BIM Technologies Revolutionizing the AEC Industry

Enlightened and progressive companies in the AEC industry are transitioning to BIM technologies.

The implementation of BIM represents a paradigm change, although the industry’s general acceptance of BIM technology, particularly in developing nations, is still in its infancy.

This blog post will go into great detail about Building Information Modeling and provide a comprehensive framework for BIM implementation in developing nations. Application cases, benefits, and challenges related to adopting BIM will also be covered.

Challenges of the Global AEC Industry and the Need For Automation

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is an industry that leaves a visible mark on the world. The construction industry employs hundreds of millions of people in direct and indirect employment.

Moreover, construction activities account for more than 6% of the global GDP. The scale of the world construction market is mushrooming.

According to Allied Market Research, the global AEC industry is expected to reach $15.84 billion by 2028 at a CAGR value of 10.7%.

But despite the importance of the AEC industry, productivity over the past couple of decades has declined and the efficiency of the construction industry is lower compared to other industries.

The global AEC industry suffers from different challenges such as weak communication, weak collaboration, resource wastage, delays, cost overruns, low productivity, etc.

Moreover, according to a recently published European Commission Report, the current construction processes are responsible for a third of the world’s waste and more than 40% of carbon emissions.

To achieve net zero emission output, construction companies around the world are promoting sustainable practices.

One of the viable ways of promoting sustainability is by adapting the latest technology such as RFID, BIM, and laser technology, to name a few.

You May Also Read: RFID Technologies: A Game-Changer for the AEC Industry

What is Building Information Modeling (BIM)?

The National Institute of Building Sciences (NBIS) has defined the Building information model as “a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility that serves as a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility.”

BIM can be defined as a collaborative model that generates data to be used throughout the lifecycle of a building including conceptualization, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and demolition stages. BIM allows the development of information-rich and accurate virtual building models.

Building Information Modeling is an umbrella term that includes different techniques and tools for diverse purposes such as designing, rendering, analysis, cost estimation, planning, collaboration, and so on.

According to the BIM Software Market Report released in November 2022, more than $14.8 billion was spent on BIM software which is expected to reach $17.6 billion in 2023.

Why is BIM Needed in the AEC Industry?

In recent years, BIM technologies have strongly impacted the AEC industry as one of the top information exchange, designing, communication, and management technologies used by the industry.

BIM is needed in the construction industry to improve construction efficiency, information sharing, communication, and collaboration and to reduce environmental impact, project delays, construction clashes, and cost. Hence, BIM is emerging as a reliable tool that can reshape the AEC industry.

You May Also Read: BIM sustainable construction: A step towards a sustainable future

Common Use Cases of BIM Technologies in the AEC Industry

Owing to its transformative potential, the application, and adoption of BIM are growing globally.

BIM technologies are the needs of every construction professional including designers, engineers, contractors, and so on.

Some of the major purposes of BIM application are as follows:

1. Designing, Modelling, and Simulation

BIM tools are used for designing, modelling, and simulation purposes. BIM-based designs are more reliable and optimized taking into account multiple factors which are otherwise hard to incorporate using manual techniques.

In addition to designing, construction professionals make information-rich building models and create high-resolution simulations.

These models help engineers to visualize building responses to different loading conditions.

2. Visualization and Rendering

BIM allows construction professionals to view the planned construction project from all angles. 3D models and renders created using BIM tools are used to visualize the building prior to construction.

3. Planning and Scheduling

The next application of BIM technologies is for planning and scheduling. Using powerful BIM tools such as Primavera, construction managers develop delivery schedules to execute projects in a timely manner eliminating delays.

BIM helps in planning, managing, tracking reporting, and executing different project activities.

4. Cost Estimation

BIM has the ability to perform highly accurate quantity take-offs. In addition, the system automatically incorporates and adjusts any changes made in the design.

5. Clash Detection

BIM technologies offer a detailed insight into the construction project, enabling construction professionals to integrate all the client’s requirements. The detailed construction models generated using BIM tools, allow construction professionals to check for clashes and errors in real-time.

Clash detection particularly in the early phases of construction can save money and potential hazards.

