Building Information Modelling

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is the process of generating and

managing building data during its life cycle. Typically it uses three-

dimensional, real-time, dynamic building modelling software to increase

productivity in building design and construction [Holness, 2008]. BIM in local

construction industries is addition of a study that seeks in identifying the

reasons behind slow implementation of this solution in construction industry.

The process produces the Building Information Model, which encompasses

building geometry, spatial relationships, geographic information, and

quantities and properties of building components [Lee, et al, 2006].

Building information modelling had cover geometry, spatial

relationships, light analysis, geographic information, quantities and

properties of building components. BIM can be used to demonstrate the

entire building life cycle, including the process of construction and facility

operation. Quantities and shared properties of materials can be extracted

easily. BIM goes far beyond switching to new software. It requires changes

to the definition of traditional architectural phases and more data sharing

than most architects and engineers are used to.

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An instance of BIM software is from Autodesk products which are a

comprehensive environmental design tool that covers a wide range of

simulation and analysis functions required to truly understand how a building

design will operate and perform. Architects and designers work easily in 3D

and apply a rich flexible of tools that are important for our customers to drive

and support an energy efficient and sustainable future [Holness, et al, 2006].

1.2 Background

Construction industry is moving rapidly towards the modernization.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has played the significant roles in this

transformation. The use of BIM permeates various industries and is seen as

a major driver for improvement in performance and cost efficiency

(CIDB,2006).

There are eminent research efforts on enabling and advising

information technology to enhance work efficiency and collaboration among

Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE) by providing mechanism

infrastructure to deliver pertinent information required for decision making in

a timely manner. According to Estamen et al 2005, Halfway and Froese

2001, technologies should facilitate information interchange between

member of project team and across stages in the project lifecycle from

construction to inspection and last on maintenance aspects.

However, the performance of the ICT towards the industry still

underprivileged. It might be due to the different types of software used by the

participants of the industry, the amount of redundant information and the

manual transfer of information (Molnar, Anderson & Ekhlom, 2008).

Therefore, Khoury and Kamar, 2009 suggested that the central kernel of this

communications infrastructure should be inhabited by a shared construction

project model in form of integrated product models and project data base,

these resulted to the Building Information Modelling (BIM).

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Building Information Modelling (BIM), is a modelling technology and

associated set of process to produce, communicate and analyze building

models (Estamen et al, 2008), is seen as an enabler that may help the

building industry to improve its productivity. BIM is suitable to support the

simulation of a construction project in virtual environment with the

advantages of taking place in silico through the use of proper software

package (Jardin-Goncalves, 2010). Although, BIM has been on the market

for a few years, it has not been adopted into the industry as it is not widely

use from its full capacity. Yet, there is still some space for improvements.

As of 2009, approximately half of industry representatives do not use

any BIM software on projects in the U.S (McGrawHill, 2009). Even though

the concept of BIM has widely implemented, but people still failed to explore

how a BIM concept can really talk to a construction project in a real time

manner (W.S.Lu & Li, 2011).

Therefore, this research will aim to study how the BIM will

interoperate with the construction project and also will investigated the

appropriated approach to enhance the implementation in our local industry.

1.3 Problem Statement

The slow adoption of the BIM in the industry has been caused by

several technical and human barriers, these barriers can be categorized as

internal or external factors. In internal use of BIM, the main barriers are cost

and human issues, mainly the learning of new tools and processes. The

learning process is significantly more expensive than the actual costs of

hardware and software. As Datuk Seri Prof Judin Abdul Karim said “It is not

a problem of knowledge and information on the usage of BIM, it is always

about the cost”. Although there is awareness of using the BIM but the cost of

investment prohibited companies from adopting the technology. Big

companies can afford BIM system while most of the small companies find its

adoption unaffordable (Star, 2009).

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Another internal barrier is fear of lacking of features and flexibility of

the modelling tools. Meanwhile, the external barriers as described by

Williams (2007) include legal aspect of implementing BIM which have been

an area of concern to many owners, Architects and Engineers (A&E),

general contractors and sub-contractors. Furthermore, technical issue

related mainly to lack of sufficient and reliable interoperability between

software applications are significant obstacles, although perhaps not fully

recognised by the industry yet. It is because most companies have no

experience of the use of shared BIM in saying of Kiviniemi et al (2008).

However, the degree and various of these factors has not been identified.

Therefore there is need for research to identify degree.

1.4 Aim

The aim of this research is to investigate the issue of Building

Information Modelling (BIM) adoption in local construction industry in order

to resolve the interoperability issues.

1.5 Objectives

To study the current practice and awareness of the industry towards

new technologies

To investigate the barriers of Building Information Modelling (BIM)

adoption in construction industry.

To identify the potential factors that could accelerate adoption of

Building Information Modelling (BIM).

To envisage the consequences if Building Information Modelling

(BIM) has been adopted.

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1.6 Scope of Study

This research is focused on the participants of the construction

industry which generally divided into few groups which are Developers,

Architects, Consultants, Engineers and Contractors to get their opinions

towards the Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption in solving the

interoperability issue. The respondents are chosen based on the top

management level and the middle management only. Furthermore, the

research will only focus on the construction firms that located within Klang

Valley area.

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1.7 Project Organization

Chapter 1: Introduction

In chapter 1, the outline of the study will be illustrated. It consists of the

background of studies, problem statement, and the aim of research,

research objectives, scope of study and the study organization for this study.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

While in Chapter 2, the information about the research title will be obtained

from different sources such as journals, books, web site and et cetera so

that the concept of the research can be supported by facts and to prove the

feasibility of the research title, aim and objectives.

Chapter 3: Research Methodology

For chapter 3, the research strategy, research method and data analysis that

will used for this study will be explained and the information and data

collected will be interpreted.

Chapter 4: Findings and Analysis

Moreover, in Chapter 4, the outcome of the analysis of data collected from

the questionnaire will be presented and it will be supported by the facts that

mentioned in the Chapter 2 in order to clarify the perceptions of the

participants towards the study objectives and aim.

Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation

Lastly, the main conclusion will be drawn out in this chapter and the

limitations of the research will be highlighted at the meanwhile. Except from

that, some of the opinions/points will be recommended for the purpose of

further investigation.

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CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

This chapter covers the basic information about Building Information

Modelling (BIM) which is a process and practice of virtual design and

construction throughout its Lifecycle. It is a platform to share knowledge and

communicate between project participants. In other words, Building

Information Modelling is the process of developing a building with sort of

information in a model figure. Building Information Modelling (BIM) which

includes the function and concept of BIM, the barriers to BIM implementation

The Building Information Model is primarily a three dimensional digital representation of a building and its intrinsic characteristics. It is made of intelligent building components which includes data attributes and parametric rules for each object. For instance, a door of certain material and dimension is parametrically related and hosted by a wall. Furthermore, BIM provides consistent and coordinated views and representations of the digital model including reliable data for each view. This saves a lot of designer’s time since each view is coordinated through the built-in intelligence of the model. According to the National BIM Standard, Building Information Model is “A digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility and a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition” ("About the National BIM Standard-United States", 2010).

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in our local construction industry such as legal issues, interoperability

towards BIM software, clients and stakeholder support, resistance to

change, personnel competencies are also discussed in this research.

Furthermore, the strategies for the implementation of the BIM system include

training, introduction of BIM software at university curriculum will also

present in this chapter.

An architectural firm may decide to design a Building Information

Model, and use it for visualization and energy analysis. Building Information

Modeling is an emerging of technology and a procedural paradigm within the

industry after paper-based drafting and computer aided design (CAD)

(Succar, 2009). The architects firm may even have an internal collaboration

with the others team members. BIM includes specific information on different

building elements and systems associated with a building, such as wall

types, spaces, air handling units, geo-spatial information, and circulation

zones (GSA, 2007). However, the architect may decide to provide the

drawings in two dimensions and restrict the Building Information Model

access. This chapter would conclude the nature in construction with the

professional role in implementing BIM. The concept, uses and

implementation of BIM have been discussed in this chapter.

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2.2 Nature of Construction Industry

The construction industry has lagged behind other industries as the

slow adaption in accepting the benefits of adopting Building Information

Modeling (BIM) in the construction industry. In the 1990s, while

interoperability productivity benefits were being realized in other industries

and the building construction industry went largely unaffected (Gabriel &

W.Jun). Much of this was due to the fragmented nature of the industry where

the relationship between designers, contractors and subcontractors often

inhibited communications and teamwork. The problem was compounded

further by the fact that many design and construction firms were small and

did not have the resources required to take full advantage of new information

transfer technologies (Gabriel & W.Jun).

The fragmented nature of the industry who involved a wide range of

parties from the blue collar labour, carpenters, bricklayers until the white

collar workers such Engineer, Architects, Quantity surveyors and other

project teams with play with different roles and duties in order to faster the

development of the construction industry which include, Designer,

Consultants, Construction team and clients. To cope with the improvement

of the Building Information Modeling (BIM) the professions have been

developed their own construction related software for the ease of their

works. However, they only utilized it within their own department or within

their professions group. The interoperability within one group and another

still is an issue within the industry as there is lack of communication between

all the team members which may cause some misunderstanding among the

project team.

