Building Information Modeling Methodology Research Articles

Building Information Modeling (BIM) and project management

This technical report discusses the significance of using building information modelling (BIM) in project management as a tool to enhance cost reduction based on the simulation of computational models. The methodology employed was the case study of a software solution that makes its product libraries available in BIM format, intended for the simulation of computational models of a multinational company. Data were collected through document analysis and interviews with specialists from the Siemens company. The conclusion of the data analysis of this study resulted in a better understanding of the issues that the simulation of computational models idealised by BIM methodology and their data proposes to solve. The findings show that the simulation of computational models contributes to decision-making in civil construction, whether in the design of new buildings or modernization processes. The contribution of this work is strengthened by presenting a benefits proposal for the use of computational modelling in the context of civil construction using good design practices.

Digitization of AEC Industries Based on BIM and 4.0 Technologies

BIM and 4.0 technologies are currently the leading branches of digitization in construction. The aim of this article is to confront theses on building information modeling (BIM) and coexisting technologies, and to present an analysis along with conclusions regarding the digitization process of AEC industries using BIM methodology and advanced digital technologies within the scope of 4.0 technologies. Key aspects of BIM and 4.0 technology integration were discussed, including artificial intelligence (AI) or big data and data science analytics. The impact of these fields on design processes, as well as on data management, monitoring of design and construction progress, and overall efficiency of AEC industries, was analyzed. The article pays particular attention to the synergy between BIM and 4.0 technology, identifying benefits, challenges, and development perspectives. Conclusions indicate the growing importance of interdisciplinarity for improving AEC industry processes and the need to adapt to the changing digital landscape in the field of design and construction. A survey was conducted, where respondents’ answers were presented in the form of charts. Questions focused on the issue of the use of BIM methodology along with coexisting technologies in the design process by the Polish engineering staff. The research results indicate that the use of the latest technological solutions in Poland is still rare, and the digital potential of these solutions is not fully utilized. The article can make a significant contribution to the discussion on technological evolution in AEC industries, identifying development directions in the context of digitization and the use of the latest achievements of 4.0 technology. Previous research has not included such a wide spectrum of BIM use in Poland. An analysis was conducted comparing Poland in a global context with other countries in BIM adoption.

Blockchain technology applications in maintaining heritage buildings

Preservation of cultural heritage in the face of human and natural disasters, as well as improper maintenance practices, is a crucial endeavor that must be undertaken throughout the lifespan of heritage buildings. In order to maximize the value derived from these assets and strike a harmonious balance between accurate documentation and performance optimization, asset management strategies have been employed. In recent years, the advent of innovative methodologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and laser scanning has opened new possibilities for their application in various contexts. However, successful implementation of these methodologies faces a range of challenges, including limited knowledge, inexperienced teams, and reluctance to embrace change on the part of administrators. To address these obstacles and enhance asset management practices, the integration of BIM, Chatbot, and Blockchain methodology has emerged as a viable solution. This methodology not only facilitates the improvement of data security and user data capture but also streamlines the process of updating BIM models. In this research, we propose a data-driven Chatbot framework based on Blockchain, specifically designed to manage maintenance activities through the utilization of BIM. The proposed framework serves as a valuable tool for government authorities and asset managers seeking to adopt BIM for the preservation of heritage buildings. Comprising three key components – the BIM model, the Blockchain model, and the Chatbot model – the framework offers comprehensive support. The BIM model encompasses all relevant information pertaining to the management of the heritage building, while the Chatbot model replicates human interaction through text-based communication. Users can access up-to-date BIM data by posing predefined questions to the Chatbot. On the other hand, the Blockchain model serves as a secure and immutable record-keeping system, validating and verifying user updates, thereby fostering trust among stakeholders. This proposed model empowers asset stakeholders to request and update asset information via a trusted and reliable channel. To showcase the capabilities of the framework, we present a real-world case study centered on the Omar Toson Palace in Cairo, Egypt. Through this case study, we demonstrate the effectiveness and potential of our proposed framework in meeting the challenges associated with heritage building preservation.

