BIM for infrastructure

Work in BIM

Working with BIM means operating in digitized collaborative environments

BIM is the collaborative management of electronically exchangeable and useable information content

Employer Information Requirement (EIR), Post-contract BIM Execution Plan (BEPI), coordination, authoring software

The BIM used for infrastructure presents very different characteristics from the BIM used for buildings

roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, ports, railways, subways, hydraulic projects, topography work

Information modeling: BIM is the structuring of information

Interoperability: BIM is the sharing of information.

Analysis and checking: BIM is the coordination and control of information.i

BIM Specialist: Advanced operator of the management and of the information modeling

BIM Coordinator: Coordinator of the contract information flows

BIM Manager: Manager of the digitized processes

To obtain independent, parallel and interconnected project data structuring

To create and modify both graphical and non-graphical information

To manage the automatic compilation of information related to the project

To analyze the project’s BIM data

To restructure, clean up and integrate information from an imported BIM model

To exchange the information (import/export)

To select the information to be exchanged for import and export

To manage the open formats (IFC 2x3, IFC 4x1 and LandXML)

To remodel the proprietary or open formats (DXF, DWG, IFC 2x3 and IFC 4x1)

To analyze and check interferences (clash detection)

To analyze and check information inconsistencies (model e code checking)

To resolve interference and inconsistency issues

SierraSoft is an ICMQ assessment Body for the certification of professionals such as BIM Specialist

Work in BIM

Information modeling and interoperability for topography, infrastructure design and construction

Working with BIM means operating in digitized collaborative environments, where information is generated, managed and shared according to defined rules, in order to be easily available and usable by anyone who needs it.

A change of paradigm

The three things needed to start working with BIM

BIM is a process innovation that affects every single subject and structure involved in the construction industry, with no exceptions.

Working with BIM means being an active part of a process of creating value for all parties involved.

BIM is the collaborative management of electronically exchangeable and useable information content.

Working with BIM requires three things: a BIM Execution Plan (BEP), a coordinating manager and a software platform that manages both information modeling and coordination activities.

If you do not have all three of these elements, then you are not working with BIM.

Managing a virtual model without having an BIM Execution Plan or without coordination with other disciplines is not working in BIM but only creating information models.

BIM for infrastructure

A platform for modeling, sharing, and checking

The BIM used for infrastructure (roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, ports, railways, subways, hydraulic projects, topography work) presents very different characteristics from the BIM used for buildings, differences that must be resolved with special tools and solutions.

Amongst the critical issues in the BIM for infrastructure are included the management of very extended models, the presence of information not related to graphic objects, design for axes, profiles and sections, modeling used mainly for extruded surfaces, and the management of large dimensions files.

SierraSoft products based on the M3 platform (SierraSoft Roads and SierraSoft Land) thanks to their functionalities meet the specific needs of the BIM for infrastructures.

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The Fundamentals

The three elements needed to work with BIM

To work with BIM, it is necessary to manage the three elements that form the basis for BIM and that make it work:

Information modeling:

BIM is the structuring of information.

Information is the most important part of BIM, and must be managed according to the rules defined in the BIM Execution Plan.

Information modeling determines the structure, the life cycle and the accessibility requirements of the information.

Interoperability:

BIM is the sharing of information.

Information contained in the information models should be able to be exchanged and used between different software and stakeholders.

Interoperability measures the ability of software to exchange and use shared information.

Analysis and checking:

BIM is the coordination and control of information.

The information models must be able to be analyzed and verified both individually and aggregately to verify and validate both interference and inconsistencies.

Professionals

Three professionals for working with BIM

People are the key to a BIM that works; they require specific BIM expertise for design, information modeling, coordination and management of BIM projects.

The professionals identified as essential are:

BIM Specialist:

An advanced management and information modeling operator.
BIM Coordinator:

A coordinator of the contract’s information flows.
BIM Manager:

A manager of digitalized processes.

BIM Modeling and Coordination

SierraSoft M3 is the platform for BIM

BIM is a digitization process and it requires the use of software to carry it out

Tools are needed for information modeling, model sharing, model analysis and verification.

Information models must be consistent with defined procedures, rules and workflows.

The M3 software platform has three extensions specifically designed for BIM:

BIM Modeling:

For advanced information modeling.
BIM Exchange:

for information sharing.
BIM Checking:

For information model verification and analysis.

Discover M3 Framework >

SierraSoft BIM Modeling

Giving structure to the information

The information content of the models is what makes BIM so valuable. Information model data must be: structured, coherent, revisable, interrelated and interoperable.

The purpose of information modeling is the creation, modification, and development of all useful information to add value to the project in all its phases: from the requirements phase to the maintenance phase.

With SierraSoft BIM Modeling, it is possible:

To obtain independent, parallel and interconnected project data structuring;
To create and modify both graphical and non-graphical information;
To manage the automatic compilation of information related to the project;
To analyze the project’s BIM data;
To restructure, clean up and integrate information from an imported BIM model.

SierraSoft BIM Modeling is an essential tool for BIM Specialists for the creation and management of information models based on the BIM Execution Plan.

SierraSoft BIM Modeling is available for SierraSoft Land and SierraSoft Roads Roads as a (paid) extension of the Gold Subscription.

SierraSoft BIM Exchange

The exchange according to the purpose

Information contained in the information models should be able to be exchanged and used in a multidisciplinary environment.

The exchange must always take into account the context and the goal of the sharing. The model supplier interfaces with the recipient according to precise rules defined in the BIM Execution Plan.

With SierraSoft BIM Exchange it is possible:

To exchange the information (import/export);
To select the information to be exchanged for import and export;
To manage the open formats (IFC 2x3, IFC 4x1 and LandXML);
To remodel the proprietary or open formats (DXF, DWG, IFC 2x3 and IFC 4x1);
To keep synchronized the information exchanged.

SierraSoft BIM Exchange is a fundamental tool for both BIM Specialists and BIM Coordinators.

SierraSoft BIM Exchange is included in the SierraSoft Land and SierraSoft Roads Gold Subscriptions.

SierraSoft BIM Checking

Analyze and check information models

For information models to be applied, they must meet requirements for completeness, transmissibility and congruence.

All the information models concerning a project must be interrelated and must be coordinated with reference rules.

With SierraSoft BIM Checking, it is possible:

To analyze and check interferences (clash detection);
To analyze and check information inconsistencies (model e code checking);
To resolve interference and inconsistency issues.

SierraSoft BIM Checking is a tool designed for BIM Coordinators, but it is also very useful for BIM Specialists in support of the creation of information models.

SierraSoft BIM Checking is not yet available. It will be available for SierraSoft Land and SierraSoft Roads as a (paid) extension of the Gold Subscription.

The BIM certification

Become a BIM Certified Professional

BIM requires specific, competent and certified professionals.

SierraSoft's training offer includes courses to help you acquire the skills you need to work in BIM and to prepare you for the exams to obtain professional certification as a BIM expert.

The certification as a BIM expert is issued by ICMQ in compliance with the UNI 11337 regulation (Digital management of the informative processes) and with the UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17024 regulation (General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons).

SierraSoft is an ICMQ assessment Body for the certification of professionals such as BIM Specialist for SierraSoft Roads. SierraSoft, as an ICMQ Assessment Body, in addition to managing training, organizes and manages exam sessions for obtaining the BIM Specialist certification.

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