BIM Procurement Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

The term Building Information Modelling (BIM) refers to an expansive knowledge domain within the design, construction and operation (DCO) industry. The voluminous possibilities attributed to BIM represent an array of challenges that can be met through a systematic research and delivery framework spawning a set of performance assessment and improvement metrics. This article identifies five complementary components specifically developed to enable such assessment: (i) BIM capability stages representing transformational milestones along the implementation continuum; (ii) BIM maturity levels representing the quality, predictability and variability within BIM stages; (iii) BIM competencies representing incremental progressions towards and improvements within BIM stages; (iv) Organizational Scales representing the diversity of markets, disciplines and company sizes; and (v) Granularity Levels enabling highly targeted yet flexible performance analyses ranging from informal self-assessment to high-detail, formal organizational audits. This article explores these complementary components and positions them as a systematic method to understand BIM performance and to enable its assessment and improvement. A flowchart of the contents of this article is provided.

- by Bilal Succar and +1
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- BIM (Architecture), Building Information Modeling, Building Information Modeling (BIM) (Architecture), Interoperability

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a set of technologies, processes and policies enabling multiple stakeholders to collaboratively design, construct and operate a facility.
There are numerous challenges attributed to BIM adoption by industry and academia. These represent a number of knowledge gaps each warranting a focused investigation by domain researchers. This study does not isolate a single gap to address but espouses a holistic view of the knowledge problem at hand. It contributes to the discussion a set of conceptual constructs that clarify the knowledge structures underlying the BIM domain. It also introduces a number of practicable knowledge tools to facilitate BIM learning, assessment and performance improvement.
This study is delivered through complementary papers and appendices to answer two primary research questions. The first explores the knowledge structures underlying the BIM domain whilst the second probes how these knowledge structures can be used to facilitate the measurement and improvement of BIM performance across the construction industry.
To address the first question, the study identifies conceptual clusters underlying the BIM domain, develops descriptive taxonomies of these clusters, exposes some of their conceptual relationships, and then delivers a representative BIM framework. The BIM framework is composed of three-axes which represent the main knowledge structures underlying the BIM domain and support the development of functional conceptual models.
To address the second question, BIM framework structures are extended through additional concepts and tools to facilitate BIM performance assessment and development of individuals, organizations and teams. These additional concepts include competency sets, assessment workflows and measurement tools which can be used to assess and improve the BIM performance of industry stakeholders.
In addressing these research questions, a pragmatic approach to research design based on available literature and applicable theories has been adopted. By combining several research strategies, paradigms and methods, this study (1) generates several new conceptual structures (e.g. frameworks, models and taxonomies) which collectively clarify the knowledge structures underlying the BIM domain; and (2) develops a set of workflows and tools that facilitate BIM assessment, learning and performance improvement.
This study delivers an extendable knowledge structure upon which to build a host of BIM performance improvement initiatives and tools. As a set of complementary papers and appendices, the study presents a rich, unified yet multi-layered environment of conceptual constructs and practicable tools; supported by a common framework, a domain ontology and simplified visual representations. Individually, each paper introduces a new framework part or solidifies a previous one. Collectively, the papers form a cohesive knowledge engine that generates assessment systems, learning modules and performance improvement tools.

- by Bilal Succar and +1
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- Management Information Systems, Knowledge Models, Construction Management, Performance Based Assessment (Education)

and that the rethoric and visions associated with construction IT are sometimes distant from the reality of construction usage . This paper discusses the observation-participation method as a way to ground construction IT research in industry practice. This research methodology considers the industry as a point of departure, followed by examination of a case study using the observationparticipation method . In this methodology, the researcher is not merely a passive observer, but assumes a variety of roles within the case study and participates in the studied activities. The observation-participation method application to the case study offers the opportunity to see what others have not yet seen and allows gaining access to events and groups, which, in other ways, are innaccesible to scientific research. The researcher perceieves reality from the point of view of someone "in" the case study instead of someone "external" to it.

- by Luis Alarcón
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- Civil Engineering, Russian Studies, Information Technology, Research Methodology

This report probes the Building Information Modelling (BIM) for its perception in AEC industry and examines various definitions developed by the professionals involved in this field. It mainly concentrates on the Construction Management aspect of the industry, and what role BIM has to play within different procurement systems. The report examines major BIM applications with deep analysis on the usability and interoperability of the services. It further studies the methods of implementation of BIM and integration of standards covering a wide spectrum of services within AEC industry. The analysis is supported by the application of BIM technology on a live commercial project. The report concludes itself with the study on future uses of BIM.

