How BIM is able to optimise the design phase of a construction project

QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

How BIM is able to optimise the design phase of a construction project

Jacob Ostwald N7545843

2 Jacob Ostwald Queensland University of Technology

How BIM is able to optimise the design

phase of a construction project

Jacob Ostwald

N7545843

Supervisor:

Deborah Messer

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (07) 3138 2849

mailto:[email protected]


Executive Summary

This report provides an insight into the revolution of Building Information Modelling (BIM)

and how it optimises the design phase of a construction project. The report details:

what BIM is

how it has emerged in the civil industry

how it benefits both the planning and design phases of a construction project

the potential risks that could arise from using BIM

industry attitudes towards BIM

The investiture of BIM into the construction industry

This report is essentially a literature review which focuses on several different sources and

what they have to say about BIM. Although this report focuses on how BIM will improve the

construction industry, the other topics which are the industry attitudes and its current

status in the construction industry (both locally in Australia and on a global scale). These

topics should be considered in conjunction with the benefits of BIM because as it is a new

technology there will be some growing pains adopting BIM into their systems.

For the planning process of a particular construction project, BIM is able to greatly aid the

development by providing majority of the data in the earlier stages of the project which can

ultimately lead to better accuracy according to the client’s wishes. BIM provides the users

with a more collaborative experience compared to traditional methods. This aspect of BIM

is most effective when a clear strategic plan is set in place in the early stages of the project.

The more noticeable benefits of BIM can be seen in the design process. BIM revolutionises

the process in several ways (such as clash detection, cost estimation, time estimation etc.)

and the benefits of these changes are already being seen in some sectors of the

construction industry. If a company involved in construction projects wishes to maintain a

competitive edge in the industry BIM will become not just an added bonus, rather a

necessity in the years to come. This report will also cover industry attitudes and how many

users are currently working with BIM systems. The latter sections detail the installation of

BIM into the construction industry and to what scale it’s being utilised both locally and

globally.


It will cover the potential risks associated with using BIM and the potential impacts of this

type of technology. This section, however, is quite brief as many of the issues highlighted in

this section are either hypothetical and are not based on anecdotal evidence, or it’s simply

based on the costs associated with adopting BIM into their systems.

As construction projects become more and more intricate in the future, the current

methods and systems will need to adapt to these changes. It seems as though BIM will be

one of these necessary changes.


Contents

Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................. 3

1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 6

2.0 What is BIM? ............................................................................................................................... 7

2.1 BIM Software .......................................................................................................................... 7

2.2 BIM as a process ..................................................................................................................... 8

3.0 The emergence of BIM in the civil industry ................................................................................ 9

4.0 The benefits associated with BIM ............................................................................................. 10

4.1 BIM and the planning process .............................................................................................. 10

4.2 How BIM optimises the design process ................................................................................ 12

4.2.1 Clash Detection ............................................................................................................. 15

4.2.2 4D .................................................................................................................................. 17

4.2.3 5D .................................................................................................................................. 20

4.2.4 6D .................................................................................................................................. 20

5.0 Risks associated with BIM ......................................................................................................... 22

6.0 Industry Attitudes ..................................................................................................................... 24

6.1 Architecture and Engineering Firms ..................................................................................... 24

6.2 Contractors ........................................................................................................................... 24

7.0 The investiture of BIM into the construction industry ............................................................. 27

7.1 Brisbane ................................................................................................................................ 27

7.1.1 Parsons Brinckerhoff ..................................................................................................... 27

7.1.2 BIM for Asset Owners – driving value and creating certainty ...................................... 29

7.2 Australia ................................................................................................................................ 30

7.2.1 The business value of BIM in Australia and New Zealand ............................................ 31

7.3 Worldwide ............................................................................................................................. 32

7.3.1 Realising the benefits of BIM ........................................................................................ 35

8.0 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 37

9.0 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... 38

10.0 References ................................................................................................................................ 39


1.0 Introduction

Intelligent computer programs are becoming more and more integral to the success of a

construction project, and the construction industry acknowledges that more efficient

methods and types of software are required to maintain a competitive edge.

Traditional construction projects follow a very linear timeline. A construction project

generally changes hands a few times over its entire lifecycle between different professions

involved, and sometimes disparities can occur when the project is passed on. It’s widely

accepted that communication and clarity between team members are pivotal to a successful

outcome. It should also be

The use of computer modelling technology in civil engineering is a very integral part of this

industry. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a new three letter acronym in the

construction industry which is set to play a much larger role in the future. In broader terms,

BIM is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. A

building information model is the virtual design of an object in which the information of the

file is shared between all concerning parties involved.

The purpose of this study is to present and promote the use of building information

modelling as both software and a process. This study will focus specifically on the design

aspects of BIM; it will also detail and analyse what it is, how it works, why it’s becoming

more prevalent and where the technology is headed.


2.0 What is BIM?

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is both a type of program and procedure which allows

users to create and manage a project with guidance and supervision from several different

professions. It is a tool which is comparable to CAD (computer aided design). BIM, however,

encompasses more than just 3D rendered objects; BIM incorporates many other factors into

the design such as the information of each structural component and cost estimation as the

project progresses, just to name a few.

BIM is more than just a 3D model; it is an intelligent 3D model. A very interesting video

produced by ArchiCAD explains BIM in layman’s terms. The video mentions that BIM is a hot

topic in the construction industry, and that there are several different explanations as to

what it is exactly. According to What is BIM1, BIM is collectively:

- A type of software

- 3D modelling of buildings

- A process

- A collection of building data

2.1 BIM Software

BIM software allows the users to produce a 3D model which is supported by networking

from all professions involved in the project. BIM shares traits with 3D modelling to a certain

degree in that both of these produce 3D models of buildings. BIM is unique in that by adding

several other dimensions to the process which includes clash detection, time frames, the

costs involved and the lifecycle of the construction project from conception to demolition

(these are known as 4D, 5D, and 6D etc.) it is more than just a simple 3D model. These

additional dimensions which are factored in, along with some other interesting aspects, are

what make BIM a revolutionary type of software. By integrating several other dimensions

into the design it becomes clever; it learns and alerts users to changes in the design and

information regarding every aspect of the project. It is essentially a cost saving software

which all companies involved in infrastructure should highly consider.

A construction project which utilises BIM will have several different models (structural

elements, plumbing, MEP etc.). BIM then takes these separate models and combines them

into one file which is able to (depending on what type of BIM software is used) predict costs,

timelines and quantities needed.

1 (ArchiCAD, 2012)


When BIM is able to consider several other dimensions to the program, they name it

appropriately. For example, 4D is similar to 3D software but where they differ is that 4D

takes into account the schedule; it’s able to approximate the duration of the project. Revit

by Autodesk is a good example of 4D software. 5D takes into account schedule like 4D,

however 5D also factors in cost estimation of the project. 6D software integrates the project

lifecycle into the design which allows the designers to compact all the necessary information

into just BIM file, by passing the need to submit a binder file of all the necessary

information.

