Developing as-Built Bim Model Process Management System for General Contractors: A Case Study

Abstract

As the application of building information modeling (BIM) becomes more common, BIM model management becomes necessary and important to enhance the effectiveness of BIM implementation for a general contractor (GC) during the construction phase. Implementation of BIM models in the construction phase, which typically involves participants from different fields, often has numerous BIM-related interfaces and problems. Therefore, feedback from the most recent as-built model tracking and BIM model problems are essential for BIM process management (BIM PM) in the construction field. BIM PM has become the most important aspect of a sound as-built BIM model management strategy. Changes in as-built BIM models should be identified, updated, and tracked for BIM PM, such that version management of as-built BIM models can be improved, while minimizing rework and reducing as-built BIM models development duration. Systematic approaches and information on management platforms for enhancing BIM PM during the construction phase are lacking. This study proposes a novel approach to the BIM model management which is to manage and track all versions of as-built BIM models. The primary purpose of this study is to develop a web Construction BIM-based PM (ConBIM-PM) system to enhance a General Contractor's ability to share BIM PM information and track construction projects more efficiently. The ConBIM-PM system provides users with a centralized storage of all versions of as-built models during the construction phase of a project so that they are able to track and manage the current status of modified as-built models and BIM PM information effectively. Finally, the ConBIM-PM system is applied to a case study of a building project in Taiwan to verify its efficacy and demonstrate its effectiveness. The case study results show that the ConBIM-PM system is effective for BIM PM work by a GC during the construction phase of the BIM implementation.

Promoting Sustainability through Investment in Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technologies: A Design Company Perspective

“…Besides USA, only few UK companies use BIM technology; feasibility studies are still in process. However, local government stated that by 2016 all public sector construction projects should be carried out using 2nd BIM competence level [27,28].…”

A method to predict change propagation within building information model

“…The difficulties experienced in exchanging information between architectural and precast engineering modelling systems (Sacks et al 2010). The lack of effective design collaboration between the construction site and the off-site design office often leads to information delays in the design and construction processes, as well as confusion among different parties involved in these processes (Lin et al 2016).…”

“…During the construction phase, BIM engineers and managers, typically from the general contractor, execute BIM-related work but rarely share updated change information about as-built BIM models with other project and BIM engineers. Tracking and managing change information for as-built models effectively can improve BIM process management in construction, thereby eliminating mistakes (Lin et al 2016). BIM supports an increase in concurrency and the possibility for faster design iterations by increasing the ease of accessing, modifying and sharing design data.…”

Analysis of Problems, Consequences and Solutions for Bim Application in Reconstruction Projects

“…To guarantee themselves a sufficient amount of work and to remain competitive, contractors often reduce the competitive price, hoping to reduce their costs and this often leads to reduced quality of work. When customers choose the contractor based on the lowest price principle, they risk encountering major problems and losses during long maintenance of the buildings (Lin et al 2016b).…”