Implementing Building Information Modeling Solution in the Construction Practice of A Developing Economy

(1)

International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, UGC Approved List of Recommended Journal, Volume 8, Issue 5, May 2018)

182

Implementing Building Information Modeling Solution in the

Construction Practice of A Developing Economy

Belonwu Christopher Chidi

1

, Musa Jibrin

2

1

Gribs Integrated Services LTD, Nigeria

2_{Department of Building, Nassarawa State Polytechnic, Nigeria.}

Abstract— One of the problems facing the construction industry is supply chain management especially on the interaction of professionals on exchange of designs information and roles during the construction process. The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been advanced as a possible solution. At the core of ICT use for this purpose is Building Information Modeling which seeks to integrate the various inputs of these professionals in a virtual environment. Due to the slow rate in ICT adoption in the industry for developing economies, not much work or case studies have been advanced or put in place to fully understand and appreciate this evolving concept. In this study, a descriptive analysis of how BIM was implemented for a project in Rivers State was made. As key participants in the project, the research information and data were gathered through direct observation. The research shows how resources that are readily available can be used for BIM implementation to reduce waste, cost and rework on site.

Keywords— Alpha Model, Base Model, Building

Information Modeling, Construction, Developing Economy, I.T, Information and Communication Technology, Supply Chain.

I. INTRODUCTION

The construction industry is a major driver in every economy and can determine the pulse of a country (Obiegbu, 2004a). Its importance lies in the fact that it employs a wide variety of citizens; skilled and unskilled, educated and uneducated (Opoko & Ali 2005). In most developed nations, this industry is seen and used as a convenient tool for regulating the economy. However, the industry is yet to occupy its position in the Nigerian economy as a result of the numerous challenges facing it especially on its fragmentation (Obiegbu, 2004b). Professionals make decisions without considering how it affects others.

The level of the success achieved in the pursuit of these challenges will definitely reposition the construction process for relevance and as well redefine acceptable operating platform for efficient, effective, responsive and enduring service/product delivery (Nduka, 2005).

A change of mindset has been constantly advocated to increase productivity, value for money, quality and reduction of life cycle costs through the effective collaboration and communication between all stakeholders in construction projects (Nour, 2007). An integrated project delivery (Kim & Dossic, 2011) has also been advocated for this imminent change.

To improve on the fragmented nature of the industry where the design team is pitched against each other and ultimately against the construction team leading to information loss, Johnson and Laepple (2003) argued that advances in information and communication technology (ICT) will be a necessary tool to deal with the coordination issues. There have also been discussions on the importance of using ICT in Supply Chain Management but its acceptance has been minimal because it is perceived as being costly and tasking.

It is strongly believed that with ICT the problem of abandoned and incessant building collapse in Nigeria can be arrested. Fisher et al., (2006) noted that the construction industry has seen great improvements on the use of IT during the last three decades, the latest being Building Information Modeling (Eastman et al., 2011). Knowing that BIM is IT based, it is important to know that while most of the surveys on the use of IT have been carried out by highly developed European countries and Asian ―Tiger‖ economies, only the South African survey by Arif & Karam (2001) represents an emerging economy in Africa (Adebayo, 2007).

(2)

183

Just a few documented BIM case studies exist for developing economy. Hence this study attempts to;

a. Do a descriptive case study of BIM deployment on a project in Nigeria with a view to providing information that will advance the adoption of BIM in the construction practices of a developing economy. b.Show how waste reduction was achieved including

cost and time saving.

c. Examine the application of BIM in Nigeria and the effort made so far for its diffusion.

It is believed that the information provided by this study will chart a new course for the adoption and practice of BIM by construction practitioners even as it keeps evolving.

II. THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TODAY

The roles of construction participants during design and construction phases are usually fragmented in the Design-Bid-Build project delivery approach.

This hinders the collaborative gains that can be obtained from the involvement of the Builder or Contractor during the design phase. Since the transition from the hand crafted traditional practice, another factor that hinders effective collaboration among professionals is the widely used 2 Dimensional Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings produced by Architects and Engineers in their fragmented

form to relay designs to clients and contractors. Teicholz (2004) stated that the main causes of the lack of

labour productivity in the construction industry are related to its fragmented nature due to traditional project delivery approach, traditional use of 2D Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) technology and the size of construction firms. Since these drawings are not integrated, conflicts arise in the design information which eventually slows down labour productivity. The Quantity Surveyors are also affected since they will have to manually count and generate their take offs based on these 2D Computer Aided Design culture. This slows down design process and can eventually lead to error.

Even when 3D models are generated by Architects and Engineers; it is basically used for presentation purposes, making the generated model to lose the experience and input of the contractor at the design stage when the cost can be influenced. The reluctance of the design team sharing the models have also been attributed to the fear of intellectual property breach, risks and fears associated with misinterpreting model components.

The above constitute the problem of the traditional Design-Bid-Build approach and the need to make a shift.

