Building Information Modeling Construction Research Articles

Dual Transition of Net Zero Carbon and Digital Transformation: Case Study of UK Transportation Sector

The UK Government’s Building Information Modelling (BIM) mandate has encouraged the utilisation of BIM within the Transportation Sector (TS), with research demonstrating positive effects of BIM. However, BIM processes are incipient to TS project implementation across the UK. This paper is carried out to understand the current BIM usage within the UK’s TS and how BIM practises and workflows contribute towards the government’s NZC approach. We used research questions derived from the population, intervention, comparison and outcome (PICO) system and inclusion and exclusion criteria to screen irrelevant information from a Systematic Literature review with 18 pieces of literature. We identified six key drivers: carbon reduction and BIM, BIM in transportation design, BIM uptake and usage in transportation, BIM in transportation construction and Digital Twins and BIM. It was identified that, with the integration of the Carbon Calculator Tool into Civil 3D, structural and material data can be obtained and areas of Embodied Carbon hotspots can be identified to contribute to reduce overall carbon across a project, which requires further collaboration between software providers and industry leaders for further streamlining the process. A limitation of this research is the requirement for wider study of differing disciplines within the TS, more qualitative research and a lack of information regarding other Carbon Calculator Tools and how compatible they are with Civil 3D.

Leveraging BIM for Sustainable Construction: Benefits, Barriers, and Best Practices

The building sector is still criticized for its excessive energy use and negative environmental effects, even with significant improvements in recent years. It makes a major contribution to the world’s energy, waste, and water use. This study investigates the possible benefits of using Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology in environmentally friendly building methods. It also seeks to identify and rank the major obstacles to the industry’s integration of sustainability and BIM. The study aims to accomplish its research objectives by means of a questionnaire survey approach. The three primary categories of the possible benefits associated with BIM are social, economic, and environmental, which correspond to the generally acknowledged elements of sustainable development. The provision of a centralized database that facilitates the administration of the full building lifetime, less material waste, and increased design efficiency have all been noted as key benefits. In the building industry, BIM approaches have shown to be quite successful in improving sustainable practices. The study does, however, point out a few difficulties. The number of people with a BIM degree has increased significantly, but there are still not enough qualified professionals with the necessary knowledge and experience. Project managers with the necessary skills are needed to oversee BIM deployment successfully. They should be able to advice and counsel clients and other stakeholders on the benefits of BIM. Building professionals may maximize the environmental performance of structures across their lifetimes and make well-informed decisions by integrating sustainability concepts into the BIM process.

From Theory to Practice: Challenges and Countermeasures for the Implementation of BIM and Intelligent Construction Technology

The rapid advancement of information technology has introduced Building Information Modeling (BIM) and intelligent construction technology as trans-formative tools in the construction industry. Despite their potential to significantly enhance efficiency, quality, and safety in construction projects, the practical implementation of these technologies is fraught with challenges. This paper explores the theoretical underpinnings of BIM and intelligent construction technologies and investigates the practical challenges encountered during their implementation. It provides an in-depth analysis of these challenges and proposes countermeasures to effectively address them, offering valuable insights for practitioners and stakeholders in the construction sector.Finally, through the study of the application of technology in actual projects, it is found that the combination of BIM and intelligent construction technology will improve the efficiency and quality of the construction process, reduce the waste and consumption of human resources, and improve the competitiveness and sustainable development capabilities of the project. It will promote the transformation and upgrading of the construction industry, promote scientific and technological innovation and industrial upgrading, and promote economic development and social progress. It will improve the safety and sustainability of construction, reduce accidents and environmental pollution during construction, and protect the health and safety of workers and the environment.

دمج تقنية نمذجة معلومات البناء مع نهج البناء المرن في صناعة الهندسة المعمارية والإنشاءات والبناء

The construction sector is a cornerstone of economic growth, encompassing building, repairing, renovating, and maintaining structures. To enhance efficiency and precision across various parameters such as time, cost, and quality, the industry has embraced innovative methodologies. Among these, Building Information Modeling (BIM) stands out, revolutionizing architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) practices. BIM entails the continuous utilization of digital models throughout the building lifecycle, facilitating seamless collaboration and decision-making. This paper serves to offer a comprehensive understanding of BIM, drawing from extensive bibliographic studies on BIM literature. It elucidates BIM's role as the genesis of Lean Construction (LC), viewed through a technical lens. Moreover, it meticulously examines the background, evolution, standardization, and adoption process of BIM. It delves into various dimensions of BIM, including levels, languages, types, and the diverse roles and professions involved in its implementation. The paper also elucidates the myriad benefits and challenges associated with integrating BIM into construction projects. Furthermore, it explores the intricate relationship between BIM and lean construction methodologies, shedding light on the synergies and potential hurdles in their convergence. By identifying key factors and barriers, the paper seeks to provide actionable insights into effectively integrating Lean Construction and BIM practices. This holistic approach aims to pave the way for enhanced project outcomes, fostering innovation and efficiency in the construction industry.

