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Building Information Modelling (BIM): From Theories to Practices

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2020) | Viewed by 25132

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Dr. Stephen Paul Coates

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Guest Editor

School of Science, Engineering & Environment, Room 408, Maxwell Building, University of Salford, Salford, UK
Interests: BIM; HBIM; BIM education; applied technology; innovation and change management
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Special Issue related to "Building Information Modelling (BIM): From Theories to Practices"

The use of Building Information Modelling continues to expand as the preferred method of delivering projects in the built environment. This represents a transition from the use of drawings and documents to a creation, delivery, and recording system based on graphical/data constructs integrated with collaborative practices in a common data environment. This object-oriented approach enables multiple forms of representation, allowing new forms of data analytics and insight. The ongoing development in the computer sciences and associated frontend technologies mean that it is appropriate to re-evaluate the theoretical basis of BIM and also its potential to provide a foundation for other systems of task and activity augmentation. BIM, although data-centric, can be seen as the starting point in the development of knowledge and intelligent systems. Developments in AI, VR, IOT, block chain and GIS all offer new questions about the future development of BIM.

The Special Issue, entitled "Building Information Modelling (BIM): From Theories to Practices" offers an opportunity to re-evaluate the theoretical basis underpinning BIM and also to consider BIM’s role in a digitally emerging world.

Dr. Stephen Coates
Guest Editor

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Keywords

BIM
BIM Theory
Emerging BIM Practice
BIM and Data Science
BIM and Knowledge Management
AI
Virtual and Augmented Systems
BIM and Blockchain
BIM and GIS

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 10133 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Testing as-Built Quality of Free-Form Panels: Lessons Learned from a Case Study and Mock-up Panel Tests

by Jong-Ho Ock

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1439; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11041439 - 5 Feb 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2218

Abstract

Constructing free-form buildings is very complex due to the difficulty in fabricating the curved façade. To install the façade, the complex geometric shapes of the façade need to be divided into panels. The panels developed are classified into three categories in terms of their curvatures, i.e., planar, single-curved, double-curved panels. The quality of the curved façade is determined by the geometric difference between as-built and as-designed panel shapes. Among the three types of curved panels, the double-curved panel is very difficult to form, showing greater quality discrepancy than the other two panel types. Ensuring the as-built quality of the curved façade is for contractors. The main objective of this study is to enhance small/mid-size contractors’ capacity of managing the as-built quality of the double-curved panel. To meet the study objectives, a case study of a small free-form building and empirical mock-up tests of curved panels were performed and beneficial lessons for the contractors were identified through the tests. Among diverse materials, aluminum and glass-fiber-reinforced concrete (GFRC) were utilized for the mock-up tests. Three-dimensional laser scanning technology was employed to foster the as-built data of the case study project and the mocked-up double-curved panels. The data superimposition method was used to measure the deviation between the as-designed and the as-built data of the case study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Information Modelling (BIM): From Theories to Practices)

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16 pages, 924 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Organizational Factors That Drive to BIM Effectiveness: Technological Learning, Collaborative Culture, and Senior Management Support

by Francisco Villena-Manzanares, Tatiana García-Segura and Eugenio Pellicer

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11010199 - 28 Dec 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4308

Abstract

Senior management support is a key dynamic capacity for design companies in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, given the fact that they must identify changes in the competitive environment, which are increasingly becoming more and more technological. In addition, senior management support is obliged to react in the most efficient and effective way. Currently, the project design teams that have adopted building information modeling (BIM) are subject to constant changes in the technological environment, of which the activity is influenced by the behavior of senior management support. This research focuses on this issue by analyzing the role played by the variables of technological learning, collaborative culture, and support provided by senior management as precedents of BIM technology effectiveness. The data set has been obtained from 92 AEC companies in Spain. Using partial least squares (PLS), this research finds evidence of the previously mentioned relationships and the existence of partial mediation effects generated by technological learning and collaborative culture within the support of senior management in BIM technology effectiveness. In addition, this model achieves an appropriate level of predictive validation to explain BIM technology effectiveness in engineering project designs. The results highlight that senior management support needs to promote a technological learning and collaborative culture to improve the technological capabilities. The contribution and original value of the paper is to provide empirical evidence that the effectiveness of BIM factors in project design teams is influenced by the behavior of top management support. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Information Modelling (BIM): From Theories to Practices)

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18 pages, 10474 KiB

Open AccessArticle

BIM Approach to Modeling a Sports Pavilion for University Use

by Juan Nuñez Muñoz, Francisco Villena Manzanares and Marta Marçal Gonçalves

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(24), 8895; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10248895 - 13 Dec 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2923

