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One instance of a clash Stegmeier found preconstruction on a project recently concerned the way his concrete work interacted with the structural steel. "Our embeds for the steel contractor were drawn outside our concrete wall, and no one knew it from the 2D plans," Stegmeier explains. "So when I showed it to the designer in 3D he was able to tell me I needed to change the concrete."

Andy Lock is chief estimator with F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co., Inc. out of Indianapolis, Ind. The company performs work as a concrete trade contractor and also self-performs concrete on projects where they act as the general contractor. Lock says Wilhelm has expertise in large and complex concrete projects. Two years ago, Lock's office began its transition from 2D systems into the 3D BIM world. Lock sees many benefits of the BIM programs over the 2D systems, one of which is having the opportunity to walk through multiple scenarios about how you might build a project, how long it might take or how much equipment you'll need.

"You can see how your resources might flow from location to location. Many projects require multiple crews starting in different areas, resulting in a wide range of outcomes," Lock explains. "With BIM you can reduce the time and effort required to analyze multiple scenarios. Finding the best scenario is a critical component of improving work flows and productivity."

A database of information
BIM's ability to create a 3D model of a project before it's built is only one beneficial element of the programs. BIM modeling can take the project into 4D with the addition of time and scheduling and 5D with the addition of cost. It becomes a central location for all information about a project.

"BIM programs create both a 3D model and a project database," Lock says. "Traditionally, we have drawn lines, planes, vectors and text to define objects. In the BIM world we draw objects. Objects can be joined together and store information. This information can be spatial information such as length, height, width and volume, and it can be information such as important dates, materials, specifications, piece marks, cost, RFI data, or any other information the user desires. We're reducing potential for errors and coordination issues, saving time and communicating things visually and instantly."