Barriers to BIM Adoption in Brazil

Abstract

Purpose: The research goal was to investigate the main barriers faced by a large Brazilian construction company in their efforts to thoroughly implement BIM. This study focused on the analysis of understanding the barriers to BIM adoption and the usage of 3/4 dimensions (3D/4D) on the development of an infrastructure project.Research methodology: The research methodology was exploratory and qualitative, carried out through a single-case study approach made upon bibliographical research, company document analysis, project document analysis, interviews, informal conversations, and observations. The research methodology was developed in six months (from June to December 2019) divided into three main phases: phase 1: definition and design; phase 2: preparation and collection; phase 3: data analysis and conclusion. Data collection was developed using a semistructured research protocol with two different semistructured questionnaires: the first questionnaire aimed at collecting data regarding BIM implementation in the company’s organizational context; the second one focused on the understanding of BIM adoption in the project and on the investigation of the main barriers related to the usage of 3D and 4D modeling in the project studied.Findings: Regarding BIM implementation in the company, although the company studied is a construction company in the infrastructure sector, BIM was considered more efficient in the design phase and flawed in the construction phase. Findings have shown that BIM has improved the information management of the design itself and its interface with the construction phase. In relation to the usage of BIM in the project, a more collaborative work environment was noticed due to the effectiveness of communication between the design and construction teams on the job site. With respect to the usage of 3D/4D modeling in the project studied, the difficulties in extracting information from the 3D model have disabled the usage of 4D modeling during the construction phase. Therefore, the difficulties reported were identified as an opportunity to map deficiencies in the BIM model in order to define parameters for the new project proposals and to automate the process of receiving the model and checking for inconsistencies or lack of information.Implications for Research and Practice: The case study is an example that BIM as a technological tool is not able to promote an integrated design and construction interface by itself. It is necessary to integrate BIM as an integrated process with structured management methods and tools. From our perspective, we understand that contracts should change, including construction stakeholders in the very beginning of the design process fostering collaboration across stakeholders such as designers, design and construction managers, suppliers, and subcontractors, thereby achieving a higher level of improvement potentially carried on by the new technologies allied to management practices. With regard to the nature of this article, it is important to make it clear that the results from this study were based on the Brazilian construction industry only.Limitations: The research is a single-case study; therefore, the findings cannot be generalized. Most of the data were dependent on the interviewees’ self-reported perceptions. We suggest new studies should be conducted with other construction companies in the Brazilian context, comparing companies with different organizational structures and sizes and other types of projects.

Developing project evaluation models for smart sustainable practices implementation in construction projects: a comparative study between Nigeria and Hong Kong

“…The mean score values range from MS = 3.53 (“ D25– Availability and affordability of cloud-based technology ”) to MS = 4.12 (“ D1– Technical competence of staff ”) for Hong Kong; and MS = 3.90 (“ D6– Adequate construction cost allocated to BIM ”) to MS = 4.54 (“ D1– Technical competence of staff ”) for construction projects in Nigeria. These key findings are similar to previous studies such as Arrotéia et al (2021) that identified the competence and experience of construction firms as critical within the Ethiopian construction industry. Also, incorporating Internet of things (IoT) and allocating resources for SSP is considered significant to SSP adoption in the Ghanaian context (Antwi-Afari et al , 2021).…”

“…The studies further stressed the significance of coercive pressures or mandates by government and private clients in ensuring the implementation of SSP in construction projects. For instance, in Brazil, the lack of trained specialists has contributed to the difficulties in its implementation (Arrotéia et al , 2021). To put it in context, when practitioners are knowledgeable and skilled in how and when to apply smart and sustainable initiatives, there are more inclined to adopt them for future construction projects.…”

“…Currently, there are no industry BIM standards in Nigeria; although there are some relevant BIM standards in Hong Kong developed by the CIC, it has not received an industry-wide acceptance. Similarly, in Brazil, Ethiopia, and Singapore construction industries, the lack of BIM standards or lack of legal support for its usage are noted as key limiting factors for SSP implementation (Arrotéia et al , 2021; Belay et al , 2021; Liao et al , 2021). As BIM is a critical component of SSP implementation (Wong and Zhou, 2015), as advanced in this study, stakeholders should devote resources towards developing BIM standards that suit their local context.…”

Employer’s Information Requirements: A Case Study Implementation of BIM on the Example of Selected Construction Projects in Poland

“…Some countries have introduced programs and government regulations on BIM implementation, thereby encouraging developers to adopt it [9]. In some countries, BIM implementation is highly developed, while in others it is only starting to be introduced [4,[10][11][12][13][14]. In Poland, projects that utilize BIM, especially during the construction phase [15], are relatively uncommon, yet their number is expected to increase [16].…”

A lifecycle management system for capital construction facilities based on a digital cloud platform implementing information modeling methods and technologies

“…The second is the digitalization of procedures and services in the field of construction, the formation of unified accessible data sets and information platforms that implement a unified information space for the construction industry [19][20][21][22][23].…”