BRIM IS LIKE BIM…
WHICH IS WHAT AGAIN?
Well we conveniently left out a big step that occurs during Final Engineering just so we could talk about it RIGHT HERE. That step is Bridge Information Modeling. BrIM is the drafting board of today, but it functions as much more than that.
To save time (later on), we invest time upfront. In this way we are able to deliver more quickly and be more accurate than ever before. We “draw” the project … actually a better word is CREATE the project … in a real-world-sized, 3-dimensional computer “model” with members extracted from an AISC section library, geometry developed from the engineer’s calculations, and appropriate connections bolted together using bolts, nuts, washers and shim plates, accurately-sized for the required grip lengths. Through this process, a constant accounting of the different pieces used and how they are named and assembled is made and updated in real time. No scaling. No guessing. No trying to remember how things come together from one view to another. And accurately calculate quantities … for ordering, assembling and for shipping.
And another thing … BrIM also carries with it the integrated ability to program via simple export, the machine programming files that drill, burn and cut the steel members and plates that make up our bridge. It is also known as Computer Numerically-Controlled machining, or CNC. We do it and we live by it.
The whole process starts out with one line drawn in a CAD program, but is EFFICIENT once our drawings are released to the shop and it is ACCURATE once our bridge is received in the field and that makes our bridge the best one to build.