Building Information Modelling (BIM) Issue Introduced in Master Academic Level

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a methodology supported on the generation of a virtual three-dimensional (3D) model of building projects, providing engineers the visualization and the necessary data to support planning, construction and managing. The data base of the BIM model allows professionals to develop all activities that are normally worked out over the project data. In the last decades, BIM has been adopted in all sectors of the construction industry. As so, learning the BIM topic within the construction education, regarding its concept, the range of its applicability and the most used BIM tools, is currently required. Civil engineering schools have the mission of training future engineers by offering curricular subjects, master courses and workshops concerning the current advanced computer technology. As so, the upcoming engineers should acquire the ability to use the available BIM tools in the distinct sectors of the construction industry and to recognize the advantages in developing collaborative BIM projects. The text presents a master curriculum, for students of the last academic level, offered by the Civil Engineer Department of the University of Lisbon. The master course presents the concept of BIM and the large range of its applicability. The programmatic schedule begins with the generation of a building digital BIM model, composed of parametric objects, followed by the development of different design steps. The main activities are related with the collision analyses between disciplines, the construction planning, the cost estimation and the sustainability study. The course transmits in an evolutionary and sequential way the learning issues necessary to improve the BIM skills of the students, required in their future activity as civil engineers.