- by Mohammad Imran
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- Building Information Modeling, Interoperability, Bim, IFC

This report summarises the findings of the Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) case study carried out as part
of SBEnrc Project 2.34 Driving Whole-of-life Efficiencies through BIM and Procurement. This case study is
one of three exemplar projects studied in order to complement Centre’s industry-focused research. The
aim was to identify indicators for measuring tangible and intangible benefits of Building Information
Modelling (BIM) across a project’s life-cycle in infrastructure and buildings.
The PCH is an AUD1.2 billion project carried out under a two-stage managing contract model between
the Government of Western Australia and John Holland. The project used BIM for the design and
construction of the hospital and has required a facilities management BIM model as a key deliverable.
The case study drew information from a series of interviews with BIM managers across different
stakeholders as well as project documentation.
The research identified 26 specific benefits from using BIM. Each benefit was then profiled based on the
information provided by the case study data. These benefits were enabled by 20 different tools and
processes related to BIM, including software tools as well as governance processes such as co-location
and frequent project team meeting.
Although one of the objectives of the case study was to identify BIM metrics currently used in this
project, only one metric was found at this stage of the project. However, 20 different metrics to
measure benefits from BIM were identified by interviewees as with potential for use in the future.
This case study also provided insight into challenges associated with implementing BIM in such complex
projects as well as issues related to procurement and asset management, along with lessons learned for
design, construction and asset managers.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) é uma nova abordagem para a gestão da informação em projeto, construção e gestão da edificação. Baseia-se numa representação digital do edifício, a qual pode ser utilizada para gerar modelos 4D de alternativas de processos de construção. Este artigo relata os principais resultados de uma pesquisa que investigou o uso da modelagem 4D para apoiar a tomada de decisão na gestão de sistemas de produção. Quatro estudos de caso foram realizados em diferentes empresas de construção na cidade de Porto Alegre, Brasil, envolvidas no desenvolvimento e construção de projetos de edificações residenciais. As principais conclusões do estudo referem-se aos benefícios do uso de modelos 4D na gestão do sistema de produção.

Professional, organisational and educational institutions have started to adopt BIM software tools and adapt their existing delivery systems to satisfy evolving market requirements. To enable individuals within these organisations to develop their BIM abilities, it is important to identify the BIM competencies that need to be learned, applied on the job, and measured for the purposes of performance improvement. Expanding upon previous research, this paper focuses on individual BIM competencies, the building blocks of organisational capability. The paper first introduces several taxonomies and conceptual models to clarify how individual competencies may be filtered, classified, and aggregated into a seed competency inventory. Competency items are then fed into a specialised knowledge engine to generate flexible assessment tools, learning modules and process workflows. Finally, the paper discusses the many benefits this competency-based approach brings to industry and academia, and ex...

- by Tony Williams
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- Engineering, Building Information Modeling, Bim, BIM Education

- by Bilal Succar and +2
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- Building Information Modeling, Building Information Modeling (BIM) (Architecture), Interoperability, Bim

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a trendy topic, and rightly so. It is a new approach for the use of data and information in the construction industry which will have a huge impact, affecting not only how built assets are designed and constructed, but how they are operated too. As the application of BIM is evolving rapidly, perspectives on BIM vary and may cause confusion. The whitepaper that we have produced aims to address these concerns and clarify the key benefits of BIM according to ARCADIS.

PhD Fellow) is a PhD student in project planning and management besides being a part time lecturer in a number of universities in Kenya. He is a freelance researcher and runs a research firm in Kenya. He can be reached at any time for research work, data analysis, interpretation and data management, journals development and publishing etc. Contact: martinotundo@gmail.com, +254721246744 FOUNDATION INSTRUCTIONS: In this assignment you will integrate procurement tasks into a project. Consider the given case study (Procuring textiles made from recycled fibres: Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (MODNL); PDF file) and answer the following questions: 1. Explain each part of the "Flowchart for Optimal Utilization of Market Intelligence to Address Sourcing Challenges".

BIM concepts and tools have now proliferated across the construction industry. This is evidenced by the comparative results of BIM adoption rates reported through a number of industry surveys. However these surveys typically cover a small number of industry stakeholders; are intended to establish adoption rates by organizations rather than markets; and are unsupported by theoretical frameworks to guide data collection and analysis. Based on a published theoretical framework, this paper proposes three metrics to augment survey data and help establish the overall BIM maturity of countries. These metrics apply to noteworthy BIM publications (NBP)s and assess their BIM knowledge content (BKC). NBPs are publically-available industry documents intended to facilitate BIM adoption; while BKCs are specialized labels (e.g. report, manual, and contract) used to describe NBP contents. The three metrics – NBP availability, NBP content distribution, and NBP relevance - are applied in assessing the knowledge deliverables of three countries – United States, United Kingdom and Australia - chosen for their similar construction culture and active BIM scene. The paper then discusses how these complementary metrics can inform policy development and identify market-wide knowledge gaps.

