Statistics reveal a widespread issue of low productivity in the global construction industry. Approximately 30% of construction processes require rework, 60% of labor is wasted, and 10% of losses stem from material waste. The highly dynamic nature of construction projects makes data collection challenging, especially when engineering changes occur. Such changes exponentially increase workloads, leading to inefficiencies among construction personnel and cost engineers.
Traditionally, construction resource and cost management has relied heavily on manual oversight. Existing management software primarily supports calculations and statistics but lacks real-time monitoring and detailed management capabilities. As a result, resource waste and budget overruns remain significant problems in many projects. Engineering professionals have grown accustomed to frequent changes, and to address these challenges, this article explores the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology in managing engineering changes during construction.
The virtual building model created by BIM serves as a comprehensive database containing all building information. By integrating 3D models with time and cost data, a 4D virtual construction simulation can be developed to evaluate the feasibility of construction plans before actual work begins. This approach enhances the understanding of design intent and construction requirements among project teams, reduces issues caused by miscommunication, removes information barriers, and improves construction progress and quality. Additionally, BIM allows real-time updates of models reflecting engineering changes, enabling effective management and dynamic control throughout the construction phase.
1. BIM-Based Data Information Sharing
Data information sharing refers to the collaborative use of a centralized project file accessible to various disciplines, such as design and construction, all working within the same platform. Each discipline uses its specialized BIM modeling software to develop their respective models, which link to this central file. After synchronization, any new or modified information is automatically added to the shared database.
This central file acts as a building information model (BIM) database where each discipline can view layouts and details of other components. This shared access promotes comprehensive information exchange. For complex projects involving large systems and numerous functions, coordination among various construction units becomes critical. BIM serves as an information exchange platform, enabling architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders to share data seamlessly on one platform. This improves communication, fosters closer collaboration, and supports more effective and efficient management decisions.
2. BIM-Based Dynamic Tracking of Construction Resources
With advancements in standardization, industrialization, and digitalization, as well as the growing complexity of building equipment, more components are prefabricated in factories and delivered to sites for efficient assembly. Timely delivery, compliance with design requirements, and quality assurance of these components are critical factors affecting the construction schedule’s critical path.
Dynamic tracking of construction resources builds upon virtual construction by monitoring resource usage in real time. By establishing a 4D construction resource management system, it enables dynamic resource management and cost monitoring. This system facilitates real-time querying and statistical analysis of construction progress, quantities, resource usage, and costs. It helps project managers grasp overall implementation status, promptly identify and resolve conflicts between resources and cost control, reduce project overruns, ensure resource availability, and enhance overall project management and cost control capabilities.
3. BIM-Based Construction Progress Simulation
Construction is an inherently dynamic process, and as project scale and complexity grow, so does the complexity of project management. Traditional tools like Gantt charts, though professional, offer limited visualization and fail to clearly represent construction progress or the intricate relationships among tasks. This makes it difficult to accurately capture dynamic changes during construction.
Integrating BIM with construction schedules combines spatial and temporal data into a visual 4D model (3D plus time), providing an intuitive and precise representation of the entire construction process. BIM has evolved from simple 3D modeling to 4D construction simulation, enabling project teams to better anticipate schedules.
Simulating construction processes helps predict potential conflicts and analyze feasibility. Comparing simulation results with actual progress allows for early detection of discrepancies, timely interventions, and corrective adjustments. Even when design or drawing changes occur, updated schedules can automatically synchronize with BIM software, reflecting changes immediately in the 4D simulation.
4. BIM-Based Construction Organization Simulation
Construction organization is a vital tool for scientific management of construction activities. It defines preparation work at each stage and coordinates relationships among construction units, tasks, and resources throughout the process. Construction organization design is a comprehensive strategy that guides technical, economic, and organizational efforts throughout a project’s lifecycle, blending construction technology with project management.
BIM can simulate the feasibility of critical or challenging project components, optimizing construction and installation plans on a monthly, daily, and hourly basis. It enables simulation and analysis of key construction processes, the use of new techniques on critical parts, and site layout planning, thereby improving plan feasibility.
By simulating construction organization, project managers gain clear insights into the timing and sequencing of installation activities, as well as the challenges and key points in the process. This allows construction teams to optimize and refine installation plans, enhancing both efficiency and safety on site.
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