Construction Project Information Research Articles

Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Construction Project Schedule Management: A Review

Nowadays, the implementation and application of the BIM process in construction project management is a pressing need. This aligns with the global development trends in the construction sector and project information management in general. Numerous scholars and companies are actively engaged in learning, understanding, and investigating various aspects of BIM to stay up-to-date and meet the inevitable developmental requirements. This study focuses on the role and application of BIM, intending to identify limitations that hinder its fulfillment of expectations in project schedule management. In addition, it explores studies that show how other countries have effectively employed BIM in project management and progress tracking throughout the project lifecycle. The study aims to address three main objectives: (a) comprehensively examine and provide evidence related to the concept of BIM in project schedule management, (b) present the benefits of applying BIM in comparison to traditional methods in project management and operation, and (c) identify limitations stemming from various factors that may pose challenges in the application of BIM in project schedule management.

Facilitating the role of quantity surveyors through integration of cyber-physical systems

Purpose Cyber-physical systems (CPS) enable the synergistic integration of virtual models with the physical environment. This integration is gaining recognition for its potential to enhance construction project information management, thereby contributing to improved cost management in construction. Similarly, quantity surveyor (QS) plays a key role in construction projects by estimating and monitoring construction costs. Consequently, this research aims to explore redefining the role of QSs by integrating CPS. Design/methodology/approach The research adopted an interpretivism stance to collect and analyse data. Two rounds of 21 and 19 semi-structured interviews were conducted, with experts selected through heterogeneous purposive sampling. Code-based content analysis was used to analyse the data using NVivo12. MS Visio data visualisation tool was used to present the findings. Findings It is empirically proven the potential of CPS to facilitate nine key roles of QSs in all stages of the RIBA plan of work through the identification of 15 CPS applications and technologies. Nine key roles of QSs that CPS can facilitate were identified as preliminary estimation, measurement and quantification, contract administration, preparation of BOQ, interim valuation and payments, tender and contract documentation, cost planning, cost control and procurement advice. The study explored how adopting CPS technologies can transform traditional quantity surveying practices and enhance their value within the construction industry. Originality/value The findings add to the body of knowledge by redefining the role of QS through the integration of CPS for the first time and then by highlighting the usages of CPS in the construction industry rather than limiting it to a specific sector of the construction industry, as previous studies have done. This research uncovers several other research arenas on CPS as being the very first research to evaluate CPS to facilitate key roles of QSs. The findings can enhance the awareness and the practical implementation of CPS by intervening to form more partnerships among application developers and industry leaders.

Towards digital approach for managing request for information (RFI) in construction projects: a literature review

Purpose Request for information (RFI) documents play a pivotal role in seeking clarifications in construction projects. However, perceived as inevitable “non-value adding” tasks, they harbour risks like schedule delays and increased project costs, underlining the importance of strategic RFI management in construction projects. Despite this, a lack of literature dissecting RFI processes impedes a full understanding of their intricacies and impacts. This study aims to bridge the gap through a comprehensive literature review, delving into RFI intricacies and implications, while emphasising the necessity for strategic RFI management to prevent project risks. Design/methodology/approach This research study systematically reviews RFI-related papers published between 2000 and 2023. Accordingly, the review discusses key themes related to RFI management, yielding best practices for industry stakeholders and highlighting research directions and gaps in the body of knowledge. Findings Present RFI management platforms exhibit deficiencies and lack analytics essential for streamlined RFI processing. Complications arise in building information modelling (BIM)-enabled projects due to software disparities and interoperability hurdles. The existing body of knowledge heavily relies on manual content analysis, an impractical approach for the construction industry. The proposed research direction involves automated comprehension of unstructured RFI content using advanced text mining and natural language processing techniques, with the potential to greatly elevate the efficiency of RFI processing. Originality/value The study extends the RFI literature by providing novel insights into the problemetisation with the RFI process, offering a holistic understanding and best practices to minimise adverse effects. Additionally, the paper synthesises RFI processes in traditional and BIM-enabled project settings, maps a causal-loop diagram to identify associated issues and summarises approaches for extracting knowledge from the unstructured content of RFIs. The outcomes of this review stand to offer invaluable insights to both industry practitioners and researchers, enabling and promoting the refinement of RFI processes within the construction domain.

