Architecture, Engineering And Construction Industry Research Articles

From Finnish AEC knowledge ecosystem to business ecosystem: lessons learned from the national deployment of BIM

Government actors, public agencies, industry and academics have struggled to change the rules of the existing business ecosystem to support the networked practices that were envisioned back in the 1980s with the introduction of building information modelling (BIM). Despite the industry’s far-reaching technological capabilities, BIM has primarily assumed productivity improvement by individual firms, which has not lead to a systemic change in the Finnish architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) business ecosystem. A field study of the Finnish AEC industry has resulted in a critical understanding of why successful and intensive R&D at a national level and wide adoption of BIM technology in Finland has not led to the expected systemic evolution of its AEC business ecosystem. Additionally, a methodology based on inductive grounded theory and historical analysis has been used to capture and identify the evolving and dynamic relationships between various events and actors between 1965 and 2015, which, in turn, has aided in the identification and characterisation of the knowledge and innovation ecosystems. The research findings provide insights for BIM researchers and governments in terms of establishing new policies that will better align BIM adoption with the systemic evolution of business practices in the AEC business ecosystem.

Digital disruption of the AEC industry: technology-oriented scenarios for possible future development paths

Decision-makers in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry lack knowledge about the implementation of digitalization to generate value. We applied a scenario planning method developed by Schoemaker and Mavaddat to provide decision-makers with information for using digital data and technologies to create value for customers. We aim to theoretically understand how the scenario planning process helps AEC decision-makers to make sense of the future. Our findings show that boundary spanners are needed for steering the discussions among industry actors towards shared knowledge about the technological, social, economic and political changes needed at the industry level to optimize the benefits of digitalization. Our findings also show that boundary spanners apply scenario figures as boundary objects to cross knowledge boundaries. Based on our findings, we theoretically conceptualize scenario planning as a boundary-spanning activity that enables AEC decision-makers from different fields to share tacit knowledge and to cross knowledge boundaries. The practical implication is that scenario planning provides a method for AEC decision-makers to make sense of the changes needed to realize the preferred future for the industry.

A feasibility study on the implementation of building information modeling (BIM): from the architects’ & engineers’ perspective

Building information modeling (BIM) is an intelligent 3D model-based process which is more efficient and effectively used by architecture, engineering and construction professionals for planning, designing, constructing and managing buildings in an efficient manner. This literature review in this paper illustrates the benefits of BIM adoption and the barriers to its implementation. About 131 professionals which include the architects and engineers of the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, are part of this study. AEC industry was chosen for completing the survey among which only 102 of them completed the survey, as the remaining were not even aware of BIM. The objective of the study is to know about the attitude of the professionals regarding the positive and negative factors influencing the implementation of BIM in the AEC industry. The paper concludes with the strategies for the implementation of BIM on a large scale.

Initial Study on Building Information Modeling Adoption Urgency for Architecture Engineering and Construction Industry in Indonesia

This paper presents our initial study on Building Information Modeling (BIM) adoption urgency for architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry in Indonesia. Currently, BIM is being adopted by many countries around the world because of its’ efficiency and other benefits. Meanwhile, most of AEC industries in Indonesia still using the conventional method and there are no regulations from Indonesian AEC authority for adopting BIM. With that situation, a study of BIM adoption in Indonesian AEC industries is important. This study uses a qualitative approach with explorative type. Input from the survey is evaluated qualitatively using content analysis, distribution analysis and correspondence analysis method. Based on analysis result, it shows that BIM as a mean to encourage a more sustainable approach in AEC industry is still in its development phase but it shows great potentials and it gives stakeholders a better way to achieve sustainable built environment. Current lack of awareness and understanding of BIM in Indonesia, particularly in the education sector, is a key factor that impedes BIM adoption and one that can be addressed by integrating BIM into AEC curriculum. Government and practitioners alike need to develop a strategic roadmap to pave way for successful BIM implementation.

