Conflicts between Drawings and BIM Models; Contractor’s Plight

Coordinating 3D BIM models with drawings enhances contractor precision, ensuring alignment between design intent and actual construction. Extracting drawings from clash-free 3D models in preconstruction minimizes rework and delays.

In the domain of construction, where a lot is at stake, conflicts between a BIM model and drawings can lead to construction discrepancies and pose major challenges for contractors. Data discrepancies, versioning complexities, and interdisciplinary clashes can result in misinterpretations, rework, and even legal ramifications. Inadequate coordination between evolving BIM models and static drawings hinders comprehensive project planning.

BIM provides clash detection tools to identify and resolve multidisciplinary clashes before construction. Efficient communication and streamlined collaboration are crucial to overcome the complexities, ensuring accurate data synchronization and minimizing resource wastage. When there are no conflicts between a BIM model vs drawing, contractors gain faster construction, improved efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

Contractors are increasingly adopting BIM modeling services for advanced BIM coordination processes to navigate these technical hurdles successfully and optimize project outcomes.

Understanding drawings and BIM models

3D BIM models are digital versions that present all the details in 3D space. Drawings illustrate what a building or structure would be perceived as from various angles. They enable contractors to visualize how different components would work together and identify problems before onsite work starts. Knowing how to review 3D BIM models with clash detection and extracting drawings helps contractors improve construction efficiency, enhance communication, and achieve cost savings.

Why accuracy in a BIM model vs drawings is crucial for contractors

5 reasons there are conflicts between 3D BIM models vs drawings

Multiple file versions: Various versions of 3D BIM models and drawings can often lead to inconsistencies.

Interdisciplinary coordination problems: Lack of MEP BIM coordination between different trades or changes made in silo for Architecture, Structure, and MEP result in conflicted 3D BIM models and drawings.

Modelling issues: Errors within drawings and BIM models are observed when elements do not align or fit accurately.

Complexities in building geometry: Intricate designs, complex building geometry, and irregular shapes can pose representation challenges within drawings and 3D BIM models.

Miscommunication or misinterpretation: Misinterpreting design intent or issues in communication within project teams lead to ambiguities and conflicts in drawings and 3D BIM models.

7 ways that BIM conflict detection resolves conflicts between a BIM model vs drawing

Step 1: Identify conflicts

Contractors need to identify interferences between various trades with BIM conflict detection software like Navisworks. These include structural conflicts or clashes within components that include HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing.

Step 2: Document issues

Thoroughly documenting conflicts support contractors identify problematic areas, type of issues, and their impact on project budget and schedule.

Step 3: Convene design coordination meetings

Project participants like contractors along with architects, engineers, and subcontractors need to hold project coordination meeting to discuss problems and build collaborative solutions.

Step 4: Resolution planning

Teams need to build strategies that offer conflict resolution. This would include remodelling elements in the 3D BIM model, amending 2D drawings, or modifying construction sequencing.

Step 5: Updates and revisions

Once the decisions are agreed upon, drawings and BIM models are required to be updated to reflect the latest changes.

Step 6: Conflict verification

Contractors need to verify conflicts that have been resolved. Updated drawings and 3D BIM models need to align with required project needs.

Step 7: Clear communication

For the entire process, communication transparency is key for all project participants to stay informed about conflicts, resolutions, and modifications in project scope, budget, and schedule.

Success stories in 3D drawing and BIM modelling

A general contracting company saves $7 million with clash-free 3D MEP models and MEP coordination drawings

A general contracting company from Muscat collaborated with the team at Hitech CADD Services for a new airport project including passenger terminals, office buildings, North Tier, and South Tier.

A set of IFC drawings were provided along with architectural and structural BIM models for coordination purposes. The client was aware about the importance of 3D BIM models and drawings extracted from those models. Interference-free 3D MEP models at LOD 400 in Revit with clash detection reports were required in Navisworks.

The team at Hitech CADD Services analysed the IFC drawings at Design Development stage to flag clashes. 2D drawings were imported into Revit to build 3D models. The final deliverables handed over to the client led to –

• Accurate resource and material planning
• Field conflict reduction
• $7 million in cost savings
• Installation of 100% MEP systems
• Lower change orders
• Reduced field conflict

Explore the detailed case study to learn more on how non-conflicting 3D BIM models and drawings led to high-impact outcomes.

BIM Clash Detection

Clash Resolution

MEP Clash Detection

MEP Conflicts Checking

Read Complete Case Study →

5 ways Revit automation and AI resolves conflicts between BIM models vs drawings

Revit automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers contracting firms utilize powerful tools to simplify conflict resolution between 3D BIM models and drawings. Contractors can improve project efficiency, reduce errors, and improve collaboration between project participants.

Revit automation and AI offers various advantages for contractors to resolve conflicts between 3D BIM models and 2D drawings.

Conclusion

Drawings extracted from BIM models in the preconstruction stage help contractors to achieve cost savings, expedited installation, and improve risk mitigation. BIM conflict detection between a BIM model vs drawing, not only supports contractors to improve reliability and consistency but also stay ahead of the competition.

As the world of building and construction continues to evolve and complexities are on the rise, it is important for contractors to latch onto BIM processes and tools during preconstruction stage to reduce conflicts in overall project execution.

Hiral Patel is an engineer and has been contributing to the BIM industry. She mainly takes care about the application of BIM across Architecture, MEP and Structural sectors. Her focus is towards encouraging construction companies, sub-contractors and architects to adopt right technologies to improve efficiency and profitability.