Studying in the BIM Lab: The key to successful construction projects

(Image: Sarah Janczura)

The BIM Lab appears like a simple PC room, but there's so much more behind it. (Image: Sarah Janczura)

Anica Meins-Becker (left) and Agnes Kelm (right) in the BIM Laboratory. (Photo: Sarah Janczura)

What appears to be a normal room with computer stations is actually an important laboratory: For the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) at the University of Wuppertal. The research contributes to successful construction projects – but there is an essential problem.

Students of architecture and civil engineering come together on the Haspel campus to learn how to handle digital tools in a practical manner. The BIM laboratory has existed at the university since 2017, reports Anica Meins-Becker, managing director of the institute, and Agnes Kelm, head of the BIM and Digitalization Laboratory, during a visit from VDI. 12 PCs with current software are available to students. "We basically do nothing different here than in other laboratories – just not in white coats. The insights from research flow into practice," says Agnes Kelm.

What is BIM anyway?

BIM stands for Building Information Modeling and refers to the process of creating and managing information for a construction project. BIM is a central component of the digitalization of the construction industry. A smart model, running on a cloud platform, provides the basis. BIM integrates structured data to depict a digital representation of a building or other construction project throughout its entire lifecycle. This ranges from planning and architectural design to operation.

Architecture and Civil Engineering: Students work hand in hand

Design and implementation do not always match – this also happens to architects and engineers. The designed building should match suitable materials; the structure should be coherent in its structural integrity. It is not uncommon to find that: the construction project cannot be started as planned.

To avoid this, the BIM Institute in Wuppertal relies on joint study time. "Since 2017, we have been a faculty here. Architects and engineers come together to work on innovative projects even during their studies," says Anica Meins-Becker. Teamwork and interdisciplinary thinking are crucial for successfully constructing buildings. These key skills are learned by students in Wuppertal.

The BIM Institute is research-oriented and functions as an interdisciplinary scientific facility between architecture and civil engineering students at the University of Wuppertal.

"BIM is not just BIM"

The BIM technology is diverse and encompasses much more than three-dimensional modeling in computer-aided design programs. "Whether it's using a drone to capture data of the construction site or a 3D model: BIM is not just BIM," affirms Agnes Kelm. To illustrate, the head of the Tech Lab shows the technical equipment for students. A drone and VR glasses are part of the setup. Virtual reality and BIM together simplify project management. Through the VR glasses, students can realistically depict objects in a simulated environment.

BIM also enables a unified, collaborative approach. However, there are still concerns and even fears regarding digitalization in construction – especially in trades.

Fear of BIM: What drives the push

Virtual reality and BIM together simplify project management. Through a VR headset, students can realistically depict objects in a simulated environment.

BIM also opens up a unified, collaborative way of working. Nonetheless, there are still reservations and even fears about digitalization in construction – especially in trades. "There is often still fear of BIM in trades. But using a drone is also already BIM. More education is needed here," says Anica Meins-Becker.

The construction industry is increasingly opening up to BIM; digital application is already standard in large projects. This is urgently needed, as the BIM portal of the federal government recently went live. The government aims to digitalize and accelerate planning processes. BIM is a central tool for this. "I hope the portal will trigger a real cultural change in construction and the consistent digitalization of planning and approval procedures. By 2025, public construction projects nationwide will be 'digital is better'," said Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing at the portal's presentation in Berlin. Graduates with experience in BIM technology are therefore in demand.

Nevertheless, there is a clear "No" to the question of whether enough young people are enrolling in the program. "Clear no, we do not have enough students," says Anica Meins-Becker. "However, we believe that topics like sustainability and digitalization will attract more students to this program," adds the professor. "Media work and being present in schools – that is important." The issue of skilled labor shortages is also confirmed by VDI labor market expert Ingo Rauhut: "The shortage of skilled workers is especially high in civil engineering and in professions related to digitalization, such as computer science or electrical engineering." How precarious the situation on the job market is, is shown by the current VDI engineer monitor.

Part-time studies

Further education seems all the more important. BIM applications can also be learned by people already firmly established in their careers. "We offer three part-time study programs here in Wuppertal. The demand is very high," says Anica Meins-Becker. Among them is the MBE Construction Management, a part-time master's program for managers in construction. An important part of the program is digitalization of processes. Students learn how to handle relevant software and project management and communication systems to automate workflows and make them shorter, simpler, and safer. The second offering includes studies alongside work in construction and real estate management. BIMMunicipal offers further training in construction and real estate industries.

Quality-assured training on BIM is also offered based on the VDI 2552 guideline series.

Harnessing potential in the construction industry

Data is not only the new gold in business but can also push the construction industry further to operate more efficiently. New housing is in demand in many cities – here, too, transparent data sets thanks to digitalization can help. "Especially the potential of vacant buildings can be better exploited through BIM and targeted data analysis by cities and developers," says director Agnes Kelm. To keep students in Wuppertal up to date with the latest in software and data processing, the BIM lab has been continuously evolving since 2017. "Progress is written large here. The software keeps changing – we try to stay up to date. Free licenses for students and lecturers also contribute," explains Kelm. Anica Meins-Becker adds another benefit of BIM: "We conducted a study on cost management as an example. Here, an efficiency of about 50% can be achieved using BIM compared to conventional methods."

Technical contact person:
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Frank Jansen
VDI Society Building and Building Services
Phone: +49 211 6214-313
Email: jansen_f@vdi.de