Developing a Modular Advanced BIM Course in Construction Management

Due to the rapid adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, many construction management (CM) programs in the US have introduced BIM in their curriculum. Previous research has revealed that most of the BIM courses offered in CM programs have mainly focused on modeling skills as well as BIM applications in scheduling and estimating. While these topics appear to be important to apply BIM technology, students will not be able to fully understand the BIM process in a construction project without knowing the fundamental workflow of BIM. This paper presents a modular BIM course which was developed to help CM students better understand the BIM workflow and focuses on advanced uses of BIM in construction projects. The course contains three modules: BIM workflow, basic BIM applications, and advanced BIM applications. The BIM workflow module discusses how BIM is addressed in project delivery method, contract, the execution plan, and team building. The basic BIM applications module explains the typical BIM applications in coordination, scheduling, estimating, logistics, visualization, etc. The advanced BIM applications module demonstrates the latest technology advances in the AEC industry that utilizes BIM applications, including laser scanning, virtual reality, and mixed reality. The course objectives and assessment methods ensure that CM students’ understanding of BIM will be considerably improved from as a modeling tools or software program to an efficient process, and their insights into BIM will be significantly broadened beyond the existing 3D, 4D, and 5D applications. The highly positive course evaluation demonstrates the effectiveness of these approaches in meeting course objectives, delivering course materials, as well as raising students’ interest. This paper will serve as a case study of an advanced level BIM course in CM programs.

Intelligent BIM record model for effective asset management of constructed facility

Asset management is a continuous process that runs throughout the lifecycle of a constructed facility. The current practice of asset management is paper-based consisting of manual inspection and proves to be time consuming, tedious, and prone to human error. Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been found to be an emerging technology and core of information management for the design, construction, operation and maintenance (O&M) process. Though the usefulness of BIM has been greatly realized in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) industry, its use for O&M, particularly in asset management, is still in its infancy. This research describes a framework of an intelligent BIM record model that can capture all the assets in BIM during the construction of a building facility. All the information necessary for operation and maintenance along with the location would be stored in a database integrating with the BIM. The database library can be interrogated with BIM and serves as a repository of asset management for the built facility. The BIM record model would help to take informed decisions regarding operations, maintenance, servicing, repair and replacement of an asset hence saving labour-intensive asset inventory, time and money, and preventing the wastage of unnecessary tools acquisition.

Building information modelling in sustainable design and construction

Building information modelling (BIM) has been developed in design and construction as a solution to sustainability issues. This research aims to study the practical application, contributions and improvements of BIM in developing sustainable design and construction. The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry in Australia is employed as a case. A questionnaire was developed and distributed via the internet to a range of industry professionals. The results indicate that two main functions of BIM are analysis and visualisation. BIM plays various roles in sustainable design and construction, and its most significant contributions have been in relation to developing energy efficiency, daylighting and orientation, and natural ventilation. Moreover, application barriers such as insufficient knowledge and practical experience of BIM, and clients' lack awareness of BIM are identified. Providing government support and training/education opportunities, reducing BIM software cost and increasing awareness of BIM are recommended to enhance its contribution to sustainable design and construction. This research makes a contribution in promoting BIM in developing sustainable design and construction and so advancing the sustainability of the AEC industry.

Trends and Opportunities of BIM-GIS Integration in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industry: A Review from a Spatio-Temporal Statistical Perspective

The integration of building information modelling (BIM) and geographic information system (GIS) in construction management is a new and fast developing trend in recent years, from research to industrial practice. BIM has advantages on rich geometric and semantic information through the building life cycle, while GIS is a broad field covering geovisualization-based decision making and geospatial modelling. However, most current studies of BIM-GIS integration focus on the integration techniques but lack theories and methods for further data analysis and mathematic modelling. This paper reviews the applications and discusses future trends of BIM-GIS integration in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry based on the studies of 96 high-quality research articles from a spatio-temporal statistical perspective. The analysis of these applications helps reveal the evolution progress of BIM-GIS integration. Results show that the utilization of BIM-GIS integration in the AEC industry requires systematic theories beyond integration technologies and deep applications of mathematical modeling methods, including spatio-temporal statistical modeling in GIS and 4D/nD BIM simulation and management. Opportunities of BIM-GIS integration are outlined as three hypotheses in the AEC industry for future research on the in-depth integration of BIM and GIS. BIM-GIS integration hypotheses enable more comprehensive applications through the life cycle of AEC projects.

