Building Information Modeling Research Articles

Enhancing Building Information Modeling Effectiveness Through Coopetition and the Industrial Internet of Things

The construction industry plays a crucial role in the global economy but faces significant challenges, including inefficiencies, high costs, and environmental impacts. Although Building Information Modeling (BIM) has been widely adopted as a solution to these issues, its practical impact remains limited. This study investigates how manufacturers can enhance their contributions to improve BIM’s effectiveness, proposing that coopetition practices—combining competition and cooperation—can positively influence these contributions, thereby enhancing the benefits of BIM. To explore this hypothesis, an Experimental Coopetition Network was implemented in the Portuguese ornamental stone (POS) sector, utilizing Industrial IoT technology to facilitate collaboration among selected companies. The study assessed the impact of coopetition practices on key performance indicators related to BIM, including on-time delivery, labor productivity, and CO2 emissions. The findings demonstrate significant improvements in scheduling, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability, validating the hypothesis that coopetition practices can enhance manufacturers’ contributions to BIM. These results suggest that coopetition practices contribute to better project outcomes, increased competitiveness, and sustainability within the construction industry. Despite the promising results, the study acknowledges limitations such as the scope of the sample size and observation periods, indicating areas for future research. This research contributes to the theoretical framework of coopetition, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and provides valuable insights for industry practitioners and policymakers seeking to implement more sustainable construction practices.

Framework to assess connection of risk factors and management strategies in Building Information Modeling

Framework to assess connection of risk factors and management strategies in Building Information Modeling

SCOPE ON BIM AS A TOOL FOR DESIGNING ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS FOR ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS. CASE OF ALGERIA

Building Information Modeling, often known as BIM, is considered an indispensable component of the design and construction process in many nations throughout the world. In order to analyze the practitioners' perceptions of BIM's influence on construction in connection to the many tools and software, surveys were carried out and analyzed with the sphinx tool. The surveys were also carried out to determine the architects' and engineers' capacities to integrate BIM into their design processes. Despite having limited understanding about BIM as a new method of work, the results indicated that both architects and engineers are concerned about improving design processes in order to provide a higher level of quality to the projects they are working on in Algerian context.

Assessment of building information modeling adoption in building material scheduling in Tanzania’s construction industry

The building construction industry continues to face challenges that affect project delivery, one of which is the traditional practices used for building material scheduling (BMS). Studies indicate that these practices are often inefficient and prone to errors, leading to delays, cost overruns, and low-quality work, affecting the project objectives. Building Information Modeling (BIM) presents a promising solution for addressing these challenges, proven through existing integrations. However, its adoption in BMS practices in construction is still relatively low. Therefore, this study aimed to assess BIM use in BMS in Tanzania’s building construction industry. The study adopted a quantitative research approach, and the study population of 153 registered quantity surveying firms was purposively selected. The study data was collected using online questionnaires and analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study findings indicate that traditional practices are still favored over BIM when scheduling building materials in Tanzania, with the most predominant practices being spreadsheets and paper-based methods. Additionally, findings suggest that BIM is not a new concept in Tanzania. However, its adoption in the current practices is relatively low, mainly due to insufficient expertise, training resources, and limited access to BIM software/tools. Moreover, findings indicate a significant belief that BIM can improve BMS practices. These insights can inform policymakers, industry stakeholders, and educational institutions on the necessary steps to promote BIM integration. Therefore, it is recommended that BIM adoption be prioritized by addressing these barriers to enhance project outcomes. Shifting from traditional methods to BIM will lead to more efficient and effective construction processes, making BIM's broader adoption essential for the industry's future success.

Building Information Modeling Adoption in the Palestinian Construction Industry: Influencing Factors, External Determinants, and Technology Acceptance

ABSTRACT Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a worldwide spreading technology for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry that allows for continuous modification and improvement of building models, resulting in improved quality and cost savings in the project. The study aims to investigate the adoption pattern of BIM in the Palestinian market and identify significant factors that influence the adoption process, including top management support, organizational culture, and the number of experts and technicians. A structured questionnaire was developed, distributed electronically, and 168 valid responses were received, leading to a margin error of 4.4% and a response rate of 67.2%. A model, based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was developed and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was utilized to evaluate the measurement model’s reliability and validity, test hypotheses regarding the relationships between constructs, and assess the impact of various factors on the intention to adopt BIM within the construction industry. Six external influences on acceptance are highlighted. Individual and organizational acceptance drivers are identified, including top management support, ease of use, and competitive landscape. Government policies impact adoption and results stress internal and external considerations for BIM adoption.

