At this year’s Geo Business 2016 event in London two sessions were held focussing on geo-enabling building information modeling (BIM).  Sponsored by Survey4BIM, an initiative supported by the UK Government BIM Task Group, the meetings were intended to encourage the geospatial community to become involved in defining standards for survey, collection, management, processing and delivery of geospatial information within a BIM context.

Since accurate 3D geospatial data underpins the ability to define level of detail (LoD), generalization, and preservation of designs through to construction and operation and maintenance in the real world, it needs to be defined and standardized in the context of construction.  Surveyors understand accuracy and precision and that it can be quantified and needs to be controlled in a process.  New technology such as laser-scanning is increasingly being used within the construction process and this is changing processes such as as-builting. 

The objectives of the geoenabling BIM initiative are to define best standard for consistent accuracy unit and work with Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) to establish common approach to accuracy meta-data and attribution.  It also intends to look at available standards from industry and  professional organizations and BIM software vendors on how they currently support generalization.   Another area of focus is 3D data.  The groups intends to identify and engage with 3D specialists outside of the direct construction community who specialize in generalizing data for visualization and other areas where 3D  data is used.

Survey4BIM is a cross-industry group open to all organisations involved in the survey, collection, management, processing and delivery of geospatial information within a BIM context.  The group’s make up is reflective of the sector, involving clients, contractors, consultants, suppliers, sub-contractors, institutions and other organizations.

The mission is to provide a forum for survey organizations and industry professionals to collaborate and share their journey putting “BIM into practice”, and to provide best practice guidance documents on survey matters relating to BIM.  To achieve this the groups has identified several goals;

• Provide leadership in establishing how surveyors provide a critical role in the BIM process
• Increase awareness of the importance of geospatial information in the BIM process
• Share knowledge and learning
• Establish collaborative links to academia
• Produce and publish best practice guidance to organizations, clients and industry professionals on geospatial matters
• Coordinate the Survey4BIM related activities undertaken by geospatial organizations
• Promote survey related case studies, which demonstrate best practices
• Promote the integrated management of geospatial information across all stages of the asset lifecycle.
• Represent the geospatial industry in wider discussions on BIM
• Act as a partner to the Cabinet Office BIM Task Group.

You can register to participate in the Geo-enabling BIM initiative here.