Symposium Advances BIM for Masonry

JOURNAL: ISSUE 2 - 2015

Sponsored by BAC, IMI and other masonry industry allies, the Building Information Modeling for Masonry (BIM-M) Initiative’s 2015 Symposium held April 9-10 in St. Louis offered perspectives on BIM-M’s latest advances in creating accessible design and project delivery software. Over 100 architects, engineers, mason contractors, unit masonry producers and suppliers, software developers, and trades union members attended the event.

Will Ikerd, host of AGC’s BIM Forum, noted in his remarks that the new BIM level of detail (LOD) document featuring masonry on the cover was an excellent indicator of BIM’s growing role in the industry. Reports by BIM-M working groups – the unit modeling group, the wall systems group, and the contractor input group – demonstrated the value of using BIM to cut costs and improve work flows.

“BIM is expanding fast within the construction industry worldwide and it only makes sense to adopt it for masonry as it improves estimation accuracy, reduces waste and avoids conflicts in the field,” said BAC President James Boland. “BIM-M Initiative gives us the competitive edge to join in the process of collaboration before it is too late.”

First row from left, BAC President James Boland, IMI President Joan Calambokidis, BAC Northeast Regional Director Steve Bailey, and Local 1 MO President John Hopkin; 2nd row from left, IMI National Director of Industry Development David Sovinski and Local 1 MO Field Representative Brian Jennewein.