A feasibility study of Building Information Modeling for Green Mark New Non-Residential Building (NRB): 2015 analysis

Building Information Modelling (BIM) and sustainable buildings are two future cornerstones of the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. Considering the current challenge in assessing the sustainable level of new buildings, as well as the emergence of digital-based project delivery and operation, this research intends to study the integration of BIM and sustainability assessment framework: its feasibility, AEC industry’s perception and possible approach. The AEC industry is inherently fragmented and the collection of such a large amount of data from different groups of professionals and stakeholders can be a huge challenge. This study adopted a feasibility survey using the Delphi method to investigate the application of BIM technology to assist the green building certification process under the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore’s Green Mark scheme, and focused on New Non-Residential Building (NRB) 2015. It started with a feasibility survey by soliciting AEC professionals’ perception in terms of applying BIM for Green Mark assessment. Following that, face-to-face interviews were conducted among the Delphi experts for in-depth information. The study found that 31 Green Mark items out of 78 total items could be achieved with the support of BIM authoring tool (i.e. Autodesk Revit) and BIM-based Building Performance Analysis (BPA) tools.

The future of Big Data in facilities management: opportunities and challenges

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the current condition of the Big Data concept with its related barriers, drivers, opportunities and perceptions in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry with an emphasis on facilities management (FM).Design/methodology/approachFollowing a comprehensive literature review, the Big Data concept was investigated through two scoping workshops with industry experts and academics.FindingsThe value in data analytics and Big Data is perceived by the industry, yet the industry needs guidance and leadership. Also, the industry recognises the imbalance between data capturing and data analytics. Large IT vendors’ developing AEC industry-focused analytics solutions and better interoperability among different vendors are needed. The general concerns for Big Data analytics mostly apply to the AEC industry as well. Additionally, however, the industry suffers from a structural fragmentation for data integration with many small-sized companies operating in its supply chains. This paper also identifies a number of drivers, challenges and way-forwards that calls for future actions for Big Data in FM in the AEC industry.Originality/valueThe nature of data in the business world has dramatically changed over the past 20 years. This phenomenon is often broadly dubbed as “Big Data” with its distinctive characteristics, opportunities and challenges. Some industries have already started to effectively exploit “Big Data” in their business operations. However, despite many perceived benefits, the AEC industry has been slow in discussing and adopting the Big Data concept. Empirical research efforts investigating Big Data for the AEC industry are also scarce. This paper aims at outlining the benefits, challenges and future directions (what to do) for Big Data in the AEC industry with an FM focus.

CasCADe: A Novel 4D Visualization System for Virtual Construction Planning.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) provides an integrated 3D environment to manage large-scale engineering projects. The Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry explores 4D visualizations over these datasets for virtual construction planning. However, existing solutions lack adequate visual mechanisms to inspect the underlying schedule and make inconsistencies readily apparent. The goal of this paper is to apply best practices of information visualization to improve 4D analysis of construction plans. We first present a review of previous work that identifies common use cases and limitations. We then consulted with AEC professionals to specify the main design requirements for such applications. These guided the development of CasCADe, a novel 4D visualization system where task sequencing and spatio-temporal simultaneity are immediately apparent. This unique framework enables the combination of diverse analytical features to create an information-rich analysis environment. We also describe how engineering collaborators used CasCADe to review the real-world construction plans of an Oil & Gas process plant. The system made evident schedule uncertainties, identified work-space conflicts and helped analyze other constructability issues. The results and contributions of this paper suggest new avenues for future research in information visualization for the AEC industry.

BIM EXECUTION PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES FOR BUILDING PROJECTS

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has been an emerging concept in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry with a vast amount of promising benefits to construction projects. Implementation of BIM, however, requires comprehensive research and strategic planning. Industry-wide and organizational implementation guidelines and standards have been published around the world either to encourage organizations to adopt BIM or to present the minimum requirements to be followed where BIM implementation is a statutory obligation. In contrast, governments or organizations in several countries such as Turkey have not mandated BIM implementation and provide no guidance. Organizations in these countries which plan to adopt BIM processes are forced to develop their own implementation plans. The purpose of this study is to provide guidance in BIM implementation for construction companies in countries where BIM implementation has not been mandated particularly during the construction phase of the building projects. 23 BIM standards and guidelines covering the BIM execution process have been reviewed. Topics that need to be addressed by BIM implementation plans have been identified and categorized under four headings. A case study of BIM implementation at a large construction company that focuses on conducting quantity takeoff and cost estimation is presented, and unique challenges of BIM implementation in Turkish AEC industry are discussed.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Brazil's Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Industry: A Review and a Bibliometric Study