III. PRACTICE BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING AND

CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE

Several authors, scholars, researchers and relevant organisations have attempted to define what Building Information Modeling (BIM) means. Yan and Damian (2008) described BIM as a powerful set of design management tools that have significant advantages over the entire building life cycle, particularly design, but also construction and facility management.

Autodesk (2004) in its white paper defined it as a

building design and documentation methodology

characterized by the creation and use of coordinated, internally consistent computable information about a building project in design and construction. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) defines BIM as ‗a model-based technology linked with a database of project information‘ while Agele (2012), Building Information Modeling is an approach to construction that supports the continuous and immediate availability of project design scope, schedule, and cost information that is of high quality, reliable, integrated.

These definitions agree BIM is an intelligent model

which will enhance the communication between

stakeholders in the construction industry but fails to recognize the importance of interoperability of the various BIM technologies.

Consultants and Building Professionals use BIM tools developed by different companies, so there is need to consider how the information from these different data sources can be merged into a single model. There is also a need to consider how the information from the sources will be managed around this single intelligent model and who manages that information.

These queries will mean that a more acceptable definition of BIM is considered and for this study Building Information Modeling (BIM) will be seen as the process and practice that produces an intelligent model which works within a system that allows the ease of information supply and extraction from the model to be managed by a BIM manager.

From the above it can be seen that a basic premise of BIM is collaboration by different stakeholders during different phases of project life cycle which makes it possible to insert, extract, update or modify information in the BIM process to support and reflect the roles of that stakeholder (NBIMS Project Committee, 2006).

(3)

184

Through this, an attempt is made to tell a story of how the project was conceived and carried out. For the purpose of this study the process of BIM application in a developing economy, is viewed to be hinged on the following;

• Organisational Framework • BIM Technological Infrastructure • BIM Team

IV. METHODOLOGY

This case study project was selected based on its compliance with the three (3) factors stated above upon which BIM application in a developing economy are anchored. The project was also carried out by Gribs Integrated Services Ltd, an organisation the researchers have working relationship with over some time. The project is located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Nigeria is economically grouped among the developing economies. As key participants in the project, this case study research data were obtained through direct observation.

V. CASE STUDY

The project is a 6 bedroom, 176 square metre residential building duplex with living room, kitchen, laundry and dining. It was designed as a structural frame building with sandcrete blocks used as non-load bearing partition walls (Fig 1). The owner, EverPraise Technologies Ltd is an indigenous oil servicing, engineering and fabrication company. The project was conceived to be the living apartment of the Managing Director. The Managing Director had attended training on Autodesk Inventor Professional. The client requested for a construction methodology that can enable him visualize and simulate the design before the construction. Hence, the project was an opportunity for the client to test a new way of deploying BIM opportunities for effective visualization and decision making.

Project Code – Unstable Phoenix

Owner – Everpraise Technologies Ltd Architect – Ark Consult

Engineer – Regillus Signiferi Nig. Ltd.

[image:3.612.334.554.129.287.2]

Contractor/Builder – Gribs Integrated Services Ltd.

FIG. 1- RESIDENTIAL BUILDING MODEL

A. Basic Considerations For BIM Application

1)BIM Organisational Framework: BIM organizational framework involves the vision of the contracting organisation with respect to BIM application. This vision extends to how such organisation is willing to apply BIM in a project. As the contractor, Gribs understood that the purpose of BIM application in the project was to move beyond visualization into determination of the physical properties of models, manufacturing information and simulations. The need to have real world construction data that can be inserted, retrieved and analysed were understood to be needed in the process. Since the client wanted to appreciate, visualize, explore and simulate the design before it is built, a critical factor in BIM applicable was already handled – client inertia. The need for protection of intellectual properties was also considered while it was also agreed that Gribs will produce the base model while the Architect and Engineer will build upon it. The model update and maintenance will be done by Gribs. Again, for interoperability and cost saving, it was agreed that Autodesk BIM tools will be used by all parties.

(4)

185

Ark Consult will use Revit Architecture for the project. We understood they had some acceptable level of competence in the use of the software and could meet with the design requirements. Since Revit Architecture has a bi-directional interoperability with other Autodesk software it was our best bet for the project.

It was also agreed that Regillus Signiferi Nig Ltd will prepare the relevant engineering models in Revit Structure and MEP since they were already in use and could easily be linked to other models for easy analysis and simulation.

Navisworks manage which supports BIM and schedule integration will be deployed by Gribs to aid the model update and maintenance role. Autodesk Navisworks Manage is capable of detecting model clashes while the Timeliner is used for simulating construction schedule. It is capable of linking Microsoft project and Primavera with Revit Architecture, Revit Structures and Revit MEP. These software were already available and were deployed. Based on the above criteria, Ark Consult and Regillus Signiferi Nig. Ltd were selected to be involved in the project.

