Upgrading from the use of 2D CAD systems to BIM technologies in the construction industry: consequences and merits

  IJETT-book-cover  International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT)          
  
© 2015 by IJETT Journal
Volume-28 Number-8
Year of Publication : 2015
Authors : Ogwueleka, Amaka Chinweude
DOI :  10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V28P277

Citation 

Ogwueleka, Amaka Chinweude"Upgrading from the use of 2D CAD systems to BIM technologies in the construction industry: consequences and merits", International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT), V28(8),403-411 October 2015. ISSN:2231-5381. www.ijettjournal.org. published by seventh sense research group

Abstract
The highly competitive and tight market in the construction industry has compelled contracting firms to sort ways of improving work productivity and meeting project owners’ expectations. The use of building information modeling (BIM) is to improve the quality characteristics of construction outputs and create potential impact in the industry. Most developing countries are propagating for the use of BIM in project implementation but the existing procurement routes have restrained easy transformation to BIM technologies. The paper investigates the impact of upgrading from 2D CAD to BIM technologies in the Nigerian construction industry. The study adopts quantitative survey with a total number of 418 valid responses for the analysis. The findings reveal a high level of awareness of BIM technologies and a very slow level of BIM skills acquisition. The most critical challenges confronting the upgrade are identified as lack of clarity on legal and contractual issues, unsuitable framework for adopting BIM and inadequate knowledge/training. The most important benefits of BIM usage are identified as improved collaboration among parties, reduction in re-work and effective procurement strategy. The paper recommends the need to incorporate the knowledge of BIM in the university teaching syllabus for students and continuing education courses for practitioners. The government agencies, associations and researchers should also enforce the practice through standards and policies.

