Ukraine’s agricultural sector is undergoing rapid modernization. Modern grain storage facilities, feed mills, and processing plants have long ceased to be “simple hangars.” They are complex engineering systems that must operate continuously, efficiently, and at minimal cost. In these conditions, traditional design methods no longer provide the required quality, accuracy, and transparency for the customer. That is why BIM (Building Information Modeling) is becoming a key technology in the design of agricultural facilities.
BIM is not a drawing or a beautiful three-dimensional image, but a single digital model of a future agricultural facility that contains all the information about the building, structures, equipment, and engineering systems. In this model, each element has a shape, dimensions, material, weight, cost, link to the construction stage, and even further data for operation. That is why BIM is often called the digital twin of an agricultural facility, because even before construction begins, the customer can actually “see” the future complex and understand how it will work in reality.
BIM is particularly valuable for agricultural facilities, as grain storage facilities and feed mills have hundreds of pieces of technological equipment that must be correctly positioned and connected to transport systems, ventilation, aspiration, power supply, and automation. The foundations for the equipment must precisely meet the requirements of the suppliers, the metal structures must provide the necessary rigidity and access for maintenance, and the engineering networks must not interfere with technological processes. In BIM, all these solutions are worked out comprehensively, which allows avoiding situations where, for example, installed equipment cannot be properly maintained or modernized. For the customer, this means a more reliable and durable facility.
For the design & construction company CHIEF, BIM is not just a design tool, but the basis for managing the entire life cycle of an agricultural facility. It allows you to reduce the number of reworks, plan resources more accurately, and improve the predictability of deadlines and budgets. For the customer, this means transparency of the process, clear decisions, and the ability to control the project at all stages, from idea to commissioning.
It is worth dwelling separately on the levels of detail in BIM, which directly affect the quality of the project. In the early stages, a low level of detail is used when the concept is formed and fundamental decisions are made. Then the model is gradually refined, with precise dimensions, actual material grades, fasteners, and specifications appearing. For agricultural facilities, the optimal level is one at which the model is detailed enough for construction but not overloaded with unnecessary information. Practice shows that it is the medium and high levels of detail that allow most problems on the construction site to be avoided, especially when installing technological equipment and metal structures.
Modern BIM programs have become an integral part of agricultural facility design. They allow you to work with architecture, structures, engineering, and technology in a single information environment. Developing nodes in BIM allows you to achieve high-quality design solutions and significantly simplify installation on the construction site. Installers receive clear, logical, and accurate solutions, which reduces the number of errors and speeds up the execution of work. This is especially important for DCC CHIEF (https://pbk-chief.com/en/our-work/) where it is necessary to coordinate the work of various specialists and contractors. BIM greatly simplifies collision checking, specification generation, and preparation of documentation for the customer and regulatory authorities.
When considering the main types of BIM models, it is important to understand that they differ not so much in the “beauty of the picture” as in the depth of information that the customer receives. BIM 3D is the basic level, which provides a spatial model of buildings, structures, and equipment. For the customer of an agricultural facility, this means the ability to visually assess the dimensions, layout, and logistics of the movement of raw materials, transport, and personnel. For example, in BIM 3D, you can immediately see how conveniently the silos are located in relation to the receiving pits, whether there is enough space for trucks to pass, and whether metal structures interfere with equipment maintenance. Such a model greatly simplifies the approval of decisions, especially when several parties are involved in the project: the customer, the technologist, the designer, and the equipment supplier. However, BIM 3D does not answer questions about cost and timing, so it is usually insufficient for serious investment projects of this level.
The next logical step is BIM 4D, in which time, i.e., a construction schedule, is added to the three-dimensional model. This is especially important for agricultural facilities, as most of them are tied to seasonality. In BIM 4D, you can clearly see when the foundations are poured, when metal structures are erected, when equipment is installed, and when the facility can be put into operation. For the customer, this means the ability to control deadlines not “in words” but based on a real model, where each element is linked to a specific stage of work. For example, if the delivery of silos is delayed, BIM 4D immediately shows how this will affect the entire schedule and what work will be blocked. This allows management decisions to be made in advance and downtime to be minimized.
5D BIM is an extension of 3D and 4D BIM capabilities, in which each element of a building or structure is linked to its cost indicators. In simple terms, 5D BIM combines a visual three-dimensional model of the object, a construction schedule, and a financial model of the project in a single environment. As a result, the customer, investor, and project team work not with separate drawings, schedules, and estimates, but with a single digital system where all data is interconnected. The approach is based on the sequential accumulation of information. 3D BIM is a physical model of an object with accurate geometry that shows the shape, dimensions, and relative positions of building structures, engineering networks, and technological equipment. 4D BIM adds a time dimension to this model, i.e., a work schedule, allowing you to see how the object is “built” over time, which stages are performed sequentially, and which in parallel. 5D BIM adds another key parameter to this system: cost, where each element of the model is linked to specific costs for materials, labor, equipment, and installation.
In practice, this means that any change in the project is immediately reflected not only in the appearance of the object, but also in the deadlines and budget. For example, changing the type of construction, changing the thickness of the walls, or choosing different equipment automatically recalculates the volumes, estimates, and impact on the total cost of construction. For the customer, this makes it possible to see the real financial picture at the design stage, compare alternative solutions, and make informed investment decisions. Thus, 5D BIM transforms design from a purely technical process into an effective tool for managing construction deadlines and finances.
BIM 6D goes beyond construction and is used during the operational phase. This offers a significant advantage for agricultural facilities with a long life cycle, such as grain storage facilities, livestock complexes, or biogas plants. The model stores information about equipment, maintenance regulations, replacement dates for components, and technical specifications. In fact, BIM 6D becomes a digital passport for the facility, simplifying operation, repair planning, and modernization. For the owner of an agricultural facility, this means lower operating costs and increased reliability of the enterprise.
For DCС CHIEF, BIM is becoming the basis of competitive advantage. A company that possesses BIM tools and relevant expertise offers the customer not just a project, but a comprehensive solution covering all stages of the agricultural facility’s life cycle. This increases trust on the part of customers, financial institutions, and investors, and also reduces the company’s internal risks associated with rework, errors, and inconsistencies between different departments. In today’s economy, BIM is no longer an optional extra or an optional service; it is becoming an indispensable tool for ensuring the competitiveness and economic viability of agricultural projects.
DCC CHIEF does not just build grain storage facilities and agricultural complexes, it creates clearly synchronized digital models that accompany your facility from the first sketch to operation and modernization. It offers not only services, but also a comprehensive partnership, where BIM becomes a bridge between your vision and its flawless implementation. The DCC CHIEF team is ready to become your reliable partner in creating modern, technological, and cost-effective solutions. Contact us to discuss your project!
Address: Kharkiv region, Kharkiv city, 15 Otamanovskogo (Kolomenskaya) Street, office 51, phone: +38 (050) 836-20-05, email: info@pbk-chief.com, website: pbk-chief.com.