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.