Workflows in BIM (Building Information Modeling) are structured processes and procedures that enable the creation, management, and use of 3D digital models in construction projects, where a team is responsible for generating and supervising a model.
Their purpose is to enhance communication among different professionals involved, reduce errors, and improve efficiency in the design, planning, and execution of a project.
Advantages of Using Workflows in BIM
Facilitate real-time data integration
Improve collaboration among multidisciplinary teams
Reduce costs caused by errors or rework
Provide better visualization of the project before construction, aiding decision-making
Minimize compliance-related issues
There are various types of BIM workflows, tailored to the needs of each project and team. Some focus on the coordination of disciplines (architecture, structures, and installations), while others prioritize data management and integration with other technologies.
Unlike CAD or software development workflows, which focus on producing static files or lines of code, BIM digital models aim to integrate and evolve throughout the project.
To achieve an efficient BIM workflow, it is advisable to have specialized BIM consulting that guides the implementation of standards, tools, and appropriate methodologies. Poor management can lead to modeling errors, incompatibilities, or coordination issues that affect the project’s success.
Acero Estudio, a company specialized in services for the design, architecture, and construction sectors, offers personalized solutions to ensure an optimal workflow aligned with the best practices in the industry. Do not wait, contact us, we are at your service.
Why are construction and architecture companies worldwide adopting the BIM methodology? The answer is simple: this technology enhances project management, optimizes resources, and reduces errors in design and execution.
In Which Sectors is BIM Useful?
BIM is recommended for all types of projects, but it is especially valuable for large-scale developments, such as:
Commercial buildings
Urban infrastructure
Industrial developments
However, it is also highly beneficial for medium and small projects that require efficient cost and time management. Companies looking to improve their competitiveness and comply with international regulations should consider implementing BIM from the early design stages.
Key Steps for a Successful Transition to BIM
To successfully transition to BIM, a company must follow key steps:
Train the team in specialized software and information modeling principles.
Establish protocols and workflows adapted to the BIM methodology.
Having expert guidance is crucial to avoiding mistakes and maximizing the benefits of BIM technology. If your company wants to implement BIM, Acero Estudio is your best ally.
A digital twin is a digital replica of a physical asset, system, or process. To create one, technologies such as cameras and sensors—like 3D laser scanners—are used. This digital model not only represents the physical object but also interacts with it through data analysis, simulations, and predictions powered by artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The applications of a digital twin are vast and incredibly useful, including:
Real-time asset monitoring.
Simulation of favorable and unfavorable scenarios to optimize processes.
Predictive maintenance to prevent failures.
Visualization and analysis for informed decision-making.
Applications of Digital Twins
Develop a digital twin have a significant impact across various sectors where proactive actions are essential to avoid risks caused by a lack of foresight. These sectors include:
Construction and Infrastructure: Optimizing projects and maintaining smart buildings.
Manufacturing: Improving efficiency in production lines.
Energy and Utilities: Managing power grids and maintaining energy plants.
Transportation and Logistics: Simulating routes and optimizing fleets.
Healthcare: Modeling medical devices and hospital systems.
Developing a Digital Twin
The creation of a digital twin is based on three key pillars:
Data Collection: Using IoT sensors and digital sources.
3D Modeling: Employing advanced tools like BIM methodology to accurately represent the asset.
Real-Time Connectivity: Feeding the model with dynamic data for simulations and predictive analysis.
How Digital Twins Are Enhanced with BIM
Combining BIM methodology with digital twins unlocks unique benefits:
Operational Efficiency: BIM provides precision in design and construction, while the digital twin optimizes the usage and maintenance of assets.
Cost Reduction: Lower maintenance expenses through predictive analysis and efficient resource management.
Data-Driven Decision-Making: BIM lays a solid foundation for design, while the digital twin delivers real-time insights for strategic decisions.
Sustainability: Reduces environmental impact by maximizing asset performance and minimizing waste.
At Acero Estudio, we are experts in BIM consulting and digital twin creation, offering comprehensive solutions for projects of any scale. We optimize your processes and help you improve efficiency with the most advanced technology on the market. Contact us today, and let’s start improving your efficiency and transforming the way you manage projects!
With BIM (Building Information Modeling), data centralization ensures that information is accessible to all stakeholders in real-time, from architects to engineers and contractors.
The main advantage of this centralization is the elimination of errors caused by duplication or inconsistencies in data. Each element of the BIM model represents both the three-dimensional geometry and information related to materials, costs, and technical specifications. This facilitates informed decision-making and ensures consistency across all project phases.
