BIM has redefined the construction industry by streamlining the entire project lifecycle and workflow. A survey by Autodesk shows that the application of BIM in engineering projects increases productivity by 58 percent and cost-saving by almost 21 percent.
Integrated with MEP design and installation, BIM helps design perfect buildings through its modern design approach. The technology saves material costs with reliable estimation and reduces production time by streamlining the MEP design process. MEP design on a BIM platform helps get a detailed view of different segments, from the ceiling elevations to the plumbing layout, including other MEP systems.
eLogicTech, a BIM service provider, supports various construction firms in shaping their MEP design process as part of the overall project delivery. From MEP drafting and MEP conversion, plumbing, and firefighting to electrical design and drafting, eLogicTech provides internationally acclaimed quality services in MEP engineering.
Get a BIM integrated superior quality MEP design and drafting for your complex MEP projects at eLogicTech.
BIM – What It Brings to the Table
BIM is a 3D-driven technology used to design, build, and operate a facility collaboratively and includes all aspects of the design, such as materials, space, and energy usage. It is an integrated approach of people, process, policies, information, and technologies that improves the efficiency of the construction process, reduce waste in construction, and improve the quality & efficiency of the building.
Architects and engineers can easily conceptualize, coordinate, collaborate, and complete the project with BIM. Using traditional methods, when the team moved from one phase to another in the project, some information was lost. However, in BIM, there is a continuous flow of information. Each project phase gets digitally captured, from early planning, designing, and construction to operations and maintenance. There is no loss of project information, as each team member can use the data whenever and wherever needed.
MEP design requires a high degree of collaboration, and BIM helps create a collaborative process allowing each person to stay on task and deliver their responsibilities conveniently. The detailed 3D models help visualize how MEP components are interrelated.
BIM dynamically connects design, analysis, and documentation, leading to a detailed project design. And enhance the project performance and lower the cost of design changes. Digital documentation supports engineers optimize the design by reducing the time spent on documentation.
BIM and MEP Design
MEP design is the process of creating a 3D detailed model containing all the physical, technical, and functional aspects of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system of a project. MEP design on a BIM platform can manage the following three operations in a single 3D model.
Modeling
BIM models the objects in the parametric form and includes all information for designing, constructing, and asset maintenance.
These parametric objects have geometric, dimensional, and performance-related information, like supplier-related data, technical datasheets, installation methods, maintenance schedules, etc. We can insert these objects using libraries integrated into the BIM MEP software and can even customize them by modifying or externally importing them.
Sizing & Calculation
BIM MEP software also allows the sizing and calculation of MEP installation systems using formulas. These formulas based on the parameters get envisaged by specific standards. For example, Revit MEP can perform several electrical and mechanical design calculations such as cable sizing, short circuit calculation, ESP calculation, fire pump head calculation, etc.
Cost estimation
A BIM model even helps in automatic cost estimation of the model or design. We need to select and combine the prices that get selected from the price list with the objects and quantities represented in the 3D model.
BIM Supporting MEP Modeling
The primary reason for using the BIM MEP design is
Visualization
MEP is a complex system and requires high collaboration and details to avoid errors. In BIM, the MEP engineers can visualize how the different MEP components fit together.
Work Efficiency
MEP designers have to handle multiple tasks at a time. Such as working on the drawings for one part of the project while working on schematics for another. In BIM, they can view each development in the project and extract real-time information instead of relying on others.
BIM MEP Modeling
For a BIM MEP design, first, we need to create a 3D model. The model needs to be complete with information related to architectural, structural, and other elements of the projects. Such as, a BIM MEP model for a thermal system should contain data related to the heating station, piping and distribution system, DWV drainage, waste and ventilation, system management and control, and others.
Integration of all discipline in a single 3D model gives a detailed view to the MEP engineers and improvise the design results. BIM MEP modeling helps highlight the impact of different design choices and develop an overall view of the building system.
Further, the BIM MEP model can get exported in IFC format, a universal, recognized, and interdisciplinary language. IFC is an open data format not controlled by a single operator. It ensures interoperability and interchange of an information model among all professionals without any loss or distortion of data.
Benefits of BIM in MEP Design
Being one of the powerful tools for MEP designers, BIM changes business practices to offer better results. Harmonizing the design and engineering into a cohesive and coordinated environment results in numerous benefits to the MEP design process.
Accelerates the MEP design process
Using BIM MEP, engineers reduce the time spent on design review and repetitive tasks. In contrast to conventional 2D methods, 3D visualization gives a clear view of the equipment location, easy design edit, detects any design error and overlapping components, and notifies the design team immediately.
Easy detection of Location conflict
BIM software allows easy detection of location conflicts of several MEP components. The corresponding team gets notified if two building systems are overlapping. Equipment location conflicts making it to the construction phase, even results in change orders and project delay. BIM reduces the chances of error and issues on site.
Reduction in Change Orders during construction
One of the main reasons for project cost increases and delays is change orders. BIM helps detect the need for any change order at the design stage and modifications made virtually in the model rather than in physical construction. Editing a virtual model is cheaper than dismounting and reassembling the actual installations and thus, reducing the material and labor costs.
Preventive maintenance approach
BIM’s preventive maintenance approach fixes a problem before it occurs instead of damage fixing when building components break down. The MEP components data in BIM can get updated with routine inspections and system modifications. It is easy to track the conditions of main MEP components and schedule their replacement in advance.
BIM MEP Design with eLogicTech
BIM and MEP integration is crucial to building and running a project smoothly. Interdisciplinary collaboration, coordination, and data sharing minimizes error, unforeseen event, and cost increase during the construction phase.
The expertise of eLogicTech in BIM MEP modeling helps design an efficient MEP system without any compromise on its functionality and building aesthetics. Our MEP design process and related services deliver a high level of quality with minimum cost and optimum efficiency. Contact our MEP experts to get more details on eLogicTech BIM MEP services.