2.2 BIM as a process

BIM is not solely software; the software can be integrated with a process. The process is

considered to be the communication aspect of BIM software in which the software provides

the user a much more proficient experience in project design, whereby all professions

involved are able to collaborate much more efficiently and effectively compared to past

methods of project management. The BIM process allows designers to create the model

more accurately in accordance with what the client expects. The BIM process completely

changes how a project is managed, the project become a work on everyone’s lap rather

than certain disciplines completing it then passing it off to the next in line. Jorge Carmona (a

BIM manager for Kirksey) and Kathleen Irwin published an article online mentioning how

BIM alters the normal process in their article BIM: Who, What, How and Why.

“Using BIM, the design process is no longer linear. It is collaborative. Whereas in a

traditional design-bid-build process the architect takes the building through design

development before handing off the design to the engineers, and through construction

documentation before handing off drawings to the contractor, BIM brings the project team

together much earlier, much the same way design/build brought the architect and

contractor together at the project’s onset. Any modification one team member makes

affects the entire model, creating constant communication.”2

2 (Jorge Carmona, 2007)


3.0 The emergence of BIM in the civil industry

The actual concept of BIM has been in existence since the 1970’s, when it was

conceptualised in a paper in 1974 titled An Outline of the Building Description System.

Research Report No.50 3. The term BIM, however, was popularised when Autodesk released

a paper entitled Building Information Modelling.4 5

The term Building Information Modelling has been taken on by the major sellers of CAD

software and it is now widely accepted as a category of software which is considered to be a

leading edge method of organising and implementing virtual models in the construction

industry. BIM software stands upon the success of CAD software, but the actual concept of

BIM is more orientated to buildings as a product model. The product model is defined as:

“...a formal information model that defines agreed data structures which provide a

comprehensive ability to capture engineering information about a particular class of

artefact”6

3 (Eastman, 1974)

4 (Autodesk, 2002)

5 (Kingdom Blog, 2014)

6 (Watson, 2009)


4.0 The benefits associated with BIM

The most well known benefits of BIM are the coordination of the design and improved

constructability. Due to the very nature of BIM, most types of information which is passed

from one to another is interrelated and cross referenced which reduces ambiguity, and

allows the stakeholder to manage the project efficiently and accurately.

The following details how BIM optimises the planning process of a typical construction

project and about how BIM improves the design process.

4.1 BIM and the planning process

To place BIM in context, it is necessary to compare it with a regular infrastructure process.

When it comes to planning, designing and producing industrial goods the product generally

follows a routine. The majority of infrastructure projects, however, are mostly unique and

the functionality of each project can greatly vary. Each construction project requires a team

which is effective at working cohesively and shares a similar view on what to expect for the

final outcome.

For a typical infrastructure project to function effectively, it is necessary for architects,

engineers, project managers, contractors and other relevant stakeholders to communicate

and coordinate between the different disciplines in order to achieve. Success in this instance

is defined as achieving the desired outcome with minimal wastage and possibly repeat

business for all parties involved.

Projects are becoming more elaborate and intricate; BIM has adapted to these changes and

the software allows users to streamline this process. By reducing the cross management and

reworking issues, BIM (as both a verb and a noun) optimises the entire project lifecycle.

Successful project delivery depends on multidisciplinary collaboration at every stage of the

project; BIM is able to help with early collaboration and information sharing between

disciplines in order to effectively assist in making better decisions throughout the lifecycle of

a project.

In order to produce a more successful outcome for a project it is necessary to first define

what success is in this context. BIM projects which have failed generally didn’t have a plan,

had a bad plan or had a plan which didn’t define what success and failure is. In relation to

the subject matter, BIM is merely just a tool or process which can be used and/or followed,

however if the basics of an effective team are not present then BIM cannot compensate for

ineffective teamwork.


The white paper realising the benefits of BIM (published by Autodesk) states how BIM

improves the planning process of a project by producing detailed models at the beginning of

the project lifecycle. Access to important information leads to a more successful project in

the long run. In the white paper, it mentions that the most important decisions of the

project are made earlier using BIM compared to traditional methods of project planning.

“Early access to the rich information in the models helps everyone on the project team gain

more insight into their projects. As a result, the team can make more informed decisions

much earlier in the planning, design, construction or renovation process – when decisions

can have the greatest impact on project cost, schedule and sustainability.”7

In addition to this, an interesting stat puts that 68 percent of BIM users says that BIM pushes

more key decisions to the earlier stages of the design process.

This white paper published by AutoCAD is essentially a promotional tool for BIM. The paper

presents all of the benefits associated with it, but doesn’t go into depth about potential

issues with this type of software. However, it’s hard not to agree with AutoCAD’s stance on

BIM when the benefits related to it are numerous and idealistic.

The article The Top Five Reasons Why Strategic Plans Fail explicates the main reasons as to

why some great ideas are not fully taken advantage of due to poor planning techniques8.

The article is based on a survey from respondents who detailed how particular strategic

planning processes have failed in the past. So, as it’s aptly named the article details the five

main reasons why strategic plans fail. The top five reasons for failure are:

1) Lack of Communication

2) Poor Leadership

3) No plan behind the idea

4) Passive management

5) Motivation and personal ownership

Each of these points should be addressed if an organisation wishes to produce an effective

strategic plan. BIM is able to tackle most of these issues as it provides clarity and a big

picture for those concerned. This is where companies who do not use BIM will surely fall

behind in terms of competitiveness, since BIM drastically aids in regards of planning and

coordination.

Conversely, BIM is not the silver bullet to every single issue associated with effective team

management. BIM does not automatically provide the users with a method to efficiently

plan itself; rather the users will need to implement an effective strategy for BIM in order to

7 (Autodesk, 2011)

8 (Johnson, 2002)


clearly understand its purpose and defining the goals. A very useful guide for facility owners

titled BIM: building information modelling planning guide for facility owners is aimed at

facility owners wanting to understand how to effectively integrate BIM throughout the

organisation and the lifecycle of a facility. Companies who decide to use BIM will need to

clearly define what their objectives are for the project timeline, and in this paper the

definition of strategic planning is defined by John M. Bryson in his book:

“Strategic planning is a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that

shape and guide what an organization (or other entity) is, what it does, and why it does it”9

This article is highly useful for companies who are looking to possibly optimise their current

planning strategies and BIM is no different in this regard; BIM is merely a tool in the grand

scheme, and to able to fully maximise BIM it’s necessary to set clear objectives from the

very beginning. It is necessary for the players in involved to begin with the end in mind.

4.2 How BIM optimises the design process

The ultimate goal of most construction orientated companies is to deliver projects which are

faster and cheaper. In a video presented by Anthony Governati from Autodesk, wastage in

the construction industry is at 30%10. Based on this, BIM could be a desirable option for

many players in the construction industry.