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2.3 Role of Construction Professionals

In the traditional approach, a development may go through a few

phases which all team members will contributes them it completing each

other task. The architect, typically the lead designer in building projects and

construction manager works directly for the owner. The engineering

consultants are part of the designers’ team. The engineer and the architect

first design the building as they are the design team. The team consist

architect and a few engineer such as mechanical and electrical engineer and

structural engineer. Upon, the completion of the design phase, the

construction managers are also known as general contractors in the

traditional approach bid for the job. Once the bid is awarded to selected

contractor, then the construction will starts. It is not a fast track project

delivery method. In other words, the approach does not involve early

participation of the construction team during design (Eastman, 2008). If the

designers generated a 3D parametric model for the project, the contractors

will have some issue on the design as the contractors may focus on the

information more than the building as the contractor do not join the design

team during the design phase. Overall, Design-Bid-Build eliminates the

benefits of having the construction input during the design phase when the

ability to influence the cost is the highest as depicted in figure 1. The

architects and the engineers may not want to share their models due to

risks, liability concerns, unauthorized reuse of intellectual properties and

misinterpretation of the information included in the model (Eastman, 2008).

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Figure 2.1: Project Life Cycle - ability to influence cost (Eastman, 2008)

Building construction requires many workers and many trades. From

the perspective of realizing a project, a professional project team is needed

to make sure that the project will be constructed successfully. The

construction professionals include the architect, engineer and quantity

surveyor. Those personnel are the most responsible person when something

happened in a project especially when technical works are concerned. The

professionals’ expertise of each construction professionals must be careful

exercise as they are answerable to any sinfulness occurred during the

construction (Hussin & Omran, 2009). Many accidents have occurs and the

one responsible is the contractor. The contractor was blamed if there is any

accidents occur.

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Figure 2.2 : Typical organizational boundaries between the participants in

construction project (Eastman et al, 2008)

2.3.1 Client

The client’s role is to provide leadership and a mandate for

change. Whether or not the client becomes directly involved in

technical issues is a matter of choice, but what is important is and the

client is seen by the rest of the design and construction team to be

committed and sufficiently knowledgeable to be committed and

sufficiently knowledgeable to be decisive and set clear requirements.

(Andrew Goddard Associates Ltd, 2010)

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2.3.2 Architect

In general, architect is a person who is involved in the

planning, designing and oversight of a buildings construction. In the

broadcast sense, an architect is a person who translates the user’s

needs into the builder’s requirements. The knowledge about the

building and operational codes is necessary so that he or she is not

apt to omit any necessary requirements, or produce improper,

conflicting, ambiguous, or confusing requirements. Furthermore,

architect must understand the various methods available to the

builder for building the client’s structure, so that he or she can

negotiate with the client to produce a best possible compromise of the

results desired within explicit cost and time boundaries. Then

architect also responsible with being familiar with the construction

work and reporting the general progress and quality of the work, as

completed to the owner (Hussin & Omran, 2009).

2.3.3 Engineer

The scope of work of engineers involves planning and

execution of the designs from transportation, site development, and

hydraulic environmental, structural and geotechnical engineers. The

main part of engineer’s job description is analysing report which

includes the analysis of maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial

photography, topographical information, calculation of the building

loads and analyses the grade requirements and et cetera. Engineers

also have to make sure that there are no impediments in the way of

where the structure will be built and if there are any they must move

them. Finally, the engineers have to provide construction information,

including repairs and cost changes to the managers (Hussin &

Omran, 2009).

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2.3.4 Quantity Surveyor

Quantity Surveyor is the person who manages and control

costs within construction projects and may involve the use of

management procedures and technical tools to achieve this goal. The

method employed cover a range of activities such as: cost planning,

value engineering, feasibility studies, cost benefits analysis, lifecycle

costing, valuation and cost estimation. A quantity surveyor can also

be known as construction economists, cost engineers or construction

managers. Quantity Surveyors control costs and prices of work,

labour, materials and plant required, an understanding of the

implications of design decision at an early stage to ensure that best

value is obtained for the money to be expended. Quantity surveyors

will also preparing tender document in accordance with a published

standard method of measurement as agreed to by the quantity

surveyor profession and representatives of the construction industry

(Hussin & Omran, 2009).

2.3.5 Builder or Contractor

A contractor sources materials and manages the construction

process. This involves both direct material purchase and indirect

purchasing through trade contractors. Therefore, the contractor is the

party responsible for agreeing with the design team how they will

meet the client’s requirement for recycled content and et cetera. The

contractor’s task is then to source and incorporate specific products

that satisfy or exceed the client’s requirement into the works as

specified. On completion, the contractor should be able to provide the

client with documentary evidence that the target level of the project

had been achieved (Hussin & Omran, 2009).

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2.4 The Concept of BIM

Building Information Modelling (BIM) represents the process of

development and use of a computer generated model to simulate the

planning, design, construction and operation of a facility. A BIM is a data that

rich, object-oriented, intelligent and parametric of digital which representing

the facility, from a few views and data appropriate to various users need that

can be extracted and analyse to generate information that can be used to

make decisions and to improve the process of delivering the facility (AGC,

2005).

While, Wong et al. said that BIM has the attributes of both an

approach and a process or action. It is an approach as it provides an

alternative to the traditional paper based approach of project design and

management. It is also a process or action as it creates a product called

Building Information Model, whose performance can be measured.

BIM is actually the intersection of two critical ideas: (Autodesk, 2003)

Keeping critical design information in digital form makes it easier to

update and share and more valuable to the firms creating and using

it.

Creating real-time, consistent relationships between digital design

data with innovative parametric building modelling technology can

save significant amounts of time and money and increase project

productivity and quality.

BIM is now rapidly gaining acceptance as the preferred method of

communicating the design professions intent to the owner and project

builders (Bruce A. Burt, 2009). In addition, BIM now is also being

increasingly used as an emerging technology to assist in conceiving,

designing, construction and operating the buildings in many countries (Wong

et al., 2009).

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Figure 2.3 : The Concept of BIM (Bruce A. Burt, 2009).

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2.4.1 Function of BIM

According to editor of BIM journal (2012), BIM has a broad range

of application, right cross the design, construction and operation process.

These BIM functions can be roughly grouped into five categories:

Design

Analysis

Construction

Operation

Data Management

Design applications relate to the pre-planning and planning phase

of a project. This section includes initial data collection like laser

surveying, existing conditions modelling and site analysis, spatial

programming and design authoring. It encompasses includes design

review and coordination (Autodesk, 2003).

Analysis refers to secondary applications, often undertaken by a

party who may not have authored the model themselves. Analysis

activities include structural analysis, energy analysis, green building

certification, lighting analysis, mechanical analysis, as well as other

specialty disciplines. This category also includes model auditing, that is

validating model integrity and verifying the model against design

parameters and building code requirements.

Construction functions refer to the deployment of BIM for

construction management. This includes construction planning as well as

applications for construction sequencing (4D) and quantity take off and

estimation (5D). This section also examines shop drawing production and

integration with Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM). A significant part

of this section addresses BIM to Field activities such as establishing

construction set-out points and recording as-built data and construction

status (Autodesk, 2003).

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Operation refers to BIM functions that support facility

management. This includes record modelling, model maintenance

and integrating the model with Facilities Management software for

asset or spatial management, equipment tracking and maintenance

scheduling. This section also examines how a model can be

reactivated for future facility expansion (Eastman, 2008).

Data Management examines best practices for BIM data

structure and exchange, and how multi model data may be regulated.

This section includes an introduction to collaborative platforms and

electronic project delivery systems, as well as key sessions on model

collaboration, change management and issue reporting and tracking.

This section also includes functions relating to interoperability and

exchange formats, managing metadata and linking multiple

databases like model and text file (Autodesk, 2003).

2.4.2 Benefits of BIM

Due to the nature of BIM software, there are several wide

ranging benefits to be gained by deploying BIM. Basically, the

advantages of BIM technology are a means either to reduce cost,

materials usage or indirectly through efficiency gains throughout the

three major phases in the building lifecycle from design, construction

and management (Autodesk, 2003). While when look into the

individual elements, the main benefits that drive the deployment

(Davidson, 2008)

Accuracy and consistency of data

Design visualization

Ease of quantity takeoff

Multi-user collaboration

Energy efficiency and sustainability

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2.4.2.1 Design Phase

During the course of a building project, an architect must

balance the project scope, schedule and cost. By using BIM, all of the

critical information such as design and geometry information is

immediately available, so that project-related decisions can be made

more quickly and effectively. Furthermore, BIM allows a project team

to make changes to the project at any time during the design or

documentation process without laborious, low value consideration

and manual checking work. In addition, all of the building design and

documentation work can be done concurrently instead of serially,

because design thinking is captured at the point of creation and

embedded in the documentation as the work proceeds. Lastly, the

automatic coordination of changes offered by BIM would eliminate

coordination mistakes, improves the overall quality of the work and

helps companies win more repeat business (Autodesk, 2003).