Types of Databases Used in BIM
To manage the vast amount of information generated by a BIM project, various types of databases are employed, each designed to fulfill specific functions:
Relational Databases (RDBMS):
These organize information into tables linked by keys, enabling complex and organized queries. They are ideal for storing schedules, budgets, and structured data. Popular examples include:
MySQL
PostgreSQL
Microsoft SQL Server
NoSQL Databases:
These are used to organize and manage large volumes of unstructured or semi-structured data. They are helpful for managing metadata generated by BIM models. Examples:
MongoDB (JSON documents)
Cassandra (distributed data and high availability)
File-Based Data Storage:
Formats like Revit (.rvt) and IFC (.ifc) act as data containers. While not traditional databases, they allow structured storage and compatibility across platforms.
Graph Databases:
These databases model complex relationships between project elements, such as utility networks or phase dependencies. Example:
Neo4j
Cloud-Based Systems:
Platforms like Autodesk BIM 360 and Trimble Connect combine relational and NoSQL databases in a remotely accessible environment, fostering collaboration among geographically dispersed teams.
Benefits of These Databases and Interoperability in BIM
Using advanced databases in BIM offers multiple benefits, such as:
Centralized Access: All information is unified, making it easy to access and update in real-time.
Effective Collaboration: Cloud systems enable teams to work simultaneously on the same model, improving communication and reducing errors.
Advanced Analysis: Integration with analytical tools allows for project progress evaluation, cost optimization, and predictive problem-solving.
Interoperability: Through the use of standard formats like IFC, data can be shared across different BIM software, ensuring integration between disciplines and platforms.
At Acero Estudio, we specialize in BIM consultancy and professional BIM model development. Our professional approach and use of advanced technology ensure that your project benefits from centralized and efficient information management.
Contact us to learn how our expertise can help you develop more efficient projects in less time. We are at your service.
At Acero Estudio, we are passionate advocates and evangelists of BIM for construction projects. However, some clients ask whether the functionality of the BIM methodology is equally useful for simpler but larger-scale paper-based projects, such as road infrastructure.
The notion that BIM might not be necessary for infrastructure projects often considers only the physical components of road infrastructure, such as a highway. However, it may overlook the full power BIM offers for project management, including:
Calculation and projection of required materials
Equipment and schedule management
Purchase and procurement planning
Information related to infrastructure management throughout its lifecycle
Better planning with BIM
Initial Phase of a Road Infrastructure Construction Project
At this stage, BIM demonstrates immense potential with tools and utilities like Scan-to-BIM. For instance, using a 3D laser scanner, we can rapidly and accurately convert area data into BIM modeling, offering precision, speed, and efficiency.
During the Execution of the Project
BIM enhances operational efficiency through better coordination of teams, keeping all units informed and helping anticipate potential risks and clashes. Additionally, its material management components prevent over-purchasing, reducing waste and increasing the profitability of the construction company.
Post-Construction Phases
BIM is invaluable for maintenance and precise monitoring of areas prone to degradation or requiring close supervision. Moreover, BIM models provide accurate and comprehensive information for potential future expansions, ensuring better outcomes in every phase.
If you’ve decided to leverage Acero Estudio’s expertise as a BIM consulting firm, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our specialists can transfer knowledge to your team, helping you minimize risks through proper monitoring and guidance.
As we have illustrated on several occasions, the BIM methodology is essential in preventing conflicts in construction projects. These conflicts are often referred to as clashes, as they involve collisions or inconsistencies that, thanks to BIM, can be avoided due to the logic embedded in its software.
Physical Clashes
These occur when two or more elements of a project occupy the same physical space. In traditional construction, design tools are not updated in real time or are often not incorporated into the main plans, leading to issues during execution.
These are serious problems that can affect structures, such as:
A pipe running through a structural beam
Water or ventilation ducts colliding with electrical installations
Mechanical equipment lacking sufficient space for maintenance or installation
BIM identifies these interferences through “clash detection” analysis, allowing for appropriate corrections in the model before the issue results in a poorly executed construction.
Functional Clashes
These involve incompatibilities in the performance or operation of systems, including electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. Examples of functional clashes include:
Inadequate ventilation in a space due to poor placement of HVAC systems
Electrical systems designed for loads higher or lower than required
Hydraulic connections incompatible with equipment specifications
Design Issues
These relate to aesthetics, accessibility, or regulatory compliance. In every construction project, installations must adhere to regulations and good design practices that ensure proper ventilation, lighting, and pedestrian circulation.
By using pre-developed BIM models, we ensure compliance with all parameters of the original design and can identify the proper placement of installations in time to achieve an optimal building design.