- by Bilal Succar and +1
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- BIM (Architecture), Building Information Modeling, Building Information Modeling (BIM) (Architecture), Interoperability

Public and private procurers around the world are either mandating or encouraging the adoption of BIM within their construction sectors and projects. For example, in the UK, BIM (i.e., 'BIM Level 2') is mandatory on all government centrally procured projects. 'BIM Level 2' is a collaborative way of working, in which 3D models with the required data are created in separate discipline models according to a set of guides, standards and specifications. Mandating BIM Level 2 required the development of a range of guides, standards and specifications 1. These policy documents are intended to guide and facilitate the adoption of BIM by the project supply chain. They are considered complex as evidenced from the large amounts of requirements included within each of them and from the strenuous discussions around their implementation in professional networks and specialised blogs. Tools for assessing the compliance of project activities and deliverables these against requirements of these policy documents do not exist. This research proposes a tool, which enables a project team to determine the compliance of project activities and deliverables with BIM Level 2 policy documents at every phase of the project lifecycle. The tool was built by extracting all requirements from the policy documents. This paper will present the tool and demonstrate its application in a case study. The results show that the proposed tool can help in assessing the compliance of project activities with the policy documents and in simplifying their complexity. The two limitations of this research include the following: a) the used requirements were added to the matrix without any prior processing (e.g. semantic and ontological development); and b) an assumption was made that the policy documents used to build the matrix are trustworthy despite several of them are still at the specification stage – a stage that precedes their conversion into standard – and are untested from research perspective.

- by Mohamad Kassem and +2
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- BIM (Architecture), Facility Management, Building Information Modeling, Building Information Modeling (BIM) (Architecture)

BIM application on construction projects is a potential risk that must be managed. Risk factors in construction projects will also increase with the extent of BIM application due to the challenges associated with BIM application. Managing the risk of BIM application on projects and the realisation of BIM value depends on the appropriate use of BIM. Several studies have identified the balance between BIM value, project characteristics, and BIM application as a way of mitigating the risk of BIM application on projects. However, frameworks or models providing the balance between the BIM value, project characteristics, and BIM application are scarce. Hence, using a meta-synthesis of relevant studies, this study proposes a strategic and contingent BIM application model for construction projects. The strategic part of the model entails the determination of BIM value and BIM effectiveness on a construction project by using appropriate BIM tools and processes for the project. The contingent part of the model involves the use of project complexity to determine the project expectations. The model turns into a strategic and contingent application of BIM on construction projects by matching the extent of BIM application to the level of project complexity. The model presents unique attributes for characterising BIM-based construction projects and provides a guide and research focus for case studies of BIM-based construction projects. Also, the model will make it easier to plan and manage BIM-based construction projects as well as enable a widespread application of BIM tools and processes.

Building information modeling (BIM) is one of the most significant developments in the construction industry, as it introduces new technologies, processes, and interactions into practice. Prior research shows that there is an increasing interest among practitioners and academics to assess maturity, productivity, and performance of BIM implementation. This suggests that as BIM adoption grows, the need for BIM implementation assessment arises to facilitate monitoring, measuring, and improving BIM practices. However, so far, no single study has comprehensively reviewed and reported the existing approaches, metrics, and criteria used for assessing BIM practices. This study aims to review and analyze the literature and synthesize existing knowledge relevant to the topic. The author develops a thematic framework of BIM aspects, BIM goals, and performance evaluation trends to define grounds for assessing BIM implementation. Based on the framework, this research analyzed a total number of 97 references (selected out of 322 studies) to identify, extract, and classify metrics/criteria used for assessing BIM implementation. This study has practical implications for developing future BIM maturity models and BIM assessment tools as it synthesizes the existing developments on this topic, highlights gaps and limitations in metric-based BIM assessment, and provides recommendations for further research and developments.

Substantial impacts through BIM implementation may be achieved throughout all stages of the construction process. The paper measures BIM use throughout the project lifecycle, confirming BIM is most often used in the early stages with progressively less use in the latter stages. This research demonstrates via 92 responses from a sample of BIM users that collaboration aspects produce the highest positive impact. The process aspects are more important than the software technology. BIM necessitates investment in software and training however, smaller practices can afford it. Stakeholder financial benefits are ranked concluding that clients benefit most financially from BIM followed by Facilities Managers. Despite this, over 70% do not provide a 3D model and Cobie dataset at the conclusion of a project. Identification of Key Performance Indicators currently being used for BIM is provided and findings indicate a lack of industry expertise and training providing an opportunity for education providers.

- by Mike Browne
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- Engineering, BIM (Architecture), Bim, Automation and robotics in Construction

Building Information Model is developed by integrating all information from project team members at each stage into a single repository that can easily be deposited, retrieved, edited and shared. Collaboration between the designers and builders is necessary to confirm the correctness of the design intent and concept before commencing the construction process. This study examined the specific roles of builders by examining the information required from builders in Building Information Modelling (BIM) processes. A total of 132 questionnaires filled by the respondents were used for analysis using the Relative Importance Index. The findings show that the role of builders in BIM is the coordination of 3-dimensional (3D) models and the simulation of the construction programme and construction methodology. The study concludes that the specific roles of builders in BIM processes are to detect information clashes and simulate the construction process in a sequential order.