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is transforming how buildings are designed, constructed, operated, maintained and demolished and has attracted significant attention as a process that can positively impact the performance of architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) projects. The research and use of BIM processes and software in Brazil are incipient. This paper aims to provide a review of the scope of the Brazilian BIM literature and outlines the most important directions for future research. The work is developed based on an extensive and critical bibliographic study on journals, papers, conferences and Brazilian-authored master's and doctoral dissertations. The results show little significant Brazilian contributions in the international field and scarce BIM implementation in the Brazilian AEC industry, especially in interoperability issues, post-construction phases, and life cycle analysis.The reasons for this finding are the lack of professionals involved in the entire life cycle of buildings who have expertise in BIM tools and processes as well as the fact that teaching and research on BIM in universities and Brazilian research centers are weak compared to other countries, which shows the need for these institutions to adopt the BIM model as an essential tool for teaching engineering and architecture.BIM, construction, sustainability, review, Brazil

Challenges when implementing BIM for industry change

Public clients have been identified as drivers of architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industry change through their implementation of building information modelling (BIM). Yet, little is known of this implementation process and the associated challenges. This study aims to increase the understanding of what intra- and inter-organizational challenges that arise when a large Swedish public infrastructure client implements BIM to change the work practices of the actors in the Swedish AEC industry. The IT business value model allows for understanding the public client’s implementation of BIM as an IT-supported change process and for understanding the associated intra- and inter-organizational challenges. The findings show nine categories of intra- and inter-organizational challenges related to, for example, demanding BIM in procurement and creating incentives for BIM implementation. The findings show that intra-organizational challenges related to a top-down implementation of BIM, while inter-organizational challenges related to a bottom-up implementation. The impact of these challenges on the public client’s ability to drive AEC industry change by implementing BIM is discussed. The findings contribute with the client perspective to studies on BIM implementation and with an increased understanding of the challenges associated with implementing IT-supported change processes.

The role of industry: an analytical framework to understand ICT transformation within the AEC industry

Despite wide-ranging research on information and communication technologies (ICT) in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, little is known about the role that industry plays in the adoption and use of ICT. Based on observations of how the drivers for ICT use seem to be inconsistent with the industry’s central characteristics, and drawing on information systems (IS) research that demonstrates the role of shared systems of meaning, the purpose here is to develop an analytical framework that explains how industry shapes the adoption and use of ICT. Building on a theoretically driven approach and a case study, a framework is first sketched and then substantiated through empirical illustrations. Three dimensions of industry are highlighted: the socio-cognitive environment, the market and production environment and institutional actors. It is explained how the interplay of these dimensions shapes the way the industry functions, which in turn influence the adoption and use of ICT. The outcomes of the interplay can either be aligned or misaligned with ICT, which explains why certain aligned applications are rapidly adopted, whereas other applications are not. The primary implication is that the framework can aid in analysing the need for structural adaptation when trying to achieve ICT-induced change.

INTEROPERABILITY MATTER: LEVELS OF DATA SHARING, STARTING FROM A 3D INFORMATION MODELLING

Abstract. Nowadays, the adoption of BIM processes in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) industry means to be oriented towards synergistic workflows, based on informative instruments capable of realizing the virtual model of the building. The target of this article is to speak about the interoperability matter, approaching the subject through a theoretical part and also a practice example, in order to show how these notions are applicable in real situations. In particular, the case study analysed belongs to the Cultural Heritage field, where it is possible to find some difficulties – both in the modelling and sharing phases – due to the complexity of shapes and elements. Focusing on the interoperability between different software, the questions are: What and how many kind of information can I share? Given that this process leads also to a standardization of the modelled parts, is there the possibility of an accuracy loss?

