Another great tool in the 8D BIM toolkit is BIM 360, a cloud-based platform for real-time collaboration between project stakeholders. This software lets site managers, architects, and engineers share and review safety protocols, conduct inspections, and make decisions together.

Synchro Pro

If you need to run more complex simulations that require a time-based approach, SYNCHRO Pro is a great choice. SYNCHRO Pro is a 4D BIM software for simulating construction activities, which adds the element of time to 3D models. This feature is perfect for scheduling construction projects and spotting potential safety issues linked to specific stages of the build.

Solibri Model Checker

Next up is Solibri Model Checker, which has some great tools for quality assurance and control, especially when it comes to safety analysis. This software can really help you find any issues with your models, and make sure they’re up to safety standards.

Implementation of 8D BIM for Your Project

If you want to get 8D BIM right in construction projects, particularly in Australia where safety regulations are pretty strict, you need to have a good plan. The first thing we need to do is make sure everyone’s got the training and awareness they need.

Teams must be fully trained on 8D BIM software, such as Revit and Navisworks, and understand how it affects safety. When project teams get the right training, they meet compliance standards and make the best use of the software to keep sites safe.

And don’t forget, getting 8D BIM right also depends on teams working together.

If everyone involved in the project, from architects to engineers to contractors to safety managers, can communicate easily with each other, it’s much easier to make sure that safety protocols are followed at every stage.

Yes, please note the best way to avoid problems is to work together and think about potential hazards before they happen on site. That’s why, safety simulation and testing are another key thing to think about.

Before work starts on the actual construction, teams can use 8D BIM to test out different scenarios and see where potential dangers might arise. This helps them to make sure that they’re taking all the right precautions for the workers.

It’s also important to keep an eye on safety risks throughout the project, especially with complex or large-scale projects where risks change as construction progresses. This ongoing monitoring makes sure that safety measures are effective from start to finish.

So, How to Get the Best 8D BIM Effectively?

As you see, a major issue with adopting 8D 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 we at Interscale offer a full range of BIM management services for your needs. We can help with everything from checking the model and spotting issues from any BIM dimensions.

For more details, have a look at our Interscale BIM Management services 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

Integrating occupational health and safety (OHS) into the Building Information Modelling process using 8D BIM helps identify and deal with potential hazards before they become critical issues on-site.

If you embrace 8D BIM and use the right software, you can achieve higher safety standards, reduce risks, and contribute to a safer and more sustainable built environment.

FAQ About 8D BIM