November, 19, 2019
Topic: BIM
(4 min read)
We can call it the “digital revolution“, which began January 1, 2019 and will not stop for at least the next 7 years.
We are talking about an important change, aimed at optimizing the design, construction and management of buildings, plants and infrastructures.
What is Building Information Modeling – BIM
Building Information Modeling (acronym: BIM, in Italian: Construction Information Modeling) indicates a method for optimizing the planning, construction and management of constructions using software. Thanks to it all the relevant data of a building can be collected, combined and connected digitally. The virtual construction can be viewed as a three-dimensional geometric model.
The BIM is now a reality more than actual for all those in the building sector. We no longer speak of the simple geometric description, to which the 3 dimensions on the 3 XYZ axes were sufficient, but with the entry of new and multiple dynamics, construction must also be digitized.
Today, there is the need to have more information available that makes the complete geometric model in several respects, starting from structural data, up to notions of a managerial nature.
The legislation
The obligation to use the Building Information Modeling (BIM) for public works of an amount equal to or greater than 100 million euros in implementation of the provisions of the BIM Decree (DM 560 of 1 December 2017).
The BIM Decree, in fact, established the methods and timing for the gradual introduction, by the contracting stations, the granting administrators and economic operators, of the mandatory methods and specific electronic tools, such as those for building construction and the infrastructures, in the planning, construction and management phases of the works and relative checks.
Here’s how the BIM obligation will gradually come into effect:
- from 1st January 2019 for works worth 100 million €;
- from 2020 for complex works over 50 million €;
- from 2021 for complex works over 15 million €;
- from 2022 for works over 5.2 million €;
- from 2023 for works over 1 million €;
- from 2025 for all new works.
The purpose
The obligatory nature of specific electronic design methods and tools has been introduced by the new Procurement Code and has the sole purpose of rationalizing and improving design activities and related checks, consequently optimizing and streamlining those processes that up to now have influenced the timing and methods of participation in tenders.
The provision is not limited only to this, but also regulates the preliminary requirements of the contracting stations, which must have already adopted:
- a staff training plan
- a plan for the acquisition and / or maintenance of hardware and software for managing decision-making and information processes
- an organizational act that explains the process of control and management, both of data and of conflicts.
Finally, aimed at facilitating the use of the data and information produced, the use of interoperable platforms by contracting stations will be envisaged. In this way the information can be shared among all the participants in the project.
Conclusions
Digitalization has now also reached the construction sector. Hiding or running away from technology is certainly not the most correct way to go, which is why we believe that this regulation will bring great benefits: first of all with regard to the procedures and activities aimed at optimizing the timing and methods of participation in tenders, but above all for guaranteeing complete geometric models, rich in all that information both from a structural point of view and from a management point of view.