Architectural, structural, and MEP requirements in construction often move at different speeds, creating gaps that are difficult to detect until work begins on-site. When these gaps go unnoticed, they lead to clashes that slow progress, strain budgets, and place pressure on installation crews who must adapt in real time.

BIM clash detection changes this environment by utilizing a shared, three-dimensional model that brings all disciplines into a single digital space. conflicts that were once invisible in 2D drawings are now clear, actionable data points.

In this guide by Hadeed Engineering, we explore how BIM clash detection works, the specific types of conflicts it resolves, and how our team leverages this technology to deliver precise, constructible models for projects across Australia and around the world, supported by a trusted structural engineering firm.

What Types of Clashes Does BIM Detect?

BIM clash detection is a structured process that helps project teams identify specific conflicts within a digital model before materials are ordered. This shared model makes it clear where systems interfere with each other and where design intent needs refinement.

To truly understand the value of BIM clash detection, it is helpful to categorize the conflicts it identifies:

1. Hard Clashes

The most critical and obvious conflicts, where two physical elements occupy the same space.

Example: A structural steel beam intersecting with a main HVAC duct, or a plumbing pipe running directly through a concrete column.

Impact: They require immediate onsite fabrication fixes, often compromising structural integrity or requiring expensive re-ordering of materials.

2. Soft Clashes

Soft clashes relate to spatial tolerances and access requirements rather than direct physical overlap. They occur when an element is placed too close to another, which violates clearance zones needed for installation and safety.

Example: An electrical panel placed without enough clearance for the door to open, or a pipe run that leaves no room for a technician to access a valve.

Impact: These clashes don’t stop construction instantly but lead to long-term operational failures and safety hazards.

3. Workflow (4D) Clashes

Also known as scheduling clashes, they occur when activities compete for the same space at the same time.

Example: Two subcontractor crews scheduled to work in a narrow corridor simultaneously.

Impact: These cause sequencing problems that lead to stoppages, idle labor, and schedule overruns.

How BIM Software Identifies Clashes with Speed and Accuracy

The process of BIM clash detection relies on sophisticated digital tools that run precise geometric checks across the model. It uses algorithms to mathematically check every object in the model against every other object to determine whether their volumes overlap.

The Coordination Workflow

1. Federation: Architects, structural engineers, and MEP consultants upload their individual models to a Common Data Environment (CDE). These models are combined into a single master reference file.
2. Rule Setup: A BIM coordinator defines specific rules for the test. They may set a rule to check [All Ventilation Ducts] against [All Structural Steel] with a tolerance of 10mm.
3. Automated Detection: Platforms like AutoCAD or Revit run the analysis. Within minutes, the software can identify hundreds of interferences that the human eye might miss on 2D plans.
4. Reporting & Resolution: Each clash is logged, tagged with an ID, and then assigned to a specific discipline for resolution. The system records every update, ensuring that once a clash is fixed in the digital model, it stays fixed.

What Teams Gain from BIM Clash Detection

• Fewer Design Conflicts

When architectural, structural, and MEP models are reviewed together, conflicts appear long before construction begins. Instead of discovering problems during installation, teams resolve them digitally. This creates a smoother workflow and limits the Request for Information (RFI) cycles that typically slow progress on site.

• Reduced Construction Rework

Rework is one of the largest drains on construction budgets. Projects that use BIM can reduce field changes by 35% to 45%. Reducing construction rework through early detection prevents crews from having to pause work, demolish built sections, or reorder materials. Fewer change orders directly translate into protected profit margins and dependable schedules.

• Cost Control and Better Resource Use

BIM clash detection also contributes to cost savings. With accurate quantities and coordinated models, procurement teams can order materials with confidence, reducing waste and preventing excess on-site stock. Research shows that BIM-supported coordination can reduce project costs by 5-10%. Clash detection also supports accurate material take-offs, which limits unnecessary spending and reduces the risk of overestimation.

• Stronger Project Coordination

Strong coordination depends on having a single source of truth. BIM clash detection enforces this by requiring all disciplines to align their work in a shared environment. This approach reduces miscommunication, supports predictable installation sequences, and helps maintain momentum throughout the project lifecycle.

How Hadeed Engineering Executes BIM Coordination and Clash Detection

At Hadeed Engineering, we follow a structured BIM process that maintains clear, predictable coordination from the first model review through onsite installation. Our focus is accuracy and steady communication so project teams can rely on information that is current and validated.

Our workflow is designed to ensure constructability:

1. Client Consultation: We begin by thoroughly understanding your project scope, design intent, and specific technical requirements.
2. Digital Modeling: Our expert team creates accurate BIM and 3D models that incorporate all relevant structural data for steel and reinforced concrete.
3. Clash Detection & Coordination: We run detailed checks to identify and resolve conflicts early. We define specific tolerance rules to catch clashes.
4. Shop Drawings & Fabrication Data: From the approved, clash-free models, we produce fabrication-ready drawings.
5. Ongoing Support: We maintain open communication with our clients so that the model evolves as the project progresses.

Proven Results on Major Projects

Our expertise in BIM clash detection and coordination has been proven on complex infrastructure and industrial projects across Australia and internationally:

The West Gate Tunnel Project

For this major transport initiative, we delivered BIM models and shop drawings for gantry stairs and barrier rails. The scope involved 2,750 tonnes of structural steel, requiring precise coordination to ensure every element fits perfectly within the elevated roadway environment.

Princes Freeway Interchanges Upgrade

We provided 3D models for 128 tonnes of structural steel, including gantries and aluminium screens. Early detection of potential misalignments ensured the upgrade proceeded without structural delays.

Titan Cement Coal Mill

On a massive industrial facility supporting cement production in Alexandria, we delivered BIM services for 652 tonnes of structural steel. We also provided these services for the complementary Coal Storage facility (106 tonnes).

Build with Certainty

Reliable coordination is one of the clearest ways to keep a project moving without disruption. When BIM clash detection is managed in a structured workflow, design issues surface early, installation paths stay clear, and project teams work from accurate information.

At Hadeed Engineering, we support clients with coordinated BIM models that keep schedules on track. Our team combines over 100 years of collective experience with the latest digital tools to help project partners achieve better outcomes with fewer on-site interruptions.

If you want dependable BIM coordination that protects your budget and schedule, connect with us today.