BIM is similar to CAD in regards to the design phase, as they are both 3D modelling

programs. BIM however, is unique in that it incorporates intelligent design into the process.

The design is intelligent because it takes into account several factors associated with design

such as cost, design materials, clash detection etc.

The physical design of a project is based upon what the client details and how the designers

interpret it. Using BIM closes the gap between what the client expects and how the

designers interpret this; ultimately it puts more onuses on the client to be clear about the

specifics of the design at the beginning. An additional benefit of BIM is that it allows

different professions to work more collaboratively and closer together. By organising an

effective team, and establishing guidelines, universal units and terminology for all parties at

the beginning of the lifecycle, BIM can streamline the project timeline by reducing the

amount of rework required.

Realizing the benefits of BIM explains how BIM as both software and a process optimises the

design process of a construction project. The topic of the white paper is based around the

9 (Pennsylvania State University, 2012)

10 (Governati, 2012)


major advantages of BIM. BIM allows companies to take on more complex projects. Suzanne

Provanzana, an associate from Thornton Tomasetti, describes in the journal “BIM allows us

to work on much more complicated structural engineering projects than were attempted in

the past”. In addition the article also mentions how BIM improves the way companies are

able to present progress to clientele, with more 3D models and realistic representations of

the final product.

One of the ways that BIM changes is the design process is by using a central model which

constantly updates in accordance with any changes which are made to the original model.

The article Realizing the benefits of BIM explains how teams are able to efficiently work on a

project due to the enhanced collaboration abilities of BIM:

“For information sharing among geographically dispersed teams, some firms employ the

strategy of a central project model in a single office location and multiple local servers. This

approach helps enable team members to work more effectively as a single unit over a

distributed wide area network (WAN). Multiple team members around the world can work

simultaneously on local models stored on their computers, updating them periodically with

up-to-date information from the central model—most of which is already stored on the local

servers. This approach represents one aspect of a larger phenomenon known as cloud

computing, in which data and, with increasing frequency, software resides in a remote

location.”11

In addition to this, it’s mentioned that the BIM process places a lot of emphasis on early

design in the project lifecycle. This aspect of BIM tends to pull away from a typical project

where majority of detailing occurs towards the latter stages of the project; however with a

well organised team, BIM is able to deliver a project with much of the specs at the front end

of the lifecycle. It states in the report:

“...BIM shifts the overall level of effort to earlier in the project—potentially influencing an

organization’s project workflows and staffing needs. The traditional makeup of a design

team is governed by the huge effort required to produce a construction document set, with

roles corresponding to drawing types: plans, elevations, sections, details, and so on. Using

BIM, the reduced documentation effort renders this traditional project structure obsolete.”12

In terms of the project timeline, BIM completely revolutionises the traditional method. BIM

flips the idea of a regular sequential construction process and makes it more of a

collaborative experience. Where a project would normally change hands between designers

and other stakeholders involved, BIM enables all parties involved to ensure the quality of

the project through updates in changes and clash detection.

11

(Autodesk, 2011) 12

(Autodesk, 2011)


Realizing the benefits of BIM presents several points about the effectiveness of BIM. It is

essentially a promotional article which presents several different sources highlighting the

benefits of BIM and why it should be further integrated into the construction industry.

Another article BIM: A change in the design process? (Written by Rebecca De Cicco from KSS

Architects) details about how BIM is the next step in design with regards to modelling

technology. The article is based around the author’s personal experience with BIM and how

it’s utilised at KSS Architects; she explains how the industry is slowly adapting to the

changes being made and why the BIM process is not a complicated procedure but rather a

logical method. She goes on to discuss how KSS Architects adopted the technology in 2004

and how it has benefited the company in several ways such as improved building design

analysis and information provisions during the entire lifecycle. Put simply, the author

describes BIM as a revolutionary process:

“Those adopting BIM today are moving forward at very differing speeds and consequently

their experience levels also vary wildly. We were lucky enough to have begun this process

earlier than most practices and hence have a strong BIM background today as a result. BIM

is a process; it is underpinned by technology but is also about a collaborative approach. 3D

modelling is not only about the physical, tangible evidence created from that process, rather

an iterative process that begins to cover operation, maintenance and eventual

decommissioning of a building and far exceeding what the building may have been if

designed only in 2D”13

The business value of BIM in Australia and New Zealand highlights the benefits associated

with BIM during the design phase. According to a survey which asked the respondents to list

the top 5 benefits of BIM, this top 5 were:

1) Reduced errors and omissions

2) Overall enhancement as the company’s image as an industry leader

3) Reducing Rework

4) Ability to work collaboratively with owners or design firms

5) Offering New Services

Nowadays for consultants, using BIM can mean the difference between winning a contract

or not. Recently, Autodesk had won a contract offered by Qatar Rail to design the rail

network in Qatar; the chief requirement for the contract was that the consultants were to

implement BIM into the project.

13

(Cicco, 2012)


“Autodesk will provide BIM implementation, consultancy and advisory services to Qatar Rail

as it builds a modern integrated railway network in the country. Autodesk says it will help

Qatar Rail decrease time and costs in railway projects by minimizing rework and

miscommunication, providing more insight into projects, and helping accelerate decision-

making.”14

4.2.1 Clash Detection

Clash detection is another very interesting aspect of BIM. Clash detection occurs during the

latter stages of the project when all of the models are collaborated. A BIM model is not just

one model, rather several models which are broken down into the respective models for all

the disciplines involved which are all derived from the initial architectural drawings

(structural engineering, environmental aspect etc.), and so when all of these models are

collaborated, clash detection is the next step.

Figure 1: Examples of the different BIM models which are derived from the architectural model in part (a)15

Clash detection is a revolutionary way of assessing a construction project. When the models

are collaborated together, clash detection is able to locate and highlight the discrepancies

between the models. Clash detection is a feature of BIM which is defined quite well in an

online article Clash Detection in BIM modelling:

“After each of the disciplines has finished their work, the next step in BIM modelling is clash

detection, which is the process of finding where the models “clash”: elements of separate

models occupying the same space, or with parameters that are incompatible, or in 4D BIM

modelling, a time sequence that is out of order. Finding these inconsistencies is vital, as they

would severely impact the construction process, causing delays, design changes, materials

costs and a cascade of headaches and budget overruns.”16

14

(Global Construction Review, 2014) 15

(Salman Azhar, 2009) 16

(BIM Journal, 2012)


This paints a clear image of what clash detection essentially is. It takes the information that

is given to the program and locates where models overlap and can be fixed; this in turn

saves a lot of money further along the lifecycle of the project. This is compared to the

traditional method of clash detection which would usually occur on the job site by

contractors, which ultimately would lead to more costly and timely projects.