Mixed Reality-Based Inspection Method for Underground Water Supply Network with Multi-Source Information Integration

Regular on-site inspection is crucial for promptly detecting faults in water supply networks (WSNs) and auxiliary facilities, significantly reducing leakage risks. However, the fragmentation of information and the separation between virtual and physical networks pose challenges, increasing the cognitive load on inspectors. Furthermore, due to the lack of real-time computation in current research, the effectiveness in detecting anomalies, such as leaks, is limited, hindering its ability to provide immediate and direct-decision support for inspectors. To address these issues, this research proposes a mixed reality (MR) inspection method that integrates multi-source information, combining building information modeling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT), monitoring data, and numerical simulation technologies. This approach aims to achieve in situ visualization and real-time computational capabilities. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through case studies, with user feedback confirming its feasibility. The results indicate improvements in inspection task performance, work efficiency, and standardization compared to traditional mobile terminal-based methods.

Investigating the adoption of building information modeling of small-medium sized organizations in the construction industry: from a configuration perspective

ABSTRACT Building Information Modeling (BIM) is considered to be one of the most promising innovations in the construction industry, and the building industry is beginning to use and benefit from it. However, the full adoption of BIM in the construction industry is still challenging as small and medium-sized organizations (SMOs) are lagging in BIM adoption. Although existing studies have explored many influencing factors of BIM adoption, most of them are focused on a single relationship and cannot explain why certain factor that works for one organization fails in others. This study aims to respond to the research gap in previous studies on BIM adoption in SMOs by highlighting the importance of the combination of influencing factors rather than single correlations, thereby clarifying the realization mechanisms of BIM adoption in SMOs. Using the qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) approach and fsQCA3.0, this study connects the factors from technological, organizational, and environmental aspects under the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, five configurations leading to the high BIM adoption and two configurations leading to the low BIM adoption are identified with 36 SMO cases through the configurational lens. As one of the earliest attempts to investigate SMOs’ BIM adoption decisions using the QCA method, this study expects to offer a holistic understanding of BIM adoption in SMOs and contribute to the full BIM diffusion in the construction industry by providing valuable suggestions to industry practitioners. Highlights BIM adoption in SMOs results from a combination of technological, organizational, and environmental conditions, and no necessary conditions lead to BIM adoption behavior. More than one configuration is leading to high or low BIM adoption in SMOs. Under specific contexts, BIM capability can substitute for financial capability, while financial capability will substitute for government pressure. When conditions are missing on both the technological and organizational aspects, government or market pressure alone cannot lead to BIM adoption behavior in SMOs.

BIM-based search and selection of construction material suppliers: a dedicated framework and prototype

Purpose This study aims to address the key issues concerning supplier selection in traditional construction procurement by proposing an innovative, novel, state-of-the-art prototype plugin building information modelling – supplier search and ranking (BIM-SSR) and an associated conceptual framework. It enhances building information modelling (BIM) capabilities through web crawling and analytical hierarchy processes (AHP). It uses the World Wide Web to procure construction material suppliers. Design/methodology/approach Prevalent issues in traditional procurement of material suppliers have been identified through a rigorous literature review. Field experts vetted these issues. A framework has been presented to address these issues based on integrated web crawling and AHP as a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method. A BIM prototype (BIM-SSR) has been developed using Python and plugged into Autodesk Revit to automate the search and evaluation of material suppliers based on precise material specifications from the BIM design. The BIM-SSR prototype is tested through a case study and validated by field professionals for its efficiency in tackling the identified issues. Findings Thirteen key issues have been identified concerning traditional construction procurement pertinent to supplier selection. Best-value procurement was encouraged by identifying supplier selection criteria such as cost, delivery time, experience, compliance with quality management standards, warranties, and claim period. The presented BIM-SSR prototype has an efficiency of 80%–95% in addressing the issues identified in this study and 97.5% effectiveness in improving the overall procurement management process. Originality/value The BIM-SSR prototype developed in this study is a novel and innovative addition to the body of knowledge that has been integrated into Autodesk Revit as a Plugin. Automation of supplier search and selection through digital technologies, including web crawling and integration of traditionally accepted MCDM methods such as AHP in BIM, is another innovation in the current study. Overall, this study presents a holistic, innovative system, from conceptual design to practical implementation and demonstration. This is one of the steps to help the traditional construction procurement process evolve into a more modern and digital procurement.

Developing a theoretical framework for enhancing green project approaches via Agile methodology.

