Practical Building Information Modeling Research Articles

The development of an integrated BIM-based visual demolition waste management planning system for sustainability-oriented decision-making

In light of the suboptimal resource efficiency persisting in current demolition waste management (DWM) practices caused by inattentive and profit-driven decision-making due to the lack of tailored stringent legislation, monetary incentives, and benchmarking frameworks, this study aims to facilitate sustainability-oriented decision-making at the demolition planning stage. A practical Building Information Modelling (BIM)-based visual DWM planning system is designed, wherein the system seamlessly accommodates inventory analysis and Multi-Criteria Decision-Aiding (MCDA) algorithms into various interconnected modules. Moreover, this research proposes bespoke algorithms and colour coding schemes to quantify and visualise the recycling value of building components for augmenting the visual guidance of sustainable building design and selective demolition planning.Furthermore, a pilot case study demonstrates the system's applicability in a real-world demolition project. The findings unveil that improving the recycling rate substantially offsets carbon emissions and demolition waste disposal expenditures. The increment in beneficial impacts outweighs the additional energy consumption and costs for implementing sustainable DWM strategies based on the predefined geographical settings. This BIM-based system reforms the conventional demolition planning and DWM decision-making workflow by tackling technical barriers concerning data richness, interoperability, and result interpretation. It equips the users with intuitive visual design guidance and parallel scenario analysis when crafting sustainability-oriented DWM schemes. In summary, this research contributes to familiarising industry practitioners with sustainable DWM schematic design and circular economy principles. Moreover, it prompts the development of customised BIM libraries as repositories for updating and capitalising on DWM-related information that can be adapted to different regional contexts.

Practical Analysis of BIM Tasks for Modular Construction Projects in South Korea

Building information modeling (BIM) and modular construction are important technologies for construction industry sustainability. This study proposes a relational matrix of key activities and BIM tasks of modular construction projects to analyze practical BIM tasks in Korea. To achieve this objective, 11 key activities and eight BIM tasks are identified through a comprehensive literature review and expert interviews. Then, the relational matrix of key activities and BIM tasks is proposed, and the BIM tasks in the matrix are analyzed in terms of necessity and efficiency using 5-point Likert scales. Finally, the matrix with the BIM utilization index is suggested. As a result, the average BIM utilization index is 0.80 in the off-site phase, and the index results show that 3D shop drawings have the highest index. In the on-site phase, the average BIM UI is 0.73 and the integration of a 4D model with quantity take-off is the most efficient at 0.85. Additionally, from the decision-maker’s perspective, the priority through the index presented helps in making decisions and in practical BIM execution planning. The proposed matrix is a practical reference for decision-makers considering the application of BIM in modular projects, and it contributes to a sustainable construction industry.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) to Enhance Occupational Safety in Construction Activities: Research Trends Emerging from One Decade of Studies

In recent years, the use of new technologies is rapidly transforming the way working activities are managed and carried out. In the construction industry, in particular, the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) is ever increasing as a means to improve the performances of numerous activities. In such a context, several studies have proposed BIM as a key process to augment occupational safety effectively, considering that the construction industry still remains one of the most hazardous working sectors. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the recent research addressing the use of BIM to improve construction safety. A systematic review was performed considering journal papers that appeared in literature in the last decade. The results showed that the most viable and promising research directions concern knowledge-based solutions, design for safety improvement through BIM solutions, transversal applications of BIM, and dynamic visualization and feedback. The findings of this study also indicated that more practical BIM applications are needed, especially focusing on safety training and education, the use of BIM to augment safety climate and resilience, and the development of quantitative risk analysis to better support safety management. Overall, the study provided a comprehensive research synthesis augmenting knowledge on the role of BIM-based tools in construction safety, which can be considered a reference framework to enhance workers’ safety by means of these new technologies.

