Four construction professionals sitting at a table discussing E2E end-to-end workflows using BIM

End-to-end construction workflow

Do you still think BIM is only for design teams? Think again!

High-tech construction methods are not just a fad: they are the key to managing scarce resources. Thanks to BIM design services and digitised building tools, everyone involved in design, construction or facility management can upgrade to an extremely efficient end-to-end workflow.

Read on to see common use cases where productivity can be improved thanks to end-to-end workflows – before, during and after construction.

Benefits of end-to-end workflow

Design phase

  • Value engineering
  • Clash detection
  • Multi-discipline solutions

Construction phase

  • Pre-fabrication
  • Transparent logistics
  • BIM-to-field: efficient site layout
  • Digitised documentation/validation

Building operation

  • Operations readiness
  • Maintenance management
  • Field-to-BIM: as-built documentation
  • Operations optimisation
50 %

max.
material cost saving

50 %

max.
construction time saved

0 x

on-site engineering decisions
due to advance planning

4-6 weeks

potential
labor saving

BIM design services from Hilti

BIM is a great way to help you lower material costs, slash installation time and avoid improvisation on-site, but only if you partner with Hilti early in the design phase. With Hilti BIM Design Services, you can typically avoid waste and problem-solving on the jobsite. Let's take MEP planning as an example. Without BIM, the support structures – countless strut channels, trapezes, wires – are planned on-site and separately by each trade. With BIM, you can switch to end-to-end planning of all trades in one go, so that support structures can be shared. 

You can work towards these and other productivity benefits via four main services:

Hilti engineers discussing a MEP project as the first step in an end-to-end BIM workflow

1. Framework

Set a clear starting point, slicing the project into conceptual – yet optimised – solutions.

Deliverables: 

  • Project sliced into individual applications
  • Optimised schematic design proposal for MEP supports
  • Hilti service offer for the design services
BIM framework service description
Two Hilti engineers collaborating on BIM design

2. Design

Evolve the concepts into design proposals, defined by engineering reports.

Deliverables: 

  • Designed MEP supports (“typicals”) optimised for high-repetition and/or complex cases
  • Engineering reports
  • Individual exception reports
BIM design core service description BIM design specific service description
A Hilti engineer modelling MEP supports in BIM

3. BIM modeling

Add the designed supports directly into your BIM model and report any issues that may need re-design.

Deliverables:

  • MEP supports added to BIM model
  • Report of exceptions (issues)
BIM modeling service description
Hilti engineer onsite with a customer with shop drawings in the foreground

4. Drawings and bill of materials

For a smoother transfer of the design from the office to construction on the jobsite.

Deliverables: 

  • Shop drawings
  • Overview drawings
  • BIM-2-Field data
  • Bill of materials
  • Suggestions for cutting, kitting and pre-assembly services
Drawings and BOM delivery service

BIM construction equipment can save time and labor

Hilti firestop cast-in sleeves for cables and pipes being placed on concrete slabs after laying them out in BIM

Firestop cast-in sleeves

Think of cast-in devices as box-out formwork sleeves and passive fire protection for cable/pipe penetrations in one. You can include it in your BIM models. A major labor-saver, you avoid firestop foams and coated board. 

Configure and buy cast-in firestop Download Revit® family
Layout tool (robotic total station with BIM capability) used for locating building elements on construction sites

Advanced layout tools

Hilti’s latest site layout tools can read your BIM files directly – no manual point selection necessary. Upgrading to these digitised tools typically makes the work of laying out jobsites a much faster, one-person task.

See BIM-powered site layout in action
High-tech power tool for automatically installing bolts with exactly the right torque for approvals

Adaptive Torque system

When fitted with the AT module, compatible impact wrenches can automatically torque and re-torque anchors in compliance with approvals. The tool also saves installation data for inspection reports.

Approved fastenings the faster way

Design Phase

Optimising your design with BIM and end-to-end planning

Mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems installed in the same strut trapeze structure, thanks to BIM tech integration in construction

Multi-trade MEP supports – for lower material costs and faster installation

With BIM, all MEP installations are planned centrally before construction begins, making multi-trade supports an achievable reality. You can save material, avoid on-site improvisation and reduce construction time.

