A Report on

BIM in Sustainable Design

Submitted By
Abhishake Dutta (CE21708)
Shubham Gupta (CE21709)

MASTER OF TECHNOLOGY
CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES AND MANAGEMENT

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

WARANGAL TELANGANA

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Abstract
The Architecture, Engineering, Construction industry are imparting numerous negative
impacts on the environment. As undoing the climate change is prime interest for my
countries, AEC industries are responsible for huge energy consumption and CO2 emission. To
check this problem clients and industry should work together. In this context BIM can play a
crucial role apart from its quality to maintain homogeneity among all the stakeholders in the
industry. Various certification to rate the sustainability of building available helps to check
the environmental norms of that country. This certifications (LEED, BREEAM, and IGBC)
have criteria to rate the building which mainly includes environmental, economic, social
constraints. These energy analysis packages delivers feedback on the designs for anticipated
CO2 emissions and energy consumptions during construction. However no good data is
present which will estimate the CO2 emissions and energy consumptions during occupancy of
building. Judging human behaviour towards energy savings is still a scope of further
research. Building sustainability is multi- dimensional concept, to check the sustainability of
building it is important to choose array of process, system, technique and material (PSTM).

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 Contents
Abstract----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2
1. Introduction-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5
1.1. BIM-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5
1.2. BIM Dimension---------------------------------------------------------------------------6
1.3. BIM Uses----------------------------------------------------------------------------------6
1.4. BIM Interoperability----------------------------------------------------------------------
8
1.5. BIM application in a project------------------------------------------------------------8
2. Sustainable building design-------------------------------------------------------------------8
2.1. Sustainability------------------------------------------------------------------------------8
2.2. Principles involved in sustainable construction---------------------------------------
8
2.3. Sustainable buildings---------------------------------------------------------------------9
2.4. Approach----------------------------------------------------------------------------------9
2.5. Green BIM---------------------------------------------------------------------------------9
2.6. Problem due to energy deficiency------------------------------------------------------9
2.7. Factor affecting sustainability-----------------------------------------------------------9
2.8. BIM in sustainability---------------------------------------------------------------------9
3. BIM in Sustainable buildings----------------------------------------------------------------
10
3.1. Materials and design comparisons-----------------------------------------------------
10
3.2. Estimation of energy requirements----------------------------------------------------
10
3.3. Life-cycle analysis(LCA)--------------------------------------------------------------10
3.4. Energy certificate------------------------------------------------------------------------11
3.5. Anticipation of Thermal comfort------------------------------------------------------11
3.6. Tool required-----------------------------------------------------------------------------11
3.7. Reduction in energy requirement------------------------------------------------------
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3.8. Building maintenance-------------------------------------------------------------------11
4. BIM in energy certification------------------------------------------------------------------
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5. Conclusion-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13
6. References-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14

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 List of figures

Figure a- Traditional approach v/s a BIM approach-------------------------------------------

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Figure 1- BIM use throughout a building lifecycle--------------------------------------------
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Figure 2- BIM uses throughout an infrastructure lifecycle-----------------------------------
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Figure 3- Information flow through building lifecycle-------------------------------------10
Figure 4-HVAC and lighting consumption variation with wwr----------------------------
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1. Introduction

BIM (Building information modelling) is a modern and very important tool in AECO
(Architecture, engineering, construction and operation) industry, which when applied
to this sector can change the way building are designed, operated, constructed and
maintained. BIM allows to compare the materials and techniques while designing and
renovation phase, evaluate internal thermal comfort, estimate energy needs, provides
platform for visualising analysis results and can aid during environmental

certification.

Fig. a. Traditional approach v/s a BIM approach

(Optimising building sustainability assessment using BIM
Jose Pedro Carvalho, Luis Braganca, Ricardo Mateus
University of Minho, School of Engineering, Civil Engineering Department, Guimarães, Portugal)

In modern living human are using various automated equipment which increases
Use of energy, it leads to increase in CO 2 emission, it is making city energy
deficit.
By using BIM changing in internal & external configuration or by using green
Building the energy requirement can be reduce.

1.1. BIM

With advancement of construction projects, BIM is a concept to optimise,

automate and modernise the traditional processes of AEC industry. BIM concept
adapts a working methodology which have a set of policies, processes and
technologies. Due to these advantages managing 3-D drawings, project details etc.
in digital format during the entire building cycle becomes easy. Is it an integrated
process in which physical and functional characteristics of a project is managed,
simulating the real construction of project digitally. This change will benefit not
only construction industry but society as well. For example better construction
consuming fewer materials, minimising financial resources and will operate more
efficiently.