6. Environmental/LEED Analysis

Environmental impact is a serious concern of the AEC industry. To optimize construction processes and reduce environmental impact, BIM technologies play a critical role.

BIM tools integrated environmental factors such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters in building designs. In this way, resilient building designs are created.

Environmental impact is assessed and monitored throughout the lifespan of any building. In addition, the performance of individual building components is optimized.

7. Collaboration and Communication

BIM technologies enable faster and smoother collaboration among different stakeholders associated with planning, designing, and constructing.

Cloud-based tools such as BIM 360 and Microsoft Outlook ensure seamless collaboration across all disciplines.

It connects all construction stakeholders and keeps them informed about changes and progress. Moreover, the remote communication feature decentralizes the industry.

Why is BIM Seen an Important Development in the Construction Industry?

BIM has the ability to allow multi-disciplinary information to be superimposed with a single model. Optimized BIM models yield many benefits to AEC professionals such as:

1. Increased Productivity

Productivity in the AEC industry is a highly debated issue.

BIM addresses the low productivity issue of the industry. It ensures smooth information sharing across the entire value chain in real-time. Moreover, it ensures transparency and accountability in decision-making.

High-quality and accurate building models help in the smooth execution of construction projects. The BIM-optimized construction processes enhance overall productivity.

2. Enhanced Communication and Collaboration

Construction is executed by a complex network of collaboration and communication among different stakeholders and construction professionals.

These communications when established through traditional means not only result in poor communication rather it increase cost and reduce efficiency.

BIM tools foster seamless communication between all stakeholders and construction workers. Well-established communication ensures a smooth exchange of information, thus eliminating work delays and miscommunications.

3. Reduce Construction Errors

One of the major use cases or advantages of BIM is clash detection. With the help of accurate BIM models and workflows, document commissions and construction errors are identified and minimized.

In addition, timely clash detection reduces the number of change orders and reworks. The resolution of construction errors in improving work efficiency and reducing costs.

4. Reduce Material Wastage

As mentioned previously material waste is a serious concern of the AEC industry. BIM tools are used to ensure better resource management that helps to reduce material wastage.

5. Better Construction Project Management

Complex building projects are challenging to manage with traditional methods. Thanks to powerful BIM tools construction project management is not only made easy but more reliable and accurate.

6. Reduced Cost

BIM technologies reduce human and material resources. Moreover, BIM tools are used to generate working building designs and simulations even before commencing actual construction.

According to Stanford University’s Center for Integrated Facilities Engineering, BIM can reduce cost estimation time by 80% and diminish changes up to 40% by early problem detection. Hence, in general, BIM creates cost and time benefits.

7. Promote Sustainability

Adopting BIM technologies is a great way to promote sustainability and achieve net zero targets. BIM helps reduce material loss and promotes sustainable construction practices.

8. Enhances Safety

BIM technologies improve the safety of construction by taking into account different risks and potential hazards. Moreover, BIM designs are more resilient to natural hazards.

Due to the above-mentioned benefits, BIM is seen as an important development for the construction industry.

The Current State of BIM Adoption in the Developed Countries

BIM technologies are widely adopted in developed countries. The Scandinavian countries i.e., Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland are among the first countries to adopt BIM technologies.

Different countries have set their guidelines for BIM implementation. For example, Germany made it mandatory for companies for projects exceeding €100 million in 2017. Likewise, in South Korea, since 2016, all public projects over $50 million require BIM implementation.

However, there are no common standards that building firms across nations must adhere to. Numerous initiatives have been started to solve this problem and aid in the seamless adoption of BIM. A few of these initiatives are included below.

As a pioneer in BIM adoption, the UK began the National Digital Twin initiative in 2018 with the goal of fostering better-built environment outcomes by establishing an ecosystem of interconnected digital twins.

This program will reap many benefits including higher stakeholder engagement, better project outcomes, resilient infrastructure building, improved efficiency, promoted sustainability, and so on.

In September 2022, the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) launched the US National BIM Program to achieve a new level of industrial efficiency through digitalization. This program will offer the much-needed common national policy across different states in the USA.

Other countries should follow suit to ensure a smooth transition from manual construction methods to the latest BIM techniques which are efficient, cost-effective, and accurate.