Energy Transition: Semi-Automatic BIM Tool Approach for Elevating Sustainability in the Maputo Natural History Museum

Mozambique is experiencing the consequences of a severe energy crisis with economic and social impacts. Its strict dependence on hydroelectric sources is being severely tested by recent droughts that have drastically reduced water levels in dams. However, Mozambique is addressing energy poverty by exploring renewable energy sources thanks to investments in the sector by the European Union. The research concerns an energy analysis profile of the country and the penetration of renewable energy, presenting an energy upgrading scope through a semi-automatic calculation methodology in a Building Information Modeling (BIM) environment. The building under study, located in Maputo, is the Natural History Museum, which plays an important role in biodiversity conservation. Therefore, this paper proposes a BIM methodology for sizing an environmental control system tailored to serve the museum. The proposed system replaces the previous one and includes a photovoltaic system that not only meets the museum’s load but also supplies electricity to the surrounding area. Energy production from renewable sources with a surplus of 30% has been achieved. The proposed digital methodology has identified a maximum gap of 1.5% between the dimensions of the BIM duct and those of a traditional plant design, meeting ASHRAE requirements for environmental control.

Energy consumption and carbon emission of conventional and green buildings using building information modelling (BIM)

PurposeUsing building information modelling (BIM) technology, a conventional structure in this study was converted into a green building to measure its energy usage and CO2 emissions.Design/methodology/approachDigital images of the existing building conditions were captured using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and were fed into Meshroom to generate the building’s geometry for 3D parametric model development. The model for the existing conventional building was created and converted to an energy model and exported to gbXML in Autodesk Revit for a whole building analysis which was carried out in the Green Building Studio (GBS). In the GBS, the conventional building was retrofitted into a green building to explore their energy consumption and CO2 emission.FindingsBy comparing the green building model to the conventional building model, the research found that the green building model saved 25% more energy while emitting 46.8% less CO2.Practical implicationsThe study concluded that green building reduces energy consumption, thereby reducing the emission of CO2 into the environment. It is recommended that buildings should be simulated at the design stage to know their energy consumption and carbon emission performance before construction.Social implicationsOccupant satisfaction, operation cost and environmental safety are essential for sustainable or green buildings. Green buildings increase the standard of living and enhance indoor air quality.Originality/valueThis investigation aided in a pool of information on how to use BIM methodology to retrofit existing conventional buildings into green buildings, showing how green buildings save the environment as compared to conventional buildings.

The Status of Building Information Modeling Adoption in Slovakia

Building information modeling (BIM) is a key approach for the digitization of the sector. Therefore, states worldwide put BIM at the center of their construction digitalization strategies. However, strategies vary significantly, and so does BIM implementation and its adoption over time, thus making the comparison between countries considerably challenging. Therefore, the first part of this article provides a comprehensive review of available publications in the field of BIM adoption at the national and international level. BIM adoption in Slovakia is systematically analyzed based on an anonymous online BIM survey that focuses on various areas of BIM. The focus of the BIM survey was on the assessment of the readiness of experts who work with BIM methodology, their maturity, skillsets, and BIM adoption motivation, along with the means of communication and collaboration using Common Data Environment (CDE). Furthermore, we focused on the project management perspective, which covers the existence and compliance with BIM execution plan (BEP) evaluation. In the concluding part, requirements, barriers, and future developments are discussed in detail. The BIM survey provides an insight in the current state of the art of BIM in the industry that allows for a better understanding of its potential and a more informed development and implementation of BIM strategies. This study is an important contribution to BIM and digitalization benchmarking that provides valuable information to digitalization policy makers at the governmental and business levels.

Integration of Immersive Approaches for Collaborative Processes with Building Information Modeling (BIM) Methodology for the AEC Industry: An Analysis of the Current State and Future Challenges

This study aims to identify and analyze existing gaps in the integration of immersive approaches for collaborative processes with Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector. Using a systematic approach that includes metadata analysis and review procedures, we have formulated specific research questions aimed at guiding future investigations into these gaps. Additionally, the analysis generates insights that could guide future research directions and improvements in the field. The methodology involves a comprehensive review of the literature, focusing on the interaction between immersiveness, BIM methodology, and collaborative processes. Data from 2010 to 2023 have been analyzed to ensure relevance and completeness. Our findings reveal current limitations in the field, such as the need for fully integrated prototypes and the execution of empirical studies to clarify operational processes. These limitations serve as the basis for our research questions. The study offers actionable insights that could guide future research and improvements in the AEC sector, particularly in the adoption of immersive technologies. The research underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges to facilitate ongoing development and greater adoption of immersive technologies in the AEC sector.