Retracted: Application of Wireless Communication Technology in Construction Project Information Management

Retracted: Application of Wireless Communication Technology in Construction Project Information Management

Research on applications of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in construction project management information systems

With the development of modern society, the building trade has passed the golden period of rapid growth. In the past few decades, the professional level of the building trade has been continuously improving, and the efficiency of engineering construction has been developed to a certain extent. However, it cannot be ignored that in the context of positive developments, adverse effects also have occurred. This requires a corresponding reform in the information management of construction projects to obtain stable and maximum returns. In order to ensure the final effect and final quality of construction projects, the role of BIM technology in construction project information management is very important. This article will briefly study and analyse the application of BIM in construction projects.

Indoor Safety Monitoring for Falls or Restricted Areas Using Wi-Fi Channel State Information and Deep Learning Methods in Mega Building Construction Projects

With the trend of sustainable development growing worldwide, both the numbers of new mega building construction projects and renovations to existing high-rise buildings are increasing. At such construction sites, most construction workers can be described as performing various activities in indoor spaces. The literature shows that the indoor safety protection measures in such construction sites are often imperfect, resulting in an endless stream of incidents such as falls. Thus, this research aims at developing a flexible indoor safety warning system, based on Wi-Fi-generated channel state information (CSI), for monitoring the construction workers approaching restricted areas or floor openings. In the proposed approach, construction workers do not have to carry any sensors, and each indoor space only needs to have the specified Wi-Fi devices installed. Since deep learning methods are employed to analyze the CSI data collected, the total deployment time, including setting up the Wi-Fi devices and performing data collection and training work, has been measured. Efficiency and effectiveness of the developed system, along with further developments, have been evaluated and discussed by 12 construction safety experts. It is expected that the proposed approach can be enhanced to accommodate other types of safety hazards and be implemented in all mega building construction projects so that the construction workers can have safer working environments.

Integration and Interoperability for the Optimisation of Information Flow in Construction Project Lifecycle

Integration and interoperability are paradigms that have been proposed to alleviate challenges associated with data exchange between systems for managing construction project information. However, with the overwhelming number of emerging software in practice, their performance vis-à-vis integration and interoperability especially from a lifecycle perspective is yet to be fully explored. This study investigates the use of emerging ICT in the optimisation of information exchange across the lifecycle of a construction project. A quantitative approach was used to achieve the aim of this study. The first main finding of this study is that BIM is the most integrated and most effective technology when compared with other technologies. The second most important finding is the fact that most professionals will consider exchanging data at the developed design-technical design and technical design-construction phases.

Research on the Nonlinear Random Matrix Model for Urban Information Model and Modern Urban Governance

In this paper, a nonlinear stochastic matrix approach is used to conduct an in-depth study and analysis of modern urban governance, and an urban information model is designed for practical application based on it. Random matrix theory can calculate and give the average result of all interactions contained in a complex system. By comparing the different characteristics of statistical properties of real systems and random matrices, the special nonrandom properties of real systems are deduced. The dissipative structure theory of open complex systems, the evolution of network entropy describing the robustness of complex networks, can explain the empirical results of random matrix theory from the point of view of system evolution; through the open development of fair data and prevention tools to achieve algorithm correction, promote the design optimization of intelligent models, intelligent platforms, and intelligent programs; and commit to the benign development of technology. At the institutional level, it is necessary to keep the smart city construction synchronized with the rule of law construction, with a two-pronged approach of policy incentives and legal constraints, in addition to the overall promotion of government transformation and pluralistic governance patterns. It exceeds the carrying capacity and adaptability of social systems and institutions. In fact, the productive forces with science and technology as the core are the most active forces in social change and development. The urban information model is a technical and conceptual change triggered by the wave of information in the field of urban planning and construction and urban management, which takes the 3D model as a carrier to realize digital information application and unification in the whole life cycle of territorial spatial planning, urban design, and engineering and construction projects through the simulation of spatial planning and urban design spatial elements as well as the entry, management, and application of engineering and construction project information. Digital technology is applied in the whole life cycle of land spatial planning, urban design, and engineering projects to achieve fine governance and efficient management of urban planning.

