The following terminology is standardized language that is used throughout the construction industry, both vertical and horizontal, related to Building Information Modeling.
Asset Information Model (AIM) See also: Project Information Model. A model that contains information to support the management and operation of the asset.
BIM Execution Plan (BEP) See also: Project Execution Plan. A plan to manage the use of BIM, especially collaboration and information delivery, to accomplish the project goals.
BIM Manager See also: BIM Execution Plan. The individual, normally identified in a BEP, responsible for overseeing the use of BIM on the project.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) See also: Computer-Aided Design and Drafting. The use of a digital model of a built asset to facilitate design, construction, and operation processes to form a reliable basis for decisions. BIM may also be used as a noun to describe the digital model.
Clash Detection Use of 3D Models to coordinate different disciplines (e.g. structural and utilities) and to identify/resolve possible clashes between virtual elements prior to actual construction or fabrication.
Common Data Environment (CDE) See also: ECS. A service that collects, stores, manages, and shares information through a managed process.
Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CAD/CADD) See also: Building Information Modeling. A category of computer software that is used to develop designs for a variety of disciplines. CADD software typically uses an object-oriented approach to apply mathematical rules that automate the process of drafting designs. 3D digital design data is a common output of the application of CADD software.
Discipline Model See also: Federated Model. A model or linked models related to a single discipline. The superstructure model, substructure model, and detailing models are linked together into a federated Structural Discipline Model.
Engineer of Record (EOR) See also: Model Element Author. The professional engineer who signs and seals the project documents and assumes professional responsibility for the design. The EOR may supervise the work of subordinate Model Element Authors who create the model under the EOR’s direction.
Federated Model See also: Discipline Model. A model that is compiled by integrating different discipline models together into one model through either linking and/or importing.
Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) See also: Open Data. A non-proprietary data schema and format to describe, exchange and share the physical and functional information for the assets within a facility. IFC is the International Organization for Standardization standard for BIM and is being extended to roadway and bridge asset classes.
Level of Detail See also: Level of Development. Often confused with Level of Development, Level of Detail describes only the amount of geometric detail in a model element, not the amount of engineering intent. Highly-detailed model elements may be placed in a model as place-holders with no engineering intent. Though detail often increases in parallel with development, observing the detail of a model element is not an effective way to determine its development or the appropriate uses.
Level of Development (LOD) See also: Level of Information, Level of Visualization, Model Progression Specification. A qualitative designation that communicates the degree of engineering intent behind a 3D model element (or group of model elements) and defines the authorized uses for which the model element is sufficiently developed. Normally the LOD will increase through the design development process as defined in the MPS.
Level of Information (LOI) See also: Level of Development. A description of the quality of the non-graphical information attached to the model elements.
Level of Visualization (LOV) See also: Level of Development. A qualitative designation that communicates the degree of visual enhancement given to the 3D model elements, to suit the needs of different target audiences. Generally, non-technical audiences need color-realistic geometry or even photo-realistic materials to be able to understand bridge models.
Model Element See also: Level of Development, Model Element Author, Model Progression Specification. An entity within a model that represents a physical object or an abstract concept (e.g. alignment, north arrow).
Model Element Author (MEA) See also: BIM Execution Plan, Engineer of Record, Model Element. The individual, normally identified in a BEP and/or MPS, responsible for creating a specific model element or group of model elements. The MEA may work under the direct supervision of an EOR who assumes professional responsibility for the design represented in the model.
Model Element Breakdown Structure (MEBS) See also: Model Progression Specification. A classified list of model elements. A MBS is the basis for a Model Progression Specification.
Model Manager See also: BIM Execution Plan, BIM Manager, Model Element. The individual, normally identified in a BEP, responsible for a specific discipline model.
Model Progression Specification (MPS) See also: Model Breakdown Structure. A specification that defines how the LOD for individual model elements increases over the project milestones. The MPS will assign a specific, minimum LOD to each model element for each milestone. The LOD typically increases from milestone to milestone.
Digital Delivery Execution Plan See also BIM Execution Plan. A plan to manage the use of BIM, especially collaboration and information delivery, to accomplish the project goals.
Project Information Model (PIM) See also: Asset Information Model. A model that contains information to support the design and construction of the asset.