Use of BIM with Modular Construction in Future Construction Techniques

Modular construction technology and applications are rapidly evolving. Modular construction is a process in which entire rooms or sections of rooms are built in a factory setting along with electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work and then transported to a final site for assembly. With modular construction, a building is built off-site, under controlled facility conditions, with the same materials and to the same codes and standards as conventionally built facilities, but in half the time. The modular construction method is used to build various types of buildings (whether they are apartment houses, office buildings, or hotels). This construction method is used for both permanent and relocatable projects. These projects can be built with two types of modules. These are 2D panels or 3D modules. These can be combined to form a third type, hybrid modular construction. Each has its advantages. 2D panels offer easy logistics and flexibility in building design and are mounted on site. Factory productivity is increased by using 3D volumetric solutions. They only need to be installed once they are delivered. The hybrid modular structure has the advantages of the previous two. With the recent development of Building Information Modeling (BIM), the use of modular construction methods in conjunction with BIM becomes more common. As with any method, this one has advantages as well as disadvantages. Disadvantages of this method, such as a higher number of complex decisions, front-loaded design, etc., can be solved with BIM. Furthermore, the BIM platform can resolve the disadvantages of traditional construction methods, such as the difficulty of pre-project planning and coordination among members of interdisciplinary professions. With BIM and the modular construction method, physical conflicts between the structural system and its mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems can be easily identified early in the design process, and resolution can be expedited. This article includes general information about the modular construction method, future application scenarios, use, and advantages of BIM. The document analysis method, one of the qualitative methods, was used, and in the light of the data obtained, comments and scenarios were tried to be created about the future of BIM and modular construction techniques. What distinguishes this study is that the concept of quality is examined in detail by using these two methods together.

The applications of building information modeling in the life-cycle of green buildings: a comprehensive review

Previous research indicates that Building Information Modeling (BIM) serves as a digital platform for integrating pertinent data across all stages of construction, enhancing data management capabilities. This is notably crucial during initial investment planning and throughout project execution, facilitating efficient engineering information management, practice, quality assurance, and cost control concurrently. BIM contributes novel insights into green building development while posing significant challenges. The complexity of optimizing multiple performance indicators using BIM has hindered its widespread adoption in design practice, confining its application primarily to academic research. Therefore, this paper reviewed 168 previous studies from the past ten years, conducted an in-depth review and comparison, and provides suggestions for possible future research direction for BIM research. Specifically, the paper systematically reviews the application of BIM in design, construction, operation and maintenance, retrofit and demolition, and all the assessment phases of green buildings, and discusses the advantages of the BIM application in green buildings as well as an analysis of the current research gaps. This research enhances practitioners’ understanding of BIM and green buildings’ current trends and development status. It elucidates BIM's role in fostering green building development, guiding future industry professionals and researchers in effectively integrating BIM into sustainable construction practices.

Perceived barriers to implementing building information modeling in Iranian Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): a Delphi survey of construction experts

ABSTRACT Building information modeling (BIM) is a disruptive information technology tool in the construction sector. Although this technology had a significant impact on the manufacturing industries, it, like any other technology, encountered several challenges when applied to the construction sector. Conversely, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies often face significant impediments when using innovative technologies. Thus, this paper seeks to determine and investigate the perceived barriers to applying BIM in construction SMEs based in Iran. Three rounds of Delphi surveys were carried out with 15 BIM experts engaged in construction SMEs to identify the key barriers to BIM implementation in SMEs. An empirical survey questionnaire comprising these identified barriers was subsequently designed and disseminated to the invited experts. Altogether, 56 valid survey responses were received and analyzed. The study’s findings revealed SMEs management’s hesitancy to adopt BIM, stakeholders’ reluctance to change their established methods, and a lack of technical understanding as the critical impediments to BIM adoption in construction SMEs. Also, the study identified four barrier dimensions – technology, legal, management, and financial. These BIM implementation barrier dimensions can be employed to better allocate resources and financing for BIM deployment and construction innovation in SMEs. The study will assist major project stakeholders and SMEs make better-informed BIM adoption decisions, particularly in developing nations like Iran.

