BIM in scaffolding - What suitable software should be able to do

BIM compatible software in scaffolding

BIM - Building Information Modelling - is not only a great advantage for the construction industry per se, but also for us in scaffolding when it comes to efficient planning and execution of construction and scaffolding projects. We have already summarised everything you need to know about BIM in our blog. In order to use BIM effectively for you and your clients, you need to invest in and prepare a few things. This includes suitable software. We have summarised here what this software should be able to do and why this investment can be worthwhile for you.

A suitable scaffolding software must be BIM-compatible

Attention: Danger of confusion! BIM itself is not software, but a process for optimising communication and planning in construction. That's why you first need specific software that is compatible with BIM.

Different software is used for different trades and functions. For scaffolding, for example, the companies CPPRO and SOFTTECH offer suitable software solutions. Using IFC format, the information of all parties involved in the construction project is then exchanged digitally so that everyone always has access to the same information.

What must BIM-compatible software be able to do?

For you, suitable software means that it can take over and optimise essential parts of your work preparation. This works best if your material stock is digitalised. Read more about digitalized scaffolding material here. The software registers how much of which scaffolding material you have in stock without time-consuming manual recounting. In addition, errors in work preparation are considerably minimised. If a scaffolding component is forgotten when loading the truck, this is already detected before the material is unloaded at the construction site.

In the central digital building model, your scaffolding material then appears as so-called BIM content, in which all relevant information about each individual component is stored. Let's take the simple example of a guardrail. If the building is now being scaffolded digitally by a software, you can digitally replace the guardrail at any time and select a cheaper one or one made of different material. The resulting changes in your scaffolding’s data, e.g. in terms of costs or resistance, are displayed directly. That is, because your digital guardrail, i.e. the BIM content, is provided with all the relevant information. Suitable software can now automatically provide you with the costs as well as your loading plan and your material list on the basis of the building model.

Conclusion: A good scaffolding software makes your work preparation more efficient

In order to benefit from the advantages that BIM provides for you in scaffolding, you should pay particular attention to what a software can offer in terms of work preparation. A software solution with suitable visualisation and dimensioning functions then enables you to carry out the so-called BIM applications with which you can, for example, carry out geometric collision checks, create material lists or also calculate the costs.

BIM will also become more and more important in scaffolding construction in the future. Not least because some countries are already making BIM a legal requirement, e.g. in the implementation of infrastructure projects. So it's worth keeping up with the topic of BIM.

Do you still have questions about BIM? Then read our blog post on the topic here.