Barriers to the Adoption of Building Information Modeling in the Jordanian Building Industry

In the last decade, construction industry has witnessed a huge transformation in term of the use of digital technologies, and particularly Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM is a revolutionary digital technology and process that is reshaping the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. Though, internationally, BIM has gained a great reputation for boosting productivity in AEC industry, but it holds undeveloped possibilities for providing and supporting AEC industry in Jordan. This study aims at exploring the adoption of BIM within the Jordanian construction industry. To achieve this objective, the research commenced by carrying out an intensive literature reviews on the implementation of BIM world-wide and in Middle East, which was utilized to identify the benefits and challenges of BIM in construction industry. An exploratory study was then conducted using an on-line survey to identify the current level of BIM experience, and to define the perceived benefits and challenges facing BIM implementation. Findings reveal that the adoption of BIM in Jordan is still in a very primitive phase and it faces numbers of critical barriers such as, but not limited to, the absence of government incentives, the lack of BIM standards, lack of BIM awareness, lack of BIM need, cost and resistance to change. Similarly, the study identified the main perceived potential benefits of BIM that were: “clash detection”, “minimizing conflicts and changes” and “reducing rework”. This research represents a first step towards understanding the current situation of BIM implementation in Jordan. It can help AEC practitioners in Jordan recognize potential areas in which BIM can be useful in AEC practice. However, it provides a benchmark for future studies that should tackle several other avenues further.

Exploring the Adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the Jordanian Construction Industry

In the last decade, construction industry has witnessed a huge transformation in term of the use of digital technologies, and particularly Building Information Modelling (BIM). BIM is a revolutionary digital technology and process that is reshaping the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. Though, internationally, BIM has gained a great reputation for boosting productivity in AEC industry, but it holds undeveloped possibilities for providing and supporting AEC industry in Jordan. This study aims at assessing adoption of BIM within the construction industry in Jordan. To achieve this objective, the research commenced by carrying out an intensive literature reviews on the implementation of BIM world-wide, which was utilised to identify the benefits, and challenges of BIM in construction industry. An exploratory study was then conducted using an on-line survey to identify the current level of BIM experience, and to define the perceived value, benefits and challenges facing BIM implementation. Findings reveal that the adoption and implementation of BIM in Jordan is still in a very primitive phase and it faces number of critical barriers such as, but not restricted to, the absence of government incentives, the lack of BIM standards, lack of BIM awareness, lack of BIM training, cost and resistance to change. It concludes recommendations for how the industry shall adopt BIM and integrate it within construction industry's all processes. Highlighting the synergy between the two, this paper can help AEC practitioners in Jordan recognize potential areas in which BIM can be useful in AEC practise.

Examining the interaction between lean and sustainability principles in the management process of AEC industry

Abstract Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry is classified as a huge consumer of natural resources. It consumes 50% of natural material resources, 40% of energy and is responsible for 50% of total waste. Subsequently, different sustainability indices and environmental certifications have been introduced to AEC. As a result, most construction firms turn to green building designs and acquire different environmental certifications. Recently, the concept of lean management has been introduced to AEC after succeeding in manufacturing. This paper aims at examining the interaction between lean and sustainability principles on the management process of design and construction projects. Towards achieving this aim, two approaches were employed, namely literature review, and a correlation matrix to verify the area of interaction between both lean construction and sustainability principles. Findings took the form of guidelines for AEC companies to help in applying the integrated lean and sustainability principles on managing design and construction processes.

The relation of perceived benefits and organizational supports to user satisfaction with building information model (BIM)

In recent years, building information model (BIM) is becoming increasing popularity in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, many researchers and practitioners have verified the benefits of BIM as compared to traditional information technology, for example Autodesk CAD. As one of the key drivers of BIM adopt, BIM users are significantly impact on the success level of BIM implementation. As a factor leading to information system success and indicating the continuance intention after their initial adoption, BIM user satisfaction is studied in this work. Based on the data collected from 118 BIM engineers, this study examined the influence of five potential variables (such as attitude, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, top management support and management by objective) on BIM user satisfaction in AEC industry. The result from PLS (partial least square) showed that the perceived usefulness, top management support and management by objective are significantly associated with BIM user satisfaction, and the influence of management by objective on BIM user satisfaction is much stronger than top management support and perceived usefulness. Besides, perceived ease of use and attitude have a significant influence on perceived usefulness. Moreover, top management support is found to be positive associated with management by objective. Finally, the discussion of these results was presented.