BIM—A new paradigm for building and maintaining a manufacturer‐architect relationship

AbstractThe adoption of BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology significantly impacts the ways, in which the building industry operates. This technology not only provides all industry participants with numerous advantages, but also brings new types of relationships and ways in which it can be utilized. Taking into account the fact that many companies have incorporated relationship marketing into their strategies, manufacturers of building materials should look to ways of digitalization to shape collaboration with architects most of all. It seems inevitable when considering that relationship marketing paves the way to competitive value creation. In addition, relationships equip marketers with data and knowledge, which could play a significant role in developing markets and new products, as well as supporting sales departments by providing solid leads. The aim of this paper was to indicate what kind of role BIM methodology could have in establishing long‐term relationships in the manufacturer‐architect line. In research, we focus on the manufacturer's perspective and show possibilities for long‐term cooperation with architects. In this research, a mixed methodology approach has been used, in which a systematic review of the literature, an own survey on a group of architects, and a case study based on a solution used by one of the clients of the BIM ALLY. The possibilities of using BIM as a marketing communication channel, sales channel, and channel for obtaining key data and information about the users of digital models were proven and indicated.

BIM methodology for cost analysis, sustainability, and management of steel structures with reconfigurable joints for industrial structures

One of the main objectives set for future factories, and for Industry 4.0, is to reduce the CO2 footprint of industrial plants and their buildings as much as possible. This objective must be compatible with economic savings, an essential requirement for investments in industrial production plants and their buildings. Industrial structures represent an important part of investments in industrial facilities and equipment. In order to achieve the objectives mentioned above, it is necessary to use fully reconfigurable and reusable structures. This work aims to propose and apply a methodology using BIM (Building Information Modelling) technology that allows for the analysis, control, and monitoring of economic profitability and sustainability ratios over time (for structures with reconfigurable joints compared to those with welded joints). The proposed methodology was applied to three different case studies, where various reconfigurations of the structures were done over time, obtaining the structure's economic profitability with reconfigurable joints from the third reconfiguration and environmental sustainability from the second reconfiguration. The results demonstrate that the BIM methodology presented in this work and applied to industrial structures is a fully adequate tool for analyzing the structures' costs and sustainability and controlling for monitoring these structures throughout the different reconfigurations.

IDM for the Conceptual Evaluation Process of Industrialized Timber Projects

Interest in industrialized timber construction systems, in particular light-frame systems, has increased worldwide due to its various benefits. However, it is very important for projects executed under the off-site construction system to consider the different manufacture and assembly requirements in their design, following the design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA) concept. It is fundamental that these requirements and assumptions for manufacture and assembly be considered in a conceptual evaluation during the early stages of the project, as these have an impact on stakeholder decision making, detailed design, production, and sourcing strategies. To accomplish this, the use of building information modeling (BIM) has simplified the different processes and tasks required in the development of these projects, in addition to the synergy between both methodologies. However, it is vital to be clear about the information requirements of each process to properly use the BIM methodology. This paper presents the proposal of a BIM standard, the information delivery manual (IDM), which identifies the associated process map and the information parameters required for early evaluation, which were validated with local prefabrication companies as well as compared to the property sets present in the IFC standard.

Improving Project Performance Based on Building Information Modelling 6D & LCCA in High-Rise Office Building

Of the total 5.9 million existing buildings, the Office occupies the 2nd position of the most types of buildings with 16% of the Total Total. The least used aspect of BIM (Building Information Modeling) is the ability to obtain building energy models using the 6D BIM methodology. This digital information model is to simulate building energy and improve building energy systems. In this way, 6D BIM simulation allows us to make building design and operational decisions. In the case of increased energy, which leads to greater quality and comfort in the sustainable use of buildings. This issue has a special relationship in public buildings. Where energy efficiency and comfort are two fundamental criteria that are highly valued by society. Once the building's energy model is prepared, it will study and identify possible ones to improve energy efficiency, as well as analyze the incorporation of other, more efficient forms of renewable energy such as the use of natural light. From this research, "10 factors that affect cost performance in Office Building Projects" Maintenance costs, Use of Photovoltaic Solar Panel Materia, Model Obyetifiability, Office Equipment (TV, Computer, Printer etc.), Use of refrigen without ODP, Use of Elevators, Initial cost of retrofit, Materia Façade, Environmentally friendly materials.

A Review on the Implementation of the BIM Methodology in the Operation Maintenance and Transport Infrastructure

There has been a significant increase in studies related to Industry 4.0 alongside the development of new technologies, devices and software, becoming one of the most relevant topics for years within the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The Architecture, Engineering and Construction sector (AEC) sector is one step behind other engineering fields in productivity, and digitalisation can help reduce this gap. Building Information Modelling (BIM) implementation in various project phases with other technologies such as the Internet of Things, Big Data, Blockchain or Geographic Information System (GIS) are the main drivers of Smart Construction. This paper provides an updated state-of-art of the BIM applications through different civil engineering projects and towards the use of new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Hence, the integration of BIM in the Facility Management through ICTs allows decision making based on data analysis and the optimization of available resources.