2.4.2.2 Construction Phase

During the construction phase, BIM makes available

concurrent information on building quality, schedule and cost. The

builder can accelerate the quantification of the building for estimating

and value engineering purposes and for production of updated

estimates and construction planning. The consequences of proposed

or procured products can be studied and understood easily and the

builder can quickly prepare plans showing site use or renovation

phasing for the owner, thereby communicating and minimizing the

impact of construction operations on the owners operations and

personnel. The result is that, less time and money are spent on

process and administration issues but goes into the building

(Eastman, 2008).

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2.4.2.3 Management Phase

Management phase regularly involved facility management. In

the management phase of the building lifecycle, BIM makes available

concurrent information on the use or performance of the building, its

occupants and contents, the life of the building over time and the

financial aspects of the building. Moreover, the provided digital record

of renovations accelerates the adaption of standard building

prototypes to site conditions for businesses of similar buildings in

different locations. Furthermore, BIM also provide the physical

information about the building such as finishes, furniture and

equipments or financially important data about leasable areas and

rental income or departmental cost allocations are all more easily

managed and available (Dana K Smith,2009). Generally, it can

conclude that the consistent access to these types of information

improves both revenue and cost management in the operation of the

building (Autodesk, 2003).

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2.5 Use of BIM in Construction Management

There are many uses of Building Information Modelling for each

project participant. Figure 2.4 depicts these uses for the planning, design

(preconstruction), construction and operation (post construction) phases.

Figure 2.4 : BIM Uses throughout a Building Lifecycle (Messner, 2009)

During the design phase, the use of BIM can maximize its impact on a

project since the ability to influence cost is the highest. The team can

creatively come up with ideas and provide solutions to issues before

problems become high cost impacts to the project. This can be realized

through the cooperation and coordination of the entire project staff.

Therefore, it is extremely important to have a good collaboration (Dana K

Smith,2009).

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The use of BIM especially enhances the collaborative efforts of the

team. The architect and engineer can test their design ideas including

energy analysis. The construction manager can provide constructability,

sequencing, value and engineering reports. They can also start 3D

coordination between subcontractors and vendors during early stages of

design (Autodesk, 2003).

The owner can visually notice if the design is what he is looking for.

Overall, the BIM promotes the collaboration of all of the projection

participants. There are beneficial uses of BIM during the construction phase.

However, the ability to impact the cost in a project reduces as depicted in

figure 1 as the construction progresses. Several uses include sequencing,

cost estimation, fabrication and onsite BIM (Dana K Smith,2009).

2.5.1 Cost Estimation

The two main elements of a cost estimate are quantity take off and

pricing. The quantity from a Building Information Model (BIM) can be

extracted to a cost database or a Microsoft Excel file. However, pricing

cannot be attained from the model. Cost estimating requires the expertise of

the cost estimator to analyse the components of a material and how they get

installed. If the pricing for a some of the activity is not available in the

database, cost estimator may be needed a further detailed of the element for

more accurate pricing (Dana K Smith,2009). For instance, if a concrete pour

activity is taking place, the model may account for the level of detail for the

rebar, wire mesh, pour stop, formwork, and concrete but not include it as

part of the quantity take off extraction. Cost estimator may need this level of

detail from the model to figure out the unit price which consists of the unit

material cost, unit labour cost, overhead and profit.

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The unit labour cost is driven by the mobilization and installation

durations, and the labour wage while the unit material cost is the sum of the

material costs used for the activity per unit. Once the unit price is attained,

the cost of the entire activity can be attained by multiplication of the total

quantity extracted from BIM and unit price (Dana K Smith,2009).

In Building Information Model, the data output is the data input. It is

very important to have both of the contractor and designer to agree on

component definitions. For instance, if an architect is using concrete slab to

show the roof for modeling purposes, the roof quantity information will not be

accurately accounted for quantity extraction purposes in the model (Dana K

Smith,2009). Overall, the BIM technology is a great tool to optimize the

productivity of the estimators through quantity extraction from the model

especially if the construction and design team work collaboratively.

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2.5.2 BIM Tools

There are plenty of Building Information Modelling tools. This

subsection will identify these products. The following Table 2.1 depicts the

BIM authoring tools and their primary functions. The list includes MEP,

structural, architectural, and site work 3D modelling software. Some of this

software are also capable of scheduling and cost estimation.

Product Name Manufacturer Primary Function

Cadpipe HVAC AEC Design Group 3D HVAC Modelling

Revit Architecture Autodesk 3D Architectural Modelling and

parametric design

AutoCAD Architecture Autodesk 3D Architectural Modelling and

parametric design

Revit Structure Autodesk 3D Structural Modelling and

parametric design

Revit MEP Autodesk 3D Detailed MEP Modeling

AutoCAD MEP Autodesk 3D MEP Modeling

AutoCAD Civil 3D Autodesk Site Development

Cadpipe Commercial Pipe AEC Design Group 3D Pipe Modeling

DProfiler Beck Technology 3D Conceptual Modeling with realtime

cost estimating

Bentley BIM Suite Bentley Systems 3D Architectural, Structural,

Mechanical, Electrical

Fastrak CSC (UK) 3D Structural Modelling

SDS/2 Dsign Data 3D Detailed Structural Modelling

Fabrication for AutoCAD

MEP

EastCoast CAD/CAM 3D Detailed MEP Modeling

Digital Project Gehry Technologies CATIA based BIM System for

Architectural, Design, Engineering and

Construction Modeling

Digital Project MEP

System Routing

Gehry Technologies MEP Design

ArchiCAD Graphisoft 3D Architectural Modelling

MEP Modeler Graphisoft 3D MEP Modeling

HydraCAD Hydratec 3D Fire Sprinkler Design and Modeling

AutoSPRINK VR M.E.P CAD 3D Fire Sprinkler Design and Modeling

FireCAD Mc4 Software Fire Piping Network Design and

Modeling

CAD-Duct Micro Application 3D Detailed MEP Modeling

Vectorworks Designer Nemetschek 3D Architectural Modelling

Duct Designer 3D, Pipe

Designer 3D

QuickPen

International

3D Detailed MEP Modeling

RISA RISA Technologies Full suite of 2D and 3D Structural

Design Application

Tekla Structure Tekla 3D Detailed Structural Modelling

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Affinity Trelligence 3D Model Application for early concept

design

Vico Office Vico Software 5D Modeling which can ba used to

generate cost and schedule data

PowerCivil Bentley Systems Site Development

Site Design, Site Planning Eagle Point Site Development

Table 2.1: BIM Authoring Tools (Reinhardt, 2009)

A variety of shop BIM tools for drawing and fabrication are available or

structural and MEP contractors as depicted in Table 2.2:

Table 2.2: BIM tools for drawing and fabrication (Dana K Smith,2009).

Revit Architecture provided by Autodesk Inc. has built-in sequencing

options. Each object can be assigned a phase. Revit then uses snapshots of

the model for each phase creating a simple sequencing for the viewers.

Currently, there are a lot of architects that are using Revit Architecture.

Various BIM construction management and scheduling tools are available.

BIM Construction management tools that support coordination are

Navisworks Manage, ProjectWise, Digital Project Designer, and Vico.

Furthermore, Vico, Navisworks Timeliner, Innovaya and Synchro support

BIM and schedule integration (Reinhardt, 2009)

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2.6 Implementation of BIM

Building information modeling (BIM) is becoming more and more

important to manage complex communication and information sharing

processes in collaborative building projects (Sebatian and Léon, 2010). BIM

is now increasingly used as an emerging technology to assist in conceiving,

designing, constructing and operating the buildings in many countries,

notably in the United States. Other countries including Finland, Singapore,

Denmark and Norway have also adopted BIM (Wong et al, 2009).

2.6.1 Barriers to BIM in Construction Industry

People, technology and the environment are critical to implementation

of BIM (Alshawi, 2008). People and process are keys to change and

improvement, while work environment and IT infrastructure are enablers

without which the first two elements cannot be sustained (Bew and

Underwood, 2010).

In the market, much of the research devoted to BIM is focused on

developing technological solutions aimed to standardize and streamline

adoption across the design, construction and operational phases of a

building. However, recently completed research indicates that a range of

determining the success or otherwise of BIM adoption. It found these

behaviours collectively resulted in the formation of a differentiated project

team culture, sub-optimal ICT usage, and minimal utilization of BIM

capabilities (Brewer et al., 2010).

Thus, the intention to adopt comes always first in the adoption

process (Nikas et al., 2006). For example, top managers’ intention to adopt

innovations is an indicator of their subsequent decisions such as behaviour.