The built environment industry worldwide is facing significant external pressures such as increased competition, higher owner expectations, rapidly changing technology and skill shortages. Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been identified as a socio-technical system that can be used to improve team communication throughout the project life-cycle, produce better outcomes, reduce rework, lower risk, provide better predictability of outcomes and improve operation and maintenance of an asset, among other benefits. Within this context, proactively establishing quality improvement cycles based on standardised work processes and corresponding measures of effectiveness will ensure better project outcomes. These outcomes can be driven by continuously improving systems and active monitoring. This paper introduces a methodology for developing a whole-of-life asset management strategy for delivering value with BIM across the life-cycle of built assets. It also presents a framework to assess progress towards value-driven goals.

In this paper the Open Source IFC model server project bimserver.org is introduced. A brief overview of existing
IFC toolkits and model servers both as commercial applications as well as research prototypes is given. An
implementation-independent meta-model from current IFC STEP EXPRESS schemas is generated and used as a
venture point for a database persistency framework. A model server application is introduced that is based on this
framework which enables the storage, maintenance and query of IFC based building information models for the
collaboration among different stakeholders

This theory paper probes the intersections of Lean, Mass Production and conventional Construction, Lean Construction, the Simple Framework for Integrating Project Delivery model, and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC). The authors argue that Toyota recognized that integration was necessary to achieve the goal of global optimization in design and production and that this imperative confronts Lean Construction today. They briefly describe the Simple Framework for Integrating Project Delivery as a system model to achieve the high level of integration required to deliver a valuable, high-performing building. Then they focus on how VDC fits within and enables the Simple Framework model, explaining each element of VDC and how project teams can leverage it to consistently deliver high-performing buildings.

- by Leonardo Rischmoller and +2
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- BIM (Architecture), Building Information Modeling (BIM) (Architecture), BIM Education, BIM/IPD Specialists

the construction industry despite the significant attempts to promote it.
Design/methodology/approach: This paper framed and compared the normative model of COBie to a descriptive model of COBie. The normative model was based on the assumptions and planned procedures outlined in the COBie documentation. The descriptive model was developed through a case study of COBie implementation, with ethnographic observations, interviews, and artifact analysis as the data collection methods and thematic analysis as the data analysis method.
Findings: The comparative analysis of the normative and descriptive models showed that the underlying normative assumptions of COBie can be challenged in its implementation. In the case study, implementing COBie disrupted the conventional practice of few participating firms as the data requirements and the expected sequences and timelines of tasks were not aligned with the industry norms for exchanging data. Furthermore, the normative model of COBie could not account for the unanticipated variability in the internal routines of firms for submittal production.
Practical implications: COBie, as an instruction-based model, may not provide enough flexibility for some firms to adapt to its requirements such that COBie tasks become integrated with their existing workflows. COBie tasks may become additional efforts, and at times, conflict with the industry norms and firms’ routines, and therefore, disrupt the efficiency goals.
Originality/value: This paper provides empirical evidence to clarify why implementing COBie has not been as efficient for all industry players as expected.

- by Hamid Abdirad and +1
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- Architecture, Construction Technology, Construction Management, BIM (Architecture)

Construction industry has recognized BIM implementation as a best practice that provides a new set of processes and technologies in construction projects. Despite the significant growth in BIM adoption and research on technological aspects of BIM, far too little attention has been paid to research on BIM contracting. So far, two industry leading organizations (AIA and AGC) have developed standard forms of agreement for BIM contracting. However, many projects have incorporated custom manuscripts to satisfy their special contractual needs, but the existing literature has not dealt with these industry-wide trends of BIM contracting. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine custom developed contracts in order to trace the advances in BIM contracting. This research demonstrates that there are several areas of importance in that standard forms have not addressed them. These include but are not limited to (1) requirements for BIM process inputs (e.g. BIM staff competencies), (2) requirements for BIM process management (e.g. BIM quality assurance and quality control, a metric based BIM processing assessment), (3) requirements for information modeling (e.g. landscape, facility management), and (4) requirements for data security (e.g. corruption of files, and data misuse). This study has practical implications for BIM contracting practices and future developments of inclusive BIM standard agreements.

- by Inga Kjartansdottir
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- BIM (Architecture), BIM Education, BIM/IPD Specialists, BIM Procurement

Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools and workflows continue to proliferate within the Design, Construction and Operation (DCO) industry. Professional, organizational and educational institutions alike have started to adopt BIM software tools and adapt their existing delivery systems to satisfy evolving market requirements. Individuals within these organizations and institutions need to respond to industry's evolution to collaborative modelling and integrated workflows by acquiring relevant conceptual knowledge and practical skills. To enable individuals to develop their abilities, it is important to identify the BIM competencies that need to be learned, applied on the job, and measured for the purposes of performance improvement. Expanding upon previous organizational capability research, this paper focuses on individual competencies, the building blocks of organizational capability and the main ingredients of competitive advantage. The paper first introduces individuals as agents in a multi-agent system and then explores the meaning of the term competency, dissecting it to generate an integrated definition of individual BIM competencies. Several taxonomies and conceptual models are explored to clarify how individual competencies may be filtered, classified, and aggregated into a seed competency inventory. Competency items are then fed into a specialized knowledge engine to generate flexible assessment tools, learning modules and process workflows. The paper then discusses the many benefits this competency-based approach brings to industry and academia, including a BIM competency management system, a knowledge-base for BIM education, training and professional development, and a BIM competency certification and accreditation regime. Finally the paper explores future conceptual research and tool development efforts to enable industry-wide BIM performance assessment and improvement.

