BIM and Cost Estimation Issues (5D): Case of Armenia

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) as widely expanding technology in the Architecture Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) Industry aims integrating all aspects of building life cycle from conceptual design to demolition and deconstruction. BIM provides possibility of automating time planning (4D), cost estimation (5D) before the construction commencement, and time, cost management during construction. Though BIM adoption and implementation in the Republic of Armenia (RA) AECO Industry is going slowly, there are some developments that prove RA Government interest in BIM adoption for enhancing Industry efficiency and transparency. The research was focused on cost estimation automation and BIM integration issues in Armenia. For this the construction cost estimation backgrounds of a number of countries as Belarus, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russian Federation (RF) and USA were studied along with the practices of integration it with BIM technology. The results of the study were compared with the situation of cost estimation practices in the RA. The study reveals that for BIM technology and cost estimation incorporation, there are various barriers as local building codes, regulations, specifics of construction technologies, and common requirement of uniqueness for each erected building. As conclusion the author proposes further standardization of the Industry by developing construction elements’ reference books and databases for joint usage by designers, architects, building engineers and cost estimators for safeguarding future management of the quantity takeoff information.