As you begin leafing through this issue, you will notice the article that focuses on the technology of Building Information Modeling, or BIM. BIM is the process of digitally designing a construction project using one coherent system of computer modeling instead of separate sets of drawings for the various parts of the project.
The use of BIM in vertical construction has been growing for the past several years. More recently it has been catching on for site work, dirt moving, and road projects.
While Grading & Excavation Contractor (GX) has long covered the technological advances that have become part of the dirt-moving industry, such as telematics and machine control, BIM was being employed almost entirely for erecting structures. It mapped everything from framing to electrical to plumbing, to HVAC and everything else. But since contractors are increasingly using BIM for the grading and excavation on building sites as well as numerous other dirt moving projects, it’s time for GX to dig in as well. Veteran contributing writer Daniel Duffy got the assignment, as you’ll see here.
As we went into production on this issue, I came across a report titled “World Building Information Modeling (BIM) Market—Opportunities and Forecasts, 2015–2022.” The report’s research and analysis resulted in the bold prediction that the international BIM market will reach $11.7 billion by 2022. That means a compound annual growth rate of 21.6% from 2016 to 2022.
The study found that the market should grow at such a healthy rate largely because of government regulations that mandate the use of BIM software for construction projects. It also found that BIM software makers would be a major player growing to nearly a 75% overall market share over traditional CAD software by the year 2022.
You’re probably already a bit familiar with some of the companies that are expected to lead the charge, such as Autodesk, AECOM, Trimble, Bentley, and Asite Solutions, and with a market this strong, no doubt many more still to come.
From the “World Building Information Modeling (BIM) Market—Opportunities and Forecasts, 2015–2022” report:
The commercial and infrastructure construction industry have been witnessing increasing demand for automation of technical drawings and database in the recent years. Further, the supportive government regulations pertaining to mandating the use of BIM in commercial projects, booming real estate industry and growing awareness of the benefits of BIM, among architects and contractors, would drive its adoption, globally. In the current scenario, BIM has emerged as an ideal alternative to traditional CAD software, owing to its suitability over a variety of operational issues such as cost management, handling raw data & information and alignment of processes associated with construction projects. Thus, BIM is expected to exhibit an upward growth trend across widespread verticals.
The North America region occupies the majority of the market share in the current market scenario. However, Asia-Pacific region is forecast to dominate the market by 2021. Growing construction activities and government mandates are expected to contribute to the fast growth of the region. Moreover, the growing commercial and infrastructure construction activities in countries such as China, India and UAE, offer lucrative market opportunities in Asia-Pacific and LAMEA regions.
Efficiency and cost savings took a leap forward with the advent of telematics. Another leap forward took place when equipment manufacturers integrated machine control into the iron. Now, yet another technology has entered the construction arena. Here’s my bold prediction: The brave new world will have them all working in tandem.