Therefore, it can conclude that, executive who categorize innovation as

functional will intend to decide in favour of adopting the innovations with a

belief in the potential gains or benefits from this innovation (Nikas et al.,

2006).

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Further, Nikas et al. (2006) also stated that, organizations satisfied

with proprietary systems in conjunction with the existence of an existing IT

infrastructure are more enthusiastic in adopting collaborative technologies.

Additionally, they also revealed that for organizations that already have an IT

department, the continuous training and skills development of their

personnel is positively related with the intention to adopt collaborative

technology.

However, the critical factors in implementing BIM application not only

limited to people’s attitudes towards the technology, characteristic of the

industry and project, individual’s resistance to change, it also related to the

risks involved in the transformation, the uncertain outcome of the new

technology (Dana K Smith,2009).

2.6.1.1 Interoperability

Interoperability is the ability to manage and communicate

electronic data among owners, clients, contractors, and suppliers, and

across a projects design, engineering, operations, project

management, construction, financial, and legal units. Interoperability

is made possible by a range of information technology tools and

applications including computer-aided drafting and design (CADD),

three and four-dimensional visualization and modelling programs,

laser scanning, cost estimating and scheduling tools, and materials

tracking (NAP, 2009).

Effective use of interoperable technologies requires integrated,

collaborative processes and effective up front planning and thus can

help overcome obstacles to efficiency created by process

fragmentation. Interoperable technologies can also help to improve

the quality and speed of project related decision making integrate

processes; manage supply chains, sequence work flow, improve data

accuracy and reduce the time spent on data entry, reduce design and

engineering conflicts and reduce the time spent on data entry.

28

It will reduce design and engineering conflicts and the

subsequent need for rework improve the lifecycle management of

buildings and infrastructure and provide the data required to measure

performance (NAP, 2009).

However, modernization of the workplace has long been a

topic for research and innovation. The main challenge is to realize

real innovation and change in the workplace, and cope with the many

hurdles human, organizational, societal, and technological through

learning and experimentation. Considering AEC-FM domains,

innovation of the workspace is of major importance, as practice is

intrinsically collaborative, within knowledge rich, multi-functional

working environments (Dana K Smith,2009). The evolution of

sophisticated CAD systems, in addition to handling vectorial data, has

made it possible to enrich the 3D models of buildings and structures

with complementary data, enabling the simulation of a construction

project in a virtual environment. This has emerged as major trend,

usually known as Building Information Modeling (BIM) (Grilo &

Jardim-Goncalves, 2010).

2.6.1.2 Stakeholders

Major stakeholders play an important role for the

implementation BIM especially the support of the central government

which can be regarded as the driving force towards higher utilization

of BIM. A strong government support not only would create a uniform

environment for nationwide acceptance of BIM, an active environment

for research and development also would be created.

29

On the other hand, a strong involvement of private sector in

BIM initiatives would help create new business processes,

partnerships and collaborations. The involvement of private sectors

would influence strong commercial incentives for developing new

software or increasing the capabilities of existing software or

hardware used for BIM. However, the creation of less uniformity

environment may not be well compatible with other companies and

thus the fragmentation of the real estate and construction companies

would increase. This problem is reminiscent of many developing and

under-developed countries where the implementation of BIM at both

the public and private sector is at the initial stage or is non-existent

(Wong et at., 2009).

2.6.1.3 Modeling Guidelines

As refer to the USA or UK which are success in changing the

construction practice, their governments are setting out a BIM

guideline in helping the industry in facing the changes and also

provides several research in proving the viability of BIM. However, if

without the private sector’s support, the implementation of BIM also

will not be success in the acceptance of nationwide (Dana K

Smith,2009). Therefore, it should be noted that modeling guidelines is

essential in accelerate adoption of BIM and the successfulness of

BIM implementation is depends on the cooperation between the

public and private sectors.

30

2.6.1.4 Clients Demand

In the local industry, many stakeholder are scare of change or

scare of the uncertain outcomes of the changes and most of the

clients will only willing to change if the benefits are proven and they

believe that the request of the new technology for a project will enable

the bidders to increased their bids price of the project and thus will

limiting their potential pool of bidders. Whilst, the contractor may have

the intention to change when they facing keen market competition,

there are strong incentives for it to search for new innovations to help

maintain or enhance its competitive edge (Dana K Smith, 2009).

2.6.1.5 Pilot Project

The uncertainties of the outcome are one of the barriers in

implementing BIM. Therefore it is best to start out with a pilot project

that enables measuring of the investment. The pilot project should be

a project type with known metrics and is already familiar with so that

the benefits of BIM can be accurately gauged and also enable the

pilot team can accelerate their learning process towards determining

the methodologies that should be used for future projects.

31

2.6.1.6 Legal Issues

As the development of BIM has become more and more

important, it is worth having a look at the legal issues that may arise

when working with BIM. Carried out some of the legal issues in the

adoption of BIM will ensure that the industry can collaborate without

the worry of adverse legal consequences (Udom, 2012). As BIM is

expected to break down the barriers created by implementing it in a

project and replace it with a collaborative working process, where all

designers, engineers, contractors, sub-contractors and specialist

manufacturers working on a project feed into and work on one

information model or federated models, the confusion about the

precise legal effect of adopting BIM may arise (Dana K Smith, 2009).

The identified legal issues are as below: (Udom, 2012)

Contractual framework for incorporating BIM,

Model Management and other roles,

Intellectual property rights and data management,

Reliance on data,

Liabilities and

Ownership of BIM process, risk management during model transfer

and model ownership (final product)

Generally, as the consequences, the landscape of professional

practice and construction will change with the introduction of BIM. The

risks of using BIM are far outweighed by its benefits. The issues

mentioned above should be taken into consideration when doing the

amendment so that it can be incorporated by reference into the various

contracts in use in the industry to minimize risks and ensure successful

BIM powered projects (Udom, 2012).

32

2.6.1.7 Issues of Training and Learning

Implementation of new technology such as BIM technologies are

costly in terms of training and changing work flows and work processes.

The investment in software and hardware is typically exceeded by the

training cost and initial productivity losses. Often most services providers

are not willing to make such an investment unless the perceived the long

term benefit to their own organization and or/if the owner subsidizes the

training costs (Hammad, 2010).

2.6.1.8 Transition Team

BIM represents a new approach to building design and

engineering. It is not just the implementation of new supporting

technology, thus the make-up of the transition team must be paid with

close attention. The formation team needs to represent the entire

organization, reflecting the underlying process changes that come with

BIM and it should comprised of progressive individuals who understand

the big picture and represent all aspects of the firm, so that knowledge of

BIM will gradually expand to all areas of the company (Dana K

Smith,2009).

33

2.7 Summary

This chapter had review some literature related to the research topic

by defining the BIM concept, identify the industry problems and also the

barriers of implementing and conclude with the review of some identified

strategies to promoting BIM adoption.

34

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

Data collection is one of the most important step to success this

research. In this chapter, the procedure of getting the data will be describe

which from the step of deciding the research strategy, research method and

until the step of doing Data analysis.

3.2 Research Strategy

There are two types of research strategies which are “quantitative

research” and “qualitative research” (Naoum, 2007). Quantitative research is

“objective” in nature while Qualitative research is subjective in nature

(Naoum, 2007).

In this research, the data will be collected from journal articles, books,

conference paper, published thesis and et cetera in order to enhance the

understanding of the research.

35

3.3 Instrument for Data Collection

In order to achieve the aim and objectives of the research,

questionnaire will be sending out by hand or via email. It is the most widely

used method in conducting the survey because it is the most economy

method which can offer relatively high validity of results. Except from that, it

is also one of the most suitable method when a mass of information is

needed and within a short period. If go for the personal interview, it might

need a longer period to reach the quantity that needed for the survey.

However, there is some limitation when dealing with questionnaire

survey. First, there is no guarantee that the people who complete the survey

are the right person that you stated in the questionnaire form. Other than

that, respondent might also answer the survey generally and also based on

their knowledge or what they hear from other rather than based on their

understanding towards the current industry.

3.3.1 Questionnaire Survey Design

Questionnaire survey method was adopted for this research

study. A set of questionnaire which comprise of two sections was

designed and distributed out in the local construction industry. All

questions are structured so as to enable a logical quantitative

analysis of the result.

Section A: The profile of the respondent and their organization,

which includes: company specialisation, size of an organization,

qualification of the respondent, working experience and profession

Section B: seek to identify the Building Information Modelling

(BIM) related issues which include advantages of BIM adoption,

barriers for implementing BIM, consequences after Implementation.

