Advantages of BIM for structural engineering

4 great advantages of BIM for structural engineering

The use of BIM, and the collaboration between design teams and technicians, can help engineers create better and more efficient structural models.

One of the main objectives of structural engineering is certainly the constant need to improve workflows and to produce more efficiently and quickly, increasing quality and reducing costs. These aspects have always represented a challenge for structural engineers.

4 extraordinary advantages that BIM can bring to the work of structural engineers

How can building information modeling be integrated into structural engineering works?
Structural engineers have a specific role within the life cycle of an asset and a building. The structural engineers participate in the BIM process in collaboration with other important professional figures by intervening in support of multidisciplinary decision-making activities.

What are the advantages of BIM for structural engineers?

1. Interoperability. The use of the IFC format in data exchange between BIM software is breaking down all barriers between platforms for models and data sharing between platforms. This data exchange is a big step up from the alternative of building parallel models or choosing a single software to complete the whole process.

2. Team building and knowledge sharing. With the use of a BIM software, the construction workflow can be divided among the various professionals involved, facilitating problem solving activities and actions. Easier sharing of the models implies a better relationship between the various technical experts who are thus able to exchange and share knowledge. This also increases skills and productivity for the whole team.

3. Measurement of ROI (Return on Investment). Thanks to interoperability and problem detection tools integrated in the software and BIM platforms, time saving is certainly one of the aspects that immediately emerges as an advantage of using a BIM tool within the processes of structural engineering. This feature saves tens or even hundreds of hours compared to manual control of the drawing on paper.

4. The future of construction is BIM. The spread of BIM does not only concern the world of software houses and technical experts, but also public and private customers. This trend is leading to a growth in the structural engineering sector, replacing everything that has moved around the use of common CAD software for years. In many countries, BIM is becoming mandatory to participate in all public procurement.