Delivering value for money with BIM-embedded housing refurbishment

PurposeThe aim of this research is to examine if building information modelling (BIM) is feasible as an information management platform to determine a financially and environmentally affordable housing refurbishment solution based on the life cycle cost (LCC) and LCC calculation.Design/methodology/approachA case study in conjunction with BIM simulation approach using BIM tools (Autodesk Revit and IES VE/IMPACT) was adopted to identify the feasibility of BIM for the simultaneous formulation of LCC and life cycle assessment in housing refurbishment.FindingsThis research reveals that BIM is a suitable for the information management platform to enable construction professionals to consider trade-off relationship between LCC and life cycle assessment simultaneously, and determine the most financially and environmentally affordable refurbishment solution. The interoperability issues in data exchange among different BIM tools and unstandardized BIM object libraries with incomplete data sets of construction materials are recognised as the major shortcomings in a BIM system. Essential remedial actions to overcome the shortcomings in the current BIM tools are identified.Research limitations/implicationsActual housing information and various refurbishment materials for the BIM simulation are limited.Practical implicationsThis research contributes to supporting construction professionals to prepare practical BIM adoption for the integration of the LCC and life cycle assessment that can significantly improve early decision-makings on sustainable housing refurbishment.Originality/valueThis research will contribute to providing proper remedial actions to overcome the shortcomings in the current BIM tools, and insights for construction professionals to understand the implication of BIM-embedded housing refurbishment.

SURVEY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN BIM IMPLEMENTATION IN CROATIA, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, GERMANY, AND SLOVENIA

Building information modelling (BIM) may currently be considered the fastest developing concept in the field of construction management, aiming to become a global standard. Although the roots of the concept date back to the mid-1970s, some original expectations are still missing from its implementation. There has been a time gap between its theoretical and practical implementations. While the simultaneous development of information technologies is one reason for the implementation delay, other reasons remain unclear. This paper analyzes the gaps between theoretical and practical BIM application, as well as the legislation regarding BIM implementation in four countries (in alphabetical order: Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Slovenia). The paper additionally presents a survey of current practical BIM applications as well as general and theoretical feedback from construction projects that implemented BIM.

Building information modeling-based integration of MEP layout designs and constructability

Abstract Building information modeling (BIM) has demonstrated its advantages in improving a mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) layout in the design stage. Unfortunately, BIM applications normally stop prior to the construction stage. The MEP layout design may no longer fit properly during the installation process when there are as-built deviations between structures and the MEP layout. The purpose of this paper is to develop a practical BIM framework for integrating the MEP layout from preliminary design to construction stage. In this framework, BIM models were categorized into five levels of details: 3D MEP preliminary design model, 3D MEP detailed design model, 3D MEP construction design model, MEP construction model and MEP prefabrication model. Four types of coordination steps have been formulated to solve the design and constructability issues. A case study was adopted to validate the practical BIM framework. The results are very encouraging and demonstrate the significant value of the proposed BIM approach. In addition, one issue of collision detection is discussed because 78% collisions are ineffective when using the BIM tools for collision detection; and a significant number of effective collisions (102 collisions) are still detected by the designers and contractors manually. Ultimately, the research renders a practical insight into improving the MEP design and constructability using the developed BIM framework.

The Benefits, Obstacles and Problems of Practical Bim Implementation

The rapid development of Information Technologies in Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industry (AEC), as well as in Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Owner/Operator (AECO), are consistently changing the definition of Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM technology takes new meanings, highlighting the generic concepts of this universal determination for product deliverables build on usage of building intellectual 3D virtual model associated with this processes like project inception, design, evaluation, construction, operation and demolition. In his article, the authors review the stages and trends of BIM concept development presenting the case studies of four real projects in which elements of BIM technology have been adopted by project participants reviewing benefits as well as obstacles and problems of practical BIM implementation providing recommendations for future applications of BIM.

Building information modelling (BIM) framework for practical implementation

Recent advances in building information modelling (BIM) have disseminated the utilization of multi-dimensional (nD) CAD information in the construction industry. Nevertheless, the overall and practical effectiveness of BIM utilization is difficult to justify at this stage. The purpose of this paper is to propose a BIM framework focusing on the issues of practicability for real-world projects. Even though previous efforts in the BIM framework have properly addressed the BIM variables, comprehensive issues in terms of BIM effectiveness need to be further developed. A thorough literature review of computer-integrated construction (CIC) and BIM was performed first in order to interpret the BIM from a global perspective. A comprehensive BIM framework consisting of three dimensions and six categories was then developed to address the variables for theory and implementation. This framework can provide a basis for evaluating promising areas and identifying driving factors for practical BIM effectiveness.