36

It is also to identify the current practice of the industry in term

of individual and organizational. The composition of the questionnaire

for each category is:

No. Grouping

1. Organization

2. Individual

3. Advantages

4. Barriers

5. Potential Factors

6. Consequences after

Implementing BIM

Table 3. 1 Composition of Questionnaire

Moreover, five level rating scale methods were adopted for

questions in Section B. The range of importance of each item has

been ranked as shown below:

Figure 3.1 Ordinal Scale 1 to 5 (Qin T.X. 2012)

37

3.4 Data Analysis

The data analysis that used in this research is with the help of

Statistically Package Social Science software and described as below:

3.4.1 Frequency Analysis

First of all, the frequency analysis is used to represent the

summary of the respondents profile which will then be tabulated out.

Basically, the respondents profile is into three main parts which

Organizational, Personal and Current practice on BIM application. By

knowing the distribution of the respondents group, the analysis can be

done easily based on the ratio of it.

3.4.2 Reliability Test

Next, Reliability Test will be carried out to measure the level of

acceptance of the data. The purpose is to indicate the internal

consistency reliability of the variables. It indicates the strength data is

consistency reliable and shall be accepted.

3.4.3 Descriptive Analysis

The basic descriptive analysis was carried out in order to found

out the means and the standard deviations for the variable. The

purpose is to figure out the most important variables within the

identified categories. Further, the result obtained was used as the

baseline for the comparison within the independent variables such as

company specialization and organizations sizes.

38

3.5 Research Framework

As described in Figure 3.1, these research steps provided a clear

methodology framework. As such, this framework provided the proper steps

to find out how to be established the research study.

39

Figure 3. 2 Research Methodology Frame work

40

3.6 Summary

In conclusion, when the data analysis has been conducted, the

feasibility of this research can be proven and the opinion towards the

particular issues can be summaries out and will be analysed detailed in the

next chapter.

41

CHAPTER 4

FINDING AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Introduction

This chapter present and discusses the finding on Building Information

Modeling (BIM) in local construction industry in Malaysia. The data collected

through questionnaire that have been distributed were presented are in this

chapter based on the outcome of the statistical analysis while the discussion

on the result has been stated to provide a clear picture and understanding of

the research been carried out.

4.2 Summary of Survey

50 set of questionnaire have been distributed to 5 different companies and

firms by using email and by hand. Those questionnaire were distributed to all

team member so then the result can be determine all the team member

opinion regarding the Building Information Modeling (BIM) towards local

construction industry now days. Therefore, analysis of the data generated is

also presented in order a statistical inference that can be used to generalize

the findings by using the data from the questionnaire collected. The

distribution of respondent for the 50 set of questionnaire is illustrated on

table.

42

Via email By-hand

Collected data 35 15

Total data collected 50 sets

Table 4.3 Distribution of Respondents

4.3 Respondents Profile

Most of the questionnaire surveys are distributed among team member in an

organization. Since there are 5 companies that have been selected, I was

distributed equally among them. Table 4.2 will show the detail on

respondents profile with the frequency collected from Section A in the

questionnaire surveys.

Descriptions Frequencies Percentage (%)

A. Profession

Project Executive

Architect

Quantity Survey

Civil / Structural Engineer

Mechanical & Electrical Engineer

6

13

9

10

8

12

26

18

20

16

B. Highest Qualification

Doctorates (PhD)

Master

Bachelor

Diploma

Others / Certificates

2

14

27

7

0

4

28

54

14

0

C. Working Experience

Less than a year

1 to 2 years

3 to 5 years

6 to 10 years

More than 10 years

5

18

14

10

3

10

36

28

20

6

Table 4.4 Respondent Profile

43

Figure 4.5 Respondents' Profession Area

Figure 4.1 above show that the distributions of respondents are equally been

distributed as only small different percentages between all 5 main

professions that have been listed above. Architect hold 28% out of 100

percent then been follow by Civil and Structural Engineer with 22%, Quantity

Surveyor 20%, Mechanical and Electrical Engineer with 17% while the

lowest is Project Executive with 13%.

13%

28%

20%

22%

17%

Respondents' Profession

Project Executive

Architect

Quantity Surveyor

Civil / Structural Engineer

M&E Engineer

44

Figure 4.6 Respodent Qualification

Figure 4.2 shows that, Bachelor in Degree holder dominate the majority of

the respondents with 20 persons and follow with Master holders with 17

persons. Diploma holders with 7 persons, PhD or doctorate holders with 2

persons and the lowest is 1 person with certificates qualification that have

been selected to answer the questionnaire given.

2

14

26

7

1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Doctorates (PhD) Master Bachelor (Degree) Diploma Certificates

Doctorates (PhD) Master Bachelor (Degree) Diploma Certificates

45

Figure 4.7 Respondent Working Experiences

Figure 4.3 shows that the working experiences of all the respondents in

selected companies to show average in our local construction industry.

Majority of the respondents have around 1 to 2 years working experiences

with 18 persons out of 50 which are 36%. Then follow by 3 to 5 years with

28%, 6 to 10 years with 20%, less than a year with 10% and the lowest

percentages is 6% which have 10 and above working experiences.

5

18

14

10

3

Less than 1 year

1 to 2 years

3 to 5 years

6-10 years

10 and Above

Working Experiences

Less than 1 year 1 to 2 years 3 to 5 years 6-10 years 10 and Above

46

4.4 Current Practice of Building Information Modeling in Construction

Industry

Objective 1: To study the current practice and awareness of the industry

towards new technologies.

Objective 2: To envisage the consequences if Building Information

Modeling (BIM) has been adopted.

4.4.1 Introduction

This area may focus on the first objective of this research as

the present data on the utilization and implementation of Building

Information Modeling (BIM) tools in our local construction industry.

However, Section B has been divided into two areas as to study on

the awareness of BIM itself and the utilization of the software.

47

4.4.2 To study the awareness of the industry towards BIM system

Figure 4.4 shows that negative feedback which 78% out of 50

respondents does not even heard about Building Information

Modeling tools while only 22% have heard about this system. This

kind results is similar with Industrialized Building System (IBS) as the

system have been implement even over 40 years ago its acceptance

is not widespread and he pace of implementation of the system is still

slow ( Hamid,2008).

Figure 4.8 Percentages of Awareness of BIM Tools

Yes 22%

No 78%

Percentages of Awareness of BIM tools

48

Then one more question was asked in the questionnaire to see

the percentages out of 5 companies that use in their everyday usage.

Out of 50, 48 persons pick Yes as their use some of the Building

Information Modeling (BIM) tools. Only 2 persons do not used the

system. Figure 4.5 show the percentages of the usage of BIM tools in

all 5 companies’ respondents.

Figure 4.9 BIM Usage in Daily Routine

Yes 94%

No 6%

Building Information Modeling Daily Usage

49

4.4.3 The current practice of Building Information Modeling (BIM)

in industry towards new technologies

This section shows the data on the utilization of Building

Information (BIM) tools in construction industry. The frequency level

will show the frequent use of the software by the respondents.

Discussion and analysis below covers the responses collected for

each tools listed in the questionnaire. The analysis will be in each tool

as the frequency level of usage can be seen clearly through one by

one tool.

Autodesk AutoCAD Frequency

Never

Very rarely

Rarely

Occasionally

Frequently

0

0

9

19

22

Table 4.5 Autodesk AutoCAD

Tables 4.3 above show about 44% of the respondents are

frequently using AutoCAD for their designing work and other works in

their daily work. However, 38% pick occasionally using the software

as they used the software in many cases but not so frequently. The

other 18% are rarely used this software as they only used it

sometimes during working.

50

Figure 4.10 Frequency of AutoCAD Tools Usage

0

5

10

15

20

25

Autodesk AutoCAD

0 0

9

19

22

Never Very rarely Rarely Occasionally Frequently

51

Autodesk Revit Frequency

Never

Very rarely

Rarely

Occasionally

Frequently

18

21

8

3

0

Table 4.6 Autodesk Revit

Autodesk Revit can be categories into 3 kind of software’s

which are Autodesk Revit Architecture, Autodesk Revit MEP and

Autodesk Revit Structure. Table 4.4 shows the frequency of using

Autodesk Revit among the respondents which 36% never use this

software while only 21% use this software only once and seldom use

it. 16% use this software sometimes to carry out design work and the

remaining 6% occasionally use but not so frequently.

Figure 4.11 Frequency of Autodesk Revit Tools Usage

0

5

10

15

20

25

Autodesk Revit

18

21

8

3

0


52

ArchiCAD Frequency

Never

Very rarely

Rarely

Occasionally

Frequently

0

3

3

24

20

Table 4.5 ArchiCAD

ArchiCAD is one of the famous software when it comes in

designing work. Table 4.5 shows that 40% of the respondents are

frequently used this software and 48% of the respondents used in

many cases but not too frequent. The remaining 12% are rarely used

the software as they may seldom do the designing work.

Figure 4.12 Frequency of ArchiCAD Tools Usage

0

3 3

24

20

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

ArchiCAD


53

Tekla Structure Frequency

Never

Very rarely

Rarely

Occasionally

Frequently

38

11

1

0

0

Table 4.6 Tekla Structure

Table 4.6 shows the frequency of respondents’ usage towards

Tekla Structure software. Majority of the respondents pick never used

this kind of software which collects 76% out of 50 respondents. 22%

of the respondents very rarely used Tekla Structure to do their works

and 2% pick rarely used.

