Getting real about BIM

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Fox
Keyword(s):  
Critical Realism ◽  
Causal Mechanism ◽  
Building Information Modelling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Goals ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Realist Analysis ◽  
Business Outcome

Purpose – For some years, it has been claimed that Building Information Modelling (BIM) will bring about major improvements to the productivity of the building industry. Yet, productivity has declined while claims for BIM have expanded. Often, BIM descriptions comprise the naïve framing and multiple fallacies of hype. The purpose of this paper is to present critical realist descriptions and explain their advantages compared to BIM hype descriptions. Design/methodology/approach – A longitudinal critical realist case study of BIM causal mechanism and causal context. Findings – Critical realist analysis reveals that hype about BIM underplays many inter-related causal requirements: all of which are needed to bring project business outcome from management action. Practical implications – Many inter-related non-trivial causal factors need to be taken into account to achieve business outcome from BIM implementation action. Further, factors claimed at the outset to be adequate to achieve outcome from action may be less than adequate. Originality/value – The originality of this paper is that critical realism analysis across six years is presented. This longitudinal data reveals that claims for BIM can be more future goals than current certainties. The value of this paper is that detailed analysis of hype descriptions is provided alongside critical realist descriptions.

Developing an integrated framework for optimization of spatial requirements of construction equipment

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Hemalattha ◽  
R. Vidjeapriya
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Building Information Modelling ◽  
Actual Structure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Space Planning ◽  
Existing Structures ◽  
Building Information

PurposeThis study aims to develop a framework for optimizing the spatial requirements of the equipment in a construction site using a geographic information system (GIS).Design/methodology/approachAn ongoing construction project, an existing thermal powerplant in India, is considered to be the case study, and the corresponding construction activities were scheduled. The equipment spaces were defined for the scheduled activities in building information modelling (BIM), which was further imported to GIS to define the topology rules, validate and optimize the spatial requirements. The BIM simulates the indoor environment, which includes the actual structure being constructed, and the GIS helps in modelling the outdoor environment, which includes the existing structures, temporary facilitates, topography of the site, etc.; thus, this study incorporates the knowledge of BIM in a geospatial environment to obtain optimized equipment spaces for various activities.FindingsSpace in construction projects is to be considered as a resource as well as a constraint, which is to be modelled and planned according to the requirements. The integration of BIM and GIS for equipment space planning will enable precise identification of the errors in the equipment spaces defined and also result in fewer errors as possible. The integration has also eased the process of assigning the topology rules and validating the same, which otherwise is a tedious process.Originality/valueThe workspace for each activity will include the space of the equipment. But, in most of the previous works of workspace planning, only the labour space is considered, and the conflicts and congestions occurring due to the equipment were neglected. The planning of equipment spaces cannot be done based only on the indoor environment; it has to be carried out by considering the surroundings and topography of the site, which have not been researched extensively despite its importance.

Towards a BIM-based approach for improving maintenance performance in IBS building projects

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zul-Atfi Bin Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Maintenance Management ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Building Information Modelling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Modelling ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Conventional Methods

PurposeThe contemporary practice of conventional maintenance for industrialised building system (IBS) constructions suffers from poor service delivery and defect repetition. A key problem impeding the widespread adoption of emerging technologies is the lack of competent contractors to support the effectiveness of the technology implemented in conventional methods and to ensure returns on investment. The shortcomings of conventional methods are assessed from the perspective of IBS buildings. This paper aims to identify the different system approach using Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology that is equipped with decision making processes.Design/methodology/approachThis paper describes the establishment of key problem areas, the elements involved in implementing good practice and the requirements for integrating maintenance management processes and information databases in the maintenance management system.FindingsConventional methods have little emphasis on defect diagnosis tools. They also enhance inadequate strategic decision-making in the analysis of information when attempting to improve the maintenance project outcomes for IBS construction. The characteristics identified in a case study of IBS buildings are presented and analysed.Originality/valueThe conclusions and recommendations drawn from the analysis of the IBS case study are discussed, synthesised and deliberated upon. The approach presented in this paper integrates various aspects of building information modelling technology to facilitate improved execution of IBS maintenance activities.