- by Bilal Succar
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- Engineering, Building Information Modeling, Competency, Bim

This research is focused on realizing productivity benefits for the delivery of
transport infrastructure in the Australian construction industry through the use of building
information modeling (BIM), virtual design and construction (VDC) and integrated project
delivery (IPD). Specific objectives include: (I) building an understanding of the institutional
environment, business systems and support mechanisms (e.g., training and skilling) which
impact on the uptake of BIM/VDC; (II) gathering data to undertake a cross-country
analysis of these environments; and (III) providing strategic and practical outcomes to guide
the uptake of such processes in Australia. Activities which will inform this research include
a review of academic literature and industry documentation, semi-formal interviews in
Australia and Sweden, and a cross-country comparative analysis to determine factors
affecting uptake and associated productivity improvements. These activities will seek to
highlight the gaps between current-practice and best-practice which are impacting on
widespread adoption of BIM/VDC and IPD. Early findings will be discussed with intended
outcomes of this research being used to: inform a national public procurement strategy;
provide guidelines for new contractual frameworks; and contribute to closing skill gaps.

- by Luis Alarcon
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- Civil Engineering, Russian Studies, Information Technology, Research Methodology

In order to promote interoperability through IFC-enabled design tools it is necessary to build confidence in the ability of the available design tools. To date the potential user of such design tools would be reliant upon the promotional material put out by the design tool vendor and the fact that they have been certified against a particular version of the IFC by the IAI. Research over the last five years has shown that it is not sufficient to rely upon the claims of vendors or the fact that a design tool has been certified against a particular standard. In a very large organisation there may be the resources and expertise available to undertake in-house testing of design tools to ensure they work sufficiently for the required purpose. However, this is beyond the means of the majority of organisations in the industry.

- by Robert Amor and +1
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- Building Information Modeling, Interoperability, Bim, IFC

The public construction sector has recently started to put more effort into cost savings and improvement of efficiency. Therefore, public clients have started to promote new strategies, embracing innovative approaches such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and e-Procurement. Tendering plays a key role for the success of the overall process; however, the selection of the best contractor is still a difficult task. The paper investigates how tendering can be integrated with Model Checking in order to control the compliance between the client’s requirements and bidders’ offers within a digital environment. The research shows that, although the BIM is still not widely adopted in tendering procedures, Model Checking tools are already available to support the jury, as well as bidders. Moreover, even though BIM can be implemented in several procurement procedures, it is more effective if a collaborative and integrated behaviour is promoted. Results can help increase public clients’ awareness of the limits and potentials of an innovative approach and to set BIM requirements and guidelines.

- by Marzia Bolpagni and +1
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- Model Checking, BIM (Architecture), E-Procurement, Building Information Modeling (BIM) (Architecture)

The traditional construction project performance indicators are no longer the sole determinant of the performance of construction projects, firms, and actors because other construction performance indicators and factors such as Building Information Modelling are increasingly becoming important and relevant. This paper identifies a comprehensive set of construction project performance indicators, and it establishes a new, integrated, model for evaluating construction performance. The model uses ten types of performance indicators and four types of performance factors for Building Information Modelling-based construction projects. The result of the study is a set of comprehensive construction project performance indicators that are useful in enhancing the performance of construction firms, projects, and actors. The paper concludes with recommendations for the development of relative weightings and measurement models for the indicators and the development of measurement models for the various components of construction project performance indicators and Building Information Modelling performance indicators in future studies.

- by oluseye olugboyega and +1
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- BIM (Architecture), Building Information Modeling, Building Information Modeling (BIM) (Architecture), BIM Education

Se otorga permiso para copiar, Distribuir y/o modificar este Documento bajo los términos de la Licencia de Documentación Libre GNU, Versión 1.1 o cualquier otra versión posterior publicada por la Free Software Foundation; sin Secciones... more

- by Juan Enrique Nieto Julián and +2
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- BIM (Architecture), Building Information Modeling (BIM) (Architecture), BIM Education, BIM-technology

Opportunities offered by the explosion of Information Technology (IT) tools are not being adequately used to solve productivity, schedule, cost and quality problems faced by the design and construction of industrial projects.
The Computer Advanced Visualization Tools (CAVT) concept defined as “the collection of all the necessary tools, which allow for the visual representation of the ends and the means of AEC/EPC needed to accomplish an AEC/EPC design and construction project” was developed and its impact in the design process of industrial projects was described as an answer to the stated problem.
The research was carried out using the observation-participation method in which the industry became a laboratory that offered the opportunity to have access to events and groups that are not commonly accessible to scientific research.
The design process was studied considering the state of the art about production principles applied to the construction industry through the Lean Construction approach. This allowed the ability to model, analyze, understand and describe the design process, providing and adequate framework to study the impact of CAVT which is presented mainly considering activities that add value to the design process.
The research led to discover change patterns and trends in the design process of industrial projects that can lead to obtain benefits in terms of cost and schedule reduction, and productivity, quality and safety increase in construction industry projects.

