Topics
We organise our actions in six thematic & strategic agendas:
Strategic Agendas:
Bio-economy
Circular Construction
Chemicals/Plastics
Manufacturing Industry
Food Chain
Water Cycles
Seven leverages provide additional support:
Leverage effects:
Lever Policy Instruments
Lever Circular Procurement
Lever Communication
Lever Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Lever Financing
Lever Jobs & Skills
Lever Research
What, why and how?
Why are we pursuing a circular economy?
Future visions 2050
How do we see our circular future?
About our management
Who steers what at Flanders Circular?
BIM-Integrum
A user-friendly and digital as-built file
As-built files collect all information about the elements, materials and dimensions used in the new state after construction work has been carried out. Currently, such files, if they exist at all, are a hotchpotch of information from various suppliers, technical sheets and documents in which one gets lost. They are often design plans that were not updated during the execution of the works.
With the BIM Integrum project, Beneens wants to develop a system that displays all materials used in a building in the right quantity and position. We want to achieve this by setting up an online platform that displays the as-built file, the post-intervention file, the maintenance guidelines and the potential for urban mining in a single clear and user-friendly viewer.
On the platform, pre-programmed measurements, filters and views will make it easy to browse through digital as-built files, even for people who are not familiar with 3D software. This could include building owners, maintenance companies, technicians, renovators, as well as future urban miners.
With this user-friendly tool that transforms all the information from a thorough BIM model into a usable resource repository, we aim to give new life to even more used materials from buildings.
Beneens Bouw & Interieur
Partners WTCB, Bouwunie, Kamp C en TEN
Sectors
Themes
Organisations
Website
MOST IMPORTANT
RESULTS
- Together with our partners, and especially thanks to the expertise of the WTCB, we arrived at a set of workable parameters for a building passport after several brainstorming sessions.
- We worked out a simple calculation model for a circularity score. This gives us a tool to value the circularity of buildings based on materials and quantities used.
- To make BIM-integrum accessible to everyone and everywhere, there was a need for a good viewer. An Autodesk Drive Viewer can retrieve a BIM model via a QR code and visualise the building. It is very user-friendly.
- We were able to successfully apply BIM-integrum on a demo project, which was already delivered. Throughout the process, we experienced the benefits of the system and saved time and money regarding coordination, communication and material acquisition.
MOST IMPORTANT
LESSONS LEARNED
- At the start of the project, it was important to assign the right order to the work packages and ensure a realistic schedule. By scheduling issues that needed research early, we ensured that other work packages were not held up.
- Having a diverse group of partners who complement each other is key. Our strengths lie in BIM engineering and practical experience, so we sought partners strong in theory, policy and research. To make the most of all that knowledge, we organised systematic discussions.
- At first, such a project seems overwhelming. To keep the workload manageable, dividing and delegating is necessary. Splitting the project into work packages certainly paid off and provided a good guide for planning.
- Coupling a practical exercise with BIM-integrum allowed us to immediately put theory into practice. Although this posed challenges, it also provided valuable feedback that helped shape BIM-integrum.
WHAT DOES
THE FUTURE HOLD?
We want to offer BIM integrum, divided into the digital as-built file, the building passport and the circularity score, as a service. This will either be as a package with a construction project or as separate services.
We also already have visibility of projects in the near future on which we can apply the principles of BIM integrum. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) and precast projects lend themselves perfectly to the system. We also hope to convince the market, building owners and architects of the added value of a building passport and circular construction.
Furthermore, we have had reinforcement from a new BIM modeller for several months now. This gives us extra capacity to offer additional BIM services. So we hope to further commercialise the project. It is almost infinitely scalable in quantity and size of projects.
Finally, we will be looking for a software partner who can make the system even more user-friendly.