The application and barriers of BIM in sustainable building design

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olufolahan Oduyemi ◽  
Michael Iheoma Okoroh ◽  
Oluwaseun Samuel Fajana
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Building Information Modelling ◽  
Sustainable Building ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Modelling ◽  
Building Information

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and rank the benefits and barriers (technological and non-technological) of using Building Information Modelling (BIM) in sustainable building design. It also employs the use of a design tool analysis of a case study using BIM compatible tools (Ecotect and Green Building Studio) to determine the environmental performance of a proposed multi-use building at Derby North. Design/methodology/approach The paper explores the benefits and barriers of using BIM through a literature review. Regression and factor analysis were used to rank these benefits and barriers. A questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 120 practitioners with 69 completing the survey. Finally, the paper employs the use of a design tool analysis of a case study using BIM-compatible tools (Ecotect and Green Building Studio) to determine the environmental performance of a proposed multi-use building at Derby North riverside. Findings The key findings of the statistical analysis indicated that professionals ranked the integrated project delivery as the most established benefit, while the lack of interoperability was ranked the greatest technological challenge. Only three of the attributes of non-technological challenges made statistically unique contributions, namely, training costs and software costs, client demand and potential legal issues. It was also discovered that BIM delivers information needed for environmental performance. In a forward-looking approach, the paper attempts to provide some recommendations that would encourage the continuous application of BIM in sustainable building design. Research limitations/implications This paper does not cover all features of BIM functionality, as the scope of BIM is very enormous and the resources of this research were limited. Practical implications The implication of the study is that it will assist in exploring and ranking the benefits and barriers (technological and non-technological) of using BIM while proffering recommendations for future use. This research will be of interest to industry practitioners and academic researchers with an interest in building information modelling. Originality/value This paper contributes with new outlooks aimed at syndicating sustainability with environmental performance and adds to the limited empirical studies on the benefits and barriers of the application of BIM.

scholarly journals Improvement of the inspection-repair process with building information modelling and image classification

Facilities ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 395-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Zhan ◽  
Xin Janet Ge ◽  
Shoudong Huang ◽  
Liang Zhao ◽  
Johnny Kwok Wai Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Image Classification ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Repair Process ◽  
Classification Algorithms ◽  
Building Information Modelling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Modelling ◽  
Knowledge Repository ◽  
Building Information

Purpose Automated technologies have been applied to facility management (FM) practices to address labour demands of, and time consumed by, inputting and processing manual data. Less attention has been focussed on automation of visual information, such as images, when improving timely maintenance decisions. This study aims to develop image classification algorithms to improve information flow in the inspection-repair process through building information modelling (BIM). Design/methodology/approach To improve and automate the inspection-repair process, image classification algorithms were used to connect images with a corresponding image database in a BIM knowledge repository. Quick response (QR) code decoding and Bag of Words were chosen to classify images in the system. Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) were developed to facilitate activity collaboration and communication. A pilot case study in an inspection-repair process was applied to demonstrate the applications of this system. Findings The system developed in this study associates the inspection-repair process with a digital three-dimensional (3D) model, GUIs, a BIM knowledge repository and image classification algorithms. By implementing the proposed application in a case study, the authors found that improvement of the inspection-repair process and automated image classification with a BIM knowledge repository (such as the one developed in this study) can enhance FM practices by increasing productivity and reducing time and costs associated with ecision-making. Originality/value This study introduces an innovative approach that applies image classification and leverages a BIM knowledge repository to enhance the inspection-repair process in FM practice. The system designed provides automated image-classifying data from a smart phone, eliminates time required to input image data manually and improves communication and collaboration between FM personnel for maintenance in the decision-making process.

Enabling sustainable built heritage revitalisation from a social and technical perspective

Facilities ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 704-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Ho ◽  
Huiying Hou
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Building Information Modelling ◽  
Main Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Built Heritage ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to investigate built heritage revitalisation projects in Hong Kong through a case study. Design/methodology/approach For this study, a representative built heritage revitalisation project in Hong Kong is selected study revitalisation in practice in Hong Kong. The case study adopts content analysis as the main method of analysis. It involves counting keywords, comparing content, categorising content patterns and interpreting the content of documents. Findings The findings reveal that in the revitalisation process, there is significant fragmentation in collaboration among government sectors and in conservation documentation and that an effective knowledge sharing mechanism and valid public engagement is needed. A conceptual framework of social network-enabled building information modelling (BIM) platform is proposed to enhance knowledge sharing and cross-sector collaboration. Practical implications The conceptual framework developed based on the case study is expected to bring practical implications to urban regeneration policies in Hong Kong. Originality/value This study views built heritage revitalisation practice as different individual projects and provides a social and technical perspective to investigate built heritage revitalisation.