Planning and Scheduling Errors
Thanks to 4D simulation tools, BIM incorporates the dimension of time, helping to avoid scheduling problems such as:
Equipment installation being scheduled before the space is built
Overlapping activities that cause delays or additional costs
As you can see, the benefits of BIM in construction enable effective project management, planning, and execution with accurate and up-to-date information.
If you want to implement this important methodology in your projects, it’s crucial to have proper training. Our BIM consultancy ensures the safe implementation of BIM at any stage of development. Reduce risks, rework, and costs with Acero Estudio, a company specialized in BIM in Spain and Peru.
Contact us today and let’s enhance your BIM models together!
If you’re on this page, you might be wondering whether implementing the BIM (Building Information Modeling) methodology in your projects is truly relevant or if it’s just a trend that will soon be replaced by another workflow system.
Let us assure you that BIM is here to stay. In the construction and architecture industries, it has become an essential tool for large-scale and complex projects because it facilitates work throughout the entire lifecycle of a project—from design and construction to delivery and building maintenance.
If you think BIM is unnecessary, consider that many countries, including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Australia, and Singapore, already mandate BIM for state construction projects. In this brief article, we will show you how BIM methodology is applied in each phase of a project.
PROJECT PLANNING AND DESIGN
This is the initial stage of a construction project, where BIM modeling begins. It allows the creation of preliminary sketches of 3D models that link geometry with site characteristics. At this stage, critical information about structural materials and costs is also defined. The benefits of BIM during this phase include:
Enabling visualization of the project.
Enhancing coordination among professionals.
Improving the accuracy of cost calculations for procurement.
For example, in an architectural project, BIM can simulate the behavior of natural lighting in a building or estimate energy consumption, optimizing the design from its conception.
BIM Model
PRE-CONSTRUCTION
In this phase, the BIM model evolves, becoming more detailed and incorporating schedules, costs, and resource allocation for the project. As the project progresses, the level of detail in the 3D model increases with higher Levels of Development (LOD).
Key benefits include:
Task definition using 4D models (time and space).
Improved planning for subcontractor work.
Reduced risks of cost overruns and delays.
CONSTRUCTION PHASE
During the construction process, BIM software serves as a centralized and up-to-date information hub, keeping all teams informed about changes, delays, or incidents that may arise. Early warnings minimize issues, significantly reduce errors, and prevent rework. BIM’s benefits during this phase include:
Centralized monitoring of progress and schedules.
Resource and materials management.
Quality control.
Cloud repositories also enable technical teams to access information about specific parts of the project anytime, anywhere.
MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE BUILDING
The utility of a BIM model doesn’t end with construction. With the help of various software packages and extensions, BIM allows for projections of maintenance for critical areas, making it a vital tool for managing the constructed asset.
Tracks critical components requiring maintenance.
Updates the model as needed.
Enables operational efficiency analysis.
BIM model of transportation infraestructure
DEMOLITION OR RENOVATIONS
Even at the end of an asset’s lifecycle, BIM remains valuable. It improves processes for renovations or demolition, if applicable. In both scenarios, BIM allows for efficient planning with minimal financial impact.
Is Your Team Ready to Implement the BIM Methodology in Your Projects?
If not, don’t worry. At Acero Estudio, we specialize in BIM and offer exceptional BIM Consulting Services to help manage your projects while training your teams. Our BIM consultants have extensive experience. Avoid risks and contact us today—we are here to help.
In the past five years, BIM has continued its significant progress, driving widespread adoption of platforms like Autodesk Revit, which enables architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) teams to collaborate in real time and efficiently manage all stages of a project.
Revit, Autodesk’s leading software for BIM modeling, has continuously integrated improvements in its versions from 2018 to 2024, expanding its capabilities for increasingly sophisticated collaboration, precision, and visualization.
Key Improvements in Revit Versions 2018 to 2024
Revit 2018: Enhancements in editing complex walls, 3D reinforcement, and new graphic filters.
Revit 2019: Support for perspective views and a new rendering engine.
Revit 2020: Introduction of the “Path of Travel” tool and improvements in MEP systems analysis.
Revit 2021: New cloud collaboration tools and advanced view customization.
Revit 2022: Improved parametric modeling and advanced phase control tools.
Revit 2023: Enhanced interoperability and compatibility with Enscape for visualization.
Revit 2024: Optimization of collaborative BIM workflows and improved review tools.
New Feature Details
Revit 2018:
This version introduced important optimizations for editing complex walls, allowing users to make structural modifications quickly and precisely. It also added a 3D reinforcement feature, aiding projects that require precision in reinforced concrete structures. Additionally, Revit 2018’s graphic filters improved visual clarity and project view customization.
