Abstract
Building information modeling (BIM) is changing how buildings, infrastructures, and utilities are planned, designed, built, and managed. Though very popular for collaboration and coordination in structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical trades in multi-family projects, this study shows that BIM is rarely used for estimating and scheduling due to the cost and time it takes to complete the BIM model. However, BIM is providing broad benefits and becoming an essential construction document component for large projects. The objective of this study is to identify the major barriers to using BIM for a project's estimating and scheduling. Personal interviews and electronic questionnaires for 30 companies were used to answer the research objectives. The study focused on how sub-contractors are currently using BIM for estimating and scheduling. The study provides recommendations on using BIM for estimating. In addition, the paper presents a case study for using light gauge metal framing add on to BIM software for estimating and shop drawing, thereby incentivizing contractors to challenge the existing barriers to use BIM more efficiently. The research showed that less than 7% of multi-family contractors use BIM in their projects and less than 3% use it for estimating. The case study showed that using BIM for framing and drywall estimating in multi-family residential construction or similar projects can be practical if a basic BIM model is provided to subcontractors.
Highlights
The United States’ National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) defines Building information modeling (BIM) as “a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility
This study identifies the major barriers for BIM adaption in cost estimating
We examined the efficiency of using BIM for estimating light gauge metal framing in multi-family housing projects
Summary
The United States’ National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) defines BIM as “a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. As such it serves as a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle from inception onward” BIM is considered to be the auspicious new developments in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. It is a potential standard for AEC, by bringing together all the involved stakeholders of a project (Azhar, 2011). Edward (2007) claimed “One of the major benefits of BIM is that it includes information about length, width, and volume, as well as information about content such as doors, windows, and finishes, all of which can be used for estimation.” estimating based on BIM eliminates overlooked details when doing quantity takeoff from traditional 2D mostly with common updates which makes it hard to catch. (Joyce & Erin, 2014)
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