 References

[1] AECOM, “Unlocking the value of building information modelling”, dated 26 March 2014, available at: http://www.aecom.com, retrieved on 23 March 2015, 2014.
[2] A. Alabdulqader, K. Panuwatwanich, J.H. Doh, “Current use of building information modeling within Australian AEC industry”, Paper presented at the 13th East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction, Sapporo, Japan, 11-13 September, 2013.
[3] Y. Arayici, C. Egbu, P. Coates, “Building information modeling (BIM) implementation and remote construction projects: issues, challenges and critiques”, Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), vol. 17, pp. 75-92, available at http://www.itcon.org/2012/5, retrieved on 11 March 2015, 2012.
[4] ARGE BIM-Leitfaden AEC3 & OPB, “BIM guide in Germany”, available at http://www.aec3.com, retrieved on 22 April 2015, 2013.
[5] A.A.A. Asiz, A.H. Memon, I.A. Rahman, S. Nagapan, Q.B.A.I. Latif, “Challenges faced by construction industry in accomplishing sustainability goals”, Proceedings of IEEE Symposium on Business, Engineering and Industrial Applications, Indonesia, 23-26 September, 2012, pp. 628- 633, 2012.
[6] P. Both, A. Kindsvater, “Potential barriers for implementing BIM in the German AEC market –results of a current market analysis”, Proceedings of 14th International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering, 27-29 June, Moscow, Russia,2012.
[7] S. Boutwell, “How BIM and green tech will change the construction industry?” available at http://www.greenbiz.com, retrieved on 12 January 2015, 2008.
[8] C.A. Cory, “Utilisation of 2D, 3D, or 4D CAD in construction communication documentation”, 5th International Conference on Information Visualisation, London, 25-27 July, pp. 219-224, 2001.
[9] M.O. Dada, “Analysis of conflict centers in projects procured with traditional and integrated methods in Nigeria”, Engineering, Project and Production Management Journal, 2(2), pp. 66-77, 2012.
[10] L. Ding, Y. Zhou, B. Akinci, “Building information modeling (BIM) application framework: the process of expanding from 3D to computable nD”, Automation in Construction, 46, pp. 82-93, 2014.
[11] C. Eastman, P. Teicholz, R. Sacks, K. Liston, “BIM Handbook: A guide to building information modeling for owners, managers, designers”, New Jersey: Wiley, 2008.
[12] T. Elhag, M. Al-Sharifi, “The viability of BIM for UK contractors”, Proceedings of International Conference on Construction in a changing World, 4-7 May 2014, Sri Lanka, available at http://www.cib2014.org/proceedings/files/papers/589.pdf, retrieved on 24 April 2015, 2014.
[13] FMI, “The changing nature of business in the construction industry”, available at http://www.agcaustin.org, retrieved on 11 March 2015, 2012.
[14] U. Isikdag, J. Underwood, “A Synopsis of the Handbook of Research in Building Information Modeling”, Proceedings of the 18th CIB World Building Congress 2010, 10-13 May 2010 the Lowry, Salford Quays, United Kingdom, pp. 84-96, 2010.
[15] L. Khemlani, “A case study of BIM implementation in India”, AECbytes “Building the future” article on 20 August, 2012, available at http://www.aecbytes.com, retrieved on 18 March 2015, 2012.
[16] T. Lane, “BIM: the inside story”, Building Magazine, 23-39 July, 2011.
[17] A.A Latiffi, S. Mohd, N. Kasim, M.S. Fathi, “Building information modeling (BIM) application in Malaysian construction industry”, International Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 2(4), pp. 1-6,2013.
[18] Q. Liu, T. Gao, J. Wang, “Research on application of BIM technology in construction projects”, International Conference on Computer Science and Service System (CSSS), Nanjing, 27-29 June 2011, pp. 2463-2467, 2011.
[19] R. Masood, M.K.N. Kharal, A.R. Nasir, “Is BIM adoption advantageous for construction industry of Pakistan?” Procedia Engineering, 77, pp. 229-238, 2014.
[20] V. Nederveen, S. Beheshti, P.R. Willems, “Building Information Modelling in the Netherlands”, A Status Report. Proceedings of the 18th CIB World Building Congress 2010, 10-13 May 2010, The Lowry, Salford Quays, United Kingdom, pp. 28-40, 2010.
[21] W.L. Neuman, “Social research methods: qualitative and quantitative approaches”, 6th edition, Toronto: Pearson,2006. [22] G. Ofori, “Developing the construction industry in Ghana: the case for a central agency”, working paper, available at http://www.ghanatrade.gov.gh, retrieved on 12 April 2015, 2012.
[23] K. Panuwatwanich, M.L. Wong, J. Doh, R.A. Stewart, T.J. McCarthy, “Integrating building information modeling (BIM) into engineering education: an exploratory study of industry perceptions using social network data”, Proceedings of the 2013 AACE Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, available at: http:www98.griffith.edu.au, retrieved on 25 April 2015, 2013.
[24] Y. Peng, B.S. Ruan, “BIM technology application in the field of construction engineering research”, In Computer, Intelligent Computing and Education Technology, Eds H. Liu, W. Sung, W. Yao, vol. 1, pp. 681-684, 2014.
[25] M. Saunders, P. Lewis, A. Thornhill, “Research methods for business students”, 5th edition, Pearson Education Limited, Essex, UK, 2009.
[26] R. Sebastain, L. Berlo, “Tool for benchmarking BIM performance of design, engineering and construction firms in the Netherlands”, Architectural Engineering and Design Management, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 254-263, 2011.
[27] K. Udom, “BIM: mapping out the legal issues” Building Information Modelling, Available at: http:www.thenbs.com/topic/bim/articles/bimMappingOutThe LegalIssues.asp, retrieved on 12 April 2015, 2014.
[28] M. Waris, M.S. Liew, M.F. Khamidi, A. Idrus, “Criteria for the selection of sustainable on-site equipment”, International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 96-110, 2014.
[29] D.E. Weisberg, “A brief overview of the history of CAD”, available at http://www.cadhistoory.net, retrieved on 15 January 2015, 2008.
[30] A.K. Wong, F.K. Wong, A. Nadeem, “Attributes of building information modelling implementation in various countries”, Architectural Engineering and Design Management, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 288-302, 2010.
[31] T. Yamane, “Statistics: an introductory analysis”, 2nd edition. New York: Harper & Row, 1967.

Keywords
Building information modeling (BIM), 2 dimensional computer-aided design (2D CAD), Nigerian construction industry and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC).