The link between Energy Analysis and 4D and 5D BIM

Posted by Bhagwati Iyer Pathak on August 18th, 2018

4D and 5D BIM actually are an extension of 3D BIM, these services cover the project construction phase post the pre-construction BIM is completed. Energy analysis is done during pre-construction and post-construction phase both. This article covers the definition and the purpose of both these services.

Somewhere, both the BIM features do overlap each other. Energy analysis explains the utilization of the different types of elements with the pricing. While 4d and 5D BIM Modelling talk about scheduling and costing. Somewhere the element of “Costing” is a part of both the features. Sustainable building designs help with energy conservation and cost saving. Green building concept is growing rapidly and is widely accepted by many Architectural firms, while BIM Modelling has also diversified into upper levels like 6D and 7D.

Energy analysis for any building is performed for determining the overall amount of energy that a building including its associated elements demandand the required costs to meet that energy demand.BIM software performs energy analysis efficiently and this process is a vital part of the facility design phase. To evaluate the all-inclusive energy requirements for any designed building, you need to execute building energy simulation programs on the 3D BIM models. Using BIM, you can effectively inspect in what way you can reduce energy demands, make proper usage of energy, lessen building’s life-cycle costs, etc. Many BIM companies specialize in performing precise energy analysis as well as building information modelling across the United States and Canada.

Nowadays, the trend of sustainable building is growing significantly all over the world. The sole purpose of developing sustainable building design is to make energy-efficient construction by improving the design of buildings and it’s all related elements. When you create a building design, you need to strictly follow the building standards and codes for that particular location where the building will be constructed later. Using green building design, you can save your building from unnecessary energy spending i.e. this design makes your building environment-friendly as well. You can execute rapid energy modelling process for getting more clear ideas about your building energy consumption while you prepare designs for your construction. When you create

In building energy analysis, the usage of BIM software can be categorized into two different types based on the levels of details of modelling as well as project execution phases –

• BIM energy analysis at the time of conceptual design
• Building energy analysis during the later design phase

In the conceptual design phase, energy analysis is simply performed on a BIM model and it helps users in preparing building configuration accurately. In the later design phase, energy analysis is performed thoroughly with the assistance of energy simulation tools. Before performing this analysis on a BIM 3D model, at first experts i.e. BIM engineers, Architects, etc. verify whether this model is suitable for the simulation or any alteration is required in that model. When an energy model is developed, the work progress is checked by comparing this model with a successfully developed BIM energy model.

Building energy analysis is a prime part of BIM services and this analysis is mandatorily needed to save project time as well as costs. Ecotect is one such software focusing on Energy Analysis and sustainable building designs.

4D and 5D BIM - Scheduling and Costing

Fourth and fifth dimensions of a BIM (building information modelling) model refer to the Construction timeline element (4D) and cost estimation element (5D) effectively. 4D BIM enables modellers to make proper estimations of how much time each phase of the building development will take to be completed. By performing this analysis, modellers can easily determine the overall timelines required to finish a whole building successfully. Revit helps in extracting costing. Linking Revit model with software like primavera helps in extracting costing.

4D analysis of a BIM model

This is performed based on four elementary components, they are:

• Quantities by location
• On-site production control
• Flow line theory
• 4D simulations

5D BIM empowers modellers or engineers to determine takeoff items, takeoff quantities and resource costs together along with construction scheduling estimations of a BIM 3D model. Thereby, it helps engineers to calculate the overall costs required to execute a whole construction project.

Advantages of 4D BIM Modeling Process

• It enables engineers to analyze the entire construction project and to watch the status of the project at any stage. 
• Helps engineers to visualize a building’s condition including its interior and exterior.
• Reduces the chances of getting errors and inconsistency in building design and makes it perfect.
• Resolves clashes related issues amongst the various components (i.e. structural, Mechanical HVAC, electrical and plumbing) of construction.
• Time scheduling analysis facilitates to make proper schedules of each executable operation and assists engineers to make proper planning of the project i.e. when and how to implement the materials, how many resources will be appointed to perform a particular operation etc.

Advantages of 5D BIM Modeling Process

• It integrates all 3D, 4D and 5D elements together i.e. time scheduling, location-based quantities, resource costs, labour costs, productivity rates and quantity takeoff.
• Enables engineers to make the right estimation of overall project costs with the facilities that if any changes are performed on building design or structure, it will immediately update the budget according to the present scenario.
• Helps to generate a database of the building information that includes pricing of materials, resource costs, labour productivity rates, quantity takeoff etc. with construction scheduling information.
• Facilitates to perform detailed analysis of project risks including clash detection, proper cash flow estimation.
• Empowers engineers to evaluate the required costs for each phase or project modules.
• Helps to estimate the number of resources and labour are needed to be employed.
• Improves productivity of Architects, Designers and Engineers and saves time.

Older buildings are also getting renovated using green building concept and hence energy analysis has a strong correlation with 4D and 5D concept. Let us dive deeply into what the concept is all about. We can talk about how closely these concepts are interconnected in the next part,  once the readers are aware of the technology and its purposefully.

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