BIM & Road safety – Applications of digitals models from in-built safety evaluations to asset management

The usage of Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology in complex infrastructure projects has been discussed in the scientific literature for many years and most of the applications lays on plan and design activities. However, BIM methodology is an innovative approach, and it could be used also in other thematic areas such as road safety. There are no well-known applications of BIM in road safety so one of the first steps of this work is to demonstrate that BIM can be used in road safety projects, especially the ones that use proactive approaches like International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) methodology. The good results of this initial analysis have led to a structured methodology.The core assumption of the methodology is to use the survey data for the creation of digital models useful for road safety projects and subsequent dynamic checks on the evolution of safety up to asset management and base starting point for further applications.The “multi-level” characteristic of the methodology assumes that BIM models Level of Development (LOD) is not a constraint. The methodology is fully efficient both with simplified models and as-built ones.All the phases of the methodology are linked: surveys are oriented to collect data for BIM models which contain road safety information; BIM models will be used to automate the iRAP coding by automating the input of infrastructure data and producing dynamic iRAP star ratings; the road safety countermeasures design will be based on the existing models which are continuously updated. Due to the survey results, all the models are also an advanced base for asset management and monitoring actions.An application was conducted on more than 50 km of roads of different typologies and results have shown the possibility to build a federated BIM model used by all the stakeholders involved in road safety, road assets management and road maintenance.

Requirements for BIM implementation in AEC companies: a Brazilian case study

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is widespread in many countries; however, its implementation still encounters some barriers in Brazil. In addition, during the BIM implementation process, some companies give up because they do not achieve the expected result. In the Metropolitan Region of Recife, adherence to the BIM methodology is less than 5% of the research universe, which is 445 among companies and professionals. This study evaluates the fulfillment of the necessary requirements for BIM implementation at Brazilian architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) companies. The methodology was carried out using case studies and its strategy was based on the following steps: identification of the state-of-the-art and of requirements for BIM implementation, which allowed the determination of the criteria for evaluating the companies studied; the criteria determined were use to elaborate an online form for identification of AEC companies in Recife (Brazil) and a questionnaire for conducting interviews with the selected companies; subsequently, case studies were developed, and data analysis. The case studies were carried out at five AEC companies which had a median fulfilment of requirements of 65%. Many of the companies presented BIM 1.0 characteristics. It has been verified that the BIM implementation is more effective at companies where a greater number of BIM requirements are applied. The companies with the fewest requirements applied, or those that did not meet the requirements in practice, did not present significant advances in BIM implementation. The main research contributions were the compilation of the requirements for BIM implementation. Therefore, this study produces knowledge that can assist companies in the AEC industry experiencing similar difficulties in BIM implementation as those described in this paper.

The need to implement Cultural Heritage Master Plans through the Building Information Modelling methodology

The Master Plans (MP) used for Architectural Cultural Heritage conservation require specific standards for the documentation process. They must facilitate the achievement of the intended objectives about the knowledge acquisition and conservation of the building assets throughout the entire building lifecycle. Over time, the documentation of an MP, once the heritage building is under use, tends to become dispersed and the documentation generated during the building use is rarely introduced in the MP. Therefore, this contribution has the following objectives: 1) study of the requirements of MP deliverables; 2) study of the maturation requirements of the documentation processes and deliverables that are generated when applying the Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodology to an MP; 3) investigate if the application of the BIM strategies are suitable to respond to the needs of an MP in such a way that knowledge and conservation of heritage buildings are achieved; 4) verify that the exchange of information and the collaborative work among the different disciplines that generate documentation and deliverables guarantee a single, comprehensive, open, three-dimensional, and clear repository.

BIM Methodology in Structural Design: A Practical Case of Collaboration, Coordination, and Integration

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a methodology focused on the centralization and sharing of project information among all experts involved. The use of BIM platforms allows professionals to improve coordination, collaboration, and integration along with the development of all disciplines and tasks required in a complete building project. Currently, the construction industry has witnessed a growing adoption of BIM, mainly caused by the constant technologic achievements, contributing to the improvement of the integration capability of the available software. However, concerning structural design, BIM implementation still presents some difficulties, especially in the interoperability of BIM-based systems. In the present study, a structural design case was considered, using Revit as the modeling software and Robot as the structural system. A bidirectional exchange of information between the two systems was required and the interoperability capacity was evaluated. In the process, the main identified remarks concern the fundamental aspects of information sharing, collaboration, integration, and interoperability. Despite the limitations found, essentially related to the software interoperability, the BIM approach presents significant advantages in a structural project, supported by 3D visualization, model overlapping, easy accessibility to the model database, streamlined coordination, and enhanced collaboration.