Determinant Factors of Successful Building Information Modeling (BIM) Implementation in Construction Project

Statement of the problem. The construction sector is essential to the macro economy and affects almost all aspects of a country's economy. However, construction is one of the most dynamic, risky, and challenging sectors. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is one of the methods that could speed up the working process on construction projects while saving resources. This study is aimed at examining the effects of tender documents, human resources, and BIM software on successful BIM implementation. Results. The initial research was performed as a pilot survey of 7 experts, including BIM specialists and construction company managers in order to validate the research variables and indicators. All of the study's variables passed the reliability test. The questionnaire was distributed to 62 experts in BIM and the construction industry. The tender document, human resources, and BIM software had a positive effect on the cost performance. R-square value for cost performance variable has an R-square value of 0.641%. This result reveals that tender documents, human resources, and BIM software influence cost performances by 64.1%, while the other factors account for the remaining 35.9%. Conclusions. The findings of this study reveal that tender documents, human resources, and BIM software influence the efficiency of BIM implementation, particularly in terms of project cost performance.

BIM in construction waste management: A conceptual model based on the industry foundation classes standard

Building Information Modeling (BIM) represents an innovation in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. In the environmental context, the management of buildings through BIM contributes to preserving resources and promoting more sustainable environments. This research explores the application of BIM in construction and demolition waste (CDW) management and the sustainability of buildings. The method consisted of applying Design Science Research (DSR) to develop a conceptual information model based on the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) to meet CDW indicators and to assist in the CDW management activity. The conceptual model presented a perspective on application in CDW management and emphasized the importance of mapping information exchanges in BIM to optimize activities in civil construction. However, the results depend directly on the information available in the IFC model. The proposed conceptual model presents the potential to automate waste management with the flexibility of applying it to different phases of the construction life cycle. The results of CDW management can contribute to other types of sustainability analyses.

Life cycle cost modelling using 6D BIM in construction: A comparative study

Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) are among the important current trends in the construction industry. LCC contributes to the objective management and measurement of costs during the entire lifetime of a building and BIM represents one of the digitalization efforts related to the Construction 4.0 initiative. Because life cycle cost modelling using 6D BIM has the potential to bring significant positive effects such as cost savings and reduced environmental burden, this paper aims to study the development of this concept in the Czech Republic and Austria. The legislative environment, the actual usage of LCC and BIM in practice, as well as problems faced by the Czech and Austrian construction industries, are discussed in this comparative study. The results show that the practical level of use is still relatively low in both countries, yet specific differences were identified, for example those related to the definition of legislative requirements and the availability of standards and specifications.

Effectiveness of using BIM in construction: comparative analysis and evaluation methodology

The paper focuses on investigating methods to improve the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the construction sector with the aim of enhancing the efficiency of executing investment and construction projects. The relevance is caused by the complexity of calculating the economic effect in the short-term planning period when implementing investment and construction projects using BIM and, accordingly, the lack of methods for economic justification of the need and possibility of using BIM at the design and construction stages. The study aims to compare modern software products and establish a methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of utilizing BIM in investment and construction projects (ICP). This methodology will facilitate conducting an economic analysis to justify the integration of these technologies in project implementation. The study concluded with an examination of global implementation practices, identification of challenges in BIM utilization, a survey of software alternatives, and an assessment of current approaches for economically justifying the adoption of BIM throughout various stages of the ICP life cycle. The research is based on systemic, process and situational approaches, methods of comparative and factor analysis, as well as methods of economic-mathematical and graphical modeling.

Disruptive method for managing BIM design and construction using Kanban

Abstract Companies in the construction sector need effective information management. In particular, the transmission of information within a company is key to improving its management and competitiveness. Currently, many companies in the construction sector are making a great effort to implement the building information modelling (BIM) methodology. Such implementation requires collaborative work through the Cloud between the different agents in the construction process of any project. In fact, information management in BIM projects is related to the creation, storage, transfer and efficient application of information within a three-dimensional (3D) virtual model of the project. The size of the project also determines the optimal management approach. The main problems resulting from poor information management may be a lack of coordination between actors, loss of information or misinterpretation of information. This work has two stated objectives. The first objective is to carry out a literature review of the applications of BIM technology and the importance of managing knowledge according to International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)- 19650. The second objective is to propose a disruptive method based on the Kanban tool to properly manage BIM information in the design and construction phases. This paper has practical implications for the improvement of BIM application for project managers.