Information Technologies being used by the AEC industry are numerous. From fax machines to internet communications, from office automation software to advanced CAD applications, from laser sensors to automated data acquisition; all these technologies deal with information within the AEC industry. All these technologies reduce or replace human efforts, either physical or mental and have a profound effect on the AEC industry. The study of IT applications in construction is however, still a young field of research, still struggling to define its place within the large family of academic disciplines (Bjork, 99). This paper presents results of research about IT in construction. The focus of the paper are CAVT applied to the design and construction planning processes at the project operational level. Within the AEC industry we need to represent not only the visual animation information, but also the underlying information about facility components and activities (Kunz et al, 99). In that sense CAVT definition involves more than graphical representation features. A wider definition of CAVT is presented, involving their ability to visualize information regarding the ends (Product Models) and means (Process Models) for AEC project process development. Computer Graphics issues, central to CAVT in the AEC industry are overviewed and briefly discussed in this paper. Demand for higher quality displays and limitations of existing interfaces, powerful and affordability of new processors and software capabilities, and interoperability needs are discussed. Information Technology for the AEC industry involves the integration of all product development processes and the management of the information flow between them, irrespective of the data models chosen in the different implementations of one and the same process (Scherer, 94). Product and Process Modeling are the main topics related with the former approach, that have gained more attention in the last years within IT research in the AEC industry. Central to Product Models is the visual representation of the project product, commonly associated to some 3D CAD modeling effort. Different approaches have extended the "physical" representation of the project product, to include not only geometric information within it, but also the relying data which support the different activities during the several phases involved in an AEC project. This paper extends this approach to what will be defined as the Digital Reality. Process Modeling has been trying to represent the detailed tasks and transformation of specific entities among simultaneous activities oriented to complete a design into a constructed facility within AEC industry. Construction process modeling in form of 4D models is presented in this paper as the technology that will trigger the major changes expected from CAVT impact. The research is mainly based in the application of CAVT to a real project by an Engineering and Construction company which design stage is currently near 70% advanced. Three main processes were studied in the case project during the design phase: (1) 3D Modeling Design, (2) Constructability and (3) Construction Planning and Scheduling. The description of the impact of CAVT to these processes is described in this paper, and it is the main source from which insights presented in this paper come from.

- by Leonardo Rischmoller
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- Civil Engineering, Architecture, Visualization, Research Methodology

Mass customization is one of the most promising computational developments in the AEC industry. Despite recent advances in the production of research-based knowledge, the professional practices lack of a consistent and permanent technology adoption scheme and remain as a very resilient and fragmented industry. This work is a part of an ongoing research project developing guidelines for improving both physical and virtual modeling processes within an architectural design context. Here, we present a customizable model of a space layout explorer. The implementation of the user-driven solution-finding process is based on constraint technology embedded in Autodesk’s Revit® 2011 macros tools, commonly used in the professional practice. The aim of this work is to demonstrate a practical use of a small constraint-based system on software of widespread use. Even though there is still a lack of building information, the model has already several applications in the definition a floor plan lay...

- by Johannes Dimyadi
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- Building Information Modeling, Interoperability, Bim, IFC

Data management has been one of the most interesting research fields within the smart city framework over the last years, with the aim of optimizing energy saving at district level. This topic involves the creation of a 3D city model considering heterogeneous datasets, such as Building Information Models (BIMs), Geographical Information Systems (GISs) and System Information Models (SIMs), taking into account both buildings and the energy network. Through the creation of a common platform, the data sharing was allowed starting from the needs of the users, such as the public administrator, the building manager and the energy professional. For this reason, the development of a District Information Modelling (DIM) methodology for the data management, related to the energy saving and CO2 emission, is considered the focus of this paper. It also presents a specific tool developed for the comparison of energy data in a selected district: the Benchmarking Tool.

In recent years, the research about energy waste and CO2 emission reduction has gained a strong momentum, also pushed by European and national funding initiatives. The main purpose of this large effort is to reduce the effects of greenhouse emission, climate change to head for a sustainable society. In this scenario, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) play a key role. From one side, advances in physical and environmental information sensing, communication and processing, enabled the monitoring of energy behaviour of buildings in real-time. The access to this information has been made easy and ubiquitous thank to Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices and protocols. From the other side, the creation of digital repositories of buildings and districts (i.e. Building Information Models-BIM) enabled the development of complex and rich energy models that can be used for simulation and prediction purposes. As such, an opportunity is emerging of mixing these two information categories to either create better models and to detect unwanted or inefficient energy behaviours. In this paper, we present a software architecture for management and simulation of energy behaviours in buildings that integrates heterogeneous data such as BIM, IoT, GIS (Geographical Information System) and meteorological services. This integration allows: i) (near-) real-time visualisation of energy consumption information in the building context and ii) building performance evaluation through energy modelling and simulation exploiting data from the field and real weather conditions. Finally, we discuss the experimental results obtained in a real-world case-study.