The application of green building approaches has significantly increased in many countries and buildings, accompanied by the development of numerous standards and methodologies for their implementation. Despite these efforts, not all risks and challenges facing green projects have been eliminated in some regions. Issues such as financing difficulties, budget overruns, and schedule delays continue to pose significant challenges. As a result, no substantial improvements have been made in the approach to green projects. Therefore, this study aims to develop a theoretical framework that enhances the approach to green projects. By utilizing the AGILE methodology, specifically SCRUM, the most significant risks facing green projects were identified and converted into indicators based on prior studies. Furthermore, Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology, particularly Green BIM (GBIM), was employed to create tools and elements to address these challenges, leading to the development of a conceptual framework capable of providing solutions. This framework was built around 30 indicators, whose weights were determined through an electronic questionnaire involving 140 specialists in green projects, AGILE methodology, and BIM technology. Assistance from academic experts was also sought. The results of the questionnaire, analyzed using statistical methods, contributed to the development of a theoretical framework aimed at improving the approach to green projects.

Improved Building Information Modeling Based Method for Prioritizing Clash Detection in the Building Construction Design Phase

The rising complexity of construction projects and the industry’s commitment to sustainable practices have driven the extensive adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology. A core function of BIM is the early identification and resolution of clashes during the design phase, which serves to mitigate costly rework and delays in the construction process. This study presents an advanced method for classifying and prioritizing hard clashes between structural components and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. Employing the Best-Worst Method (BWM), this research assigned specific weights to structural and MEP elements based on expert evaluations. Six parameters were incorporated into this prioritization framework: the weights determined by the BWM, outputs from Navisworks software (v2021), the ratio of MEP volume to floor volume, the functional purpose of each floor, and the number of adjacent elements. A custom-developed plugin for Autodesk Navisworks integrated these parameters, enabling real-time automated clash prioritization. Clashes were ranked by criticality through a calculation involving the six parameters, which enhanced the efficiency of clash detection by optimizing time and cost considerations during the design phase. Case study results indicate that beams and columns represent the most critical structural elements, while ducts are identified as the most significant MEP elements. The proposed method substantially improves clash detection and prioritization efficiency and accuracy, yielding considerable benefits in project management and resource allocation.

Principles for Sustainable Integration of BIM and Digital Twin Technologies in Industrial Infrastructure

As industries evolve towards greater digitalization, integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital twin technologies presents a unique opportunity to enhance sustainability in industrial infrastructure. This paper formulates a comprehensive set of principles aimed at guiding the sustainable integration of these technologies within the context of modern industrial facilities, often referred to as “Factories of the Future”. The principles are designed to address critical sustainability challenges, including minimizing environmental impact, optimizing resource efficiency, and ensuring long-term resilience. Through a detailed examination of lifecycle management, data interoperability, and collaborative stakeholder engagement, this work provides a strategic framework for leveraging digital technologies to achieve sustainability goals. The principles outlined in this paper not only promote greener industrial practices but also pave the way for innovation in the sustainable development of industrial infrastructure. This framework is intended to serve as a foundation for future research and practical application, supporting the global shift towards more sustainable industrial operations.

Digital Twins in the Sustainable Construction Industry

Digital Twin (DT) technology, as the evolution of Building Information Modeling (BIM), has emerged to address global concerns regarding the environmental impacts of the construction industry and to meet sustainability indicators. Despite numerous studies targeting the integration of DT and sustainability, there is a noticeable gap in creating a comprehensive overview of the efforts and future directions in this field. Therefore, this research aims to provide both a scientometric analysis and a thematic review of 235 papers extracted from the Scopus database. These papers, all published between 2017 and 2024, focus on previous efforts, current trends, and future directions of using the Digital Twin for construction sustainability. In addition, 34 papers that were cited more than 20 times were classified by the application into four categories: simulation, technology integration, smart systems, and literature review. Furthermore, regarding the application of smart systems in sustainability, the authors discussed applications of BIM-DT in smart construction, smart buildings, smart infrastructures, and smart cities based on the most-cited papers. Subsequently, five research gaps were identified and suggested for future investigation. The research gives a holistic insight into the current trend of DT among researchers, previous achievements, and future directions.

Evaluation of Instructor Capability: Perspective from Building Information Modeling Competition Students in Mainland China

Building information modelling (BIM) technology, which has experienced rapid development, has become the focus of digital education learning in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) related disciplines. However, BIM education is still confronted with the disconnection between theoretical education and engineering practice. In mainland China, BIM competitions are an important digital platform for higher education practice teaching. As the organizer and leader of student participants, BIM instructors, especially their BIM capability, have an important impact on digital education. Previous research on BIM capability did not involve the field of BIM education, and the existing BIM capability framework is not entirely applicable to evaluating the BIM capability of instructors. Semi-structured interviews based on grounded theory (GT) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to construct a five-dimensional model containing 23 capability indicators. The research findings highlighted the multi-dimensional nature of BIM capability for instructors and indicated that personnel capability was the most important for instructors, while process capability was considered the most dispensable. This is significantly different from the emphasis on technical and process capability in BIM capability research in the traditional AEC industry. It was also found that students from different levels of universities and different educational backgrounds had different demands for the BIM capability of instructors. The results of this study will help universities select excellent instructors, improve the quality of BIM education in universities, and cultivate more outstanding BIM talents for the development of BIM in the AEC industry, thereby promoting the digital practice of BIM education in universities.