However, standardization at the international level is more crucial than national standardization. In this regard, institutes such as the ISO can play key roles. It is also important to create jargon-free standards to be easily applied across borders.

BIM Technologies for Developing Countries

The AEC industry makes up a significant portion of the national GPDs of developing countries. Without revolutionizing and increasing the productivity of this industry, economic prosperity is impossible to achieve.

Although BIM technologies have been embraced in developed countries, however, BIM Maturity in the AEC industry of developing countries is still at a nascent stage. It is mostly used for planning and design purposes. BIM implementation in the operation and maintenance stage is the lowest.

Old and manual construction practices still prevail. Construction professionals in developing countries believe that current practices are serving excellently.

Due to the poor adoption of the latest technology, the construction industry in developing countries suffers from several challenges which need to be addressed promptly.

Companies in developing countries are hesitant to consider BIM adoption.

In addition to the reluctance of construction professionals, other barriers impede the implementation of BIM most notably the lack of skilled professionals, lack of common standards, lack of awareness, lack of government support, and lack of investment.

A Holistic Framework of BIM Implementation in Developing Countries

To ensure BIM implementation in developing countries a holistic framework is presented below. BIM implementation should be carried out in the following systematic manner.

Figure showing framework for BIM implementation

Step 1: Identifying Challenges and the Need for BIM Technologies

Before the implementation of BIM technologies, a detailed analysis of current techniques should be carried out to identify limitations, challenges, and issues. Employees and stakeholders should be interviewed to collect information relevant to BIM implementation.

Moreover, in the first step, the need for automation or BIM technologies should be assessed. Processes should be identified which need to be replaced with automation.

Step 2: Identifying the Key Technologies to be Used

Following by an analysis of current tools and techniques, the necessary BIM technologies should be identified. It is critical to choose only relevant hardware and software systems.

Unnecessary tools should be avoided to make the implementation cost-effective.

Step 3: Feasibility Analysis of the System

The feasibility of the newly proposed system must be analyzed. Experts should be assigned the task of feasibility analysis.

Step 4: Training of Construction Professionals

Employees should be well-trained to use the technique. They should be acquainted with BIM techniques. Training of professionals on the newly proposed system is essential for a successful implementation.

Step 5: Prototype Testing

It’s crucial to test a prototype in order to enable a seamless transition to BIM processes. For prototype testing, a building company can use BIM technology in one or two departments.

After successful prototype testing, BIM technologies can be implemented on a larger scale.

Step 6: Final Implementation and Collection of Feedback

Once prototype testing is successfully executed. The company can proceed ahead with the actual implementation of the system.

Lastly, it is important to get employee input and take the appropriate action to resolve any concerns that may have surfaced.

In addition, construction process efficiency can be compared with previous methods and case studies should be developed to guide other companies in the process.

Barriers to the Implementation of BIM Technologies in Developing Countries

As discussed previously, BIM adoption in the AEC industry is low. This can be attributed to a number of barriers such as:

a. Lack of Awareness

Companies in developing countries are unaware of changing technological trends. The lack of awareness affects the implementation of the latest technology such as BIM.

It is critical to educate construction professionals, in this regard, governments can play critical roles.

b. Lack of Investment

The budget has always been a concern for the adoption of the latest technology.

Small firms in developing countries do not have sufficient investment in software, hardware, and training costs. In addition, the companies lack technical BIM expertise, thus exacerbating the situation.

c. Lack of Standardization

Another key barrier to BIM implementation is the lack of standardization. There are no uniform guidelines and standards to aid BIM adaption.

d. Benefits are Not Tangible Enough to Warrant BIM Implementation

This is one of the major barriers to low BIM implementation, particularly in developing countries. Construction companies view BIM implementation as an unnecessary venture.

e. Low Team Interest in Support of BIM

According to Dodge Data and Analytics survey, the biggest barrier to BIM success was the low level of team interest in support of BIM adoption and a low level of collaboration among team members.

Conclusion

A successful implementation is impossible without eliminating the barriers. In this way, governments and non-governmental organizations can play critical roles.

Although BIM might not solve all the problems of the construction industry, however, BIM coupled with other emerging technologies such as laser technology, RFID, virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Artificial intelligence can transform the global AEC industry.