Clash detection is a highly useful feature which is able to ultimately save not only money but

a great deal of time as well. Swinerton Builders had calculated the average cost of a clash on

site and the average came at around $17,000 (USD) per clash17. This is where BIM is most

effective because the complication of coordinating several models can cause a lot of rework

due to several clashes occurring between models; when one model is redesigned to account

for a particular clash, the new design may then clash with another model again.

Figure 2: Clash detection is a cardinal feature of BIM18

These kinds of budget savings are not uncommon. Another case study by Holder

Construction Company (in Atlanta, Georgia) displays very positive results for their return on

investment (ROI). The project, Hilton Aquarium, was budgeted at 46 million dollars;

however an analysis of the project by BIM software estimated the cost to be around

$90,000 which is only around 0.2% of the total project budget. In addition to this, the BIM

analysis calculated that the schedule benefit was reduced by 1143 hours19. When it came to

coordination, there were several meetings in order to confirm the 3D models involved and

to resolve conflicts with the design. This in turn saved them around $600,000 and many

possible delays.

The economic aspect of BIM, the return on investment (ROI), is without a doubt very

beneficial for companies wanting to increase their return. Below is a list of projects in the US

which had a significant ROI:

17

(Swinerton Incorporated, 2010) 18

(rapidBIM, 2014) 19

(Salman Azhar, 2009)


Figure 3: List of projects in the USA which had a high ROI

20

It’s evident from this that BIM is able to provide a decent ROI compared to more

conservative estimates in the initial stage.

As projects become more complicated, BIM is not just a benefit, it will become almost

essential for more complex projects. More intricate projects will require a process which is

able to successfully create majority of the project earlier in the timeline and is able to detect

potentially costly issues in the early stages of the design.

4.2.2 4D

There are several aspects of BIM which sets it apart from regular types of 3D modelling

software. 4D is another form of BIM which maintains the aspect of 3D modelling but also

introduces the schedule dimension to the design.

4D scheduling differs greatly from the practices associated with traditional scheduling

methods. The article 4D scheduling – A Case Study provides an in-depth analysis of how 4D

BIM changes the traditional method of scheduling. Some of these benefits are listed in the

table.

Benefit Description

Ring side seat A 4D schedule provides the scheduler with a ring side seat to the construction site. The scheduler is quickly able to move around, look outside, inside and under the building or site and verify the sequences he is planning. The constant visual feedback forces the scheduler to plan at greater depth and refine logic to avoid visual incongruities in the representation.

20

(Salman Azhar, 2009)


Management of Detail There may be issues of too little or too much detail depending on the stage of project definition and the granularity of the 4D representation desired. During early phases, with only sketchy intent or schematic drawings available, these may not be sufficient for generating 4D schedules. The necessary component details would need to be developed separately. At the other end, a finished construction model will likely show every element of construction. This may be too much for the scheduler who works at a certain higher level of abstraction. Even a “fully developed” 3D model from the A/E will require additional work for the scheduler. For example, the model from the A/E will likely show a continuous floor slab in its model. The scheduler on the other hand may require the 3D model to be further detailed in order to show the sequence of concrete pours and may need to use his or her own 3D modelling resources to develop these details.

Management of hard and soft logic The visual connection to the schedule discourages generalizations. Long duration activities with overlapping relationships (SS, FF) sometimes create impressions of out of sequence logic busts. Finish to Start (FS) relationships are likely to gain in respectability while using of negative lags will get a reality check. The scheduler now has to make some choices earlier based on more refined decisions. It is no longer enough to have the activity ‘Start excavation’ – a particular area has to be chosen to start and another to end to make sense visually. Figure 3 illustrates such a point. Similarly, soft logic connections will also require greater planning and be less arbitrary to withstand challenges using visual common sense.

Impact of Logistics A ringside seat for the scheduler will force him or her to factor in impact of logistics on the schedule right from the beginning. The availability of access, lay-down areas, and equipment sequences cannot be ignored.

Managing what is not on A/E drawings This is a completely new challenge to the


scheduler at many levels. First the scheduler has to find information which is generally not found in Construction Document (CD) packages. The CDs are prepared by the A/E while site information such as logistics etc is prepared by the CM or GC. Secondly the scheduler must get this information in a compatible 3D CAD package.

Table 1: The benefits of using 4D for scheduling21

This article is essentially a report which is aimed at informing the reader about the benefits

of 4D.

On the website VICO which promotes the use of 4D BIM, the article titled What does 4D

mean to YOU? details some of the benefits of using 4D BIM. A key question mentioned in

the article is should 4D BIM represent the sequencing the scheduling of the project or should

it be the derivation of the schedule?22 According to the article, pioneers of construction

scheduling say that it should be both of these. 4D BIM takes 3D modelling and optimises the

allocation of resources, and on top of this it’s able to extract the quantities

In an article posted on Engineering News-Record, it specifies that 4D is unique software

which should be considered by all construction companies:

"There is a question in the market, however, about the role of 4D BIM," notes Vico

Software's blog website devoted to 4D BIM. "Should 4D BIM represent the sequencing of the

project or should it be the derivation of the schedule? Pioneers in construction scheduling

assert that 4D BIM should be both sequencing and scheduling, plus on-site production

control with the Superintendent and the Subs, even going as far as invoice

reconciliation with work complete on-site. These progressive GCs further assert that 4D BIM

integrates quantity takeoff, location-based quantities, resources, productivity rates, and

labour costs into the 3D model."23

The article hints many times that 4D is a “game changer” and with the ever increasing use of

visualisation modelling on site, 4D is software that more companies should be using as it can

offer all parties involved not only a 3D image of what is expected but also an estimated

schedule of the model at every stage of the project.

21

(Basu, 2007) 22

(VICO software, 2013) 23

(Joyce, 2014)


4.2.3 5D

5D is another form of BIM software; 5D takes 4D and adds another dimension which is cost

estimation. According to the website VICO software, 5D is more than just model-based

estimating, it’s a new way of working with the owner and the project stake holders. Some of

the benefits associated with 5D software are listed.

“What can you do with 5D BIM capabilities? 1.) Show an Owner what happens to the schedule and budget when a change is made

on the project.

2.) Organize your own in-house database with cost and pricing information, labour productivity rates, crew composition data, and Sub KPIs.

3.) Provide cost-loaded schedules for the Owner.

4.) Provide multiple, iterative (evolving) estimates for the Owner which s/he can quickly

compare to the target cost.”24

This article by VICO software accurately sums up the capabilities of 5D software. It takes 4D

software and builds upon it by adding several other features.

4.2.4 6D

6D is a more recent development. Like 5D, it takes the former functions and includes a new

dimension. In this case, 6D takes 5D and appends the dimension which is the project

lifecycle management. For facility management, 6D is able to summarise the intricate details

of a project (such as materials, spacing of walls, operation manuals, warranty details etc.)

and places it into an online manual along with the digital 3D model.