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 The main implementation of BIM lies in project stakeholders sharing information
during the whole lifecycle of a project. Traditional method is disorganised,
sequential and hence causes lack of information sharing. Stakeholders can work
individually being connected to the central model at same time. This central
model has all the information wiz structural, architectural and MEP. Due to the
centralised system designers can quickly identify and rectify any errors or
complications, enhancing decision making resulting to cost and resources
optimisation. In place of BIM if traditional method is used, the traditional method
assumes building as single entity which is free from surroundings so the analysis
gives result is inaccurate in information it leads to clashes during construction. In
BIM analysis the 3-D visualisation gives clear idea about the error or clashes
during design stage.

1.2. BIM Dimensions

BIM allows integration of n-dimensional information with a project. It begins with

3-D data and extends up to 8-D data linkage. Each dimension provides a unique
set of data related to the project which can be utilised over the life cycle of the
building.

3-D BIM- This dimension represent the 3-D models of on-going project. It may
include simulation of real future construction. This dimension provides data of
clash analysis and design coordination.

4-D BIM- When a 3-D BIM is linked with the schedule of project then it is 4-D
BIM. It is an effective way for scheduling of construction and establishing a
logical sequence in activities. 4-D BIM models can create real time simulation of
construction in virtual environments.

5-D BIM- Linkage of cost related information to 3-D models is 5-D BIM. It
provides data of cost estimation and cash flow in the project.
6-D BIM- Linking of 3-D model with projects life cycle information.

7-D BIM- Sustainability standards are incorporated with 3-D BIM in 7th
dimension.

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1.3. BIM Uses

Use in Building industry

Fig.1 BIM use throughout a building lifecycle

(A Comparative Review of Building Information Modelling
Implementation in Building and Infrastructure Industries
Wenchi Shou Jun Wang Xiangyu Wang
Heap Yih Chong)

BIM can be used in collision detection

Use in other than buildings (infrastructures)

Fig.2 BIM uses throughout an infrastructure lifecycle

(A Comparative Review of Building Information Modelling
Implementation in Building and Infrastructure Industries
Wenchi Shou Jun Wang Xiangyu Wang
Heap Yih Chong)

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 1.4. BIM Interoperability

As BIM contains many dimensions of data sets, not all may be of same type of
data. Interoperability in BIM plays a crucial role. Data produced from BIM are
tool-dependent and creates a challenge to BIM adoption widely. Interoperability
may see various challenges
 Process of data extraction hinders interoperability
 Discrepancies in data file structures
 Loss of data during data exchange process between tools

Increase in interoperability is necessary for seamless BIM based analysis with

reliable results. Having a common file format may be an upcoming solution to
overcome lower interoperability.
1.5. BIM application in a project

 Design optimization
 Facility management
 Reduced materials and waste
 Improve schedule
 Reduce cost and mitigate risk
 Integrated project delivery
 Visualisation during design
 Eliminate clash & errors

2. Sustainable building design

2.1. Sustainability
Sustainability in general terms can be defined as meeting the present needs
without hampering the future generation’s need. In recent times impact of
buildings and constructions on environment is very concerning. AEC industry is
responsible for 40% of total energy use and 32% of CO2 emission in Europe
annually. This alarming situation demands the concept of sustainability in
building and construction industry.

2.2. Principles involved in sustainable construction

 Minimum consumption of resources
 Maximum reusing of resources
 Usage Recyclable materials and renewable materials
 Nature and environment protection
 Energy efficient and healthy creation of environment

2.3. Sustainable buildings

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 Sustainable buildings or more generally low/zero emission buildings are those
which uses the operability energy such as cooling, heating requirements from the
renewable energy produced by several means installed in the building. These are
highly energy efficient buildings with low heat transfer and high efficient
equipment.

2.4. Approach
For analysis of energy the designer designs the building network in software like
REVIT, then the model is analysed in GBS software.

2.5. Green BIM

In green BIM the model design and simulation both are analyse by green BIM, the
data related to the design of building used in a single model this reduces the
inaccuracy in modelling.

2.6. Problems due to energy deficiency

There are many problem are arises due to more uses of energy the problem is the
excess use of energy leads to excess CO 2 emission and increase in global
warming, these are major issue with environment. Excess use of energy also lead
to increase in expense to user or owner.

2.7. Factor affecting sustainability

Different factors like location of building, inter building effect, heating and
cooling, shape and many more factors are affecting the sustainability. These
factors may also vary according to different place or counties because due to
climate or weather these factor changes.

2.8. BIM in sustainability

In sustainability of building, designers are planning for low carbon building so
that the emission of CO2 be reduce and the emission should be in limit or target.
Sustainability is also analysed by different certification programs. There is also a
problem with BIM for sustainability if any data is underestimated like thermal
load or any other then it can be rectified only by real data analysis. During
designing of building the data generated through different software are safer, cost
effective and easy to apply. Data provided by BIM gives clear idea about process
and tool needed during project life cycle.

