Glossary of terms – BIM
Following on from our series of articles on Building Information Modelling (BIM), we have produced a glossary of terms and key acronyms to help guide you through the various levels and documents involved in BIM.
Glossary of Terms and Acronyms used in BIM
AIA
American Institute of Architects
AIM
Architectural Information Model
BIM
Building Information Model
BIM Task Group
A group that brings together expertise from industry, government, public sector, institutes and academia to help deliver the government’s construction strategy
BPMN
Business Process Modelling Notation
BSIM
Building Engineering Services version of the common model
CDE
Common Data Environment
CIC
Construction Industry Council
COBie
Construction Operations Building Information Exchange
Core Maturity Model
Model used within BS 8541 to define levels of BIM as follows:
0 – Unmanaged CAD probably 2D, with paper (or electronic paper) as the most likely data exchange mechanism
1 – Managed CAD in 2 or 3D format using BS 1192:2007 with a collaboration tool providing
a common data environment, possibly some standard data structures and formats. Commercial data managed by standalone finance and cost management packages with no integration
2 – Managed 3D environment held in separate discipline “BIM” tools with attached data. Commercial data managed by an ERP. Integration on the basis of proprietary interfaces or bespoke middleware could be regarded as “pBIM” (proprietary). The approach may utilise 4D programme data and 5D cost elements
3 – Fully open process and data integration enabled by IFC/IFD. Managed by a collaborative model server. Could be regarded as iBIM or integrated BIM potentially employingconcurrent engineering processes
Data Drops
A level of data as yet undefined that will be the output from the BIM process at various stages. RIBA have identified data drops at stages B, C, E, G, K and L
EDMS
Electronic Digital Management System
ERP
Electronic Reporting Process
IDM
Information Delivery Manual
IFD
International Framework for Dictionaries
IFC
Industry Foundation Classes
IPD
Integrated Project Delivery
FIM
Facilities Information Model
Government Construction Strategy
Issued in May 2011, spells out the Governments 4 year programme, in Construction, including the use of level 2 BIM on all public sector projects by 2016 (3D collaborative models with all project and asset information, documentation and data being electronic)
Meta Data
Data used for the description and management of documents and other containers of information
PAS
Publicly Available Specification
SIM
Structural Information Model
Standards and Codes used in BIM
AIA E202- 2008
Building Information Modelling Protocol produced by AIA used in the UK as a reference document
BS 1192:2007
Collaborative production of architectural,engineering and construction information. Code of practice
BS 7000-4:1996
Design management systems. Guide to managing design in construction
BS 8541-1:2011
Library objects for architecture, engineering and construction: identification and classification
BS 8541-2:2011
Library objects for architecture, engineering and construction: recommended 2d symbols
of building elements for use in building information modelling
BS 8541-3:2011
Library objects for architecture, engineering and construction: shape and measurement
BS 8541-4:2011
Library objects for architecture, engineering and construction: attributes for specification and assessment
BS ISO 29841-1:2010
Building information modelling, information delivery manual part 1: methodology and format
PAS 1192:2012
Early adopter document to enable the delivery of HMG BIM strategy projects to level 2 maturity indicator
