BIM clash detection identifies, in the digital model, collisions between structure, MEP systems and architecture before they reach the site. Done well, it is not just a list of clashes: it is a design quality control that prioritizes conflicts by their structural, constructability and economic impact, and resolves them with engineering judgment.
This article was originally published in our construction digital magazine, within the editorial line dedicated to technology and innovation in construction.
The content is based on the experience of Grupo ADIPSA, a Panamanian firm specializing in structural design, steel & rebar detailing and BIM coordination.
You can also read the version published in the January 2026 issue of Construcción en Panamá magazine (in Spanish).
The problem: clashes that drawings don’t show
In complex projects, errors rarely originate on site, but in poorly coordinated design. Without advanced BIM coordination it is common to find:
- MEP systems running through primary structural elements.
- Insufficient technical space for equipment maintenance.
- Improvised field adjustments that compromise design and safety.
- Late redesigns that hit schedule and cost.
Types of clashes
1. Structural–MEP (critical)
Pipes or ducts crossing beams, columns or slabs; penetrations incompatible with the structural design; conflicts with reinforcement or precast elements. They must be assessed with structural criteria, not just geometric ones.
2. Functional and operational
Lack of maintenance clearances, equipment without real access and conflicts with evacuation routes or codes.
3. Constructability
Unfeasible erection sequences, elements impossible to install in the planned order and logistical risks.
How professional clash detection is done
- Models built with engineering criteria: with the right level of detail (LOD) for technical analysis, not just visualization.
- Real interdisciplinary coordination: architecture, structures and MEP are reviewed together, prioritizing safety, constructability and codes.
- Specialized platforms: Tekla Structures, Autodesk Navisworks and Solibri.
- Classification and prioritization: first, conflicts that affect main structural elements, create risks on site or have economic or contractual impact.
- Technical solutions, not just graphic fixes: each conflict is resolved by evaluating viable alternatives before issuing final documentation.
A demanding case: water treatment plants
Wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations and water treatment plants are among the most complex assets in civil engineering. Their massive concrete structures must be designed under ACI 350 for environmental engineering concrete structures, which requires watertightness: no microcracks that allow leaks or infiltration.
They contain steel, stainless steel or HDPE pipes of 24 to 60 inches. If a pipe intersects a foundation beam and this is discovered on site, the usual fix is to chip away cured concrete, which damages watertightness, halts work and triggers costly change orders. With the federated model, those intersections are detected beforehand and reinforced sleeves and wall penetrations are designed in the shop. The LOD 400 model also allows exact rebar detailing and precise quantities.
This type of infrastructure is key to initiatives such as the Panama Sanitation Program.
Benefits of clash detection
- Fewer change orders.
- Greater reliability of structural and MEP design.
- Technical control before construction.
- More reliable schedules.
- Less exposure to claims and disputes.
Clash detection is one stage of BIM coordination; to understand the full process, see BIM modeling vs. BIM coordination.
Frequently asked questions
What software is used for clash detection?
The most common are Autodesk Navisworks and Solibri, together with modeling platforms such as Tekla Structures or Revit.
What is a federated model?
The combination of all disciplines’ models in a single environment so they can be analyzed together.
Are all clashes equally serious?
No. Those affecting main structural elements, safety or project cost are prioritized.
