BIM Model Validation for Project Success

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a process for creating and managing digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of places. It is used to support decision-making about a place throughout its lifecycle, from conceptualization to demolition.

BIM model validation is the process of checking the accuracy and completeness of a BIM model. It is important to validate BIM models to ensure that they are accurate and reliable enough to be used for decision-making.

Benefits of BIM model validation:

• Improved accuracy and completeness of BIM models
• Reduced risk of errors and omissions in BIM models
• Improved communication and collaboration between project stakeholders
• Increased trust in BIM models
• Enhanced decision-making
• Improve BIM Return on Investment (ROI)

Challenges in BIM Model Validation

• One of the biggest challenges of BIM model validation is the complexity of BIM models. BIM models can contain millions of objects, each with many properties. This makes it difficult to manually check every aspect of the model for accuracy and completeness.

• Lack of standardization. There are many different BIM software platforms, and each platform has its unique way of modeling objects and properties. This can make it difficult to develop validation checks that are compatible with all BIM software platforms.
• Documented Model Validation Process for every use case of BIM is very important. A few Questions to ask before scoping for BIM :

1. How to check & validate BIM model for accurate quantity extraction
2. How to check & validate BIM model for accurate construction drawing extraction
3. How to check & validate BIM model for accurate digital handover for the Facilities management team

Process of BIM Model Validation

1. Planning & Scoping BIM Model Validation: The first step is to plan & scope the BIM Model validation process. This includes identifying the stakeholders involved, the scope of the validation, tools used, Frequency of BIM model validation and the criteria that will be used to evaluate the model.
2. Data collection: The next step is to collect the data that will be used to validate the model. This includes architectural, structural drawings, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) Models, BIM execution plans and other project documentation.
3. Model review: Once the data has been collected, the model can be reviewed to identify any errors or omissions. This can be done manually or using automated validation tools. Any errors or omissions that are identified and communicated to respective project stakeholders for correction. This may involve updating the model or providing additional information several times till the desired model quality is achieved.
4. Model approval: Once the model has been corrected and all issues have been resolved, it can be approved, and the information can be relied upon for the desired outcome.

Guidelines for BIM Model Validation

• Use of automated BIM validation tools: Automated validation tools can help to identify errors and omissions in BIM models more quickly and efficiently than manual review.
• Development of standards: Develop BIM Model Validation standard for your organisation or project and run it through all project stakeholders to ensure they are comfortable using the data from BIM Models with a set process
• Use of BIM Model validation services: Third-party validation services can provide an independent assessment of the accuracy and completeness of BIM models. This is always preferred rather than a house team as BIM Model validation experts like Desapex can bring in multiple experts together using advanced tools & processes to ensure BIM Models are validated.

BIM Validation Tools

• Solibri Model Checker: Solibri Model Checker is one of the most advanced rule-based BIM validation tools that can be used to check for errors and omissions in BIM models.
• Navisworks: Navisworks is a BIM coordination and collaboration software that can also be used for model validation.
• BIM Collab: BIM collab is a cloud-based BIM validation and collaboration platform that can be used to check for errors and omissions in BIM models.
• Revizto: Comprehensive set of checks for geometry, topology, data consistency, coordination, and quantity takeoff Immersive VR experience for more realistic and interactive model review Cloud-based platform for easy collaboration and access from anywhere User-friendly interface and powerful reporting tools

Conclusion

BIM model validation is an important part of making information from Models reliable. There are a number of challenges associated with BIM model validation, but there are also a number of solutions and tools available to overcome these challenges.

If you are facing challenges to get ROI on BIM Models or want to know how BIM (3D) Models can be made more reliable expand use cases & improve your digitalisation goals please reach out to experts at Desapex