From Construction to Operation: The Role of As-Built Plans in BIM Mexico
The construction industry is evolving with digitalization and methodologies such as Scan to BIM (Scan2BIM) and As-Built plans. These elements are key to optimizing asset management in sectors such as mining, metallurgy, hospitality, hospitals, and ports, where infrastructure requires continuous maintenance and operational precision.
In this article, we explore how the integration of BIM with As-Built plans is transforming the way buildings and industrial facilities are documented, managed, and optimized in Mexico.
What Are As-Built Plans and Why Are They Essential?
As-Built plans, or “as-constructed drawings,” are technical documents that accurately reflect how a project was actually built, including all modifications made from the original design.
These plans are essential in industrial sectors where construction variations impact asset performance and safety, such as:
✅ Mining and Metallurgy: Processing facilities, ventilation ducts, and support structures.
✅ Hospitality and Hospitals: HVAC systems, electrical systems, and space distribution.e la construcción afectan el rendimiento y la seguridad de los activos, como:
✅ Logistics and Ports: Cargo infrastructure, warehouses, and energy supply networks.
The combination of As-Built plans with BIM and Scan to BIM provides a precise and up-to-date digital representation, facilitating operations, maintenance, and future planning.
Benefits of Integrating As-Built Plans with BIM in Mexico
The digitalization of construction with BIM and Scan to BIM enhances infrastructure management in key industries across the country.
1️. Greater Accuracy and Quality Control
As-Built plans created with Scan2BIM allow:
🔹 Precise documentation of every modification made on-site.
🔹 Easier compliance with regulations in highly regulated industries. .
🔹 Reduction of maintenance errors due to outdated documentation
2️. Optimization of Asset Life Cycle
In sectors such as mining, healthcare, and hospitality, infrastructure has a long life cycle. An updated BIM model with As-Built plans enables:
🔹 Predictive maintenance based on real-time facility conditions.
🔹 Identification of critical areas requiring renovations or expansions.
🔹 Centralized asset management without relying on physical plans.
3️. Integration with Advanced Technologies
As-Built BIM models can connect with:
- 🔹 IoT and sensors for real-time monitoring.
- Artificial Intelligence for Predictive Failure Analysis
- 🔹 Digital Twins that replicate the real state of infrastructure.
🔹 This facilitates automation and remote control of industrial and commercial facilities.
As-Built Plan Creation Process with Scan to BIM
1️. 3D Laser Scanning and Point Cloud Generation
The process begins with Scan to BIM, capturing the existing structure through:
🔹 3D laser scanners to generate a detailed point cloud.
🔹 Drones or photogrammetry for hard-to-reach infrastructures (mines, ports).
2️. Data Processing and Cleaning
🔹 Removal of non-relevant elements in the scan (people, furniture).
🔹 Alignment of captures to form an accurate 3D model.
3️. BIM Modeling with As-Built Data
The scanned data is converted into a BIM model that:
- 🔹 Accurately represents each structural and facility element.
- 🔹 Is enriched with parametric data on materials, costs, and maintenance.
4️. Model Validation and Export
The As-Built BIM model is validated through:
🔹 Comparison with original plans.
🔹 Simulation of future modifications.
🔹 Export in .IFC, .RVT, or .DWG formats for compatibility with management software.
Use Cases in Key Industries in Mexico
The integration of Scan to BIM and As-Built plans is already impacting industries such as:
Mining and Metallurgy
- ✅ Accurate documentation of tunnels, ventilation, and machinery.
- . ✅ Optimization of transport routes and structural maintenance.
🔹 Hospitality and Hospitals
- ✅ Efficient management of electrical and HVAC systems.
- ✅ BIM models with real-time data for remote administration.
🔹 Logistics and Ports
- ✅ Planning and expansion of cargo terminals.
- ✅ Structural safety in large-scale warehouses and storage facilities.
The Future of BIM and As-Built in Mexico
The global trend of construction digitalization is rapidly advancing in Mexico. In the coming years, we will see:
- ✅ Mandatory BIM in public and private tenders.
- ✅ Massive use of Scan to BIM to document existing infrastructure.
- ✅ Greater integration with IoT and AI for real-time asset management.
You may also be interested: Mandatory BIM in Mexico: Learn More!
Companies that adopt BIM and As-Built plans will be better prepared to address infrastructure and sustainability challenges in the country’s key industrial sectors.
Conclusion
As-Built plans and BIM are revolutionizing the way infrastructure is documented, managed, and maintained in Mexico. The combination of Scan to BIM, IoT, and Digital Twins optimizes costs, improves operational efficiency, and extends asset lifespan.
In sectors such as mining, metallurgy, hospitality, hospitals, and ports, this technology is essential for ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and efficient facility management.
Want to digitalize your infrastructure with BIM and As-Built plans?
At Foundtech, we help you implement Scan to BIM to transform your facility management. Contact us and modernize your operations today!