Figure 4.13 Frequency of Tekla Structure Tools Usage

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Tekla Structure

38

11

1 0 0


54

Bentley BIM Suite Frequency

Never

Very rarely

Rarely

Occasionally

Frequently

50

0

0

0

0

Table 4.7 Bentley BIM Suite

Table 4.7 shows the response on Bentley BIM Suite.

Surprisingly, 100% of the respondents never used Bentley software. It

is an outstanding result as this software is quite famous when it

comes in designing work.

Figure 4.14 Frequency of Bentley Tools Usage

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Bentley BIM Suite

50

0 0 0 0


55

TurboCAD Frequency

Never

Very rarely

Rarely

Occasionally

Frequently

39

11

0

0

0

Table 4.8 TurboCAD

TurboCAD is a software application for design and drafting

work which run on Macintosh and Microsoft Window operating system

(IMSI, 2012). Table 4.8 shows 78% of the respondents never used

this software and another 22% very rarely use this software for design

and drafting purpose.

Figure 4.15 Frequency of TurboCAD Tools Usage

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

TurboCAD

39

11

0 0 0


56

IntelliCAD Frequency

Never

Very rarely

Rarely

Occasionally

Frequently

47

3

0

0

0

Table 4.9 IntelliCAD

Table 4.9 shows the results on IntelliCAD software that been

published by IntelliCAD Technology Consortium (ITC). 94% of the

respondents never used this software which one of the best

alternative CAD platform for application developer that contain DWG

or drawing compatible. Only 6% very rarely used this software to

perform their work.

Figure 4.16 Frequency of IntelliCAD Tools Usage

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

IntelliCAD

47

3 0 0 0


57

Sketchup Frequency

Never

Very rarely

Rarely

Occasionally

Frequently

0

0

31

18

1

Table 4.10 Sketchup

Table 4.10 shows that 2% of the respondents always used

Sketchup software to do 3D model while 36% just occasionally used

this software. However, 62% rarely used this software in their daily

work.

Figure 4.17 Frequency of Sketchup Tools Usage

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Sketchup

0 0

31

18

1


58

4.4.4 Analysis of Finding on the Building Information Modeling

tools Utilization

Building Information Modeling is a system that has a building

design and documentation methodology characterized by the creation

and use of coordinated, internally consistent computable information

about a building in design and construction (Autodesk, 2010). 78% of

the respondents do not aware on Building Information Modeling.

Some of the respondents never heard about BIM system. BIM system

has started to be used since 2000. However, there is still someone

does even know the existence of BIM system even 94% has used the

tools in BIM system but the theory on BIM still looked blur between all

the respondents selected. Still the awareness on BIM system has not

known throughout the industry.

The finding above have been conclude in the figure below that

shows, out of 8 tools that been selected only two (2) of the tools are

frequently being used in our local construction industry. It is Autodesk

AutoCAD and Google Sketchup. The other 6 tools are rarely being

used and one of the never being used which is Bentley BIM Suite.

59

Figure 4.18 Frequency of BIM Tools Usage

0

18

0

38

50

39

47

0 0

21

3

11

0

11

3 0

9 8 3 1 0 0 0

31

19

3

24

0 0 0 0

18 22

0

20

0 0 0 0 1

AutodeskAutoCAD

AutodeskRevit

ArchiCAD TeklaStructure

Bentley BIMSuite

TurboCAD IntelliCAD Sketchup

Frequency of BIM Tools Usage


60

4.5 Barriers Implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) in

construction Industry

Objective 3: To investigate the barriers of Building Information Modeling

(BIM) adoption in construction industry

4.5.1 Findings on Barriers in Implementing BIM System

To carry out this survey, a few interviews have been set up first

to gain the main reason on the barriers in implementing this system

with a few competent people by relating with some case study on

Industrialized Building System (IBS) and Modular Construction (MC).

A few situations in both case studies are quite similar with Building

Information Modeling issues. There are 8 barriers have been stated in

the questionnaire as it comply and suitable towards all team

members. Table below will show the agreement level on barrier to

implement Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the industry.

Barriers in Adopting

BIM Software

Agreement Level Frequency Percentag

e (%)

Problem of

Interpretability

1 – Strongly

Disagree

2 – Disagree

3 – Moderate

4 – Agree

5 – Strongly Agree

0

2

8

25

15

0

4

16

50

30

Table 4.11 Problem of Interpretability

Table 4.11 shows the problem of interpretability in

implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) in our industry.

Majority agree with this statement with 50% of the respondents say

interpretability is the barriers in implementing new technology in our

industry.

61

People know the benefits of it but they cannot implement it as

there still no authorize bodies that react to widen the software in our

industry. 30% of the respondents strongly agree on the statement and

16% think it is a moderate cause and 4% say disagree on the barrier

statement.

Figure 4.19 Percentage of Problem in Interpretability

0

5

10

15

20

25

Problem of Interpretability

0 2

8

25

15

Strongly Disagree Disagree Moderate Agree Strongly Agree

62


BIM Software

Agreement Level Frequency Percentage

(%)

Lack of Legal Baking

from Authority

1 – Strongly

Disagree

2 – Disagree

3 – Moderate

4 – Agree


5

9

18

16

2

10

18

36

32

4

Table 4.12 Lack of Legal Baking from Authority

Table 4.12 shows that lack of legal baking from the Authority

itself have slow the BIM software in our industry. Hence, 32% agree

and 4% strongly agree with the statement. However, 36% of the

respondents say it is a moderate cause, 18% disagree and 10% say it

is strongly false statement.

Figure 4.20 Percentage of Lack on Legal Baking

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Lack of Legal Baking

10

18

36

32

4


63


BIM Software


(%)

Expensive Software

1 – Strongly

Disagree

2 – Disagree

3 – Moderate

4 – Agree


0

0

0

18

32

0

0

0

36

64

Table 4.13 Expensive Software

Table 4.13 shows barrier in adapting BIM software which is

expensive software. Majority of the respondents where 64% say

strongly agree on this statement while 36% agree.

Figure 421 Percentage of Expensive Software

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Expensive Software

0 0 0

36

64


64


BIM Software


(%)

Lack of Competent Staff

to Operate Software

1 – Strongly

Disagree

2 – Disagree

3 – Moderate

4 – Agree


0

0

16

9

25

0

0

32

18

50

Table 4.14 Lack of Competent Staff to Operate Software

Table 4.14 shows half of the respondents strongly agree that

lack of competent staff is one of the causes that BIM software are

slow being adapted in our industry while 18% just agree and 32% say

it is a moderate statement.

Figure 4.22 Percentage of Lack on Competent Staff

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Lack of Competent Staff

0 0

32

18

50


65


BIM Software


(%)

Takes Longer Times to

Develop Model

1 – Strongly

Disagree

2 – Disagree

3 – Moderate

4 – Agree


4

1

13

12

20

8

2

26

24

40

Table 4.15 Takes Longer Times to Develop Model

Table 4.15 shows that 40% of the respondents strongly agree

that it takes longer times to develop 3D model compared to 2D

design. 24% agree, 26% is moderate on this statement while 2%

disagree and 8% strongly disagree.

Figure 4. 23 Percentage of Takes Longer Times to Develop Model

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Takes Longer Times to Develop Model

8

2

26 24

40


66


BIM Software


(%)

Difficult to Learn

1 – Strongly

Disagree

2 – Disagree

3 – Moderate

4 – Agree


0

0

5

19

26

0

0

10

38

52

Table 4.16 Difficult to Learn

Table 4.16 shows that BIM software is difficult to learn as 52%

of the respondents strongly agree while 38% agree with the

statement. Only 10% say it is a moderate statement to be a barrier on

implementing BIM software.

Figure 4.24 Percentage of Difficult to Learn

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Difficult to Learn

0 0

10

38

52


67


BIM Software


(%)

Not Ready to Distort

Normal Operation

Structure

1 – Strongly

Disagree

2 – Disagree

3 – Moderate

4 – Agree


3

1

16

12

18

6

2

32

24

36

Table 4.17 Not Ready to Distort Normal Operation Structure

Table 4.17 shows that some of the companies do not ready to

distort their normal operation structure as 36% of the respondents

strongly agree while 24% just agree on the statement above. 32% of

the respondents say it is moderate statement, 2% disagree and 6% of

respondents strongly disagree.

Figure 4.25 Percentage of Not Ready to Distort Normal Operation

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Not Ready to Distort Normal Operation

6

2

32

24

36


68


BIM Software


(%)

Never Required by

Other Team Member

1 – Strongly

Disagree

2 – Disagree

3 – Moderate

4 – Agree


0

0

7

15

28

0

0

14

30

56

Table 4.18 Never Required by Other Team Members

Table 4.18 shows that BIM software is never required by other

team members as 56% of the respondent strongly agree and 30%

agree with the statement. Only 14% say the statement is moderate.