The paper The Value of BIM for Facilities Management details quite well how 6D is able to

effectively assist facility owners in how to operate and maintain the building. Some of the

benefits of 6D lead to the better management of:

Preventative maintenance

Space management

Ongoing Changes

Energy Efficient Initiatives

Lifecycle management

Maintaining information and design intent25

24

(VICO software, 2014) 25

(Hitchcock, 2013)


The paper (by Don Hitchcock) is able to provide a clear perspective for facility owners in

how to effectively utilise BIM in order to maximise the benefits. BIM is not just limited to

these three modelling platforms. In the coming years, BIM will continue to add more

dimensions to the already existing platforms and become more intelligent; BIM will

continue to propagate and improve as time progresses.


5.0 Risks associated with BIM

The concept of BIM as both a method and a tool is a new concept for the civil industry.

Henceforth, new ideas are sometimes slow to be adopted by an industry which is slow to

respond to change in general. In order for BIM to be successfully implemented in the

construction industry it requires support from the executive levels a company. BIM could

also potentially change the way companies’ function, with increased efficiency the needs for

certain professions could be made redundant.

As noted in the article The Pros and Cons to Building Information Modelling it states that the

initial cost of implementing this kind of technology is also a major factor to consider. In

order to implement this type of technology it is necessary to scope and train the proposed

team in BIM software system which could prove to be quite costly. In addition to this the

article goes on to mention that there possibly could be insurance issues with this type of

software; if the software were to fail for any particular reason would there be serious issues

ahead:

“One concern from the perspective of both intended users and their insurers will be what

contingency plans are in place should the software fail. What happens in this scenario? Does

the project revert to a traditional approach, and if so, does the delivery team have the

propensity to switch without issue”26

The author of this article, Ben Carter (from AIG) presents both the positive and negative

sides of introducing BIM software into the infrastructure industry. As with all new

technologies there will be critics who’ll present the possible issues that could arise in the

near future with wide spread use in the industry.

By displaying both pros and cons of BIM software, the author provides a refreshing

perspective on the information available on BIM. There are many sources which provide

only the positives and benefits of BIM, but by shining a different light on it he’s reaffirming

that it’s necessary to consider possible scenarios and concerns which could occur. Although

he has presented legitimate questions to reflect on, this type of software requires full

support in order to succeed in its implementation in the civil industry, especially in an

industry which is generally considered to be conservative and sluggish to employ change.

The report the business value of BIM in Australia and New Zealand presents some

interesting viewpoints from the non-user community. Despite the apparent spread and

growth of BIM use, there are still some users who do not use it for a multitude of reasons.

The non-user attitudes towards BIM seem to be mostly based upon lack of experience with

the technology. There’s another stance, however, which says the reason some companies

26

(Carter, 2013)


don’t use BIM is because they’ve used it in the past but then have decided to abandon it,

and it goes on to say that this is the most negative attitude towards adopting BIM as it is not

based on ignorance but rather experience. To use this type of software for only a short

period of time and then ditch it is a very short sighted attitude towards BIM software.

Some of the other reasons are noted in this report, and are as follows:

They have not used it, and have no interest in using it

They have not used it but are considering its potential value

They have not used it but are open to exploring its potential value for us

They have not used it but are actively evaluating it

Based on these points it seems that many of the firms hold a neutral stance towards using

BIM. In contrast to this, the majority of architecture and engineering firms who don’t use

BIM have a very negative attitude towards it. 33% of A/E firms who don’t use the

technology have a negative attitude towards using BIM.

Another potential issue that could arise from using BIM is ownership of information. This

issue is pointed out in the paper by D.B. Thompson e-Construction: Don’t get soaked by the

Next wave:

“The first legal risk to determine is ownership of the BIM data and how to protect it through

copyright and other laws. For example, if the owner is paying for the design, then the owner

may feel entitled to own it, but if team members are providing proprietary information for

use on the project, their propriety information needs to be protected as well. Thus, there is

no simple answer to the question of data ownership; it requires a unique response to every

project depending on the participants' needs. The goal is to avoid inhibitions or disincentives

that discourage participants from fully realizing the model's potential.”27

This quote sums up quite well the blurred lines regarding who exactly has legal rights to the

ownership of the information. As BIM progresses into the future of constriction companies,

the issues associated with ownership could potentially become a major issue. Nonetheless,

BIM is still highly effective as a design tool, but in terms of ownership this topic could be a

different issue all together.

27

(Thompson, 2001)


6.0 Industry Attitudes

In Australia and New Zealand, attitudes are shifting towards leading the world in BIM

implementation. At this stage approximately 51% of all users are engaged with BIM on more

than 30% of their projects in Australia and New Zealand, and the amount of projects that

use BIM is expected to increase to over 60% in just two years28.

The sector which has shown to have the largest amount of BIM expertise is in the

Architectural and Engineering firms. Naturally these sectors of the construction industry are

more open towards change, compared to contracting companies which tend to lag behind

when it comes to new ideas.

6.1 Architecture and Engineering Firms

Many architecture and engineering firms (A/E firms) in Australia seem to be well underway

integrating BIM into their existing systems. Based on the report the business value of BIM in

Australia and New Zealand, around 62% of A/E firms are heavy or very heavy users of BIM

(heavy being 31% to 60% of their projects, and very heavy implementation is more than

60%)29.

Generally speaking, A/E firms are the pioneers of experimental methods and technology.

BIM is no different in this regard, as A/E firms have implemented BIM into their methods

and processes more so than contractors (approximately 61% of design professionals

compared to 33% of contractors)30.

6.2 Contractors

Contractors play a pivotal role in the construction industry; they are the ones to oversee and

manage the progress on the construction worksite. A/E firms pass the information to the

contractors and their job is to interpret this and build from the plans given.

Traditionally, contractors will be given 2D plans which they use as a reference point for the

construction. From there, they point out any discrepancies between the designs whether it

is the ducting, beams, ventilation, plumbing etc.

28

(McGraw Hill Construction, 2014) 29

(McGraw Hill Construction, 2014) 30

(McGraw Hill Construction, 2014)


The video BIM: Key Benefits for Contractors and Sub-Contractors by IMAGINiT Technologies

explains the numerous benefits for contractors. According to the video, there are general

contractors and sub-contractors who are very interested in knowing how to fully utilise the

benefits of BIM. Some of these benefits include:

Simplified estimation

Enhanced value engineering

Identifying conflicts

Facilitating communication

Reduced change orders

Consequently, the results from these benefits are:

Increased efficiency

Fewer delays

Less waste

Ultimately, all these results for the contractors (and most other parties involved) lead to

greater profit. BIM is able to provide a smooth transition from the beginning of construction

to end with minimal issues. In the US, there is only around 25% of the construction market

that have any level of BIM awareness. This shows that compared to the A/E firms, they are

lagging behind in terms of BIM integration31.