Architect, engineer or project manager using BIM (building information modeling) due to tech integration in construction

Value engineering – for safer and more efficient buildings

You tell us what your project requires, and we design for it. For example, if standardisation, flexibility or modularity are your priorities, we will deliver a proposal optimised specifically for it.

BIM used to avoid clashes between pipes and cables on construction sites

Clash detection for MEP supports – to avoid improvised solutions on site

You see potential clashes before work begins on site, helping you to avoid ad hoc solutions. BIM's what-you-see-is-what-you-get 3D visualisation makes design optimisation easier – long before construction begins.

Construction worker using BIM-compatible layout tool to locate building elements on a jobsite

Field-to-BIM model creation – for trustworthy documentation

Especially when working on older existing buildings, the available information can be patchy. You can import measurements of walls, slabs, rebar and some MEP elements from Field-to-BIM scanning devices directly into your BIM model.

Building phase

How BIM can help to keep your jobsites running on schedule

Offsite pre-assembly and prefabrication services are much simpler when working with BIM

Pre-fabrication: kitting, cutting and pre-assembly – save time and labor

Having a detailed BIM model opens the door to pre-fabrication. Shop drawings can be exported with a few clicks, cutting out the manual prep for kitting, cutting and pre-assembly. On-site assembly can be eliminated – saving waste, time and room for error.

Watch video
Construction site logistics simplified by BIM and E2E workflows

Advanced logistics – always know the when and where

Track-and-trace from design to fabrication to jobsite becomes more precise after switching to end-to-end digitised workflows. You can enjoy greater certainty that the right material will be delivered to the right jobsite location at the right time. 

Watch video
Two workers onsite using a Total Station layout tool and BIM-ready tablet to position MEP supports

BIM-to-Field – high-speed jobsite layout

In practice, BIM-to-Field means guided positioning of drilling points and cast-in components like anchor channels or firestop sleeves. Advanced layout tools can read your BIM files directly and use a built-in laser to locate points from the model in reality. Cast-in solutions can boost productivity significantly by saving labor, bringing post-installation flexibility and cutting out work steps.

Jobsite Manager keeping track of operations using a mix of digital and physical information

Validation – instantly prove that you have built to spec

In an end-to-end process, the BIM model is the single source of truth. It’s easier to integrate validation processes: BIM shows what to install where, and the related proof can be linked to the model for easier documentation generation. Tools like impact drivers with the Adaptive Torque module or software like Firestop Documentation Manager save validation information automatically while you install.

Watch video

Operation phase

The benefits of BIM for building management

BIM used on a mobile device for paperless as-built documentation of a building

Field-to-BIM – for accurate and complete as-built documentation

Once the building is up and running, laser scanning equipment and advanced layout tools can be used to keep your BIM model up to date. These tools offer a more efficient way to document retrofits or modifications, and transfer them to the BIM model directly. 

Firestop Intumescent sealant documented using BIM-compatible software integrating technology in construction work and facility management

Validation and operations readiness

Anyone responsible for making sure a building's safety systems pass their inspections knows how much paperwork is involved. With laser scanning equipment and BIM-based handover documentation, you can enjoy the peace of mind that your as-built documentation will be helpful during the whole building lifecycle.

BIM virtual simulation - called digital twin - using augmented reality as a high-tech construction method which also benefits facility managers

Designed for smooth operations

By partnering with Hilti early on your project, operation requirements can be incorporated into the design. The proposals you receive aim to be optimised for the whole lifecycle, especially the efficient management of inhabited buildings. 

GET IN TOUCH

Partner with us to see how end-to-end digitisation can benefit your business

Even if you're a seasoned BIM user, we can show you new ways to extend its benefits beyond the design team. High-tech construction equipment can save labor, time, administration and reduce the scope for errors.

By leveraging new technologies and processes, we integrate your workflow into one, cohesive end-to-end structure.