Since 2017, I have been using BIM in my work and have completed over 20 projects of various scales. While I do not believe BIM will completely replace CAD, I would like to share my thoughts on BIM. The topic is What are the practical challenges faced in BIM applications, and how can they be resolved?
1. Challenges Faced by Reference Countries
China’s construction industry often refers to foreign standards. Beyond current practices, agency construction projects incorporate BIM Technology standards. In engineering procurement and bidding documents, definitions and specifications follow the Level of Development (LOD) framework proposed by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in Document E202-2008, aiming for a LOD of 200 or higher. Each submitted 3D model must include a generalized system or approximate shape, size, position, and orientation, enabling users to carry out hierarchical and systematic analyses based on general execution standards.
2. Challenges During Planning and Design Phases
When negotiating construction plan budgets, no extra funds are typically allocated for BIM-related costs. For small-scale projects, technical service fees originally planned may not be included. Extending the design schedule to accommodate BIM can impact the overall timeline. Currently, there is no local LOD standard to include as a contract requirement. Cases where BIM integration is promoted without allocating design time early on serve as examples. Additionally, there is a shortage of skilled BIM operators and limited manufacturer-related training programs.
3. Challenges During Construction
Construction budgets and timelines for BIM are often insufficient, especially when planning and design phases have not incorporated BIM. There are no local BIM Model Development Level (LOD) standards to serve as acceptance criteria. If responsibilities are split, conducting BIM work separately can lead to inconsistencies in progress and procedures. When the BIM model created during design is handed over to construction for further development, concerns arise about being restricted to specific BIM software. Moreover, government staff often lack practical BIM operation experience, and typical engineering department computer setups cannot support BIM software requirements.
4. Suggested Directions
It is recommended to establish a local LOD standard to be included in bidding documents as a basis for project acceptance. Developing a standardized format for BIM file exchange in China would facilitate data sharing and seamless application across different stages of the engineering lifecycle. While BIM enhances integration and management of construction interfaces, its benefits may be limited if the general project budget does not include corresponding funds. Therefore, a comprehensive promotion plan is needed to encourage adoption by various project stakeholders.
For further reading, see the related article: What are the problems facing the development of BIM in China? What challenges exist in its application?
That concludes my thoughts on the practical difficulties encountered in BIM applications and how to address them. I hope this article helps everyone! I admit I am still learning about BIM myself. While its future looks promising, the path ahead is challenging. I will continue striving to promote BIM technology!
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