Final answer:
True, estimating is indeed used in BIM as a sixth dimension, which focuses on the project lifecycle information, including costs related to construction, operation, and maintenance. PhET Explorations: Estimation tools improve foundational skills in one to three dimension estimates which are essential in BIM.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement estimating is used in BIM as a sixth dimension is true. Building Information Modeling (BIM) goes beyond the traditional two-dimensional drawings to include three-dimensional modeling, but it also incorporates additional dimensions for more efficient project management and execution. The fourth dimension (4D) includes time scheduling, the fifth dimension (5D) incorporates cost, and the sixth dimension (6D), often refers to the project lifecycle information including estimates for cost management and maintenance. Estimation forms a crucial part of the 6D BIM and helps stakeholders understand the financial implications of a project over its entire lifecycle.
Students can better grasp the concept of estimating through interactive tools like the PhET Explorations: Estimation which encourages exploration of size estimation in one, two, and three dimensions. This kind of tool helps to develop skills that are directly applicable to more complex estimating tasks in BIM, providing a foundational understanding that is essential in fields such as construction management, architecture, and engineering.