There are many websites online which are aimed at promoting BIM specifically for

contractors; one of these websites is Constructech. The website is based on a magazine

which is aimed at converging construction and technology, and also aimed at fully profiting

from newer technologies. One of the articles from the website titled A Perspective on BIM –

for General Contractors details the benefits of BIM for contractors. One of the key points in

this article explicates the differences between traditional construction projects compared to

construction projects involving BIM:

“Typically a general contractor has a preconstruction team that handles estimating and

early project planning as well as a construction team that handles detailed project planning

and implementation.

On one hand, a building information model is beneficial when simply used to support this

traditional structure, but the highest value of BIM is achieved when it is used as a vehicle for

increased inter-company teamwork and collaboration. In a BIM-integrated construction

company, the BIM team is the central, enabling hub around which all other teams orbit

throughout the various construction project phases, and the building information model is

the backdrop by which all project-related decisions are made. Companies that rise to this

31

(Choquette, 2011)


level of BIM integration are rewarded with increased efficiency, productivity, profitability,

and employee satisfaction”.32

For the contractors, BIM becomes highly useful in terms of communication. It removes a lot

of the ambiguity between the designers and constructors.

Although contractors seem to be lagging behind in terms of adopting BIM, there are a

multitude of benefits for every stake holder of a project that uses BIM. Contractors are no

exception; once BIM becomes more widely used in the industry, the benefits will slowly but

surely show for those on site who would traditionally deal with several design issues only

pointed quite late along the project timeline.

32

(Constructech, 2014)


7.0 The investiture of BIM into the construction industry

7.1 Brisbane

Brisbane is currently a thriving capital for construction, and in recent times BIM has made an

appearance in the local construction industries. The following headings are centred on the

developments of BIM in the Brisbane area, chiefly based on some interviews with BIM users

at Parsons Brinckerhoff and a recent conference held which was focused on promoting BIM

to several construction company representatives.

7.1.1 Parsons Brinckerhoff

Parsons Brinckerhoff is a multinational engineering firm with several branches in Australia.

Parsons Brinckerhoff has an office located in Brisbane where they utilise BIM as both the

software and the process.

Michael Sparrow (Senior Project VIS consultant) and Mark Patis (Technical Executive – Civil

Design) both from Parsons Brinkerhoff in Brisbane were interviewed regarding BIM and how

it’s used in their offices. The interview focused on BIM as both a process and software, how

it’s used in the office and how it has changed some processes in the office. As stated by

Michael, Parsons Brinckerhoff has been using BIM software for around 6 years, but as a

process they’ve only been using BIM for about 3 years.

Parsons Brinckerhoff uses Navisworks at its software platform for BIM and also noted that

many architecture firms use Revit. This initially seemed like there would often be clashes

between different types of BIM software, however when probed the question if there’s any

issues with the formatting of the files they didn’t seem to see any issues with data transfer.

It was noted by Michael that at the beginning of a project which involved BIM software all

the terminology and units involved in the design are mutually agreed upon in the

preliminary report as to avoid confusion, and to streamline the design procedure.

Both Mark and Michael agree that the rate of adoption for this sort of technology is quite

slow. According to a study by McGraw Hill Construction, only 29% of Australian construction

companies use the technology heavily (heavily being more than 60% of the projects of a

particular company)33.

Michael stated that BIM doesn’t decrease the amount of time it takes for a project to be

delivered; rather it allows the designers to produce better work within a similar lifecycle

time frame. When it comes to producing several design options, BIM is a great solution.

33

(McGraw Hill Construction, 2014)


It was also noted by Michael that BIM software is currently used for larger scale projects

rather than smaller project. He says the reason BIM is used for larger projects is because the

budgets usually allow for it; BIM does not necessarily reduce the cost of particular projects

but rather allows the designers to achieve more with the same budgets compared to pre-

BIM techniques. Michael mentions that if BIM were to be used for smaller projects, the

budget would be dramatically increased (relatively speaking, compared to what smaller

project might normally cost).

There appears to be some discrepancies with the legalities of using BIM. BIM is

revolutionary in its application, but the law is yet to catch up with this software. There are

no legal implications of what Parsons Brinckerhoff do in terms of their BIM models; when

the files are given to the contractors there is no responsibility on the engineer’s part to

guarantee the accuracy of their drawings. According to both BIM users, the legalities

associated with BIM is still in the dark ages. As stated by Mark, the current protocols that

are used for BIM design in Australia are adopted from the British standards.

Whilst it seems that BIM is technologically advanced, the legal aspects of using and

implementing it in design and construction are not clear cut. It was apparent from the

meeting that BIM is not being used to its full potential; BIM seemed to be effective at

producing results in terms of design, but where it is lacking is somewhere during the

transition from being a design program to being able to produce construction drawings

which could be used by contractors on site.

Parsons Brinckerhoff seems to be well aware of the benefits of BIM. They have used the

software for several projects since its inception, and the number of projects that BIM will be

used for will be increased. Parsons Brinkerhoff is one of the many consultation firms that

have begun to use BIM, and the amount of firms that use BIM will hopefully increase in the

near future.


7.1.2 BIM for Asset Owners – driving value and creating certainty

On the 30th of April 2014, there was a conference in Brisbane which gathered several

construction companies situated in Brisbane to discuss the benefits of using BIM software. A

BIM panel (sponsored by National Strategic Partner BST and the division sponsor Autodesk)

brought together professionals in the construction industry to discuss BIM. During the

conference, the representatives discussed what BIM is, the positives of using this type of

software and why it will be more prominent in the years to come.

There were 3 key speakers during the conference, Bob Baird (Department of Defence), Paul

Nunn (CSI Global Services) and Brett Taylor (Bornhorst & Ward) presented their

perspectives on BIM and why the construction industry needs to consider trialling the

software in the near future. BIM was presented as software which lowers the risks involved

with constructions projects. A key theme was the visualisation aspect of the software which

allows the users to see a full 3D model of the desired outcome in the early stages of the

project, which leads to less confusion between the professions involved and the client.

Paul mentioned that the client may at first have a very conservative attitude towards BIM,

but the client does not need to know exactly how BIM works in order to benefit. Paul also

stated that it is the duty of the BIM owners to notify and inform clients that BIM is involved

in a particular project. Paul makes a clear divide between the uses of BIM models, in

particular BIM models which are used for design, and the less common BIM models which

are used for construction. It was apparent in the panel meeting that the contractors find the

BIM models to be quite different to the designs they’re used to working with.

Brett’s stance on BIM was unambiguous at the conference; all parties involved in

construction should highly consider familiarising themselves with BIM. His point was that all

professions concerned with construction should spend time becoming accustomed to using

this type of software, because he believes it will go the same way as 2D computer generated

did. Brett noted that at Bornhorst & Ward, their fees have been reduced by 20% as they are

able to detect errors with the design much earlier in the process. For Brett, it’s not a

question of “if”, but “when”. He believes we need to push forward and cease to hesitate

when it comes to adopting the technology.

