Building information modelling in civil engineering education

Abstract

An impressive progress in object-oriented and parametric modelling technologies was achieved over the past decade. This inter alia resulted from the development of dedicated information technologies for construction projects design. The construction industry is currently passing through a stage of historic changes linked with information databases. These changes are associated with the BIM (Building Information Modelling) technology. Fast-developing BIM technology opens up new possibilities in construction projects design as the market needs evolve. Academic world has also perceived that the application of this technology in education could both enrich the training process and contribute to the raising of the level of student's knowledge, which is instrumental for construction projects design. The Faculty of Civil Engineering of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) has rolled out an academic curriculum, which includes the BIM technology and is based on Revit Architecture, a free graphic design system.