6D BIM: Powering Sustainability in Construction
Your daily life revolves around the buildings where you live, work, learn, relax, and create.
In 2019, though, something unsettling happened within this massive industry that shapes your world. The CO2 emissions stemming from the very buildings you interact with every day, courtesy of the building and construction sector, reached their highest levels to date, contributing to a staggering 38% of global energy-related CO2 emissions.
You, as a part of this industry that employs 7% of the world's working-age population, and with 68% of the global population projected to dwell in urban areas by 2050, bear a collective responsibility to curb emissions and craft a sustainable, net-zero future for all of us.
Why should we care so deeply about sustainability?
The journey toward a sustainable future is a shared endeavor, one that necessitates collective effort to minimize our impact on the environment. If we are to meet the ambitious targets set out in the Paris Climate Agreement, it is imperative that the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector becomes a champion of environmental protection and a leader in the march toward decarbonization.
What does this commitment mean for companies like those in the construction sector?
It means future-proofing your business, offering a competitive edge in the market, and staying ahead of the curve.
It means aligning with potential government regulations or restrictions on carbon emissions.
It means enhancing your reputation as an employer, boosting employee performance, attracting top talent, and retaining it.
It means cost savings, driven by reduced waste and more energy-efficient building operations, harnessing the full potential of natural resources and renewable energy.
Sustainability, however, is not a destination; it's a journey, and where you are on that path depends on your level of digitalization. Regardless, one thing remains clear: the power of certification serves as both motivation and inspiration.
Sustainability is the path that propels your industry to new horizons, inspiring you to do things differently. Technology, such as Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) tech and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) methodology, paves the way.
These tools empower you to build virtually before the physical execution, optimizing projects not just in terms of finance, scheduling, procurement, and risk management, but also dramatically reducing waste and, in some cases, substantial waste.
Sustainability, coupled with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, should no longer sit on the periphery of your business strategy. It must be woven into the fabric of your company, shaping your thinking, actions, and business practices.
This paradigm shift can enable your organization to infuse sustainability into your products, services, client interactions, and overall management of the business and its stakeholders.
The journey towards sustainability is fortified by 6D BIM.
How can enterprises in the construction industry achieve a sustainable future without compromising productivity? The answer lies in digital transformation, a profound shift in how we plan, construct, and operate buildings.
Enter RIB's flagship construction management platform, RIB 4.0, which is introducing the "6th Dimension (6D)"—the carbon factor—to its 5D BIM (Building Information Modeling).
RIB 4.0 serves as the nexus connecting all aspects of your projects, from conception to completion. It breaks down silos, maximizes efficiency, and champions sustainability. When you design a building project, countless decisions impact efficiency and energy consumption.
RIB 4.0 empowers you to conduct 6D simulations, where the 3D design model seamlessly integrates with the schedule (4D), cost (5D), and the carbon factor (6D). This integration allows your teams to compare design options side by side and optimize the project in real-time.
You can identify opportunities to use more energy-efficient materials, pinpoint risks, and prevent non-conformance issues that would otherwise result in waste and rework on the construction site.
Access over 100 EPD datasets with RIB 4.0
RIB 4.0 boasts a comprehensive object library, offering over 100 datasets associated with carbon and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) from regions spanning Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and beyond.
When you create a quantity in RIB 4.0, you can monitor all work packages, minimizing material waste while quantifying time, cost, and carbon impact, including embodied carbon or carbon generated during the process.
Furthermore, by collaborating with material suppliers, logistics providers, contractors, and building users within the RIB 4.0 platform, project leaders gain unprecedented visibility into design options, materials, and process choices.
These elements can be quantified, optimized, and monitored for their carbon emissions throughout the entire lifecycle, from procurement to operation and maintenance.
RIB 4.0 offers a centralized hub for carbon tracking and control. Dashboards provide a comprehensive overview of all your projects in real time, enabling proactive management. Early warning indicators alert teams to potential issues, allowing for timely rectification.
The dashboard showcases embodied carbon data, facilitating the optimization of the asset's lifecycle sustainability.
In essence, RIB 4.0 empowers you to embed sustainability into your every thought, action, and business practice. It's the bridge that connects your ambitions for a sustainable future with the realities of construction, enabling you to build a better world while achieving your business goals.