It was also evident during conference that one of the contractors who attended the meeting

held a very conservative view towards BIM. They don’t seem open to the concept of BIM,

rather hesitant and quick to question its effectiveness. A survey in the room at the time

regarding the use of BIM found that 60% of engineers are not comfortable using BIM

software. However, this statistic is just used to show the attitudes of the individuals at the

conference, and is only based upon a very marginal sample size.

Bob brought up an interesting point by stating that he has been using BIM software for

projects since 2007 and he’s never had once claim for insurance. This is most possibly due to


the fact that BIM is able to produce a full 3D visual of what to expect in the early stages and

is able to clear up any discrepancies sooner rather than later, which is usually much more

expensive.

Some consultants during the conference brought up the potential issues with using BIM for

construction. They mentioned that in the past, projects had a higher cost if they involved

the use of BIM. From this, it seems that the contracting firms are more hesitant in

considering BIM compared to other professions in the construction industry.

It was mentioned during the conference that in the USA the government requires

construction companies to use BIM technology. Despite Australia’s apparent conservative

attitude towards BIM, baby steps are being made in the construction industries here to

adopt the technology. Paul stated that he has assisted in mandating BIM into construction

agreements in Western Australia, and that he also plans to assist other states around

Australia in mandating BIM into their construction agreements.

Another interesting point brought up was that from the companies that don’t use BIM, 70%

would consider using it if the client specifically asked for it.

Paul feels that many consultants need to be familiarised with BIM systems. He believes that

companies shouldn’t spend time and money finding the perfect solution; rather they should

trial the software and decide whether it’s appropriate for them.

Representatives from Brisbane City Council had taken steps to integrate BIM software into

their projects. There was a brief discussion with two civil engineers from the BBC who

mentioned that they’ve begun using BIM for design purposes, however only on a small

scale. Evidently, it seems that the Queensland government is interested in what BIM

software has to offer.

7.2 Australia

Australia’s attitude toward revolutionary technology is generally conservative, but despite

this BIM software in Australia is slowly being adopted in the construction industry. Some

companies in Australia are introducing BIM into their systems more openly than others;

Architectural and Engineering firms are generally the first to embrace change in regards to

more up to date systems.

Currently, there are no Australian BIM standards for designers to adhere to. The current

standards used for BIM design in Australia are adopted from the British standards.

Compared to Britain, Australia is lagging behind in adopting BIM as an industry standard. In


the UK, they’ve already decided to mandate BIM systems by 201634 which will require all

government industries in the UK to fully utilise BIM for their built environment

procurement. The global recession has hit the UK harder than Australia and this has

consequently forced the British construction industry to reconsider current methods and

adopt change more openly compared to the industries in Australia.

On a different note, the Australian Government seems to be supporting the use of BIM in

the construction industry. On the Department of Industry section of the Australian

government website, there is a small brief on BIM. The purpose of this brief put forward by

the government is to promote BIM as a new avenue for companies to consider integrating

the software into their systems. Based on an extract from the document, it’s evident that

the Australian Government wants more construction companies to use this type of

technology:

“The department co-funded a research project with BuildingSMART and industry partners, to

develop a cost benefit analysis of the impacts of BIM on the Australian buildings sector. The

Report, Productivity in the Buildings Network: Assessing the Impacts of Building Information

Models, by the Allen Consulting Group, found that BIM has macroeconomic significance - its

accelerated widespread adoption would make a significant difference to national economic

performance, and there is a compelling economic case for encouraging greater use of BIM in

Australia”35

7.2.1 The business value of BIM in Australia and New Zealand

The business value of BIM in Australia and New Zealand, a market report which was

released in March 2014 details the progression of BIM and how it’s transforming the design

and construction industry. Several topics are covered in the report, such as the BIM use and

its value, the return on investment (ROI) for the investors and global comparisons of BIM

usage.

The return on investment (ROI) has been shown to be very effective with firms that heavily

implement BIM. Of those companies, 46% reported having a very positive ROI (over 25%

returns) whilst only 22% found that they had break even or negative ROI.

34

(Bleby, 2013) 35

(Australian Government, 2014)


7.3 Worldwide

On a global scale, it seems that BIM is exponentially becoming more and more prominent in

the industrial sector, as BIM could potentially be considered a necessity for companies

concerned with construction. It will at least be necessary to familiarise themselves with BIM

systems, and as this occurs the dominoes will fall accordingly.

The business value of BIM in Australia and New Zealand compares the ANZ region to the

USA and South Korea in terms of perceived return on investment (ROI). The results display

that Australia and New Zealand reported a positive outcome in regards to their perceived

value of ROI.


Figure 4: The perceived ROI from BIM by region

Australia and New Zealand had reported the largest amount of positive ROI in all three

sectors between the architects, engineers and contractors. It’s interesting to see also that

North America, while they’ve had a lot of experience with using BIM in the past compared

to other companies, many engineers reported a negative or break-even ROI. It is interesting


to note that even though Australia has no official national standards regarding BIM, they are

reporting the most positive ROI in all three sectors.

Around the World with BIM is an online article posted by Lachmi Khemlani (PhD in

intelligent building modelling) which covers several different countries and their

technological developments regarding BIM. In this article, the author tells how each country

has come to adopt BIM systems into their current ones.

Singapore was one of the earliest countries to recognise the potential of model based

designs. The author describes how Singapore had an earlier intelligent computer design but

has long ditched it in favour of using BIM:

“As early in the 1990s, Singapore had a CORENET project, which was a system for

automatically code-checking a design. This, of course, could only be done for a building that

was represented using a model rather than drawings. In 2005, I wrote a detailed article on

CORENET, describing how it worked. At that time, it was still in a test phase and was going

to be applied to some pilot projects before a full public release. In the intervening years, I

didn’t hear much about the CORENET project and assumed it had been stalled. In the

meanwhile, BIM instead has taken off in Singapore, and the BCA has a roadmap for BIM that

pushes its construction industry to be using BIM widely by 2015. “36

China, the world’s powerhouse when it comes to production, is currently aiming at reducing

emissions by building energy efficient buildings. The author mentions how China is indirectly

advocating the use of BIM without actually mandating it:

“While I couldn’t find any specific mention of BIM in China’s latest five-year plan manifesto,

it would very difficult, if not impossible, for any AEC firm operating in China to meet targeted

levels of energy efficiency in building design without resorting to a model-based

representation of the design that allows accurate and thorough energy analysis. Thus, by

cracking down on energy-profligacy and setting firm energy targets for buildings to meet,

China is indirectly advocating the use of advanced AEC technologies like BIM, even though it

is not mandating BIM outright.”37

36

(Khemlani, 2012) 37

(Khemlani, 2012)


BIM has already been mandated in the UK. In 2011 there was a push by the cabinet office to

mandate BIM into government systems by 2016 which was ultimately successful. In addition

to this, the government mandate also has a BIM standard which is the AEC (UK) BIM

Standard (November 2009) for the program Revit. According to the author, BIM is well

underway being implemented into the construction industry in the UK.