Revit 2019:
In 2019, Autodesk improved the visual interface and support for perspective views, providing designers with a smoother navigation experience within models. The new rendering engine also allowed users to achieve higher-quality renders without impacting overall software performance.
Revit 2020:
A standout feature in this version was the “Path of Travel” tool, which automatically calculates routes within the model, useful for evacuation design and space optimization. Improvements in MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) systems analysis also made working on complex systems easier by enhancing interference detection and load calculation accuracy.
Revit 2021:
Revit 2021 featured essential cloud collaboration tools for projects with remote teams. Advanced view customization provided greater control over model visualization, enabling users to adapt their workspace to the specific needs of each user or project.
Revit 2022:
This version enhanced parametric modeling, increasing flexibility in designing architectural elements. Phase control tools made project planning and management easier, allowing teams to accurately manage the different stages of a construction project.
Revit 2023:
With a strong focus on interoperability, Revit 2023 included significant improvements in compatibility with Enscape, facilitating the creation of high-quality, realistic visualizations directly from the BIM model. This integration was particularly useful for architects and engineers looking to review and share their projects in an attractive and easily interpretable visual format.
Revit 2024: The latest version optimized collaborative BIM workflows, enabling faster and more efficient synchronization among teams. Enhanced review and markup tools facilitate feedback and change tracking, which are essential during the development and construction phases. These updates make Revit 2024 an even more powerful tool for managing complex collaborative projects.
If you’re interested in implementing a BIM solution in your company, project, or even for building management, don’t hesitate to contact Acero Estudio. We specialize in BIM consulting and have a team of experts in Revit.
Let’s talk, find points of support, and consolidate your ideas. We’re at your service.
The BIM methodology offers a significant advantage by enabling real-time functionality. This means that any modifications made to the BIM model are automatically updated in all related documents and plans.
This technical feature is far more than just a technicality; it ensures that all project participants are always working with the most current information, thus eliminating the risk of errors due to lack of synchronization and the need for manual updates across multiple files.
Benefits of Real-Time Functionality in BIM
Error Reduction: With data being updated instantly, errors and duplications are minimized since all professionals access the same updated model, avoiding work on outdated documents or older versions.
Avoidance of Work Duplication: Architecture, engineering, and construction teams can collaborate on a single model reflecting the project’s current state. This streamlines communication and decision-making, as all team members view changes in real time.
Resource Optimization: Automated updates eliminate the need for manual review and modification of multiple documents. This saves time, reduces resource use, and allows teams to focus on value-added tasks.
Quality Control and Monitoring: Real-time information facilitates ongoing project progress tracking and enables early detection of potential issues or discrepancies in design and construction.
Greater Transparency for Clients: Clients and other stakeholders can review the updated model in real time, providing a clear, detailed view of the project status, thus enhancing transparency and trust in the construction process.
In summary, real-time updating in BIM not only optimizes workflow and information accuracy but also transforms the way construction projects are managed. By ensuring that all parties involved work with the latest information, BIM methodology enables effective coordination and more efficient and reliable project execution.
If you’re ready to implement BIM through software such as Revit or others, don’t hesitate to contact us for information on our BIM consulting services. Remember that at Acero Estudio, we are BIM specialists at your service.
Avoid errors and improve project planning. We’re here to help you.
When it comes to infrastructure, BIM’s uses are significant. BIM is applicable in planning and managing complex projects such as bridges, roads, drainage systems, and railway tracks, among others. It also enables the creation of precise digital models that integrate all phases of the project.
Risk Reduction, the Top Priority
Infrastructure projects involve extensive investments, whether carried out by national or local governments or private entities. The sums invested in these types of projects are substantial, and there is always a strong emphasis on avoiding construction risks that could lead to rework or unforeseen problems. With BIM modeling, even before laying a single brick, a crucial step in risk prevention can be achieved. This collaborative system allows the entire construction team to analyze, enhance, and identify potential risks. Moreover, thanks to its ability to generate real-time simulations and analyses, BIM facilitates informed decision-making, leading to greater sustainability and durability of infrastructure.
Improving Efficiency and Project Scheduling
While BIM is often considered solely a tool for risk reduction, it also enhances project efficiency by helping forecast material costs with minimal waste and ensuring proper construction timelines. However, the model requires the right input, and this is where Acero Estudio’sBIM consulting services stand out. A poorly executed or incomplete model can be detrimental to your project. Contact us and let us help you—our team of specialists is ready to provide support and guidance whenever you need it.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
3rd Party Cookies
This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.
Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.
Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!