Metro Engineering Project Schedule Optimization Based on Wireless Network Communication and BIM Model Algorithm

BIM (Building Information Modeling) is to create models based on various related information in construction projects and use simulation virtual technology to model actual building information. It is not only the integration of digital information but also the application of digital information in engineering construction. Digital models can be used to plan and simulate the whole process of construction projects scientifically and accurately. In the process of project construction, wireless network communication technology can provide a good basis for collaboration, which is essential for the control of project progress, task scheduling, and systematic communication between all parties. This article introduces the LTE wireless network communication technology and network coverage plan, summarizes the cost and schedule control principles of construction projects, analyzes the factors that affect the construction schedule in subway construction, and introduces the application of BIM technology in subway construction schedule control. Taking the construction of Section XX of Line 1 of City A as an example, a simulation experiment was carried out, and the optimization effect was evaluated with SPI and CPI indicators. The final experimental results show that it is meaningful to use the BIM model algorithm to optimize the subway project. In the simulation experiment, the corresponding construction period saving rate after completion of the project is 6.94%.

A method for transferring BIM data into domain ontologies: A case study based on airport services

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has revolutionized the construction industry as a platform for core integrated design, modeling, asset planning, and collaboration. Although BIM simplifies the retrieval and use of information in construction projects, BIM tools use native formats that pose challenges for data reuse and exchange. This article proposes a method for mapping BIM data into sets of concepts of a specific domains, and the use of Semantic Web tools for the exchange of data and information. Domain ontologies are a widely used tool for the formal definition of a field of knowledge, which facilitates the exchange of information in heterogeneous systems through technologies such as the Semantic Web. The proposed mapping can be used to enrich information and improve data integration in systems based on semantic tools that manage services or maintain facilities and building infrastructures. The article also presents a case study based on the management of airport facilities to illustrate the practical application of the method.

Dynamic Multi-objective Construction Site Layout Planning Based on BIM

The planning effectiveness of construction site layout greatly influences construction efficiency. Many previous studies assumed that all the facilities exist on the construction sites for the whole duration of the projects. Some researchers found the shortcomings and developed models to improve it. But these models also have different limitations, such as ignoring the future impact of the layout decision in early construction phases on the later layout quality, only considering transportation costs when optimize the layouts, etc. To address these issues, this study proposes a building information modeling (BIM)-based model that dynamically optimizes the multi-objective construction site layout. In this model, BIM and construction schedules provide the updated construction project information. This model introduces the construction phase impact on layout. The layout of each construction phase is optimized in order of corresponding phase impact. Considering the sustainable development for construction industry, the noise pollution level is chosen to be the optimization objective together with the total transportation cost. In order to balance the noise pollution level and total transportation cost, the multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) is applied to obtain trade-off solutions. A case study is presented to demonstrate the capability of the proposed model. The results indicate that the proposed dynamic construction site layout plan (CSLP) reduces transportation cost by 43.45% and 11.46% compared with the original and static construction site layout. This study breaks the traditional site layout plan order and locates the facilities in order of their phase impact, which can greatly reduce the transportation cost on the site. It also incorporates the noise pollution reduction into CSLP to enhance on-site sustainability.