“AEC firms in the UK are already quite advanced in their BIM implementation, with London

being home to many of the leading firms in the world such as Foster and Partners, Zaha

Hadid Architects, BDP, and ArupSport, as well as the European headquarters of firms such as

HOK, SOM, and Gensler, all of which are well known for their cutting-edge use of AEC

technology. In such a milieu, a government-issued mandate for BIM can only thrive and bring

the rest of the AEC firms in the UK more rapidly up to speed compared to the average AEC

firm located elsewhere in the world.”38

In terms of BIM adoption, Australia is on a similar wavelength compared to other nations.

Most nations are not so eager to integrate this type of technology into their systems

without seeing firsthand the benefits.

7.3.1 Realising the benefits of BIM

Studies have been conducted in both the US and Western Europe regarding BIM usage, and

it appears that BIM has firmly entrenched itself into the infrastructure industries. In the

building industry in the US, it’s noted in the study “Realising the benefits of BIM” that almost

half of the US building industry is using BIM technology as of 2009 (it’s noted that this is a

75% increase since 2007)39. The section titled BIM adoption clearly highlights each stake

holder’s progress with adopting BIM into their respective systems in both Western Europe

and the USA:

“Building industry overall: The 2009 McGraw-Hill Construction SmartMarket Report1, The

Business Value of BIM: Getting Building Information Modelling to the Bottom Line (2009

SmartMarket Report), states that nearly half of the U.S. building industry is using BIM, a 75

percent increase since 2007. According to the 2010 McGraw-Hill Construction SmartMarket

Report, The Business Value of BIM in Europe: Getting Building Information Modelling to the

Bottom Line in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany (2010 SmartMarket Report on

BIM in Europe), 36 percent of the industry in Western Europe has adopted BIM.

Architects: The 2009 SmartMarket Report reports that six out of ten architects in the United

States create BIM models, with half of those users also performing analysis on the models.

38

(Khemlani, 2012) 39

(Autodesk, 2011)


According to the 2010 SmartMarket Report on BIM in Europe, in Western Europe 70 percent

of architects that use BIM believe that it leads to better-designed projects.

Engineers: The 2009 SmartMarket Report states that over the next two years, the use of BIM

is expected to double by structural engineers, triple by mechanical, electrical, and plumbing

(MEP) engineers, and quadruple by civil engineers. The 2010 SmartMarket Report on BIM in

Europe states that in Western Europe nearly 70 percent of engineers report positive ROI and

62 percent found BIM to be of high or very high value during the construction phase.

Contractors: According to the 2009 SmartMarket Report, the use of BIM among U.S.

contractors has almost quadrupled in the past two years, with half of all contractors

currently using BIM. The 2010 SmartMarket Report on BIM in Europe reports that 52 percent

of contractors in Western Europe found BIM to be of high or very high value during the

construction phase.

Owners: Fully 70 percent of the U.S. owners surveyed by the 2009 SmartMarket Report

reported a positive ROI from using BIM. In Western Europe, 65 percent of the owners

surveyed report asking for BIM, according to the 2010 SmartMarket Report on BIM in

Europe.

Green BIM Professionals: According to the 2010 McGraw-Hill Construction SmartMarket

Report, Green BIM: How Building Information Modelling is Contributing to Green Design and

Construction (2010 SmartMarket Report on Green BIM) 3, the use of BIM on sustainable or

green projects is poised for great growth, with 78 percent of BIM users”40

Based on this list, it’s quite clear that the construction industry in the US is well underway in

fully implementing BIM into every aspect of the civil industry. It’s interesting to compare

this report to the more recent report from the McGraw Hill Construction report, which

initially stated in 2009 that several sectors of engineering were expected to increase the

usage of BIM within a two year period.

On the contrary, the more recent report from the McGraw Hill report states that many

engineers in North America reported negative or break-even results for the perceived ROI.

It’s interesting to highlight these shifting attitudes as BIM becomes more prominent in the

construction industry.

40

(Autodesk, 2011)


8.0 Conclusion

Based on several sources, BIM is shown to be the next stage in intelligent design software.

Majority of the sources that revolve around BIM agree that it use revolutionises how

construction projects are carried out. Companies who utilise this type of software will find

that they’re able to perform more efficiently, and due to the complex nature paired with its

unique collaborative ability BIM allows companies to consider construction projects which

are normally considered outside of its scope.

In all, BIM is shown to be the next stage in design software evolution and those who take

advantage of it will benefits greatly in the long term.


9.0 Acknowledgements

To my supervisor, Deborah Messer, thank you for your help and patience during the

semester. Your knowledge on the topic provided me an interesting perspective in industry

attitudes towards BIM.

To the team at Parsons Brinckerhoff; many thanks for your assistance and information

regarding BIM. I would like to express my deep gratitude to Sean Myers; between setting up

meetings and sponsoring me to attend the conference on the 30th of April, I am truly

grateful. Both these men helped me sculpt how BIM is changing the construction industry.

To Andrew Collins, thank you for introducing me to BIM; I became curious about 6D when

you explained to me what it is and how it works. To both Mark Patis and Michael Sparrow,

your insights and personal experiences with BIM provided me a great deal of information.

To my family, thank you for your encouragement and support towards the final weeks for

this study.

Special thanks to Daniel Tealby for his assistance by proof reading and editing some

sections. Stay golden mate.


10.0 References ArchiCAD. (2012, January 18). What is BIM? Retrieved from Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qj9pI5us7o

Australian Government. (2014). Building Information Modelling. Retrieved from Australian

Government: Department of Industry:

http://www.innovation.gov.au/industry/buildingandconstruction/BEIIC/Pages/BuiltEnviron

mentDigitalModelling.aspx

Autodesk. (2002). Building Information Modeling. Retrieved from Autodesk:

http://www.laiserin.com/features/bim/autodesk_bim.pdf

Autodesk. (2011). Realizing the Benefits of BIM . Retrieved from Autodesk: http://extreme.rs/wp-

content/uploads/2013/10/2011_realizing_bim_final.pdf

Basu, M. A. (2007). 4D Scheduling – A Case Study. Retrieved from

http://www.icoste.org/AACE2007%20Papers/Nashville_ps12.pdf

BIM Journal. (2012, January). Clash Detection in BIM Modeling. Retrieved from BIM Journal:

improving the construction process: http://www.bimjournal.com/2012/03/clash-detection-

in-bim-modeling/

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