BIM for plant

Building information modeling (BIM) offers a better way of managing project information in a shared repository where the same set of plans and designs can be prepared, viewed, updated, modeled, and finalized by all stakeholders simultaneously. 

BIM for plant starts with the creation of intelligent 3D models using tools like Autodesk’s AutoCAD Plant 3D toolset and Revit that integrate with plans and designs from many AEC and plant design disciplines and software.  

From urbanization to increased regulatory pressures, plant designers are being challenged to deliver better and safer facilities on time and on budget. They can use BIM to navigate this complex, multi-disciplinary environment in a way that saves time and money, leading to better outcomes for everyone involved.

Autodesk solutions that enable BIM support plant professionals across the project lifecycle. Using BIM can help plant designers, engineers, owners, and contractors improve how teams collaborate and manage costs, helping to deliver better projects and enhance client satisfaction.

Autodesk offers a number of solutions for plant designers, most notably Plant 3D (based on AutoCAD). This software offers tools and features to allow designers to create detailed design models with the flexibility to make revisions and adjustments which are typical in design processes. Plant 3D can be used with Revit, ReCap Pro, and InfraWorks to combine and evaluate all the aspects of plan design workflows.

Likely, yes. While many of BIM’s benefits stack up quickly once the project is underway, a more integrated design solution also enables a project to kick off faster. For example, in urban areas where space is limited and existing plants must be refurbished, a lot of the information about these facilities is either missing, wrong, or out of date. 

Using reality capture technologies, plant designers and engineers can image the plant inside and out and then feed the BIM model with accurate 3D images to create a digital twin. The model can then be populated with up-to-date information about elevations, pipe runs, instrumentation, etc. that also includes meta data about each. 

In greenfield environments, designers can bring together land survey and GIS data, to quickly see how they will bring in pipes from the outside.  

With BIM, these tools talk to each other. It is an integrated design that brings together structural engineers and architects working on the outside of the plant and connects them to what plant designers are doing on the inside. 

Definitely. One of the big benefits of using BIM is being able to combine information, plans, and designs to create visuals that accurately represent what the final plant will look like and to easily share them. This leads to better, more innovative designs.

Often errors occur when designers, architects, and engineers from different disciplines and backgrounds fail to communicate effectively. When construction teams go to install pipes and there is a wall in the way, that is a problem. 

BIM tools like Revit, the AutoCAD Plant 3D toolset, and BIM Collaborate Pro not only help keep designs coordinated and up to date with capabilities like data validation—checking to ensure designs are consistent and adhering to project-specific requirements—they also actively assist in clash detection and remediation. 

Likewise, many omissions, where something is simply left out of the plant designs only to be discovered during construction, can be avoided by using up-to-date models that can be checked and cross-checked by everyone involved. In this way, as plans are updated by other disciplines like architects or civil engineers, plant designers are alerted to those changes and can adjust as needed.

The top challenges include the need for:  

• Speedy project delivery from start-up to completion 
• More insights earlier in the process to improve project quality
• Enhanced multidisciplinary team coordination
• Reduced data loss in all project phases to minimize costs 

In addition, as more people move into cities worldwide, urbanization is impacting natural resources and aging infrastructure.  

Growing populations are pushing aging water, wastewater, and other plant infrastructure to the breaking point, so designers and engineers are turning to BIM to help build more capable facilities faster, more efficiently, and sustainably.

BIM can bring many benefits to the plant design and construction process, but it requires careful planning and implementation. For example: 

• Clearly define the scope and objectives of your plant design project. Identify specific areas where BIM can add value, such as clash detection, improved coordination, or enhanced facility management. 
• Ensure your project team has the necessary BIM expertise and experience. This includes architects, MEP engineers, structural engineers, and contractors who are familiar with BIM tools and workflows.  
• Select the best BIM software for your project requirements. Consider software capabilities for 3D modeling, data integration, collaboration, and compatibility with other tools.  
• Establish effective communication and collaboration processes between different project stakeholders. Define protocols for exchanging BIM data, including file formats, naming conventions, and information exchange requirements. Encourage regular coordination meetings to address clashes and resolve conflicts. 

By considering these factors, you can better adopt BIM for industrial plant design and maximize its potential benefits across the project lifecycle.