Research on Application of BIM Technology in Construction Project Information System

Research on Application of BIM Technology in Construction Project Information System

BFO-based ontology enhancement to promote interoperability in BIM

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a process for managing construction project information in such a way as to provide a basis for enhanced decision-making and for collaboration in a construction supply chain. One impediment to the uptake of BIM is the limited interoperability of different BIM systems. To overcome this problem, a set of Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) has been proposed as a standard for the construction industry. Building on IFC, the ifcOWL ontology was developed in order to facilitate representation of building data in a consistent fashion across the Web by using the Web Ontology Language (OWL). This study presents a critical analysis of the ifcOWL ontology and of the associated interoperability issues. It shows how these issues can be resolved by using Basic Formal Ontology (ISO/IEC 21838-2) as top-level architecture. A set of competency questions is used as the basis for comparison of the original ifcOWL with the enhanced ontology, and the latter is used to align with a second ontology – the ontology for building intelligent environments (DOGONT) – in order to demonstrate the added value derived from BFO by showing how querying the enhanced ifcOWL yields useful additional information.

Digital fabrication, BIM and early contractor involvement in design in construction projects: a comparative case study

ABSTRACT Digital Fabrication (DFAB) is a systemic innovation with low adoption rates in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) projects. Managing requirements of a new design process is one major challenge for the increased DFAB adoption. For other types of innovations, practices such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) improve design management by integrating process, information and organisation in construction projects. In theory, BIM and ECI could improve design management and increase the adoption of DFAB. However, the relationship between DFAB, BIM and ECI has not yet been studied thoroughly. There is a need to understand new paradigms of DFAB design management in regard to process integration, information integration and organisational integration. This study undertakes a comparative study of four DFAB adoptions in AEC projects with varying levels of BIM and ECI implementation. The design processes of DFAB are traced using swimlane process diagrams. From this, relationships between DFAB, BIM, and ECI are derived using a quadripartite interrelationship diagram. This work illustrates the proposed relationships in DFAB adoption in design using a fishbone diagram. This work concludes with potential future research in design management for digital fabrication, including five takeaways for practitioners to adopt and manage DFAB in the design process of construction projects.

Research on Engineering Project Management Method Based on BIM Technology

Construction projects require a significant amount of money and other resources in order to carry them out in an effective way. Cost control is a critical step in ensuring the success of the project and increasing its value. Nowadays, the large-scale application of BIM technology has ushered a technical change in the development of construction projects, which has greatly increased the level and efficiency of project management. Due to BIM technology, the construction engineering quality is significantly improved which really helped in obtaining the social and economic benefits. However, the BIM technology in our country is started relatively late and the technical force is not strong enough; then correspondingly, we must deal with many problems in the process of developing and using BIM technology based projects. In view of the fact and to address this issue, this paper establishes a three-dimensional architectural model based on the relevant information and data of the construction project using the BIM technology. The proposed model optimizes the clustering of construction project information data and adaptively configures the whole life cycle process of the construction projects. In addition, the performance of the proposed system has been compared and tested with the other systems as well which shows how good the proposed system is, as compared to the other systems. Further, the proposed model makes the artificial intelligence efficiency of the project management better. The simulation results show that the model not only has good access and query capabilities but also greatly improves the intelligence level of the project management.

BIM-Supported Knowledge Management: Potentials and Expectations

Building information modeling (BIM) is currently a prevalent term for a new way of managing the design, construction, operation, and maintenance (O&M) of a project. It is regarded as an accumulation of information about a building anchored to a model. Consequently, BIM has been widely applied to manage information in construction projects. On the other hand, knowledge integrates context, experience, rules, and capability, which is at a higher level than information. Knowledge has also been widely recognized as one of the most important factors in construction projects. Therefore, close attention should be paid to knowledge management (KM) in construction projects. Compared to traditional information technology (IT) systems, BIM is characterized by object-oriented and parameter-driven modeling. How these characteristics can improve KM is a matter that has not been fully explored. To bridge the knowledge gap, this study first explores the existing tools used for KM in construction projects. Following this, the potentials of BIM for the improvement of KM are identified and the expectations for BIM-supported KM are outlined. A total of 30 industrial experts in the UK and Ireland were interviewed as the main research method in this study. Based on the analysis of interview results, a conceptual model is developed for BIM-supported KM. The conceptual model presents the features of BIM, such as three-dimensional (3D) visualization, lifecycle management, collaborative environment, and proactive mechanism, which can improve various KM activities. This study not only reveals the role of BIM for KM, but also gives insights into an innovative way of managing knowledge in construction projects.