- by Edoardo Patti and +1
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- BIM (Architecture), Building Information Modeling, Energy Efficiency Buildings, Building Energy Simulation

The AEC/FM industry has benefited from the innovative integration of information technologies and industry-wide processes in different lifecycle stages of facilities. Building Information Modeling (BIM), as one of these innovations, is fast becoming a key approach to virtually integrate the required information for facility design, construction, and management. So far, applications and benefits of using BIM tools and processes in building design and construction have been documented in research. However, landscape design and construction practice is underrated in current BIM developments and in integrated design-construction practices, and it has not benefited from the advantages BIM provides to the industry at different scales. This could result in a critical challenge, as BIM implementation and information modeling are becoming mandatory in many projects in public and private sectors, and the gap still exists in the processes of collaboration and information exchange between the landscape design and construction practice and other disciplines. As an early step to mitigate this challenge, this study shows that recent advances in BIM, COBie, information-exchange schemas (e.g. IFC), and taxonomies such as OmniClass have shortcomings in addressing landscape and hardscape elements and attributes. This challenge limits asset-management capabilities, and leads the practice to inefficient operations, more manual processes, and costly knowledge development and exchange. These findings have important implications for revising and updating existing taxonomies to support more automated information development and exchange processes.

Practitioners and construction management researchers lack believable and practical methods to assess the value proposition of emerging methods such as Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) including understanding how different levels of implementation affect its benefits. Furthermore, current methods of understanding VDC implementation and benefits cannot be updated easily to incorporate new data. This paper presents a Bayesian framework to predict benefits from application of Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) given data about its implementation. We analyzed data from 40 projects that performed some formal modeling of the project scope and/or the construction process. The analysis suggests that more extensive or higher levels of VDC implementation lead to higher project benefits. We explain the use of a Bayesian framework as an alternative to the application of classical probability theory to construction management research, how we used it to interpret data about VDC practice and outcomes, our finding that benefits have strong positive contingent correlation with the level of VDC implemented on projects, and our suggestion to use the method to update conclusions about benefits given changing data about implementation and outcomes.

- by Leonardo Rischmoller
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- Management, Civil Engineering, Mathematical Statistics, Probability Theory

This is a "German Version" of the "BIM and FM - Switzerland Survey"
The Survey forms part of the Research for a PhD research project undertaken by Simon Ashworth with Liverpool John Moores University. The woek was done with the Zurich University of Applied SCiences and IMFA members in Switzerland to help establish a benchmark regarding the current perception of BIM and FM in Switzerland. The results show how Facility Managers and other experts in Switzerland perceive BIM and how it will impact on the FM industry in the future.

This Survey forms part of the Research for a PhD research project undertaken by Simon Ashworth with Liverpool John Moores University. The woek was done with the Zurich University of Applied SCiences and IMFA members in Switzerland to help establish a benchmark regarding the current perception of BIM and FM in Switzerland. The results show how Facility Managers and other experts in Switzerland perceive BIM and how it will impact on the FM industry in the future.

The need for Building Information Model (BIM) servers to facilitate collaboration has been repeatedly
reported in literature and stated by industry practitioners. To date, only a few commercial
implementations of model servers are available. However, these applications are either limited to vendorspecific, proprietary data models or their complexity and pricing structure imposes a considerable
threshold to their adoption by SMEs. The academic, standardization and development communities suffer
a lack of open platforms that allows the integration and evaluation of research results and prototypes in a
larger context. Although promising efforts aiming the creation of free and open platforms for a larger
audience have been made in the past (Kiviniemi et al, 2005), none of these initiatives is still in existence
to date.
In this paper we report on the progress of the bimserver.org project, a collective effort to create a software
framework that serves both as an open, low-cost entry into collaboration using shared building models for
SMEs and as a test bed for research and development. We introduce conceptual, methodological and
implementation specific advancements that have been made compared to earlier publications. Based on a
series of interviews and a survey we report on user experiences that have been made by a diverse
audience of architectural, engineering, project management companies as well as educational projects in
academic environments and third party developers.
A discussion of future research and development directions concludes this paper. Among these
prospective additions to the framework are customizations and tailored solutions of external parties that
use the open nature of the platform to suit their specific needs.