Quantification and validation of uncertainties in subsoil models

AbstractIn infrastructure planning and construction, modeling the subsoil and its associated uncertainty is a fundamental task of geotechnical engineers. However, probabilistic methods and tools for quantifying and displaying the uncertainty of the subsoil models are rarely used in practice where deterministic interpolation dominates. In digital planning using Building Information Modeling (BIM), the probabilistic approach supports creating a discipline model in which the uncertainties of the spatial layer structure are statistically quantified to evaluate the georisks in the design and execution of civil constructions. This article presents a case study using a combination of Sequential Gaussian Simulation (SGSIM) and Sequential Indicator Simulation (SISIM) to account for uncertainties in soil layer geometry. In a case study at the Munich Town Hall, a geostatistical approach is applied and validated based on 70 bore logs, whereby the probabilities for the occurrence of a particular layer are spatially quantified. The case study illustrates the methodology‘s great potential and benefits compared to the conventional deterministic approach based on interpolation procedures.

BIM capability assessment for improving the efficiency of design in railway projects

The construction industry is increasingly adopting Building Information Modelling (BIM) due to its benefits, including early collaboration, error reduction, and improved quality. This study systematically assesses BIM capabilities in the design processes of railway projects managed by Network Rail (NR), a national authority in the UK, and Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality (GMM), a local authority in Turkey. Using a tailored BIM capability assessment tool, the study evaluates the performance of BIM attributes across architectural, structural, and building services design. The findings indicate that NR achieved Integrated BIM (Level 2) across all design disciplines driven by enhanced BIM uses such as code and compliance checking and phase and 4D planning. In contrast, GMM achieved Performed BIM (Level 1), particularly in structural design where BIM is applied selectively for tasks like design authoring and 3D coordination. The difference in scale leads to varying BIM implementations, with NR benefiting from a standardised approach supported by national-level mandates and resources. The study highlights that smaller authorities like GMM can improve BIM practices by adopting national-level strategies. Furthermore, organisations in countries with mandatory BIM requirements show more advanced BIM applications, such as integrating BIM with GIS for clash detection and improved coordination.

Framework of Scan to Building Information Modeling for Geometric Defect Localization in Railway Track Maintenance

Railway transportation plays a vital role in modern society, enabling the safe and efficient movement of people and goods over long distances. To ensure the longevity and safety of a railway infrastructure, the regular maintenance of tracks is crucial. Traditional track inspections, conducted manually to monitor geometric parameters and to identify defects, are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to human error. Current Scan-to-BIM frameworks for railway maintenance also lack standardized methods for extracting geometric parameters that can be easily integrated into Building Information Modeling (BIM). Additionally, the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard, used for BIM data exchange, does not support storing parameter values at specific chainage points along the track, limiting defect localization. A framework is proposed to address these challenges by standardizing the extraction of geometric parameters from point cloud data and ensuring seamless integration with BIM. The framework calculates parameters at station chainage points and generates additional chainage points along the track, associating the data with the corresponding chainage. A case study demonstrates the framework’s ability to enhance defect localization, using the EN 13848-5 European Standard to identify defects at specific chainages. Ultimately, this approach contributes to the more effective lifecycle management of railway tracks.

Managing Stability and Change in Interorganizational Projects: The Ambiguous Role of Digital Tools for Relational Dynamics

Focusing on relational dynamics among collaborating organizations, we ask how inter-organizational projects respond to digitalization and ensure that the dynamics remain manageable. Digital tools, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the construction industry, can help to manage relational dynamics but may also cause additional ones. Considering the theorizing of stability and change as a duality, the practice-based perspective adopted, and the empirical evidence from two comparable construction projects investigated, these dynamics are not only mitigated, but also maintained, or even mobilized. With its focus on relationally embedded interorganizational projects, and additional relational dynamics triggered and managed by BIM in face of the recursive interplay between stability and change, the study provides a nuanced manageability framework. With this it contributes not only to project management scholarship, but also to management research more broadly, which is increasingly interested in forms of temporary organizing.

