Building Information Modeling Uses for Design in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Industry
Open Access
- Author:
- Zikic, Nevena
- Graduate Program:
- Architectural Engineering
- Degree:
- Master of Science
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- March 23, 2009
- Committee Members:
- John Messner, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
John Messner, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Chinemelu Jidenka Anumba, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Robert J Holland, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor - Keywords:
- Implementation
Design
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
BIM Execution Planning - Abstract:
- With new technology emerging, facility owners and project participants (designers, contractors, subcontractors and manufacturers) are investigating the most valuable uses for Building Information Modeling (BIM) on their projects. The project team must make decisions on BIM execution at the four different stages of the project: planning, design, construction, and operations. This study, as part of a buildingSMART Alliance project, is focused on the implementation of BIM in the design segment of the AEC industry. The goal is the identification and definition of BIM uses in the design process with the purpose of them being implemented as the basis for a BIM Project Execution Planning procedure. The research methods employed in this study include a literature review, expert interviews, and qualitative analysis of the data gathered. Interviews with 18 design professionals, engineers, industry experts and BIM champions were conducted, and their perspectives and opinions of using this new technology were collected. Qualitative data was analyzed using a content analysis procedure, and detailed results are presented including a taxonomy for the BIM uses in design, and future research steps. From the expert interviews, BIM is currently being used for targeted tasks within the design process, but not implemented on projects from initial phases of design through construction to operations. This is due to a lack of planning, infrastructure, tools, and expertise in general, and limited guidelines available for team members involved in the process. The core result of this research is the taxonomy including 15 BIM uses in design with their current frequency of use in four distinctive categories. These categories are: Design Communication, System Analysis, Estimating and Scheduling. The identified BIM uses in design are the basis for preparing a customized project execution plan for BIM.