Evaluation of records using terrestrial laser scanner in architectural heritage for information modeling in HBIM construction: The case study of the La Anunciación church (Seville)

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the creation of equipment that captures the so-called personal spatial data records. The size and its price compared to other equipment, make it ideal for works related to historical-artistic heritage. In this research, a comparison is made between two scanners used in geodetic measurements for the purpose of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in historic buildings. A stationary BLK360 personal scanner has been chosen, which is considered to be a scanner that is easy to use and very operational in transport. Despite its precision, this equipment has been used in numerous Scan-to-BIM studies. To know the reliability conditions of the equipment, the Riegl VZ400i scanner, a state-of-the-art stationary scanner, is taken as a reference. The objective is to know the precision of both teams to develop planimetric surveys of a historic building in BIM. The methodology used is based on comparing both point clouds, knowing the density and organization and the attributes that can help as parameters in the BIM methodology. Also, and as an auxiliary base, two topographic equipment, a total station and a state-of-the-art laser measurer were used, and the precision of both was analyzed. The results show that the differences between the PLS and TLS are not excessively large, reaching differences of 10 mm in small lengths and 16 mm in longer lengths and, therefore, admissible for a Scan to BIM procedure.

Pragmatic Design Decision Support for Additive Construction Using Formal Knowledge and Its Prospects for Synergy with a Feedback Mechanism

The construction industry has long been labor-intensive, with slow productivity growth and a significant environmental impact. In this regard, the ever-increasing practices of additive manufacturing (AM) in construction have presented a variety of advantages and are deemed one of the critical technologies for the concept of Construction 4.0. Building information modeling (BIM) as an enabler for the digital transformation in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) domain provides a framework for considering novel AM methods during the early stages of architectural design. It is known that decisions during early design stages significantly impact the subsequent planning and construction phases, whereas missing AM knowledge by architects and engineers could in turn impede the adoption of AM technologies when the early determination of appropriate manufacturing methods needs to be made. Meanwhile, the early stages of architectural design are characterized by vagueness, uncertainty, and incompleteness, which have to be clarified iteratively by both architects and domain experts. To this end, this paper introduces a knowledge-driven design decision support that prospectively incorporates an adaptive feedback mechanism under the BIM methodology. As such, architects can be assisted in choosing appropriate construction methods during the early stages of architectural design.

Monitoring and Assessment of Indoor Environmental Conditions in Educational Building Using Building Information Modelling Methodology.

Managing indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is a challenge in educational buildings in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adequate indoor air quality is essential to ensure that indoor spaces are safe for students and teachers. In fact, poor IEQ can affect academic performance and student comfort. This study proposes a framework for integrating occupants' feedback into the building information modelling (BIM) methodology to assess indoor environmental conditions (thermal, acoustic and lighting) and the individual airborne virus transmission risk during teaching activities. The information contained in the parametric 3D BIM model and the algorithmic environment of Dynamo were used to develop the framework. The IEQ evaluation is based on sensor monitoring and a daily schedule, so the results show real problems of occupants' dissatisfaction. The output of the framework shows in which range the indoor environmental variables were (optimal, acceptable and unacceptable) and the probability of infection during each lecture class (whether or not 1% is exceeded). A case study was proposed to illustrate its application and validate it. The outcomes provide key information to support the decision-making process for managing IEQ and controlling individual airborne virus transmission risks. Long-term application could provide data that support the management of ventilation strategies and protocol redesign.

BIM methodology implementation in structural design: Adaptation of procedures and information management

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a methodology that accompanies technological evolution and consists of a set of processes and tools that allows the creation of a three-dimensional digital model. This model centralizes information, facilitating its access and exchange between the entities along the life cycle of a building. This study focuses on the application of BIM methodology within the framework of a structural design, identifying the benefits and limitations that it provides and indicating strategies that may be used to improve the quality of a project. A structural model was created through BIM-based platforms and then transferred to the calculation software where the structural analysis and design were carried out. After this, through the conceived digital model, various applications that it allows were explored, namely, the method of coordination and collaboration, detection of conflicts, production of drawings, the budget, and an immediate evaluation of the environmental impact of the structure This study demonstrates a significant improvement in the quality of the structural design. Therefore, even though some limitations still exist, the implementation of this methodology is essential to improve the process in the AEC sector.