Real-world applications of BIM and immersive VR in construction

The integration of immersive Virtual Reality (VR) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) has many applications within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries. In this context VR is often highlighted for its ability to convey scale and details, especially when compared to non-immersive visualizations. However, despite being an active area of research, there is currently a lack of real-world studies exploring immersive VR in a construction-oriented context. In addition, there are still technical challenges and barriers for an efficient integration, such as rendering performance and interoperability issues. This paper addresses these issues by investigating the use of immersive, single- and multi-user VR within the openBIM ecosystem. The contribution is two-fold: (a) an in-depth presentation of algorithms and technical details of a multi-user VR application for immersive visualization of large and complex BIMs and (b) an evaluation of this VR system on several real-world construction projects. In all cases the VR visualization has been directly realized from the design teams IFC-models and the multi-user sessions has been performed both co-located as well as fully remote. The results show that multi-user VR improves communication, understanding, and collaboration, and by letting staff with knowledge and experience from construction production review the project in VR, design errors and constructability issues can be identified and resolved before reaching the actual production stage. Moreover, the use of VR is helpful regarding sequencing and planning, and to identify alternative design solutions.

The Prospects of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Intelligent Construction in Civil Engineering for Digital Transformation

This paper explores two significant technologies, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Intelligent Construction, in the context of digital transformation in the field of civil engineering. Firstly, the definition, principles, and importance of BIM are introduced, along with its applications in design, construction, and project management. Subsequently, the definition, key features, advantages, and case studies of Intelligent Construction in civil engineering are discussed. The integration of BIM and Intelligent Construction is then examined, including the synergies between the two, potential applications in civil engineering, and the enhanced project planning, collaboration, and efficiency resulting from the integration. Finally, the future outlook and challenges of BIM and Intelligent Construction are presented, along with strategies for promoting their widespread adoption and implementation.

Penerimaan BIM di Kalangan Kontraktor PKS dalam Industri Pembinaan Malaysia

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a modelling technology that provides construction professionals with digital tools for use in project planning, design, monitoring, and control. The potential advantages of putting BIM into practice are known to the Malaysian government. The Malaysian government has taken a number of steps to promote BIM in the hopes that Malaysian construction industry experts will utilize it extensively. However, significant difficulties are delaying the introduction of BIM in Malaysia. Implementing BIM typically presents difficulties for smaller businesses. Even though there are numerous benefits to utilizing BIM, small and medium-sized construction companies are still cautious to do so in the course of their work. This study examines BIM adoption in Malaysian small and medium-sized construction firms. The present degree of BIM adoption in Malaysia’s construction industry as well as the best tactics to encourage SME contractors in Malaysia’s construction industry to embrace BIM more effectively were the subjects of a questionnaire survey that was conducted. According to the survey’s results, SME contractors are still trailing behind in adopting BIM due to a number of obstacles that stand in the way of its adoption. In order to increase BIM adoption among SME contractors, it is crucial that government agencies successfully promote and encourage BIM use across the whole Malaysian construction sector. The importance of this study is in gathering data on the extent of BIM adoption among SME contractors, which might be utilized as a benchmark and reference for the development of BIM in the Malaysian construction industry.

BIM in green building: Enhancing sustainability in the small construction project

The growing importance of green building practices in addressing environmental concerns, with a focus on energy efficiency, resource conservation, and occupant well-being, necessitates innovative solutions. Building Information Modeling (BIM), a sophisticated digital platform facilitating real-time collaboration and construction process visualization, emerges as a promising tool to enhance efficiency in construction projects. This study explores the role of BIM in advancing sustainability in smaller-scale construction projects. The methodology encompasses a comprehensive literature review and a quantitative analysis, including Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), with a case study centered in Perak, Malaysia. The research aims to assess the impact of BIM on resource efficiency, energy performance, waste reduction, and collaborative decision-making in small-scale green buildings. The findings reveal significant positive correlations between BIM adoption and early-stage design optimization, energy efficiency analysis, material selection, life cycle assessment, waste reduction, and prefabrication. This study underscores the vital role of integrating BIM in smaller-scale construction to promote environmentally responsible practices and achieve sustainable outcomes. Future research avenues may explore strategies for optimized BIM integration and deeper insights into the financial aspects of BIM adoption.