When designing construction objects, different disciplines have to collaborate intensively. Each
discipline is responsible for its own contribution to the overall design. However, when the partial
designs are combined, objects from different disciplines might occupy the same position in space or
'clash'. Such a clash will often be noticed during the construction process requiring a lot of extra time
and cost.
Using 3D visualization, it is possible to combine the partial designs of all partners and find the
clashing objects visually in an early stage. However, when the complexity of a construction project
increases, a clash easily stays unnoticed. Besides, much more time is needed for inspecting a complex
design. Therefore, an algorithm to discover clashes will be more reliable and efficient.
Clash detection techniques are already available in 3D graphics (referred to as 'collision
detection’). There are a great number of methods described on the internet on how to perform this
collision detection. All these methods are based on describing objects in terms of 3D shapes, but do
not take into account the structure/hierarchy of objects that is common in construction projects.
In the AEC industry, the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) open standard holds this structure next
to the 3D shape of building objects. By using the IFC standard to perform clash detection on
construction models, the structure of objects can be utilized, resulting in a much higher performance.
This paper will demonstrate how to combine the best collision detection methods with the structure
provided by IFC, making clash detection fast enough to be used inside a real time environment like a
server. This clash detection is currently implemented in the IFC Engine viewer developed by TNO,
and works on models opened from their open-source BIMserver (Building Information Model) where
the collaboration starts. The next step would be integrating the clash detection inside the server.

Este trabajo presenta una parte de la investigación sobre el impacto del uso de Herramientas Avanzadas de Visualización Computacional (CAVT Computer Advanced Visualization Tools), en el diseño de proyectos de Arquitectura, Ingeniería y Construcción (AEC Architecture, Engineering and Construction), y en los procesos de planificación de la construcción. La investigación se realiza en un marco de colaboración entre la empresa Bechtel Chile Ltda y la Universidad Católica de Chile. Las CAVT se identifican como herramientas fundamentales provistas por las Tecnologías de la Información (TI) y son definidas, en sentido amplio, en términos de su característica fundamental de proveer la habilidad para visualizar los fines (modelos de Productos) y medios (modelos de Procesos) para el diseño de proyectos AEC y los procesos de planificación de la construcción. La investigación se basa en el estudio de las CAVT aplicadas por una Empresa de Ingeniería y Construcción en un proyecto de la vida real (caso de estudio), apoyada por fundamentos teóricos y contactos con expertos en TI en la industria de la construcción (TIC). El proyecto en estudio se diseñó totalmente en tres dimensiones-3D (Primer proyecto en 3D en América Latina) utilizando el software Plant Design System (PDS), un poderoso Sistema de Diseño de Plantas proporcionado por Intergraph, Inc. El software DesignReview (también proporcionado por Intergragh) brinda capacidades de visualización avanzadas para la visualización del modelo PDS 3D, y la tecnología de modelamiento y simulaciones en 4D se aplicaron a las tareas de planificación y programación del proyecto en estudio. El tema de la gráfica computacional se revisa y se analiza brevemente como una tecnología central a las CAVT en la industria AEC. El trabajo plantea que el conocimiento sobre modelación de Productos y Procesos que proviene de la comunidad académica, es, por lo general, pasado por alto o desarrollado en forma tácita en la práctica industrial, guiado más por el sentido común, que por una aproximación ordenada basada en técnicas, metodologías o prototipos que provienen de la comunidad académica. Se presenta y analiza la Realidad Digital(DR Digital Reality), como el paso que sigue a los modelos de productos en 3D y el modelamiento en 4D se identifica como la tecnología que gatillará los cambios fundamentales previstos debido al impacto de las CAVT según se describe en este trabajo. El grado en que las CAVT se están utilizando en el proyecto en estudio proporciona enormes beneficios a la compañía que las aplica. Sin embargo, los resultados de la investigación nos llevan a concluir que aún cuando las CAVT sean ya una realidad, la industria AEC no les está sacando todo el partido que debiera. Se necesita una aproximación más directa de la comunidad académica y de la práctica de las empresas de AEC que pueda revertir esta situación, beneficiando tanto a la industria como a la investigación. Las principales percepciones de esta investigación que se derivan del estudio de la aplicación práctica de las CAVT demuestran el enfoque anterior, lo cual debería llevar a que el mayor impacto de las CAVT vaya más allá de las actuales bien conocidas mejoras, para dar lugar a un insospechado avance en la industria AEC.

A leading, international, engineering and construction company has carried out efforts to engage a new tool set and work process. is the new work process that aims toward better, more efficient planning and execution of large construction projects. This paper describes the case history and forecasts how this revitalized technique may ultimately impact the construction industry. Despite academic and practitioners' research and development efforts to leverage from Information Technology (IT) in construction, the industry at large, being generally conservative, has adhered to the values of predictability and existing methods to minimize risk. 4D technology has struggled to find its way into mainstream construction practice for several years, and just recently it has been shown that commercially available software and hardware can be applied effectively toward this end, greatly reducing investment risk. These relatively new tools promise new impetus to the use of 4D-PS in the construction industry. This paper describes how 4D-PS was applied on a major construction project, giving rise to a new work process that proved to be productive and cost effective. Emphasis is made on the fact that those expected to use such technology must have the necessary training and, conversely, near-future versions of computerized tools can be made more intuitive for more widespread use. The use of such techniques will necessarily draw engineering/design and construction entities closer together, essentially improving coordination among them.

- by Luis Alarcon
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- Engineering, Civil Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Engineering