42095 Introduction to Building Information Modelling
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 120 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Degree owned by FEIT OR 120 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Honours Embedded Degree owned by FEIT OR 120 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Combined Degree owned by FEIT OR 120 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Combined Honours Degree owned by FEIT OR 120 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Combined Degree co-owned by FEIT OR 120 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Combined Honours Degree co-owned by FEIT
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a set of technologies, processes and policies that is revolutionising the construction industry, and BIM capabilities are now crucial for all construction sector professionals. This subject provides students with knowledge of the central concepts of BIM while also building practical skills in the data quality control and data management activities that support the accurate modelling, tagging, exchange, review, and verification of building information models. Students gain insight into the main concepts of Open Data Exchange, Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and Lean Construction, developing their understanding of the value of model-based data in construction environments characterised by interdisciplinary collaboration, data quality control, and continuous improvement. They also build technical skills in the practical application of vendor-neutral methods of exchanging, checking, coordinating, and reviewing model-based information. The implications of data quality control on downstream applications of BIMD are explored relative to 3D simulation, sustainability, digital twin creation, construction scheduling (4D), and cost estimation (5D).
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Apply key technologies, processes and protocols supporting BIM-enabled design and construction. (D.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Manage model-based information for design, construction and operations. (C.1) |
| 3. | Communicate capabilities and benefits of BIM, Open Data Exchange, Integrated Project Delivery, and Lean Construction to project stakeholders. (E.1) |
| 4. | Evaluate an organisation’s BIM capability maturity. (B.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, and influence stakeholders, and apply expert judgment establishing and managing constraints, conflicts and uncertainties within a hazards and risk framework to define system requirements and interactivity. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating autonomously within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:
- 1.2. Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline.
- 1.5. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
- 2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
- 2.4. Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
- 3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject is delivered in block mode and uses a model of brief lectures followed by a mix of tutorial and studio-based workshop activities to support student learning. With the aim of developing key work-ready BIM skills, students will utilise industry-based projects and datasets focusing on the collaborative model-based workflows that support 3D model coordination and multidisciplinary design review activities. Students are expected to prepare for in-class activities by engaging with online materials prior to each session. These activities include collaborative discussions, analysis of case studies and hands-on data analysis activities using industry models. Students will be assisted throughout to teach the learning objectives using a series of milestones with tutorial activities and an in-class quiz structured across teaching sessions.
Content (topics)
The subject is divided into five components: (1) BIM technologies, processes and standards, (2) Information requirements, open information exchange, and model-based data management, (3) model-based project delivery, (4) model-based operations, and (5) Organisational readiness and BIM capability maturity. The theory underlying BIM, Open Data Exchange, IPD, Lean, and BIM Capability Maturity methods is covered. The emphasis is on the application of BIM technologies, processes, and standards in the design and pre-construction phases; content focuses on data quality control via the practical application of 3D model coordination and design review, before exploring the downstream effects of data quality on other design and pre-construction activities.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Model-based technologies, processes and protocols.
| Intent: | To undertake a series of practical, hands-on tasks in federating, visualising, interrogating, and structuring, model-based information. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1, D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Length: | Individual in-class exercises undertaken during tutorial and workshop sessions. Submission requirements include a combination of response formats, including written, verbal, polling, and model-based deliverables. |
Assessment task 2: Industry Project Part 1: Application of BIM technologies and workflows
| Intent: | To undertake a project-based activity in coordinating and reviewing discipline-specific model-based information. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Progress presentation = 3 to 5 minutes (10% Group) Final presentation = 3 to 5 minutes (20% Group) Groupwork, Group Assessed |
Assessment task 3: Industry Project Part 2: Analysis of model-based data
| Intent: | To undertake a project-based activity in reporting on the implications of data quality for discipline-specific models according to a downstream BIM-enabled activity. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Length: | Report = 3500 words Individually Assessed |
Assessment task 4: Quiz: BIM Principles and Applications
| Intent: | Consolidate student understanding of the principles, applications and benefits of BIM |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1, D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 1 hour in-class quiz Individually Assessed |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
Sacks, R., Eastman, C., Lee, G., & Teicholz, P. (2018). BIM handbook: a guide to building information modeling for owners, designers, engineers, contractors, and facility managers. John Wiley & Sons.
Recommended texts
Holzer, D. (2016). The BIM manager's handbook: guidance for professionals in architecture, engineering, and construction. John Wiley & Sons.
Shepherd, D. (2019). The BIM Management Handbook. Routledge.
Hardin, B., & McCool, D. (2015). BIM and construction management: proven tools, methods, and workflows. John Wiley & Sons.