Overview of BIM contributions in the construction phase: review and bibliometric analysis

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a revolutionary invention within the construction industry that essentially aids the design, construction and management of construction projects throughout their lifespan. Globally, the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry has for decades progressively adopted and implemented BIM. While there are several papers in this context, none have tried to extensively document BIM’s comprehensive contributions and uses in the construction phase. Therefore, this paper aims to identify BIM’s various contributions and uses in the construction phase and analyze publication trends, co-occurring keywords, contributing authors and countries. A systematic overview approach was used to review published articles on state-of-the-art of BIM in construction, supported by bibliometric network mapping analysis. A total of 409 documents were extracted and analyzed. The study’s findings document BIM’s various uses and contributions to the AEC industry, such as simulation of each stage of the construction process, virtual presentation of the building and site, visualization of progress, management of construction work, enhancement of safety, communication and collaboration, quick generation of reliable and accurate cost estimates, assistance in the fast realization of return on investment (ROI), and serving as a platform that hosts and documents various technological tools used during the construction phase. The bibliometric analysis reveals the most contributing scholars, countries, document sources, trend network mapping of co-occurring keywords, and publication trends. The primary practical implications of this study’s discoveries can be exploited as a basis for further research and to influence the future direction of BIM in the AEC industry. The findings will enhance the wider spread, application and understanding of BIM in the AEC industry, thereby increasing BIM awareness and knowledge globally.

Research on Full-Element and Multi-Time-Scale Modeling Method of BIM for Lean Construction

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a very effective technology for supporting lean construction. However, the current application of BIM during the construction phase does not incorporate all necessary elements of the construction site in a comprehensive manner. Additionally, the depiction of the construction process lacks the desired level of detail. These limitations impede the application of BIM-based lean construction. In this paper, we propose a full-element and multi-time-scale modeling approach to BIM during the construction phase. Our method first establishes a full-element model by reconstructing the main body of the building based on construction subdivision dimensions, construction technology, and management objectives. We then create a three-dimensional model that includes a process elements model of circulating materials, temporary facilities, construction machinery, and surrounding environmental elements. The integrated model of these elements provides a comprehensive representation of BIM at any static time point. Second, we conduct multi-time-scale simulations based on the full-element model. Our approach divides the entire time, local time, and special time points into three scales to simulate project progress, local structure construction technology, and working conditions. A case study of the Daxing International Airport construction project verifies that our method can achieve lean management of construction resources. Full-element modeling provides a comprehensive BIM representation at any static time point, thereby supporting lean construction by improving construction resource management, reducing costs, and enhancing efficiency.

Toward Improving BIM Acceptance in FM: A Conceptual Model Integrating TTF and TAM

Substantial research has been performed on Building Information Modeling (BIM) in various topics, for instance, the use and benefit of BIM in design, construction, sustainable environment building, and Facility assets over the past several years. Although there are various studies on these topics, Building Information Modeling (BIM) awareness through facilities management is still relatively poor. The researcher's interest is increased in BIM study is based heavily upon the perception that it can facilitate the exchange and reuse of information during various project phases. This property and others can be used in the Iraqi Construction industry to motivate the government to eliminate the change resistance to use innovations in the Iraqi construction industry. Even though many scholars and practitioners agree on the potential application and benefits of BIM in construction/ Facilities Management FM, it is yet unknown why BIM is used and what criteria facilitate BIM achievement in O&M. As long as the actual usage and acceptance of BIM in the Operation and Maintenance phase is still a central issue in practice, therefor depending on the extensive well ground literature review a conceptual acceptance model is proposed in this paper by applying the technology acceptance theories such as Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Task Technology Fit (TTF) to explore how the extent of facilities management staff going to accept and adopt the new international technology (BIM).

Efficient building facade structure extraction method using image‐based laser point cloud

AbstractFacade structures from three‐dimensional (3D) point cloud data (PCD) and two‐dimensional (2D) optical images can provide significant information for 3D building modeling. However, a unified data model for integrating 2D imagery pixels and 3D PCD is absent in current methods, leading to a complex implementation process, large calculations, and inefficiency. An efficient facade structure extraction method for building facades is proposed in this study. Based on the conversion matrix, 2D image and 3D PCD information are merged to build an image‐based laser point cloud (ILPC) data model first. Second, both the line segment detection and random sample consensus algorithms are improved according to the structure and characteristics of the ILPC data model. Finally, building facade structures are extracted and optimized. Facade structures can be extracted accurately and efficiently by the proposed method, which contains rich information support from the ILPC data model. The proposed method extracts fine building facade structures with accuracy over 0.68 in all experiments and recall up to 0.81, which are better than the Wang method. Extracted structures constitute valuable support for numerous fields, such as 3D building modeling and building information modeling construction.