Effects of the General Contractor's Governance Capabilities and Project Goals on the Organizational Arrangement of Subcontracting

The organizational design of subcontracting in the construction industry has received limited attention. This article integrates transaction cost economics and resource-based view to investigate how the governance capabilities of the general contractor impact the organizational arrangement of subcontracting and how the goal orientation of project moderates these relationships. Regression analyses were conducted on information collected by a questionnaire survey administered to a sample of 279 respondents who were employed by Chinese general contractors and who were privy to strategy information in construction projects. The results showes that the general contractor with strong governance capabilities tends to increase the extent of the work to be subcontracted and the dispersion of subcontractors used in projects. Moreover, these relationships change when the goal orientation in projects differs. In projects that display an exploitative goal orientation, the positive impact of governance capabilities on the extent of subcontracting will be weakened while the impact on subcontractor dispersion will be strengthened. In contrast, the relationship between governance capabilities and the extent of subcontracting will be stronger, and the relationship between governance capabilities and the subcontractor dispersion will be weaker in projects that exhibit an explorative goal orientation. The findings contribute to the subcontracting literature by distinguishing between the extent of subcontracting and subcontractor dispersion and by highlighting the importance of the general contractor's governance capabilities and project goal orientation when setting up a subcontracting arrangement.

The Research of Highway Construction Project Information Comprehensive Management System

With the development strategy of “Internet + Transportation’' put forward, the paper advances the process of the new type of transportation construction in the province. Compared with the common highway, the freeway design speed is higher, vehicle capacity is larger, so the quality is more strict during the construction process. This system helps highway construction managers to understand the construction of the project at the first time, and effectively deal with emergencies. Based on the actual situation of the project, this paper expounds the information management system and its functions of expressway construction project.

Application of game theory non-cooperative equilibrium method in construction project management informationization

Based on the comprehensive application and bibliometrical analysis of the non-cooperative equilibrium theory of game theory, this paper takes the construction project group as the research background, analyzes the obstacles to the application of management informatization in the construction project, and conducts a pair game study on the application of management informatization by single or group subjects. Aims to provide a valuable reference for the application of management information in construction projects, in line with the policy orientation, and has a certain practical significance. On the basis of combing the relevant literature on the application of management information in the field of construction industry and game analysis, this paper first analyzes the appeal, current situation and obstacles of the application of management information in construction projects. The game results show that there are specific management inspirations for different subjects: the designer should change the way of thinking, control the cost of management information application, and carry out in-depth communication with other subjects on building information to ensure consistency; Contractors need to improve their own ability to apply management information, but also to coordinate and control the relative importance of the three objectives, so that efforts can be more easily converted into positive results.

Exploring the applicability of configuration information in construction projects

ABSTRACT The architecture, engineering and construction industry focus on the project rather than on the product management. However, the development of digital and automated techniques requires more product based processes. Configuration information is an essential part of product management to ensure high performance. This study aims to explore if systematic configuration information, used in product development, can be applied in construction projects. An international guideline and an extensive literature study identified five key areas of configuration information applicable to construction projects. This knowledge was synthesised into a conceptual model for managing configuration information. A survey investigated the application of configuration information in construction projects. In comparison with the model, the results from the literature review and the survey show that configuration information was insufficient and not managed systematically. However, the findings also indicate that systematic configuration information can be used to improve control over the product and solve several problems encountered by construction projects. This study fills a knowledge gap regarding the management of configuration information in the context of construction projects. The ongoing development of new technologies in the architecture, engineering and construction industry will make the subject of configuration information increasingly important.