Innovating Building Refurbishments: Embracing Global Digital Transformation for Today's Construction Industry

The Uberization of the construction industry is a clear indication that the sector is gradually shifting towards the digital era. This transformation signifies a significant digitization of construction, incorporating smart technology in various phases, from design and planning to execution, operations, and management. This paper delves into the importance of embracing digital technologies in building refurbishments to meet the evolving demands of today's construction landscape. By integrating innovative digital solutions such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, robotics, and other cutting-edge technologies, refurbishment projects can achieve cost-effectiveness, precision, and environmental sustainability. The benefits of this digital shift encompass improved project coordination, safety, cost efficiency, and environmental impact management. However, challenges like high initial costs, resistance to change, cybersecurity threats, and skill shortages persist. The digital transformation is also shaped by global trends such as urbanization, population growth, and the push for smart, sustainable cities. Governments and private sectors acknowledge the potential of digital construction in meeting these demands more effectively. Thus, the industry must adapt to these technological advancements to stay competitive and address future infrastructure needs. The primary goal of this paper is to underscore the importance of embracing global digital transformation in building refurbishments, offering insights and recommendations for stakeholders in the construction sector to leverage digital technologies effectively for enhanced project outcomes and long-term sustainability. This study aims to explore the global digitalization of building construction, examining how advanced technologies like Building Information Modelling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) are revolutionizing construction processes. By identifying the main drivers of digitalization in the construction industry, assessing the role of emerging technologies, and evaluating the benefits such as enhanced efficiency, cost savings, improved safety, and sustainability, this paper aims to showcase the necessity of digitalization to meet modern demands effectively. These abstract outlines the key concepts discussed in the paper, highlighting the advantages of integrating digital tools in building refurbishments, the obstacles, and opportunities in digital transformation within construction, and the potential impact on sustainability and project outcomes. Through case studies and industry insights, the study will demonstrate how digitalization is vital for staying abreast of modern requirements. Additionally, it will analysis case studies and successful implementations of digital technologies in refurbishment projects to illustrate best practices and lessons learned.

Innovative Applications of Parametric Design and Digital Tools in Architecture: Exploring the Integration of Generative Design and BIM Technology

Abstract. Through parametric design and generative design, as well as the broader Building Information Modeling (BIM) approach, there is now a whole body of new tools being used by architects to are opening up new ways of designing buildings in innovative, efficient and sustainably responsible ways. This paper presents the emergence of parametric design and its evolution from simple structural optimisations to complex fulling the design of complete buildings and entire urban areas. The paper discusses the integration of both parametric design and generative design with Building Information Modelling (BIM). This technology pairing enables architects to research and test hundreds of design alternatives and optimise for particular variables, such as structural integrity, material efficiency and energy use. This paper showcases a number of case studies of how these technologies are applied to develop innovative and sustainable urban environments (eg, Sidewalk Toronto) and discusses the challenges associated with adopting these technologies, such as computational requirements and a lack of digital interoperability between these technologies. The paper concludes by identifying the innovation opportunities for sustainable development and the future of architectural practice that these technologies are offering.

Improving the decision-making for sustainable demolition waste management by combining a BIM-based life cycle sustainability assessment framework and hybrid MCDA approach.

Increasing efforts have been devoted to promoting sustainable demolition waste management (DWM) from a life cycle-thinking perspective. To this end, facilitating sustainability-oriented decision-making for DWM planning requires a sustainability assessment framework for assessing multifaceted criteria. This study develops a building information modelling (BIM)-based DWM sustainability assessment approach to facilitate the life cycle assessment (LCA) and decision-making by coupling the enriched Industry Foundation Classes model with hybrid multi-criteria decision-aiding (MCDA) methods using Dynamo visual scripting. To streamline the data-intensive LCA process, this study enriched the BIM properties and accommodated them into the LCA data template to enhance data interoperability, thus achieving seamless data transfer. Moreover, hybrid MCDA methods are integrated into the decision-making workflow for DWM scenario ranking. A pilot study is employed to verify the applicability of the decision-aiding framework. The results unveil that the sustainability score ascended with the recycling rate. The optimal DWM alternative with the highest recycling rate yields the highest sustainability score at 91.63. Conversely, a DWM alternative reflecting the 'status quo' in China's recycling industry has the lowest score at 8.37, significantly lower than the baseline scenario with a 50% recycling rate. It is worth noting that the 'growth curve' of the sustainability score continuously flattens as the target recycling rate escalates. The increment in recycling rate from the 'Australian standard' scenario to the optimal scenario is 18.4%, whereas the sustainability score merely increases by 2.3%, signalling that the former scenario arrived at an optimum point for maximising the cost-efficiency of DWM under the predefined framework and contexts.