A Study of Prospective Barriers, Benefits and Measures for Building Information Modeling (BIM) Adoption in Nepalese AEC Industry

Source:
By:Raj Shah, Bibek Shrestha

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30564/jsbct.v5i1.5486

Abstract:

The construction industry needs modern construction methodology and technology to improve sustainability and production performance. Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology supports improving the quality of products by reducing design and construction defects, risks to the health and safety of workers, and reduce overall project cost and delivery time. The BIM has capabilities, but it is still undiscovered and unable to exploit the full scale of its benefits in the Architectural Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. There is a trend to adopt the BIM level 1, which is limited to 2D and only in a few cases 3D models uses in the design and construction of residential and commercial buildings, particularly in Nepal. Hence, this paper focuses on providing insight into the BIM benefits and identifies the potential barriers while adopting BIM Level 3 in Nepal. This was accomplished by developing a 4DBIM model of a multi-story residential building in Nepal and conducting the industry survey via focus group with the AEC professionals based on the developed 4DBIM model. A comprehensive literature review was conducted and presented the findings of the BIM benefits and barriers while adopting BIM. The study found that commercial and governmental projects can immediately be adopted BIM technology. It is concluded that the unavailability of skilled BIM users and the lack of proper policies for BIM adoption are key barriers in Nepal. Hence, the new policy is required to achieve and exploit the full scale of the BIM benefits and improve the project delivery in terms of quality, cost and time including the health and safety of workers and the sustainability of the AEC industry.

References:

[1] Mishra, A., 2018. Factors affecting performance and time extension of ongoing construction projects under town development fund, Nepal. Journal of Advanced Research in Construction and Urban Architecture. 3(4), 7-25. [2] Chiluwal, K., Mishra, A.K., 2017. Construction practice of small hydropower projects in Nepal. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts. 5(4), 1417-1433. [3] Koirala, N., Sharma, P., Sapkota, L.P., et al., 2021. Variations order of building construction project a case from Nepal. Journal of Advanced Research in Construction and Urban Architecture. 6(2), 25-33. [4] Marasini, R., 2018. Strategies for adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in Nepal: Lessons learned from UK and Other Countries. Proceedings of Society of Nepalese Engineers (UK). [5] Maharjan, K., 2020. Status of Building Information Modelling (BIM) application in Nepal [Master’s thesis]. Tribhuwan: Tribhuwan University. [6] Phuyal, S., 2017. Perspective in using building information modeling technology in Nepal. International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research. 4(3), 35-39. [7] Eastman, C., Teicholz, P., Sacks, R., et al., 2011. BIM handbook: A guide to building information modeling for owners, managers, designers, engineers, and contractors. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: New York. [8] Martins, S.S., Evangelista, A.C.J., Hammad, A.W., et al., 2020. Evaluation of 4DBIM tools applicability in construction planning efficiency. International Journal of Construction Management. 22(15), 1-14. [9] Qiu, Q., Zhou, X., Zhao, J., et al., 2021. From sketch BIM to design BIM: An element identification approach using Industry Foundation Classes and object recognition. Building and Environment. 188, 107423. [10]Kamari, A., Schultz, C.P.L., Kirkegaard, P.H., 2019. Constraint-based renovation design support through the renovation domain model. Automation in Construction. 104, 265-280. [11] Bolshakova, V., Guerriero, A., Halin, G. (editors), 2018. Identification of relevant project documents to 4DBIM uses for a synchronous collaborative decision support. Creative Construction Conference 2018; 2018 Jun 30-Jul 3; Ljubljana, Slovenia. Budapest: Diamond Congress Ltd. p. 1036-1043. [12]Büchmann-Slorup, R., Andersson, N. (editors), 2010. BIM-based scheduling of Construction—A comparative analysis of prevailing and BIM based scheduling processes. 27th International Conference: Applications of IT in the AEC Industry; 2010 Nov 16-19; Cairo, Egypt. Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Tech. p. 113-123. [13]Malsane, S.M., Sheth, A.Z., 2015. Simulate Construction Schedules Using Bim 4D Application to Track Progress [Internet]. TheIIER International Conference, London, United Kingdom. Available from: https://www.worldresearchlibrary.org/up_proc/pdf/25-142952946910-15.pdf [14]Lee, J., Kim, J., 2017. BIM-based 4D simulation to improve module manufacturing productivity for sustainable building projects. Sustainability. 9(3), 426. [15]Park, J., Cai, H., Dunston, P.S., et al., 2017. Database-supported and web-based visualization for daily 4DBIM. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management. 143(10), 04017078. [16]Balakina, A., Simankina, T., Lukinov, V., 2018. 4D modeling in high-rise construction. E3S Web of Conferences. 33, 03044. [17]Crowther, J., Ajayi, S.O., 2019. Impacts of 4DBIM on construction project performance. International Journal of Construction Management. 21(7/8), 724-737. [18]Martins, S.S., Evangelista, A.C.J., Hammad, A.W., et al., 2020. Evaluation of 4DBIM tools applicability in construction planning efficiency. International Journal of Construction Management. 22(15), 2987-3000. [19]Alzarrad, M.A., Moynihan, G.P., Parajuli, A., et al., 2021. 4DBIM simulation guideline for construction visualization and analysis of renovation projects: A case study. Frontiers in Built Environment. 7, 31. [20]Vilventhan, A., Razin, S., Rajadurai, R., 2021. 4DBIM models for smart utility relocation management in urban infrastructure projects. Facilities. 39(1/2), 50-64. [21]Malsane, S.M., Sheth, A.Z. (editors), 2015. Simulate construction schedules using BIM 4D application to track progress. The IIER International Conference; 2015 Apr 20; London, United Kingdom. Bhubaneswar, India: International Institute of Engineers and Researchers. p. 10-15. [22]Candelario-Garrido, A., García-Sanz-Calcedo, J., Rodríguez, A.M.R., 2017. A quantitative analysis on the feasibility of 4D planning graphic systems versus conventional systems in building projects. Sustainable Cities and Society. 35, 378-384. [23]Lee, J., Kim, J., 2017. BIM-based 4D simulation to improve module manufacturing productivity for sustainable building projects. Sustainability. 9(3), 426. [24]Arrotéia, A.V., Freitas, R.C., Melhado, S.B., 2021. Barriers to BIM adoption: A case study in Brazil. Frontiers in Built Environment. 7, 16. [25]Gledson, B.J., Greenwood, D., 2017. The adoption of 4DBIM in the UK construction industry: An innovation diffusion approach. Engineering Construction & Architectural Management.24(6), 950-968. [26]National Building Specification (NBS), 2020. National BIM Report [Internet] [cited 2021 Apr 1]. Available from: https://www.thenbs.com/pdfs/NBS-NationlBIMReport2020-single.pdf [27]Jung, W., Lee, G., 2015. The status of BIM adoption on six continents. International Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering. 9(5), 512-516. [28]Kim, K.P., Ma, T., Baryah, A.S., et al., 2016. Investigation of readiness for 4D and 5D BIM adoption in the Australian construction industry. Management Review: An International Journal. 11(2), 43. [29]Charlesraj, V.P.C., Dinesh, T., 2020. Status of 4DBIM implementation in Indian construction. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction. 37, 199-206. [30]Ismail, N.A.A., Chiozzi, M., Drogemuller, R., 2017. An overview of BIM uptake in Asian developing countries. AIP Conference Proceedings. 1903(1), 080008. [31]Kassem, M., Brogden, T., Dawood, N., 2012, BIM and 4D planning: A holistic study of the barriers and drivers to widespread adoption. Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management. 2(4), 1-10. [32]Ogunmakinde, O.E., Umeh, S (editors)., 2018. Adoption of BIM in the Nigerian architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. 42nd Australasian Universities Building Education Association (AUBEA); 2018 Sep; Singapore. Bentley: Curtin University. p. 197-204. [33]Ghoddousi, P., Hosseini, M.R., 2012. A survey of the factors affecting the productivity of construction projects in Iran. Technological and Economic Development of Economy. 18(1), 99-116. [34]Hosseini, M.R., Azari, E., Tivendale, L., et al., 2016. Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Iran: An exploratory study. Journal of Engineering, Project, and Production Management. 6(2), 78-89. [35]Husbands, S., Jowett, S., Barton, P., et al., 2017. How qualitative methods can be used to inform model development. Pharmaco Economics. 35(6), 607-612. [36]Akinade, O.O., Oyedele, L.O., Ajayi, S.O., et al., 2018. Designing out construction waste using BIM technology: Stakeholders’ expectations for industry deployment. Journal of Cleaner Production. 180, 375-385. [37]Krueger, R.A., 2014. Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research. Sage publications: London. [38]Liu, Y., Van Nederveen, S., Hertogh, M., 2017. Understanding effects of BIM on collaborative design and construction: An empirical study in China. International Journal of Project Management. 35(4), 686-698. [39]McLafferty, I., 2004. Focus group interviews as a data collecting strategy. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 48(2), 187-194. [40]Braun, V., Clarke, V., 2006. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology. 3(2), 77-101.