Building information modeling (BIM) saves construction costs for General Motors auto plants Integrating structural data with master model saves time, improves accuracy

Traditionally, the full potential of 3D models generated by structural steel analysis and fabrication software has not been achieved due to the industry’s reliance on 2D plans, sections, and elevations to document the design of new buildings. Each drawing is created from scratch in 2D CAD software, which means that much of the designers’ time is spent duplicating work that has already been done.

One of the biggest problems with this approach is that as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are developed, it is difficult to visualize interferences between the different systems on the 2D drawings. If 2D drawings of support steel and pipes aren’t joined together, for example, it is easy to miss something like a diagonal truss member in the way of a pipe rack.

These interferences, however, become apparent as the building is constructed —typically resulting in requests for information (RFIs), which often turn into costly change orders.

BRIEF

Project
Architectural design and engineering of General
Motors assembly complex

Organizations
General Motors/GHAFARI Associates, LLC

BE Awards Category
Building: BIM for Multiple Disciplines

Project objectives
Reduce construction costs by identifying interferences
early in the design process when they can be cost-effectively corrected.

Fast facts

A single master model was used to integrate and coordinate the work of all of the disciplines involved in the project
The master model detected hundreds of clashes prior to the release of construction documents
Based on a benchmarking study conducted on a prior project, General Motors estimated that the new 3D process reduced construction costs three to five percent.
Bentley products used

MicroStation V8
Bentley Architectural
Bentley Structural
Bentley HVAC
PlantSpace Piping
PlantSpace Raceways
Bentley Interference Manager
GEOPAK Site
Bentley Navigator
Bentley Explorer

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