Figure 4.26 Percentage of Not Required By Team Members

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Never Required by Team Members

0 0

14

30

56


69

4.5.2 Analysis of Finding on Barriers in Implementing BIM

No Barriers in Adopting BIM Software Frequency Percentages

1 Problem of Interpretability

There is not available protocol that enables

sharing of the model among team members,

even the model is developed.

0

2

8

25

15

0

4

16

50

30

2 Lack of Legal Baking from Authority

No legal backing on incentives, directives

and promotion.

5

9

18

16

2

10

18

36

32

4

3 Expensive Software

Software price is too high that only mega

firm can afford the licence

0

0

0

18

32

0

0

0

36

64

4 Lack of Competent Staff to Operate

Software

Most of the available personnel are not

conversant with BIM software.

0

0

16

9

25

0

0

32

18

50

5 Takes Longer Times to Develop Model

More time is spend developing the model

compared using 2D CAD

4

1

13

12

20

8

2

26

24

40

6 Difficult to Learn

It takes times to learn and understand the

BIM software.

0

0

5

19

26

0

0

10

38

52

70

7 Not Ready to Distort Normal Operation

Structure

No need to operate new method as the

organizational structure was well

established.

3

1

16

12

18

6

2

32

24

36

8. Never Required by Other Team Member

Not all team member preferred to use BIM

system compared to the traditional ways

0

0

7

15

28

0

0

14

30

56

Table 4.19 Barriers in Implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) in

Industry

Figure 4.27 Barriers in Implementing BIM System

0

10

0 0 8

0 6

0 2

18

0 0 2 0 2 0 8

36

0

32 26

10

32

14

25 32

36

18 24

38

24 30

15

4

64

50

40

52

36

56

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70


71

Table 4.19 above shows the present data collected using

questionnaire from the respondents regarding the barriers that occur

in implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) in our

construction industry. This section involved the analysis of major

barriers to implement Building Information Modeling (BIM) in local

construction industry. Overall analysis on the Figure 4.23 above, a lot

barrier that contributes in slow adaption of Building Information

Modeling (BIM) towards local construction industry. The problem of

interpretability is one of the factors that contributed in slow

implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) software in our

industry which is 25% agree with the statement. There is not available

protocol that enable sharing of the model among team members even

the model has been developed. This situation occurs because 36%

strongly agree the members are not ready yet to adapt new system in

their normal operation procedure.

Therefore, 36% of respondents moderately agree by lack of

the legal baking from Authority as there is lack of baking on the

incentives, directive and promotion by the Authority itself towards

implementing Building Information Modeling in our industry. If there

are many promotion or the Authority implement this system in every

project onwards then this software can be well known and been used

in our industry. Besides that, the BIM software is quite expensive

where 64% strongly agree that only high or mega firm can afford to

buy this software. Out of 5, just 1 companies that have known on

Building Information Modeling and being used this software for all

their operation on designing and drafting projects.

72

Since this tool is still new in Malaysia, 50% of respondents said

that lack of number for competent staff to operate this software has

been a problem as most of the available personnel are not conversant

with BIM software. 52% of personnel say that this software is difficult

to learn as it will take some times to learn on the overall tools and

understand the software. Therefore, when using BIM software it takes

longer time in develop 3D design compared to 2D design as the

available personnel says that it is easy to developed 2D design

compare to 3D as many aspects have to be considered in developing

3D design.

Moreover, some companies are not ready to distort their

normal operation structure as they do not need new method as the

organizational structure or method has been well established where

36% strongly agree on the statement given. If they want to change

the method of operation, the risk in implement new things may not be

accepted by the other team members. It is because the other team

members may not or never required using BIM system compared to

the traditional ways. The conventional method is more safe compared

when implement the new things without taking any risk that may

contributed on loss and failure in gaining the same opinion with the

others team members.

There are still lot more barriers that slowing down the process

in implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) in our local

industry. Hence, we should try to overcome the barriers by using a

few strategies in absorbing this software in our daily work to release

the burden on our team members and make it is easy to refer by any

team members as there is only one master plan in every project that

been constructed.

73

4.6 Strategies in Implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Software in Local Construction

Objective 4: To identify the potential factors that could accelerate

adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM)

4.6.1 Introduction

Building Information Modeling (BIM) require proper planning,

patience and full of commitment from all levels to be implement in an

organization. Since BIM still new, developing a solid and smooth BIM

action plan should be the first step towards getting an organization up

and running in a BIM environment. The plan should consist a few

strategies in achieving a good acceleration in adapting Building

Information Modeling (BIM) in our local construction industry.

Therefore, some potential factors that could accelerate adoption of

Building Information Modeling (BIM) in our local industry have been

identified as table below.

4.6.2 Findings on Strategies in Implementing Building

Information Modeling Software

Strategies in

Implementing BIM


(%)

Mobilizing Clients and

Team Member on the

Importance of BIM

1 – Unimportant

2 – Moderately

Important

3 – Very Important

0

15

35

0

30

70

Table 4.20 Mobilizing Clients and Team Member

74

Table 4.20 shows the results on the respond from the

respondents which 70% of the respondents says that mobilizing

clients and team members on the importance of BIM software is one

of the strategies in implementing BIM in our local construction

industry. 30% of the respondents say it just moderately important to

provide the services on mass organization of workshops, seminars

and conference on BIM system. None of the respondents disagree

with the important of mobilizing clients and team members towards

BIM software.

Figure 4.28 Mobilizing Clients and Team Members

35

15

0

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Mobilizing Clients and Team Members on BIMSoftware

Unimportant Moderately Important Very Important

75

Strategies in

Implementing BIM


(%)

Training for Staff 1 – Unimportant

2 – Moderately

Important


0

0

50

0

0

100

Table 4.21 Training for Staff

Table 4.21 shows that 100% of the respondents agree that

training for staff is the best option in implementing BIM system in our

local industry. Since BIM software takes times to learn and there are

lacks of competent staff to operate BIM software, training on how to

operate this software and it will encourage the staff with short course

and in house training on the new software.

Figure 4.29 Training for Staff

Very Important Moderately Important Unimportant

50

0 0

Training for Staff


76

Strategies in

Implementing BIM


(%)

Provision of

Legislation Issue on

BIM Usage

1 – Unimportant

2 – Moderately

Important


0

26

24

0

52

48

Table 4.22 Provision of Legislation Issue

Table 4.22 shows that 48% of the respondents agree that

provision of legislation issue on Building Information Modeling usage

is very important while 52% of the respondent say it is moderately

important.

Figure 4.30 Provision of Legislation Issue


24 26

0

Provision of Legislation Issue on BIM Usage


77

Strategies in

Implementing BIM


(%)

Provision of Software

Trial

1 – Unimportant

2 – Moderately

Important


8

16

26

16

32

52

Table 4.23 Provision of Software Trial

Table 4.23 shows that majority of respondents agree that

provision of software trial is very important with 52% of respondents.

While 32% say it is moderately important and only 16% say it is

unimportant.

Figure 4.31 Provision of Software Trial


26

16

8

Provision of Software Trial


78

Strategies in

Implementing BIM


(%)

Introduction of BIM in

University Curriculum

1 – Unimportant

2 – Moderately

Important


0

9

41

0

18

82

Table 4.24 Introduction of BIM in University Curriculum

Table 4.24 shows that an introduction of BIM software in

university curriculum collected 82% of the respondents’ agreement

that it is very important strategies in implementing Building

Information Modeling (BIM) software in our local industry.

Figure 4.32 Introduction of BIM in University Curriculum


41

9

0

Introdustion of BIM in University Curriculum


79

4.6.3 Analysis of Finding on Strategies in Implementing BIM

No Strategies in Implementing BIM Frequency Percentages

(%)

1 Mobilizing Clients and Team

Member on the Importance of

BIM

0

15

35

0

30

70

2 Training for Staff

0

0

50

0

0

100

3 Provision of Legislation Issue

on BIM Usage

0

26

24

0

52

48

4 Provision of Software Trial

8

16

26

16

32

52

5 Introduction of BIM in University

Curriculum

0

9

41

0

18

82

Table 4.25 Strategies in Implementing BIM Software

80

Figure 4.33 Percentages of Strategies in Implenting BIM System in Local Industry

The strategies above show how to overcome the barriers that

have been slowing down Building Information Modeling (BIM) system

in our local construction industry. The studies above have identified

some strategies in implementing BIM software by developing local

guidelines which involve solving the understanding on the importance

of BIM software towards mobilizing clients and team members As

70% agree that the statements is important to implement BIM system

in our local construction industry. Hence, some of them do not really

know what Building Information Modeling (BIM) itself is. 48% of

respondents said that some issue on enactment of legislative backing

from Authority as the development of BIM repository to enforce the

adoption of the technology from higher level which is Government to

users.

