Unit Description and General Aims

The objective of this unit is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodology and its transformative role in enhancing decision-making across all phases of building projects. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice, students will explore a wide array of BIM tools, techniques, and methods that extend beyond traditional 3D modeling to incorporate 4D (time), 5D (cost), 6D (sustainability), and 7D (facility management) dimensions.

This unit introduces students to industry-leading software such as Autodesk Revit, Autodesk Navisworks, BIM 360, Dynamo and Green Building Studio. Students will also gain experience with OpenBIM concepts and IFC formats to facilitate collaboration and data exchange across multidisciplinary teams. In addition to BIM’s foundational benefits, this unit explores emerging and advanced applications, such as energy performance simulations, sustainability analysis, clash detection, and facility management integration. Students will learn how to centralize project data within a BIM model to perform accurate cost estimations and real-time construction scheduling, helping to reduce economic, environmental, and operational impacts during the project lifecycle.

A central component of the unit is the development of a collaborative construction case study project, utilising problem-based learning strategies to simulate real-world scenarios. By working with diverse BIM tools, students will apply their knowledge to complex building designs, project coordination, and performance optimization.

Upon completion of this unit, students will be equipped with the advanced skills required to effectively implement BIM methodologies in various aspects of construction engineering and design, enabling them to make data-driven decisions that improve project efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.

Learning Outcomes

1. Create an effective design using BIM applications.
   Bloom's Level 6
2. Demonstrate a broad understanding of methods and principles of sustainable practices using BIM methodology.
   Bloom's Level 2
3. Analyse practical case studies to enhance the understanding of important concepts of BIM projects.
   Bloom's Level 4
4. Design construction components, such as structural, architectural, mechanical, and electrical building services using BIM tools.
   Bloom's Level 6

Student assessment

Overall Requirement: An overall final unit score of 50% or above must be achieved to pass the unit once all assessment has been completed.

Prescribed and Recommended Readings

Required textbook(s)

• Increasing Autodesk Revit Productivity for BIM Projects: A practical guide to using Revit workflows to improve productivity and efficiency in BIM projects, Packt Publishing, 2021, by Fabio Roberti and Decio Ferreira.

Reference Materials

• The BIM Manager's Handbook: Guidance for Professionals in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction, Wiley, 2016, by Dominik Holzer.

Unit Content

Topic 1

BIM Concept

• What is Building Information Modelling?
• The difference between the traditional approach and the BIM approach.

BIM Dimensions

BIM Professionals

Topic 2

BIM Tools

• Overview of different BIM tools
• The advantages of BIM solutions
• BIM project examples and their advantages

Topic 3

Case Study Development – Part I

• Presentation of a residential building case study
• Introduction to Autodesk Revit interface and its key features
• Creating a Revit template

Topic 4

Case Study Development – Part II

• Creating Revit families and using them in project modelling
• Most important Revit modelling tools
• Modelling the building – Part I : Basic structure and layout

Topic 5

Case Study Development – Part III

• Modelling the building – Part II: Completing architectural details
• Overview of Revit’s documentation features to communicate the building’s design intent
• Organising documentation sheets and printing/exporting views and schedules from Revit

Topic 6

BIM Coordination and Collaboration

• Importance of interdisciplinary coordination in BIM projects
• Collaborative workflows for integrating architectural, structural, and MEP models
• Example of MEP Design in Revit: Electrical Projects
• Combining Design and Construction Data: BIM 360
• The use of Revit’s Copy/Monitor tool
• Constructability issues and Model Checking: Code Checking and Clash Detection
• OpenBIM concept and application: IFC format.

Topic 7

Planning and Cost Estimation in Construction

• Generation of accurate quantity take-offs
• Introduction to 4D BIM: Real-time construction scheduling derived from a BIM model
• Introduction to the TimeLiner tool in Autodesk Navisworks
• Introduction to 5D BIM: Integration of cost data into the BIM model for dynamic cost estimation

Topic 8

BIM for Sustainability

• Integrating BIM with sustainability certification systems
• Building Energy Modelling and the use of Green Building Studio
• How to minimise environmental, economic, and social impacts of buildings using BIM

Topic 9

BIM for Facility Management

• How to ensure the building is achieving its return on investment
• How to optimise the building performance
• How to increase the lifecycle of building equipment

Topic 10

Dynamo BIM

• Dynamo user interface
• Nodes and Dynamo Library
• Solving repetitive problems with Dynamo: practical examples
• Integrating Dynamo with Microsoft Excel: BIM model data extraction

Topic 11

Improved decision-making process through BIM

• How to enhance the building decision-making processes in early design stages.
• How to benefit the different building phases (i.e., design, engineering, construction, maintenance, and operation) through BIM.
• How to improve data visualisation in BIM.
• BIM simulations and analyses.
• Heritage BIM: maintenance and repair of heritage buildings.

Topic 12

Project and Unit Review

In the final week, students will have an opportunity to review the contents covered so far. An opportunity will be provided for a review of student work and to clarify any outstanding issues. Instructors/facilitators may choose to cover a specialised topic if applicable to that cohort.

Software/Hardware Used

Software

• Software: Autodesk Revit, Autodesk Navisworks, BIM 360, Green Building Studio, Dynamo

• Version: Latest

• Instructions:  N/A

• Additional resources or files: N/A

Hardware

• N/A

Unit Changes Based on Student Feedback