Developing Context Sensitive BIM Based Applications

Current Building Information Model (BIM) based applications do not integrate well with the varying and frequently changing work processes of Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) professionals. One cause for this problem is that traditionally software developers apply software design methods that aim to design software that cater to a broad range of different users without accounting for the possibility of changing work processes. This chapter theoretically introduces a different method to design software - context sensitive software development – and theoretically argues that it is poised to enable application developers to adjust BIM based applications to the varying and frequently changing work processes of AEC professionals. As a first starting point for the practical applicability of the theoretical method, first user categories that BIM based application developers can use as a starting point for the analysis of different user contexts are provided. These categories were derived from the author’s experience supporting more than ten projects with the implementation of BIM based applications and from what they learned on a number of industry BIM workshops. The chapter closes by mapping out future research directions to evaluate the practical value of the method and with a theoretical analysis of how researchers can apply state-of-the-art software development methods, software development technologies, and software dissemination models to support their research.

A Comparative Analysis of 2D Computer-Aided Estimating (CAE) and BIM Estimating Procedures

Most estimators are trained with, and are used to, manual and Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) two dimensional (2D) drawings. The spatio-temporal limitations of these designs complicate information management, estimators’ judgments, speed and accuracy. In addition, conventional estimating practices also need to cater to the nuances of diverse standard methods of measurements (SMM) and unstable market conditions. Building Information Modeling (BIM) promises major improvements that overcome the limitations of conventional 2D methods in both design and construction processes. It provides platforms for value integration, robust information sources, simultaneous access to design database, automated quantification, project visualization and simulation, among others capabilities. These capabilities facilitate accuracy, objective risk assessment, comprehensive information management and early integration of cost management principles during design. Arguably, the uptake of Information Technology (IT) in construction is increasing and this discipline-specific study on BIM highlights its considerable potential for improving professional service delivery. Consequently, the integration of BIM and process driven Computer-Aided Estimating (CAE) tools and applications provide robust opportunities for process improvement in Architectural, Engineering, Construction and Facilities Management (AECFM) industries. As part of a research initiative, this chapter reviews the impacts of BIM on cost estimating procedures. In a bid to develop a conceptual framework for underpinning BIM-propelled changes in estimating practice, CAE applications are categorized and compared. Moreover, some features for producing automated quantities from BIMs are compared with provisions of SMM used by estimators. The research concludes with recommendations about the capacity of BIM to revolutionize construction procurement and systems.

The US National Building Information Modeling Standard

The publication of the National BIM Standard (NBIMS) at the end of 2007 after two years of work by the most highly diverse team ever assembled by the National Institute of Building Sciences brought a symbolic shift in the architecture, engineering, construction, and facility ownership (AECO) community. However, what impact did it have on the industry? This chapter looks at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and impact of the NBIMS into 2009 and beyond. Specifically, this chapter will delve into some of the strengths of the NBIMS, such as promulgating a standardized approach for documenting information exchanges between stakeholders, and applying the NBIMS Interactive Capability Maturity Model (I-CMM) to evaluate a project or portfolio for BIM maturity. Opportunities exist in the areas of sustainability, modularity, and fabrication, as demonstrated in several industry projects to date. Weaknesses of the NBIMS are that it is not directly applicable yet at the technical level such as the National CAD Standard (NCS). Along with the NCS, the NBIMS and their umbrella parent organization, the Facility Information Council of the National Institute of Building Sciences are gradually being absorbed into the buildingSMART™ Alliance. Lastly, the primary impact of the NBIMS will be felt in terms of current and future projects promoting interoperable information exchange for specific stakeholders. These include multiple applications of interoperable-IFC-based approaches.

Product Modelling in the Building and Construction Industry

This chapter provides an overview of product modelling in the Building and Construction (BC) industry based on authors’ experiences gained from various conducted research projects and also taking into account results of other research projects. This chapter starts with an introduction and background of the subject area in terms of motivation, industrial needs and requirements. This is followed by an overview of a historical background of the subject area. In this historical background we distinguish five generations of product modelling developments. The first generation of product modelling developments is characterized by the influence of previous expert and database developments and by the constituting high-level constructs (e.g. EDM, BSM, RATAS and GARM). The second generation of product modelling developments can be characterized by the development of detailed aspect systems and supporting frameworks for data exchange and integration (e.g. IRMA, ATLAS, COMBINE, PISA and IMPPACT). The third generation product modelling developments can be characterized by its focus on collaborative engineering support by means of the application of middleware and client/server technology (e.g. SPACE, CONCUR, BCCM, VEGA and ToCEE) and the development of the IFC. The fourth generation of product modelling developments is heavily influenced by the Internet and Web Services standards such as XML, SOAP and UDDI and related business models such as eBusiness and eWork (e.g. bcXML, ifcXML and eConstruct). The next (fifth) generation of product modelling developments will be based on the emerging semantic web standards such as OWL and RDF, and based on the concepts of ontology internationmodelling as experienced in ongoing (European) projects such as SWOP. After this historical overview, an analysis of the characteristics of interesting conceptual product approaches is presented. Here we discuss the Standardisation, Minimal Model, Core Model, NOT, Vocabulary and Ontology product modelling approaches. Followed by an analysis of a number of specific conceptual product models and how the basic product modelling constructs (i.e. semantics, lifecycle modifiers and multiple project views) are implemented. This chapter ends with a discussion about some ongoing projects (COINS, CHEOPS and SWOP) in the context of future trends.

Delivering BIM to the UK Market

Technology has developed dramatically over the past five and particularly three decades. The way we live our lives has changed and is set to change ever more with the effects this technology has on our planet’s environment. Construction is one of the world’s oldest industries and has been slow to adapt and change with the arrival of these developing technologies. For example, it has been nearly two decades since Building Information Modelling (BIM) was first mooted and we still await significant adoption. The UK picture is further burdened with a fragmented supply chain, slow consolidation and generally low investment in the industry. However, BIM is not CAD. It is so much more; like the move from old accounting packages to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), it includes the formal management of processes on a consistent, repeatable basis. Like ERP, this is a very difficult transition to make. The product vendors have not helped through creating a confused market, with patchy product capability and no process management tools available on a scalable production basis. Furthermore, the construction industry’s approach to contracts, training and education also need attention if it is to deliver this operating model. However, the key questions are: does it work and is it worth pursuing in the competitive UK market? The answer to both questions is yes, but it is important to be aware of what is involved, to understand the evolution and to take sensible steps to achieve the reward. The focus of this chapter is to begin exploring the issues towards the delivery of BIM to the UK construction market sector.

Modelling Concepts for BIM

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is potentially a great technology for the expression of knowledge, supporting interoperability and communication throughout the life-cycle of a building. In fact, Building Information Modelling is not a simple technology. It requires a sound understanding of a number of abstract modelling concepts. Next to being a technology, BIM can also be regarded as a method for making a low or non-redundant (i.e. with every fact represented only once) model of an artefact that is sufficient to realize it as well as simulating it before it actually becomes physical reality. This chapter discusses the modelling concepts of BIM: what is Building Information Modelling, what is a Building Information Model and what are its rationale and objectives? A clear distinction will be made between (a) that what is being modelled, such as requirements, function, boundary conditions, building configuration, connectivity, shape, processes lifecycle aspects and discipline views, and (b) how it can be modelled, such as through parametric models, part libraries, nD models, various representations and presentations, including visualizations. Finally, there is a brief discussion of relevant methods and languages for information modelling, such as ISO 10303 (STEP, EXPRESS), BuildingSMART (IFC, IFD and IDM), process modelling and recent ontology-based approaches.

Towards the Development of a Project Decision Support Framework for Adoption of an Integrated Building Information Model using a Model Server

This chapter discusses an action research study towards the development of a decision framework to support a fully integrated multi disciplinary Building Information Model (BIM) using a Model Server. The framework was proposed to facilitate multi disciplinary collaborative BIM adoption through, informed selection of a project specific BIM approach and tools contingent upon project collaborators’ readiness, tool capabilities and workflow dependencies. The aim of the research was to explore the technical concerns in relation to Model Servers to support multi disciplinary model integration and collaboration; however it became clear that there were both technical and non technical issues that needed consideration. The evidence also suggests that there are varying levels of adoption which impacts upon further diffusion of the technologies. Therefore the need for a decision framework was identified based on the findings from an exploratory study conducted to investigate industry expectations. The study revealed that even the market leaders who are early technology adopters in the Australian industry in many cases have varying degrees of practical experiential knowledge of BIM and hence at times low levels of confidence of the future diffusion of BIM technology throughout the industry. The study did not focus on the benefits of BIM implementation as this was not the intention, as the industry partners involved are market leaders and early adopters of the technology and did not need convincing of the benefits. Coupled with this there are various other past studies that have contributed to the ‘benefits’ debate. There were numerous factors affecting BIM adoption which were grouped in to two main areas; technical tool functional requirements and needs, and non technical strategic issues. The need for guidance on where to start, what tools were available and how to work through the legal, procurement and cultural challenges was evidenced in the exploratory study. Therefore a BIM decision framework was initiated, based upon these industry concerns. Eight case studies informed the development of the framework and a summary of the key findings is presented. Primary and secondary case studies from firms that have adopted a structured approach to technology adoption are presented. The Framework consists of four interrelated key elements including a strategic purpose and scoping matrix, work process mapping, technical requirements for BIM tools and Model Servers, and framework implementation guide. The BIM framework was presented in draft format again to key industry stakeholders and considered in comparison with current best practice BIM adoption to further validate the framework. There was no request to change any part of the Framework. However, it is an ongoing process and it will be presented again to industry through the various project partners. The Framework may be refined within the boundaries of the action research process as an ongoing activity as more experiential knowledge can be incorporated.

Removing Barriers to BIM Adoption

Building information modelling (BIM) is not only an authoring tool for architects and engineers, but also for all stakeholders in the building programme procurement process. Analysis tools like code checking of building regulations and environmental simulations that can report on heating loads, daylighting and carbon use will push the adoption of intelligent modelling faster and further than previously thought. The benefits for clients should not be underestimated either and some are already reaping them where project certainty is to the fore. However, the professional language that architects and engineers espouse is a latent force that can run counter to fostering collaboration. An emerging professional, the Architectural Technologist, can bridge that divide and adopt the adjunct role of manager in the integrated project delivery.

Building Information Modelling Maturity Matrix

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an expanding collection of concepts and tools which have been attributed with transformative capabilities within the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) industry. BIM discussions have grown to accommodate increasing software capabilities, infinitely varied deliverables, and competing standards emanating from an abundance of overlapping definitions attempting to delineate the BIM term. This chapter will steer away from providing its own definition of BIM yet concurs with those identifying it as a catalyst for change (Bernstein, 2005) poised to reduce industry’s fragmentation (CWIC, 2004), improve its efficiency (Hampson & Brandon, 2004) and lower its high costs of inadequate interoperability (NIST, 2004). In essence, BIM represents an array of possibilities and challenges which need to be understood and met respectively through a measurable and repeatable approach. This chapter briefly explores the multi-dimensional nature of the BIM domain and then introduces a knowledge tool to assist individuals, organisations and project teams to assess their BIM capability, maturity and improve their performance (Figure 1). The first section introduces BIM Fields and Stages which lay the foundations for measuring capability and maturity. Section 2 introduces BIM Competencies which can be used as active implementation steps or as performance assessment areas. Section 3 introduces an Organisational Hierarchy/Scale suitable for tailoring capability and maturity assessments according to markets, industries, disciplines and organisational sizes. Section 4 explores the concepts behind ‘capability maturity models’ and then adopts a five-level BIM-specific Maturity Index (BIMMI). Section 5 introduces the BIM Maturity Matrix (BIm³), a performance measurement and improvement tool which identifies the correlation between BIM Stages, Competency Sets, Maturity Levels and Organisational Scales. Finally, Section 6 introduces a Competency Granularity Filter which enables the tailoring of BIM tools, guides and reports according to four different levels of assessment granularity.

Lean Enabled Structural Information Modeling

Lean production revolution started in manufacturing with origin in the Toyota Production System (TPS). Since Womack, Jones, and Roos (1990) announced this concept as a new production paradigm, various industries including the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Industry have paid attention to its possible applications. While design, engineering and building practices in AEC are substantially different from manufacturing, the ideas drawn from Lean Production can be tailored for the AEC environment. The synthesis of lean production principles and techniques applied in AEC form the basis for a Lean Project Delivery System™ (LPDS). The principles of LPDS and Building Information Modeling (BIM) technologies offer new approaches and opportunities to improve the quality, cost, schedule and productivity of building products in a highly fragmented multi-disciplinary sector. The case study presented in this chapter provides an overview of the synergy between the principles and tools of LPDS with BIM technologies used at the California Pacific Medical Center’s (CPMC) Cathedral Hill Hospital (CHH) project in San Francisco, California.