0 0 0

16

0

30

0

52

32

18

70

100

48 52

82

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Mobilizing Clientsand Team Memberon the Importance

of BIM

Training for Staff Provision ofLegislation Issue

on BIM Usage

Provision ofSoftware Trial

Introduction ofBIM in University

Curriculum

Unimportant Moderately Important Very Important

81

100% of respondents said that some training for staff in and

organization may increase the competent staff that can operate BIM

software well by encouraging the staff with some short course and in

house training on the new software. It will reduce the workflows which

are varying too much as the industry and the building life cycle will fit

neatly within a single workflow paradigm by using Building Information

Modeling (BIM) software. The provision on software trial may not a

good idea but may give some opportunities to available personnel in

order to diffuse the technology and expertise the software during the

trial period. However, the most relevant strategies is to introduce BIM

software in university curriculum as 82% said students can learn fast

on the new things and may give a better results and model as they

have learn using the software from the basic.

82

4.7 Summary of Chapter

This research found that the usage of Autodesk AutoCAD is very

popular among personnel involve within the industry and the software has

make the industry more ready in adopting a new technologies in the future.

Therefore, there are a few more barriers have been identified which can be

grouped into three main categories which are people, financial and

environment oriented that reflected the potential factors that affect the

selection in using others tools in BIM system. A few strategies has been

identified to overcome the problem on implementing BIM system in our local

construction industry. The Building Information Modeling has been

implementing in our local construction industry but still in slow progress.

83

CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Introduction

The aim of this research is to investigate the issue of Building

Information Modeling (BIM) adoption in local construction industry in order to

resolve the interoperability issues. This chapter will conclude the whole

research by reviewing the research objective and discuss the

implementation of this study which followed by recommendation of this

research for future usage.

5.2Summary of Findings

This research found that out of 50 respondents selected, 39 persons

do not know about Building Information Modeling (BIM) software and the

benefit using this software. All the design took a major step forward with

some advanced CAD system which has been deliberated for two decades in

our industry which have been resolved completely in favor of 3D drawing.

BIM works on the basis of calibration in our local construction industry which

all stakeholders including developer, project managers, consultants,

contractors, and facility management have the access to the same design

and plan with appropriate cost and scheduling information.

84

5.2.1 Summary of Objective 1

Objective 1: To study the current practice and awareness of the

industry towards new technologies

The findings on objective 1 shows that out of the 8 tools that

been selected only two (2) of the tools are frequently being used in

our local construction industry. It is Autodesk AutoCAD and Google

Sketchup. The other 6 tools are rarely being used and one of the

never being used which is Bentley BIM Suite.


Objective 2: To envisage the consequences if Building Information

Modeling (BIM) has been adopted.

The Building Information Modeling has been adopted in our

local construction industry. However, the function and the benefit of

using BIM software have not yet to be understood and to be seen on

the BIM system. Most of the personnel staffs use the tools but do not

know the tools they use are among the tools in the BIM system. The

existence of BIM system remains to be seen among personnel staff

even they have used the system. To optimize use of the technology it

is necessary to deploy the process. It is absolutely critical to

understand this as in the construction industry. The traditional

methods use technology in isolation but the BIM process uses

technology in collaboration.

85


Objective 3: To investigate the barriers of Building Information

Modeling (BIM) adoption in construction industry.

The findings show the present data collected from the

respondents regarding the barriers that occur in implementing

Building Information Modeling (BIM) in our construction industry. This

section involved the analysis of major barriers to implement Building

Information Modeling (BIM) in local construction industry. There are

many barriers that contribute in slow adaption of Building Information

Modeling (BIM) towards our local construction industry. The problem

of interpretability is one of the factors that contributed in slow

implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) software in our

industry. There is not available protocol that enable sharing of the

model among team members even the model has been developed.

This situation occurs because the members are not ready yet to adapt

new system in their normal operation procedure.

Therefore, by lack of the legal baking from Authority as there is

lack of baking on the incentives, directive and promotion by the

Authority itself towards implementing Building Information Modeling in

our industry. If there are many promotion or the Authority implement

this system in every project onwards then this software can be well

known and been used in our industry. Besides that, the BIM software

is quite expensive where only high or mega firm can afford to bought

this software. Out of 5, just 1 companies that have known on Building

Information Modeling and being used this software for all their

operation on designing and drafting projects.

Since this tool is still new in Malaysia, lack of number for

competent staff to operate this software has been a problem as most

of the available personnel are not conversant with BIM software.

Many personnel say that this software is difficult to learn as it will take

86

some times to learn on the overall tools and understand the software.

Therefore, when using BIM software it takes longer time in develop

3D design compared to 2D design as the available personnel says

that it is easy to developed 2D design compare to 3D as many

aspects have to be considered in developing 3D design.

Moreover, some companies are not ready to distort their

normal operation structure as they do not need new method as the

organizational structure or method has been well established. If they

want to change the method of operation, the risk in implement new

things may not be accepted by the other team members. It is because

the other team members may not or never required using BIM system

compared to the traditional ways. The conventional method is more

safe compared when implement the new things without taking any

risk that may contributed on loss and failure in gaining the same

opinion with the others team members.

There are still lot more barriers that slowing down the process

in implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) in our local

industry. Hence, we should try to overcome the barriers by using a

few strategies in absorbing this software in our daily work to release

the burden on our team members and make it is easy to refer by any

team members as there is only one master plan in every project that

been constructed.

87


Objective 4: To identify the potential factors that could accelerate

adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM).

Building Information Modeling (BIM) require proper planning,

patience and full of commitment from all levels to be implement in an

organization. Since BIM still new, developing a solid and smooth BIM

action plan should be the first step towards getting an organization up

and running in a BIM environment. The plan should consist a few

strategies in achieving a good acceleration in adapting Building

Information Modeling (BIM) in our local construction industry.

Therefore, some potential factors that could accelerate adoption of

Building Information Modeling (BIM) in our local industry have been

identified.

The strategies show how to overcome the barriers that have

been slowing down Building Information Modeling (BIM) system in our

local construction industry. The studies above have identified some

strategies in implementing BIM software by developing local

guidelines which involve solving the understanding on the importance

of BIM software towards mobilizing clients and team members.

Hence, some of them do not really know what Building Information

Modeling (BIM) itself is. Some issue on enactment of legislative

backing from Authority as the development of BIM repository to

enforce the adoption of the technology from higher level which is

Government to users.

Some training for staff in and organization may increase the

competent staff that can operate BIM software well by encouraging

the staff with some short course and in house training on the new

software. It will reduce the workflows which are varying too much as

the industry and the building life cycle will fit neatly within a single

workflow paradigm by using Building Information Modeling (BIM)

88

software. The provision on software trial may not a good idea but may

give some opportunities to available personnel in order to diffuse the

technology and expertise the software during the trial period.

However, the most relevant strategies is to introduce BIM software in

university curriculum as students can learn fast on the new things and

may give a better results and model as they have learn using the

software from the basic.

A formal implementation strategy is an essential component of

a successful Building Information Modeling (BIM) deployment (Lim,

2012). The implementation strategy must address the workflow and

process changes inherent to BIM where both 2D and 3D modeling

application have. This will enable a smooth workflow as there is no

disrupt productivity.

89

5.3 Summary of Study

This research found that the usage of Autodesk AutoCAD is very

popular among personnel involve within the industry and the software has

make the industry more ready in adopting a new technologies in the future.

Therefore, there are a few more barriers have been identified which can be

grouped into three main categories which are people, financial and

environment oriented that reflected the potential factors that affect the

selection in using others tools in BIM system. A few strategies has been

identified to overcome the problem on implementing BIM system in our local

construction industry. The Building Information Modeling has been

implementing in our local construction industry but still in slow progress.

90

5.4 Recommendation

5.4.1 Recommendation on the Research

As Building Information Modeling is a new system, full

comprehension of how to use a BIM program will take time. However,

some of the benefits of BIM will be seen right away, and as some firm

continues to work towards becoming more comfortable within the

world of BIM, the process will improve and become increasingly

easier and more efficient.

However, there still some factor to be evaluates which is the

information in the BIM system. Designing pretty model might impress

the others but it information management tools that makes BIM really

worth to use. There is one reason for slow take-up of BIM in the

construction sector which is the BIM community has so focused on

building compared to the information itself. Hence, using BIM properly

will cut project time and energy use as well as cost. It is because BIM

will reduce the waste of materials during construction and building

management that assist it in suitable demolition.

Both software and the professionals must work together as

through BIM, the exchange of construction documents may help and

avoids misunderstanding among the team members.

91

5.4.2 Recommendation for Future Research

Building Information Modeling (BIM) will continuously be

supervised. However, there are still possible areas for further

research to be study which are:

Purpose the alternative based on barriers in adapting BIM

Develop more appropriate system solving interoperability in the

local construction industry

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Building Information Modelling

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