This paper demonstrates the capabilities of BIM (Building Information Modeling) in leveraging Whole Life Cycle Cost (WLCC) data requirements to perform WLCC calculations and produce WLLC estimates.... Show More

This paper demonstrates the capabilities of BIM (Building Information Modeling) in leveraging Whole Life Cycle Cost (WLCC) data requirements to perform WLCC calculations and produce WLLC estimates. The research determines the extent to which WLCC data, such as time, interest rates, escalation rates and real costs can be attached to parametric BIM data to be used effectively to create speedier and more accurate real-time WLLC analysis. Without incorporating WLCC data in the BIM, a complete picture of a construction project's WLCC cannot be formed from the default outputs of the model. BIM 5D applications such as CostX utilise the parametric properties of the model, providing users with the ability to generate information and quantities from the BIM to be used in a formatted cost plan. The benefit of the 5D process is that selected quantity surveying information in the BIM can be live linked from the model to the cost plan providing a real-time analysis of WLLC. The authors demonstrate in this paper how they leverage BIM, by incorporating WLCC data and calculations in a customised CostX workbook, thus providing the authors with the ability to live link the output values from the model to the values in the workbook to perform WLCC. This paper demonstrates the practical application of this process on a pilot project in order to complete a WLCC analysis.

This paper reviews the rationale for using a partial data set in Building Information Modeling (BIM) exchanges, influenced by the recognized difficulty of exchanging data at element or object level... Show More

This paper reviews the rationale for using a partial data set in Building Information Modeling (BIM) exchanges, influenced by the recognized difficulty of exchanging data at element or object level which depends on the information requiring compatible hardware and software, in order for the data to be read and transferred freely between applications. The solution was not to introduce a new schema in contrast to the industry's existing open exchange model ‘Industry Foundation Classes' which has been in existence since the 1980's, but for the authors to re-engineer an existing Simplified Markup Language ‘BIM XML' into subsets via XML Style Sheet Transition. The language of XML was chosen because Web services, which are developed from XML data representation format and Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) communication protocol, are platform neutral, widely accepted and utilized and come with a wide range of useful technologies. Furthermore, they support Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) – the internet platform that enables interoperability between different software programs. The methodology involved developing a full hybrid research model based on mixed methods, ‘quantitative and qualitative', interlaced into two main phases. The first phase comprised of a main survey questionnaire, focus groups, two Delphi questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and a case study. The final phase, ‘product design and testing', used semantic methods and tools, such as Business Process Management Notation. The final case study (a prototype test) successfully itemized the potential of combining three applications asynchronously in real-time. The interoperable capabilities of Web services APIs for exchanging partial sets of BIM data enabled assumptions with a higher amount of detail to be reviewed at the feasibility design stage. Future services will be built upon existing Web Ontology languages such as SPARQL descriptions to be used in conjunction with several web services connecting together on a Cloud platform to produce a knowledge ‘Semantic Web'.

This case study focuses on the operational performance of a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)-rated building with the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to evaluate... Show More

This case study focuses on the operational performance of a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)-rated building with the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to evaluate its capacity to achieve Zero Net Energy (ZNE). Retrofit options for renewable energy implementation are examined in conjunction with scenarios of building operation. In this study, two different BIM processes have been conducted for the energy modeling: object-oriented geometric information modeling (e.g., envelope, doors, windows, walls, zones, etc.) with a BIM tool and energy modeling (e.g., materials, heat resistance, location, weather data, renewables, etc.) with an energy simulation tool. The simulation model is compared to the real building performance and alternative renewable energy scenarios are evaluated. The results are used to make recommendations for the optimization of building performance and consideration of energy-efficient strategies for building performance enhancement. The research points to discontinuities between photovoltaic panel degradation over time and the LEED credit.

The Facilities Manager occupies a unique position within the lifecycle of a building asset, as he/she is one of the only Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC) and Facilities Management (FM)... Show More

The Facilities Manager occupies a unique position within the lifecycle of a building asset, as he/she is one of the only Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC) and Facilities Management (FM) professionals who is in a position to view the product of the entire design and build process and is responsible for the operational phase which incurs approximately five times the initial capital cost. Despite the potential benefits that the Facilities Manager offers, this profession still does not command the recognition it deserves within the AEC/FM sector. This is beginning to change through the introduction of Building Information Modelling (BIM). In order for the BIM process to be maximised it is imperative that the Facilities Manager plays a much more important role within the design and construction process. Despite this, at present the role of the Facilities Manager within this process is still uncertain with no set Key Performance Indicators (KPI) or role designation being specified to date. This paper outlines how the Facilities Manager can play a pivotal role in the BIM process and, in particular, will aim to establish the basis for a number of KPIs by Facility Managers which will in turn lead to a more robust Lean FM practice.

The Architectural Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry experiences higher rates of iteration, material wastage and poor cost management in comparison to other design industries. In an attempt... Show More

The Architectural Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry experiences higher rates of iteration, material wastage and poor cost management in comparison to other design industries. In an attempt to address such inefficiencies and control project budgets, various Governments are insisting that Building Information Modelling (BIM) is used by the appointed design teams on high value public buildings. Such legislation has been introduced in order to encourage a standardised level of collaborative working throughout the design process by enhancing interoperability of project information between design and construction professionals. In this paper, the MacLeamy Curve, a theoretical graphical representation of how integrated project delivery (IPD) processes improve efficiencies and allow for the reduction of costs by resolving issues during the earlier stages of the project, as well as other associated benefits are tested on both traditional and IPD design processes within two 48 hour international openBIM competition projects: Build London Live; and Build Qatar Live. The projects are compared by analysing the planned project programme against the reality, measured through recorded project exchanges, using a graphical representation. The findings of this paper suggest several recommendations, including: a collaborative design process appears to reduce iteration and results in a more comprehensive conceptual design at an early stage in comparison to a traditional process; more information and documentation is produced; and the overall programme is exceeded. Such findings suggest improved time, cost and design quality control.

Disruptive technologies have found traction in the construction industry, affecting long established processes and rendering old methods of design communication and construction management... Show More

Disruptive technologies have found traction in the construction industry, affecting long established processes and rendering old methods of design communication and construction management increasingly obsolete. Pressure is on traditional Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) schools in academic institutions to respond to this paradigm shift in industry. Common among engineering schools is the necessity to maintain fundamental subjects as approved by accreditation boards. Hence it is difficult to create space for Building Information Modeling (BIM) given a curriculum already packed with established modules. This is a primary reason for the slow uptake of BIM in engineering. For engineering schools the question remains, how best to integrate BIM into the curriculum? This educational case study outlines the introduction of BIM into the curriculum of Civil and Structural Engineering students through an unobtrusive method that does not require curriculum restructuring and does not require module refocus. Two project-based modules, with inherent ‘design thinking' objectives, are adapted to enable BIM tools to be used as design, analysis and communication tools.