BIM-based life-cycle environmental assessment of prefabricated buildings

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 1703-1725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingbo Ji ◽  
Kai Qi ◽  
Yuan Qi ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Hong Xian Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Building Information Modelling ◽  
Environment Friendly ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Techniques ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Environmental Emissions

PurposeThis research aims to propose a comparative environmental analysis of conventional and prefabricated construction techniques utilizing a building information modelling (BIM) technique.Design/methodology/approachA set of indicators are selected to assess the environmental emissions throughout the construction life cycle, based on BIM platform. An existing project involving ten apartment buildings in Shanghai is selected as a case study.FindingsThe results reveal that prefabricated construction demonstrates environment-friendly performance with some exceptions of acidification and mineral resource consumption. Environmental impacts can also be further reduced by increasing the projected area ratio and percentage of project prefabrication.Originality/valueOverall, the proposed method can be used to identify relevant environmental merits and for decision-making of appropriate construction techniques in building construction projects.

Profound barriers to building information modelling (BIM) adoption in construction small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullahi B. Saka ◽  
Daniel W.M. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Building Information Modelling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Modelling ◽  
Building Information ◽  
The Will ◽  
Modelling Approach

Purpose This study aims to evaluate and investigate the dynamics of the barriers to building information modelling (BIM) adoption from the perspective of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries with the Nigerian construction industry as a case study. Design/methodology/approach An interpretive structural modelling approach was adopted to develop a hierarchical model of the interrelationships of the barriers. Also, the Matrice d’Impacts croises-multipication applique a classement analysis was used for categorisation of the barriers. Findings The findings revealed that the barriers are from a sociotechnical context and that SMEs have the will to drive BIM adoption by focussing more on their internal environment. Originality/value This study presented the adoption of BIM in SMEs, which is underrepresented in extant studies. Also, it contributes to the nascent discussion of BIM from the perspective of SMEs in developing countries.

scholarly journals Utilization of Building Information Modeling for Arranging the Structural Kingposts

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 323
Author(s):  
Vachara Peansupap ◽  
Pisal Nov ◽  
Tanit Tongthong
Keyword(s):  
Underground Structure ◽  
Visual Programming ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Construction Technology ◽  
Underground Structures ◽  
Building Information Modelling ◽  
Engineering Knowledge ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Rule Based Approach

The kingpost was a vertical element that was used to support the structural strut in the deep excavation. The structural kingpost was commonly arranged by experienced engineers who used two-dimensional construction drawings. Thus, it was still time-consuming and error-prone. Currently, an available construction program has been developed to arrange the structural kingpost by identifying the clash problems in the 3D environment. However, they have a limitation for detecting the clash that was unable to visualize the concurrent clashes between kingpost and many underground structures. Then, the engineer cannot see all the clash incidents with each kingpost and move the kingpost to avoid the clashes successfully. Since the kingpost arrangement was still an inefficient practice that was limited in the visualization aspect, this research used engineering knowledge and advanced construction technology to detect and solve the clashes between kingposts and underground structures. The methodology used engineering knowledge of kingpost arrangement to develop the system modules by using a rule-based approach. Then, these modules were developed into the system by using visual programming of Building Information Modelling (BIM). To test the system, an underground structure from building construction was selected as a case study to apply the developed system. Finally, the finding of this study could overcome human judgment by providing less interaction in the kingpost arrangement and visualization improvement of clash occurrences in the 3D model.

Optimising building performance through integrating risk management and building information modelling during the design process

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman ◽  
Fatma Othman Alamoudy
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Building Information Modelling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Modelling ◽  
Building Information

Purpose This paper aims to develop a framework for optimising building performance through the integration between risk management (RM) and building information modelling (BIM) during the design process. Design/methodology/approach To achieve this aim, a research strategy consisting of literature review, case studies and survey questionnaire is designed to accomplish four objectives. First, to examine the concepts of design process, building performance, RM and BIM; second, to present three case studies to explain the role of using RM and BIM capabilities towards optimising building performance; third, to investigate the perception and application of architectural design firms in Egypt towards the role of RM and BIM for enhancing building performance during the design process; and finally, to develop a framework integrating RM and BIM during the design process as an approach for optimising building performance. Findings Through literature review, the research identified 18 risks that hamper optimising building performance during the design process. In addition, 11 building performance values and 20 BIM technologies were defined. Results of data analysis showed that “Design budget overrun”, “Lack of considering life cycle cost” and “Inefficient use of the design time” were ranked the highest risks that affect the optimisation of building performance. Respondents ranked “Risk avoid” or “Risk transfer” as the most risk responses adopted in the Egyptian context. In addition, “BIM As Built” was ranked the highest BIM technology used for overcoming risks during the design process. These findings necessitated taking action towards developing a framework to optimising building performance. Originality/value The research identified the risks that affect optimising building performance during the design process. It focuses on improving the design process through using the capabilities of BIM technologies towards overcoming these risks during the design process. The proposed framework which integrates RM and BIM represents a synthesis that is novel and creative in thought and adds value to the knowledge in a manner that has not previously occurred.

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