Abstract

New developments in software projects for the construction sector are a technological revolution and provide new methods of infrastructure design and modeling, highlighting the Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM is a technology and methodology used in the most developed countries and little by little this technology is being implemented in other countries where its use is increasing. This new work methodology makes it easier to manage and plan new projects, saving time and minimizing costs. The advantages of using BIM stand out in large projects thanks to the better handling of large volumes of information. This article will address, with the example of using BIM technology, the design project of a fictitious university sports pavilion located in Seville (Spain). Using the BIM Edificius^® software, the 3D modeling of this building will be carried out in order to calculate and design the building’s facilities with CYPECAD MEP^® software, making use of the IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) format to exchange the building design between both programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Information Modelling (BIM): From Theories to Practices)

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18 pages, 2383 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Unified Database Solution to Process BIM and GIS Data

by Michał Wyszomirski and Dariusz Gotlib

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(23), 8518; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10238518 - 28 Nov 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3937

Abstract

For many years, the objective of spatial databases created using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology was to provide information about large spaces and areas outside of buildings. Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology focused mainly on small spaces, indoor and outdoor, targeted at other users and slightly different applications, was developed simultaneously for several dozen years. The significant development of GIS technology and new tools for quick data acquisition (e.g., laser scanning) and growing user needs resulted in the geoinformation modeling of the space inside buildings as well. BIM, on the other hand, began to be used for increasingly larger spaces outside buildings. Technology developers, users, and scientists started to notice that works turned out to be repetitive and that combining two different technologies is necessary; however, it is not simple. The research presented in the article is another attempt at connecting the world of BIM and GIS. The proposed integrated database environment of BIM/GIS spatial data makes it possible to store GIS and BIM data, enabling the use of the same data by both types of systems simultaneously and in a consistent manner. This allows BIM systems to to obtain simultaneous access to BIM and GIS data, which may be needed in, for example, the process of analyzing a building and its immediate surroundings. At the same time, GIS can obtain up-to-date building data necessary for spatial analyses, building management, or route mapping in navigation applications. The concept proposed in this article assumes a pragmatic approach, which is based on sharing Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and CityGML schemas from a single database for BIM and GIS applications in their practically original form using an additional integrated BIM-GIS schema, called BIGI-S. The research joins some other works in this field, complementing them and adding a new perspective. This paper describes the concept of this solution, including specific data structures, data conversion algorithms, and a prototype solution. The tests carried out by the authors prove the robustness of the adopted concept and its technical feasibility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Information Modelling (BIM): From Theories to Practices)

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18 pages, 4029 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating BIM Implementation Barriers and Issues in Pakistan Using ISM Approach

by Umar Farooq, Sardar Kashif Ur Rehman, Muhammad Faisal Javed, Mohammed Jameel, Fahid Aslam and Rayed Alyousef

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(20), 7250; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10207250 - 16 Oct 2020

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5101

Abstract

The Pakistan construction industry recorded a high growth rate of 9.05% in 2016–2017. However, it fails to complete the projects within the specified cost, time and quality due to the use of traditional management techniques. This can be easily overcome by adopting and implementing new technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM). In this study, a questionnaire survey was performed to find the present state of BIM in Pakistan and highlight the barriers in its successful adoption. In addition, Interpretive Structure Modeling (ISM) and Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification (MICMAC) analysis were used to identify interrelationships among these barriers. Out of 104 responses received, 63% of Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) professionals were aware of BIM and among them, only 17% had utilized BIM in their projects, which is a very low percentage. The adoption of BIM in Pakistan is only at 11%. The respondents acknowledged that BIM helps in minimizing the cost and time of a project up to 57%. This study concluded that BIM is more economical and efficient than other management techniques. Moreover, this research also identifies the ISM and MICMAC analysis-based hierarchical model and three level strategy model that can facilitate the possible implementation. Solutions to common barriers around the globe are also proposed. Thus, by utilizing BIM, an economical, timely, properly managed project can be obtained in Pakistan and other developing construction markets all over the globe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Information Modelling (BIM): From Theories to Practices)

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15 pages, 2464 KiB

Open AccessArticle

BIM-based Hazard Recognition and Evaluation Methodology for Automating Construction Site Risk Assessment

by Inhan Kim, Yongha Lee and Jungsik Choi

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(7), 2335; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10072335 - 29 Mar 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 5554

Abstract

Construction sites in Korea are the locus of many disasters and work-related illnesses, and construction workers are particularly likely to be exposed to serious disasters such as falls, collapses, and burial. At domestic construction sites, the concept of Design for Safety has been adopted from abroad, and current regulations are intended to secure the personnel safety at each site. However, current government guidelines and regulations are difficult to apply in the field, mainly because they do not clearly address work issues and safety management measures. The current safety review method depends too much on the subjective experience of site workers or managers. This study analyzes the step-by-step tasks required for more automated building information modeling (BIM)-based construction site safety management. An example BIM-based assessment of one specific construction site hazard, the risk of a worker fall, is carried out. In the risk analysis stage, all of the associated hazards are identified and the attendant risks are estimated and quantified. A broader risk rating methodology is derived based on the scenarios of each possible disaster at a construction site, and the hazards are extracted by defining the relationships between each building element based on the BIM information. The result is a risk rating methodology derived from a BIM-based risk assessment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Information Modelling (BIM): From Theories to Practices)

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