BIM for Masonry Initiative holds roundtable meetings

Words: David BiggsThe National Building Information Modeling for Masonry Initiative (BIM-M) was organized in 2012 and is working to identify barriers to and strategies for the full implementation of masonry materials and systems into building information modeling (BIM) software for the design and construction industries. BIM and digital technology are poised to revolutionize the design and construction industries and this initiative is the opening effort to include masonry construction.

On September 4-6, 2012, Georgia Institute of Technology's Digital Building Laboratory hosted architects, engineers, contractors, construction managers, material suppliers, software developers, masonry experts, and corporate executives from across the United States in roundtable discussions on implementing BIM into masonry design and construction practices. Over 45 attendees from five working groups assembled to develop criteria in the areas of architectural design with masonry, engineering analysis, construction procurement and scheduling, and construction coordination. The goal of the initiative is for Georgia Tech under the direction of BIM pioneer, Professor Chuck Eastman, to develop a BIM roadmap for the masonry industry early in 2013. The roadmap will establish detailed requirements for the use of BIM and pave the way for future developments by software developers.

The BIM-M initiative is sponsored by the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (IUBAC), the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), the International Masonry Institute (IMI), the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA), the Western States Clay Products Association (WSCPA) and The Masonry Society (TMS) and is being overseen by the Digital Building Laboratory at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

For more information on the BIM-M initiative, contact Russell Gentry: russell.gentry@coa.gatech.edu or David Biggs: biggsconsulting@att.net.
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