3. BIM in Sustainable buildings

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3.1. Materials and design comparisons
BIM models are highly flexible and creates margin for quick and simple
modifications in building features, material chosen and designs. By several
iterations designing team can chose most energy efficient design and materials for
construction and BIM models make this process quick and seamless. BIM tools
can help analysing energy performance of a building. To perform this analysis
BIM considers the effect of building envelope, orientation and materials chosen.

3.2. Estimation of energy requirements

Energy requirements mainly depends on building geometry, user behaviour and
equipment used. As study proofs BIM can store both building geometry and
equipment data but not user behaviour. User behaviour can help improve overall
building performance.

3.3. Life-cycle analysis(LCA)

Life-cycle analysis (LCA) applied to structures includes, a careful stock of the
energy utilized during development, use and destruction considering that all
phases of a building's life address ecological effects with the capability of
lessening said

Fig-3 –information flow through building life cycle

(sustainable BIM-based evaluation of buildings
Ibrahim Motawa, Kate Carter)

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 Impacts. The data that BIM can right now store may not be sufficient for complete
and dependable LCA examination. Regardless of these limits, BIM-LCA
combination can presently be refined on three levels first, material evaluation for
ecological sway appraisal second, ecological information mix in BIM materials
and third, information extraction also, move between devices. Of the relative
multitude of phases of utilization of a working, there is anyway an absence of
information in regards to end of-life impacts and its joining in BIM.

3.4. Energy certificate

Energy certification gives rating to the building according to their efficiency. This
rating is influenced by many features. These features or data set can be stored in
BIM and extracted when required. Using BIM for certification may reduce the
time and cost involved it this process.

3.5. Green building performance

Building construction uses largest amount of energy so the emission of CO 2 is also
largest. The solution of this is green building, designer and architect are design
and construct green building to reduce the energy consumption. In green building,
designer tried to design zero or net zero energy building. Most of the country are
planning for green building, many research are going on to achieve good result by
using this. There are also large complexity in designing and to reduce or solve the
complexity a technique called Building Performance Optimization (BPO) is used.

3.6. Anticipation of Thermal comfort

Thermal comfort is judged by 6 parameters, 4 of them are relative humidity, wind
speed, temperature and solar radiations. BIM can estimate the solar radiation
levels. Air temperature, wind speed and humidity can be extracted and analysed
easily using BIM model.

3.7. Tools required

For analysis of sustainability different tools i.e. software like GBS, BIM-
DIT,GREEN BIM, BMS etc are used to analyse and monitor the process of
designing and construction. It also ensure the energy efficiency to emission of low
carbon.

3.8. Reduction in energy requirement

During the designing of building the requirement of energy can be reduce by
changing the orientation of building, changing wwr etc. in a study found that if
building model orientation is rotated from 00 to 3600 then the energy requirement
with respect to cost is minimum in 00 to 150. If wwr ratio increases energy
consumption increases but lighting consumption reduces and vice- versa.

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 Fig 4 – HVAC and lighting consumption variation with wwr
(multicomponent of energy assessment of building using building information modelling
Premjeet Singh, Ayaan sadhu)

3.9. Building maintenance

As an upcoming design can be analysed by BIM, a planned renovation can be
analysed for energy efficiency and CO2 emissions. With the help of this analysis
the most energy efficient renovation design can be chosen.

4. BIM in energy certification

As BIM models have data stored related to energy analysis, it can be used in energy
certification. Using BIM in energy certification will save both time and cost. There
are several known BSA (Building sustainability assessment) method available
worldwide. These BSA are country or region specific certification criteria varies with
location. The first BSA method developed is BREEAM (Building research
establishment environmental assessment method) in UK by International initiative for
a sustainable Built Environment (iiSBE). LEED (Leadership in energy and
environmental design) developed by the United States green building council
(USGBC) provides the platform for all the BSA methods in the World.

According to a study, planning and designing phase are the most critical one. If
discussions on sustainability is raised then the projects can be most benefited from
BIM. BSA methods carried out in these critical phases along with BIM will produce
more efficient and cost-effective construction.

Application of BSA along with BIM is beneficial but not much clarified. Lack of data
obtained from BIM platforms is one of the reason, other being lack of interoperability.

