Demystifying Collaboration in BIM-Based Projects Under Design-Build Procurement

Building information modelling (BIM) tools and workflows, new procurements methods, and emerging management practices are being adopted on projects to overcome collaboration barriers and improve project performance within the architecture, engineering, construction, and operation (AECO) sector. Academic literature and industry reports recommend the use of collaborative procurement methods such as design and build (DB) procurement and integrated project delivery (IPD) when adopting BIM workflows. However, to date there are little operationalization and empirical evidence of the value realization potential when using BIM in conjunction to these procurement methods. This chapter draws upon five case studies of BIM-based DB projects to analyze and quantify the potential of value realization using clash detection as a use value. The results reveal potential hurdles inhibiting BIM from reaching its full potential. Accordingly, recommended changes to the current processes are suggested to facilitate BIM in enhancing value on DB projects.

Integration of BIM Work Culture for Improving Global Project Collaboration Productivity

Building information modelling is further globalizing architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professional partnerships. However, little is known on the effect of cultural and human factors on BIM-enabled visualization applications. This desktop study examined the extant literature on factors relating to application of BIM-enabled visualization technologies as a process that can improve, leverage, and conduct visual communication for coordination during implementation of global projects. It identifies BIM-enabled visualization having the capability in facilitating knowledge flows in complex discontinuous working environment of a property development's life cycle, and supports designers' understanding in its early working phases. This chapter presents the development of a theoretical proposition for embedding local work culture etiquette in BIM-enabled visualization application for augmenting dynamic knowledge transfer among discontinuous members in a building project. The result is expected to benefit rapidly developing countries (e.g., Malaysia) in enabling successful partnerships with counterparts from developed countries.

Constraints in Authoring BIM Components

The authors investigated issues of geometric interoperability for reusable BIM components across multiple platforms using industry foundation classes (IFCs) which many proprietary BIM software platforms claim to fully support. These assertions were tested, first in 2012 and then in 2017 to assess the state and evolution of interoperability in the industry. A simple test model was created representing significant types of geometry encountered in component libraries, which were then expressed in IFC files. In the 2012 study, 11 commonly used BIM tools showed a dramatic failure to process the geometries as intended, indicating that the authoring tools, whilst technically capable of supporting required component geometric representations, were constrained from doing so by their conversion interfaces with IFC geometries. In the 2017 tests, improvements were observed though there were still significant processing failures that could result in serious errors; particularly in the case of the BIM library components imported into project design models.

Investigating Effects of Psychophysical Metrics on Fidelity in 3D Space Visualization

Previous research tests and experiments have provided evidence for the disparity between human perception of space in the physical environment and the 3D virtual environment. This could have dire effects on the decision-making process throughout the whole construction lifecycle of an asset due to non-precision of perceived spaces. Results have shown an infidelity in displaying the actual dimensions of the space in the 3D virtual environment, and previous research by the author has identified the magnitude of this disparity. However, there has been inconclusive reasoning behind the causes for this disparity. This chapter aims to investigate and highlight different psychophysical factors that might cause this difference in perception, and compare these factors with previously investigated research.

GML-Based nD Data Management With a Big Geo Data Semantic World Modeling Approach

3D simulation applications benefit from realistic and exact forest models. They range from training simulators like flight or harvester simulators to economic and ecological simulations for tree growth or succession. The nD forest simulation and information system integrates the necessary methods for data extraction, modeling, and management of highly realistic models. Using semantic world modeling, tree data can efficiently be extracted from remote sensing data – even for very large areas. Data is modeled using a GML-based modeling language and a flexible data management approach is integrated to provide caching, persistence, a central communication hub, and a versioning mechanism. Combining various simulation techniques and data versioning, the nD forest simulation and information system can provide applications with historic 3D data in multiple time dimensions (hence nD) as well as with predicted data based on simulations.

BIM and Cultural Heritage

Since it spread on the market, the professionals consider building information modelling as one of the most efficient methods to handle and manage a building and its entire life cycle, including costs, energy simulation, construction production data, and more. Thanks, also, to the legislation of the past few years, it is possible to say that this approach is known almost by everyone in the new construction field, and its employment is growing. The current use of BIM software is mostly referred to new buildings, made of regular elements and standard parameters. Is it possible to use the BIM process for the maintenance and the conservation of cultural heritage? The only way to answer this question is to research the academic environment, starting to train the professionals of tomorrow earlier, and proposing interesting cases studies on the subject. This chapter explores BIM and cultural heritage.

BIM FM

Despite significant progress for the adoption of BIM in AEC, currently its adoption for FM has been sparse, scarce, and extraneous. There are few cases in the world where robust adoption has taken place that are able to demonstrate success and are willing to disseminate the positive impact of BIM FM on sustainability, operational efficiency, and cost reduction. To date, there is no approach, motivation, or support in place to enable the extensive adoption of BIM for FM worldwide. In the UK, for instance, the UK BIM initiative, mandate, and the Digital Built Britain cannot count on the participation of FM stakeholders; the government has only started promoting initiatives that could trigger an extensive BIM approach, generating benefits for organizations and more importantly, society as a whole. In this chapter, data from authors' various research projects has been put together to generate an agenda for BIM FM implementation. The findings reveal that unless an intervention, such as a mandate for FM services suppliers, is put in place, very little will happen with regards to BIM FM.

Streamlining a Design, Manufacture, and Fitting Workflow Within a UK Fit-Out SME

A 30-month project is presented that is enabled through a knowledge transfer partnership government-funded initiative between the University of Salford and Links FF&E – a design, manufacture, and fit-out SME in the UK. The project is aiming to implement BIM as a catalyst for a lean transformation to streamline processes and operations through the adoption of a case study methodology on a design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) BIM implementation at Links FF&E. The findings highlight that the challenges for SMEs adopting disruptive technology could be mitigated with a business case that considers the changes on organizational processes and workflows by embedding technologies within the company with the focus on eliminating waste in the processes and adding value.

Three-Dimensional Information Retrieval (3DIR)

The 3DIR project investigated the use of 3D visualization to formulate queries, compute the relevance of information items, and visualize search results. Workshops identified the user needs. Based on these, a graph theoretic formulation was created to inform the emerging system architecture. A prototype was developed. This enabled relationships between 3D objects to be used to widen a search. An evaluation of the prototype demonstrated that a tight coupling between text-based retrieval and 3D models could enhance information retrieval but add an extra layer of complexity.

Topologically Consistent Space, Time, Version, and Scale Using Alexandrov Topologies

A novel approach to higher dimensional spatial database design is introduced by replacing the canonical solid–face–edge–vertex schema of topological data by a common type SpatialEntity, and the individual “bounded-by” relations between two consecutive classes by one separate binary relation BoundedBy on SpatialEntity defining an Alexandrov topology. This exposes mathematical principles of spatial data design. The first consequence is a mathematical definition of topological “dimension” for spatial data. Another is that every topology for spatial data is an Alexandrov topology. Also, version histories have a canonical Alexandrov topology, and generalizations can be consistently modeled by continuous foreign keys between LoDs. The result is a relational database schema for spatial data of dimension 6 and more, seamlessly integrating space-time, LoDs, and version history. Topological constructions enable queries across these different aspects. Giving points coordinates amounts can give rise to topological inconsistencies which can be measured with topological invariants.