BIM Development in Design and Construction

The focus on creating and reusing digital project information, throughout the life cycle to facilitate the exchange of information among project stakeholders, are based around ideas of BIM and collaborative environments.

BIM-based design solutions differ from their traditional counterparts in that:

i. They are created and developed on digital databases which enable collaboration and effective data exchanges between different disciplines;

ii. They allow change to be managed through these databases so that changes in one part of the database are reflected in (and coordinated through) changes in other parts; and

iii. They capture and preserve information for re-use by all members of the design and construction team, including facilities’ management (FM), and users’ operations and management.

A building information model can be used for the following purposes (Azhar et al., 2008):

i. Visualization: 3D renderings can be easily generated in-house with little additional effort.

ii. Fabrication/shop drawings: it is easy to generate shop drawings for various building systems. For example, A sheet metal ductwork shop drawing can be quickly produced once the model is complete.

iii. Code reviews: fire departments and other officials may use these models for their review of building projects.

iv. Forensic analysis: a building information model can easily be adapted to graphically illustrate potential failures, leaks, evacuation plans, etc.

v. Facilities management: facilities management departments can use BIM for renovations, space planning and maintenance operations.

vi. Cost estimating: BIM software has built-in cost estimating features. Material quantities are automatically extracted and changed when any changes are made in the model.

vii. Construction sequencing: a building information model can be effectively used to create material ordering, fabrication and delivery schedules for all building components.

viii. Conflict, interference and collision detection: As BIM models are created, to scale, in 3D space, all major systems can be visually checked for interferences. This process can verify that piping does not intersect with steel beams, ducts or walls.

In recent years there has been an explosion of interest in the development of BIM in construction industries around the globe (Hooper and Ekholm, 2010). The recent uptake of BIM is a sign of recognition, by international governments and industries of its abilities to enhance the design and construction process. The widespread deployment and use of BIM has been identified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the U.S. as a vital way of advancing the efficiency, quality, timeliness, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of construction projects (Huang et al., 2009).

Whilst the construction sector is generally still at an early stage in its deployment of BIM, awareness and use of this process are growing rapidly in a number of key markets, including the USA, UK, Europe and Australasia. BIM has received a significant boost of attention in the UK and USA through government mandates. BIM is already promoted by US Government agencies such as the General Services Administration (GSA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the United States Coast Guard, Department of Veterans Affairs and along with several State Governments. In Norway, the Government has adopted both BIM and building SMART as its preferred methodology for federal construction projects. There is also an agreement to use open BIM Standards between GSA and, the Danish Enterprise and Construction Authority (DECA) in Denmark Senaatti-Kiinteisist in Finland and Statsbygg in Norway. In the

Australasia region, BIM has been promoted by governments in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korean.

Table 3.1: Example BIM Initiative Worldwide (Modified from BCA, 2011)

Country BIM Initiative

United States

The General Services Administration (GSA) in the U.S.A. is a pioneer in advocating the adoption of BIM for public sector projects. It has also developed a suite of BIM guidelines.

United Kingdom The BIM Industry Working Group in the U.K. has prepared a BIM strategy to increase BIM use over a five-year period by 2016.

Norway The Norwegian government has stated its commitment to succeed in BIM adoption in 2010.

Denmark

Danish state clients such as the Palaces & Properties Agency, the Danish University Property Agency and the Defence Construction Service require BIM to be used for their projects.

Finland Finland’s state property services agency, Senate Properties, has required the use of BIM for its projects since 2007.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s Housing Authority has set a target to apply BIM in all new projects by 2014. It has also developed a set of modeling standards and guidelines for effective model creation, management and communication among BIM users.

South Korea

South Korea’s Public Procurement Service made BIM use compulsory for all projects over S$50 million and for all public sector projects by 2016.

Singapore

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) implemented the BIM Roadmap in 2010 with the aim that 80 percent of the construction industry will use BIM by 2015. This is part of the government’s plan to improve the construction industry’s productivity by up to 25 percent over the next decade.

Australia

The Australian Government set a date of 1 July 2016 from which procurement for all its buildings will require full collaborative BIM based on open standards for information exchange (commonly referred to as Open BIM).

Globally, many building and infrastructure projects are undertaken by the public sector. Thus the public sector can play an important role in leading the industry

towards BIM adoption. This opportunity has been pursued by numerous governments worldwide (See the summary in Table 3.1).

BIM has shown its potential for usage throughout the entire the construction industry starting, from pre-construction up to post construction. There is no surprise why the initiative of implementing BIM has been taken by the client. However, the advantages of BIM will be gained if a well-planned BIM Implementation Plan can be developed and implemented.

Figure 3.3: UK BIM Strategy Chart (BIM Industry Working Group, 2011)