Last updated: 10 september 2024

BIM in Portugal

After the approval of Decree-Law No. 10/2024 in Portugal, under the "Simplex Urbanístico" , several measures were implemented for the reform and simplification of building and sub division permits application processes.

One of such steps is the preparation for a nation wide digital portal, currently scheduled to date January 5, 2026, where it will be possible to submit, consult and carry out inquires related to construction and urban planning projects. Starting from 1st of january, the mandatory format to be used in that portal will derive from BIM (Building Information Modeling).

What is BIM?

BIM is a project management methodology that allows the management of information in a digital model to design, construct and manage a building during it's entire life cycle. Whereas  CAD (Computer Aided Drawing) was the previous software standard, BIM is increasingly a new paradigm for multiple stakeholders in the ACE (architecture, construction and engineering) sector.

BIM allows the creation of a “digital twin” – BIM model, with certain level of detail and made up of connected building components (ie. doors, windows, slabs, beams, etc.) with editable technical information. Data from this model can have different forms of presentation (eg plants, sections and 2D elevations; 3D images and diagrams; schedules, etc.) that are connected and updated in real time by the software itself.

BIM benefits

• Cost reduction:

From the planning stage, up to construction and building maintenence, BIM improves efficiency and cost control. In the planning stage the productivity increases when design is faster to start and implement possible changes with automatic upgrade across all project views. In addition, there is greater collaboration between different actors and reduction of design errors. The possibility of obtaining real-time quantity take-offs and simulating energy costs are two examples that allow for higher cost control during construction and building maintenence stages.

• Improved collaboration:

Data centralization allows a better communications during different stages of the project. By working on a single shared digital model, each project discipline (e.g. architecture, structure engineering, water and sewer drainage, etc.) will work on the same base, reducing mismatches and increasing collaboration to achieve project goals.

• Visualization:

Producing realistic images from the project model can facilitate communication between project owners and designers, but it is mostly the ease of choice of the right type of presentation for the right person that bring greater benefits. For example, public entities, namely the City Councils, will no longer need to ask for  additional views or cross sections of a given project, since with an interactive 3D model they will be able to view section the building in any selected point with a few simple clicks.

• Analysis and Simulations:

Depending on the detail and information added in the design model, it is possible to make various simulations and analysis to the building, be these related to construction and/or maintenance costs, return on investment based on different typologies, structure strength, efficiency and energy consumption , and others. These simulations will allow better decisions in preliminary phases of the project, which would have greater costs if taken or corrected in later stages.

• BIM and new technologies:

Recent technologies, such as AI (Artificial Intelligence), Virtual Reality or Enhanced Reality, when connected with the BIM model, will increasingly enable simulation and design capability in the planning stage, but also in the construction phase, in order to manage yards more efficiently with safety gains, productivity and waste reduction.

BIM shortcomings

• Tool complexity:

BIM-supported design software are more complex and have a slower and more prolonged learning curve. In addition, they require greater systematization of project templates and access to BIM object libraries (ports, windows, equipment, etc.).

• Specialized project manager:

When a project has a larger size, collaboration between the various engineering and architecture disciplines requires its own management given the amount of information and several models that are centralized in one.

• Resistance to change in the sector:

This new method first emerged in big projects and project offices with the larger size, as these have more resources and responses to the specific demands of these tools. However, increasingly BIM is used in smaller works focused on benefits as an increase in productivity and visualization. However, given resistance in the industry when it comes to the transition of software and companies that work in BIM, it is not always possible to implement this method with all its benefits.

• Lack of standards for file format and detail level:

In various countries there is already a larger effort in implementing standard formats that allow communication between various BIM and CAD software, as well as setting different quality and level of detail standards for BIM models. The purpose of a BIM model is its use with benefits from the information contained therein. It is therefore useless to spend too much time inseting information that will not be used in the future and is required by the entities involved the definition or adoption of detail and quality criteria for these types of projects.

FAQs

Video - What is the BIM model?