3)BIM Team: This involves the personnel that will handle the BIM process. It is another factor that previous researchers have identified to affect the deployment of BIM by organisations. This entails the cost of training the staff that will deploy this BIM. Most times organisations are discouraged with the idea of staff training/retraining for fear of the staff leaving the organization resulting that some organisations require staff to sign a holding agreement before they can be trained.

For this project, staff training responsibility was sure to have been taken care of since the experience and expertise of the engaged organisations were assured.

B.Discussion

The case study project was packaged as a Design and Build contract and awarded to Gribs Integrated Services ltd by EverPraise Technologies ltd. The project was awarded based on the clients` desire for visualization, simulation and determination of the physical properties of the model. Gribs interfaced with the client in generating the brief and the preliminary design using Revit Architecture software.

Although much time was expended trying to harmonise the expectations of the client but it was worth it since it eliminated the need for future design alterations that could adversely affect the project in terms of cost and time. The preliminary design was finally agreed with the client and the base model generated

The preliminary design was passed on in Revit Architecture format to Arc Consult for visualization purposes since the agreement was that Autodesk BIM tools will be used by participants to communicate, collaborate and exchange information. Arc Consult was given 1 (one) week to deliver the rendered model using materials that can be sourced locally. While working on the model and during the review process it was observed that Arc Consult could not get model components developed by indigenous manufacturing firms with local specifications. The next option was to use alternative materials close to what can be sourced locally. Materials like cracked tiles were also snapped and mapped on the available models.

The original Revit Architecture file was also handed to Regillus Signiferi for the engineering designs. The structural analysis was done using Robot Structure while Revit Structure was used for structural modeling. The Mechanical design was also done using Revit MEP (Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing) software.

(5)

[image:5.612.69.266.187.361.2]

186

This study has shown how a deviation was made in the general practice of using BIM software for visualization purpose only. It was used for selection of locally sourced materials.

FIG. 2- CLASH DETECTION

C.Lessons Learned

Although Autodesk applications were used for this case study but there are a number of BIM compliant software in existence in Nigeria that can give professionals a good start in the race for the adoption of BIM in the country. These alternative software applications can also be linked with each other through the Industry Foundation Class (IFC) platform. What is required is the willingness to adopt the innovation and possibilities BIM presents.

The fear of changing how an organisation work should be eliminated since it is easy to gradually navigate from CAD culture to BIM. BIM can trickle down faster if clients are open to change and expect more innovative construction methods from professionals.

The early involvement of the contractor in the design phase including the use of clash detection functionality reduces project cost & time, eliminates waste and reduces request for information (RFI).

There is also an urgent need for indigenous manufacturers to develop BIM model components which will help in the selection of physical properties of machines that can be sourced locally.

VI. CONCLUSION

Professionals have little understanding of BIM, which has been a major problem with its adoption.

In this paper, an attempt has been made to explain the concept of BIM and the basic requirements needed for its adoption in a developing economy. Effort should be made

to adopt technological change using the varied

opportunities the ease of software access and training presents to us. A case study of BIM compliant project was shown while an explanation was made on how it was achieved. The resources within reach should be used to gradually move from the Computer Aided Designs (CAD) to the full adoption and implementation of BIM. For a successful construction project, the need to collaborate with all professionals at the design phase is clear and a necessity. Therefore, Design and Build procurement method should be encouraged. Else, a firm agreement should be reached between the professionals on intellectual property right to forestall a situation where designs are translated to other professionals in 2D format due to copyright issues.

REFERENCES

[1] Adebayo, A. 2007. An Investigation into the use of ICT in the Nigerian Construction Industry. School of Civil Engineering, Surveying and Construction, University of KwaZulu-Nata, Durban, South Africa

[2] Nduka, K.N. 2005. The Challenges facing Successful Building Project Delivery Process in Nigeria.The Builders` Focus, 30-32 (Oct. 2005)

[3] Autodesk, 2008. Improving Building Industry Results through Integrated Project Delivery and Building Information Modeling. Autodesk White paper on Integrated Project Delivery and Building Information Modeling, Autodesk Inc., CA.

[4] Mehmet, F.H. 2011. Benefits of Building Information Modelling for Construction Managers and BIM based scheduling; Published MSc thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Worchester Polytechnic Institute.

[5] Obiegbu, M.E. 2003. Building Development Process: A search for cohesiveness and teamwork. Presidential Reception Handbook, NIOB Anambra State Chapter publication, 12-25.

[6] Saka, N. and Mudi, A. 2007. Practices of challenges of supply chain management by building contracting firms in the Lagos Metropolitan Area. In: Boyd, D (Ed) Procs 23rd Annual ARCOM Conference, 3-5 September 2007, Belfast, UK, Association of Researchers in Construction Management, 777-768.

[7] Agele, J. Alufohai, 2012. Adoption of Building Information Modeling and Nigeria‘s Quest for project cost management. FIG Working Week 2012: Knowing to manage the territory, protect the environment, evaluate the cultural heritage, Rome, Italy, 6-10 (May 2012).