Challenges of Adopting Knowledge-based Building Information Modeling for E & M Asset Management Supplemented with Mobile Solutions–A Case Study in Public Sewage Pumping Facilities

Abstract

Digital innovations in connection with the Building Information Modeling (BIM) enable better integration and interaction of various forms of building information and data created throughout the lifecycle of the facilities concerned. However, without widely accepted role model or practical framework on BIM-integrated building maintenance, many maintenance professionals might consider BIM implementation and asset management as isolated practices and would find it difficult to retrieve and use relevant BIM-derived information for asset-related decision making and monitoring when taking over the as-constructed BIM model in project completion stage, resulting in significant reduction in efficiency and productivity in asset management (AM). The purposes of this paper were (i) to summarize the major obstacles in use of BIM as far as maintenance personnel are concerned; (ii) propose steps in setting up AM-customized BIM requirements in early modeling stage to avoid information loss when going through different life cycle stages and (iii) develop a practical methodology with work practices to use BIM in maintenance phase. A case study of BIM deployment in asset management of electrical & mechanical (E&M) facilities in a typical public sewage pumping station serves as an example showing how challenges are experienced and overcome. The findings of the study indicate that there is a high potential for BIM benefits in asset management provided that an over-arching BIM corporate strategy, interoperability of BIM model integrated with in-service maintenance management system, and customized user applications in work routines are implemented.