BIM is one of the biggest changes that the building and construction industry (BCI) is facing. The goal is that building models become the projects’ official documents, and not only 2D drawings as is currently the case. This transition affects the industry in many ways, like cooperation methods, contracts, quality control systems, and more. The fact that, for example, both Statsbygg (Directorate of Public Construction and Property )and Forsvarsbygg (The Norwegian Defence Estates Agency) have established specific requirements for use of BIM from 2010, helps push the development even further.

Important that everyone takes responsibility
BIM does not only change the architect’s way of working, it also changes the engineer’s and the designer’s ways of working. BIM is not only a technology, it also involves a gradual change in the way we work and interact. Therefore, it is important that all players take their share of the responsibility.

We expect that new demands from clients on the use of BIM models in engineering will force increased collaboration in the early phase of projects, so that the costs and risks showing up in later phases (construction and operation phases, where most of the costs occur) can be optimized and reduced. It is therefore important that all parties involved in a projects accept their part of the responsibility.
 
Important to meet environmental requirements
The use of BIM is also an important factor in order to meet current and future environmental requirements. Information models will contribute in maintaining a "green" profile in projects by allowing for analysis of energy consumption, simulation of optimized indoor air quality, and reaching goals of reducing waste.
 
Supports building SMART technology
In addition to the Revit BIM technology Norconsult is looking to take advantage of building SMART technology to implement cost-effective ways to organize and implement projects. Norconsult possesses practical experience with the use of building SMART technology in several assignments.

On this basis, we evaluate the current building SMART technology to be ready for use in construction projects. Our BIM tools support the latest official IFC version and utilize building SMART technology when appropriate.

Thorough experience
Norconsult has so far carried out several hundred small and large assignments with the active use of 3D modeling, and in several of these used BIM. The models have been used for both drawing production, collision control, simulations, mass calculations and analysis.

Visualization
Visualization is used as a tool in the testing and verification of different solutions. Visualization can be used as a tool within the engineering group or as a presentation to the client, contractor, decision makers, users, government agencies, politicians, neighbors, etc. The use of visualization is particularly important for involved parties with little or no technical insight, as one cannot expect these parties to have the same level of knowledge on how to read 2d drawings as engineers. Visualization demands may occur in conjunction with the rating of a specific project offer or the completion of a phase.

Visualization is part of the decision-making in connection with the presentation, assessment and evaluation of projects at an early stage. The minimum requirement is that a volume model can be used for visualizations of the facility/building. A virtual reality model can be developed based on the volume model (a model in which the user can freely move around in), still images and shadow diagrams.

Visualization of the potential solution to Majorstuen subway station, Oslo, Norway

Parts of this article is based on an interview with Norconsults BIM Coordinator, Torkil Håheim Kind with NTI Nestor AS.