5. Conclusion
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 BIM is a very powerful concept for modern AEC industry. It can have n-dimensional
data stored and can be accessed with ease. This ease is due to it centralised system
which makes it very easy for stakeholders to communicate and process any
modifications. This work methodology can simulate real construction which will help
in improvement of designs and material selections. BIM can be integrated with BSA
to perform and certify energy analysis. Since AEC industry is one of the predominant
domain to impact the environment, sustainability is a necessary. BIM tools and other
engineering knowledge helps to implement the sustainability. But BIM has some
drawbacks that must be rectified for easy implementations. Interoperability and data
sharing are the key area where further research are required. Training and guidance to
implement this concept is a challenge. The effect of all parameter whichever is that
internal or external like wwr, wall, roof, hvac, orientation etc. should examine and use
optimum result of all parameter which make building energy efficient.

6. References
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 Sustainable BIM-based Evaluation of Building Ibrahim Motawaa, Kate Carterb
School of Built Environment, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK
Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, The University of
Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
 Using BIM to improve building energy efficiency – A scientometric and systematic
review Vítor Pereira , José Santos, Fernanda Leite , Patrícia Escórcio UMa –
University of Madeira, ESTG – Higher School of Technology and Management,
9020-105 Funchal, Portugal UMa – University of Madeira, FCEE – Faculty of Exact
Sciences and Engineering, DECG – Department of Civil Engineering and Geology,
9020-105 Funchal, Portugal CONSTRUCT-LABEST, Faculty of Engineering
(FEUP), University of Porto, Portugal Department of Civil, Architectural and
Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 301 E. Dean Keeton
St. Stop C1752, Austin, TX 78712-1094, USA
 Optimising building sustainability assessment using BIM Jose Pedro Carvalho, Luis
Braganca, Ricardo Mateus University of Minho, School of Engineering, Civil
Engineering Department, Guimarães, Portugal
 Building Information Modelling (BIM) for existing buildings — Literature review
and future needs Rebekka Volk, Julian Stengel, Frank Schultmann Institute for
Industrial Production (IIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hertzstraße 16,
76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
 A Comparative Review of Building Information Modelling Implementation in
Building and Infrastructure Industries Wenchi Shou · Jun Wang · Xiangyu Wang
·Heap Yih Chong
 4D BIM for the Management of Infrastructure Projects Aneetha Vilventhan Assistant
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology,
Warangal, India Rajadurai R. Junior Research Fellow, Department of Civil
Engineering, National Institute of Technology,Warangal, India
 A critical analysis of Building Information Modelling system used in construction
projects F.H.Abanda, C.Vidalakis, A.H.Oti, J.H.M.Tah School of the Built
Environment, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford ,UK
 Building Information Modelling in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction:
Emerging Research Directions and Trends Burcin Becerik-Gerber, A.M.ASCE1; and
Karen Kensek
 Analytical review and evaluation of civil information modelling Jack C.P. Cheng,
Qiqi Lu, Yichuan Deng Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong

 Sustainable Design with BIM Facilitation in Project-based Learning Yupeng Luoa

and Wei Wub California State University, Fresno, 2320 E. San Ramon Ave. CA,
U.S.A.

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 A Performance Data Integrated BIM Framework for Building Life-Cycle Energy
efficiency And Environmental Optimization design: Dian Xhuang, Xinkai Zhang,
Yongdong Lu, Chao Wang, Xing Jinn, Xin Zhou, Xing Shi, school of architect,
southeast university.
 BIM – Based iterative tool for Sustainable building design: A Conceptual Framework,
Tayyab Ahmad, Ajibade Aibinu, Muhammad Jamaluddin Thaheem, Faculty of
architect building and planning, university of Melbourne.
 Multicomponent energy assessment of buildings using building information
modelling, Premjeet singh ,Ayan Sadhu, Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering , Western University London, Ontario , Canada
 The role of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in delivering the Sustainable
Building Value, Moshood Olawale Fadeyi, Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering
Programme , Singapore Institute of Technology.
 Building Information Modelling application for developing Sustainable building
(Multi criteria decision making approach) , Abdulrahman Haruna, Nasir Shafiq, O.A.
Montasir,
 Sustainable Building Design: Analysing the feasibility of BIM platform to support
practical building sustainability assessment, Jose Pedro Carvalho, Luis Braganca, and
Richardo Mateus.
 Digitalizing material passport for Sustainable construction Projects using BIM, Islam
Atta, Mohamed M. Marzouk.
 Combining Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods with building
information modelling (BIM): A Review, Tan Tan, Grant Mills, Eleni
Papadonikolaki, Zhening Liu, and The Bartlett School of Construction & Project
Management, University College London, School of Management, and University of
Bath.
 Economic Sustainability Assessment of Residential buildings: a dedicated assessment
framework and implication for BIM, Tayyab Ahamd, Muhammad Jamaluddin
Thaheem, department of construction engineering & management NIT-SCEE,
National university of science & technology Islamabad.

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