The quantity of work is expressed using specific units of measurement and serves as the foundation for preparing civil engineering budgets, construction organization designs, operation plans, resource supply schedules, building statistics, and economic accounting. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in developing engineering construction plans and managing financial aspects of construction projects.
The accuracy and efficiency of quantity calculation directly impact the quality and timeliness of project budget costs, influencing bidding quotations and playing a pivotal role in winning contracts. Furthermore, quantity calculation is vital for the operation and management of construction enterprises. It accounts for 50-80% of the entire cost estimation process. Studies reveal that up to two-thirds of projects exceed their budget at completion. The primary cause is that cost engineers often lack sufficient time to accurately calculate quantities and analyze cost data, leading to inaccurate cost estimations. Enhancing quantity calculation methods in terms of accuracy and efficiency can significantly improve cost quality and budgeting speed. By reducing the workload on budgeting personnel, overall project progress is accelerated, which is highly beneficial.
Researchers worldwide have long explored ways to improve engineering quantity calculation methods. Two main approaches have emerged:
- Parameter-based calculation: This method involves inputting required parameters into relevant charts based on construction drawings, after which the computer completes the formula calculations. While this approach enhances calculation efficiency compared to manual methods, it does not fundamentally reduce the tedious workload for calculation personnel.
- Graphical input calculation: Currently the mainstream method, it uses two-dimensional interpretation of architectural drawings, three-dimensional model reconstruction, component-based quantity calculation models, and parametric modeling languages like PCML. However, due to the disconnect between design and budget phases, and the separation of design and preliminary budgeting processes, designers typically express quantities only in drawings, while cost engineers manually calculate quantities from these drawings. This process is complex, labor-intensive, and prone to errors.
To fundamentally address these issues, integration of architectural CAD with conceptual design and budgeting is essential.
BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology creates unified professional objects across various architectural disciplines within a shared attribute database. This enables effective management and utilization of engineering information throughout the entire project lifecycle. BIM is a key tool for transforming traditional design methods and eliminating information silos.
BIM-based quantity calculation replaces generic geometric representations with intelligent professional objects, effectively bridging the gap between design and budgeting in construction projects. It has become the ideal method for automatically extracting quantity information. Therefore, establishing a building information model centered on a three-dimensional model and supported by integrated attribute databases represents the future solution for engineering quantity calculation.
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