Compared to developed countries in Europe and America, the application of BIM (Building Information Modeling) in China began relatively late. This delay is largely due to limitations within construction enterprises and the existing project management models and levels, which have made the promotion and widespread adoption of BIM more challenging. However, growing national attention and industry development demands are driving deeper research and broader implementation of BIM technology. Here, we explore the three main factors driving the promotion of BIM adoption in China from the perspective of industry experts.
1. Government-Supported Research on BIM Applications
Fundamental research on BIM technology in China has received strong government support, yielding significant results. For example, the “Fifteenth Five-Year Plan” Science and Technology Tackling Program has produced notable achievements such as the Building Engineering 4D Construction Management System based on the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard. This system has been successfully applied to several large and complex projects, including the National Stadium, Qingdao Bay Bridge, and Guangzhou West Tower. Experts have recognized this work as a pioneering effort in China, filling domestic gaps and reaching an internationally advanced level. It was awarded the 2009 First Prize of Huaxia Construction Science and Technology.
Additionally, under national projects led by Tsinghua University and the China Academy of Building Research, including the “Eleventh Five-Year Plan” Technology Support Project, significant progress has been made. Research on integrated information sharing technology for architectural design and construction has led to the establishment of a BIM system architecture based on IFC, as well as the development of BIM modeling systems for design and construction, BIM data integration management platforms, and BIM databases.
Another project, also under the “Eleventh Five-Year Plan,” has focused on next-generation building engineering application software based on BIM technology. A series of software tools are being developed and deployed, covering building design, cost prediction, energy-saving design, construction optimization, safety analysis, and durability evaluation. These applications are currently being demonstrated in real-world projects, and their wider adoption will significantly accelerate the overall BIM implementation process.
2. Development of Industry BIM Standards
The Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) serve as the standard for data representation and exchange in BIM. During the “Fifteenth Five-Year Plan” period, China’s construction industry began actively promoting the adoption of IFC standards. In 2007, the industry introduced the standard titled “Digital Definition of Building Objects,” and the “Specification for Industrial Basic Platforms” is also nearing publication.
Tsinghua University played a key role in completing the “Construction IFC Data Description Standard” under the “Eleventh Five-Year Plan” Technology Support Project. Meanwhile, Chinese BIM standards are continuously being developed. The formulation of these standards forms the essential foundation and guarantee for BIM applications across the industry.
3. Practical Demand for IT Applications in Construction
China is currently undertaking the world’s largest infrastructure construction efforts. The scale of engineering projects continues to grow daily, with increasingly complex structural forms. Especially with the emergence of mega-projects, enterprises and projects face significant investment, technical, and management risks.
However, existing management methods and IT solutions cannot fully meet the needs of modern construction. Applying BIM technology to address information gaps across the various stages and professional disciplines in a building’s lifecycle has become an urgent necessity. Construction companies aim to comprehensively improve informatization and operational efficiency from design and construction technologies to project management.
Successful implementations of BIM-enabled 4D dynamic construction management have been demonstrated in projects such as the National Stadium, Qingdao Bay Bridge, and Guangzhou West Tower, earning the First Prize of Huaxia Construction Science and Technology in 2009 and 2010. The Shanghai Center project’s EPC bidding process explicitly requires BIM application. Projects like the Shanghai Financial Exchange Square and Guanglian Da Information Building have developed comprehensive BIM lifecycle application plans, incorporating BIM technology from the design phase onwards.
The adoption and promotion of BIM in these large-scale projects have garnered significant attention from design and construction enterprises. This momentum is expected to play a crucial role in encouraging the widespread use of BIM technology throughout China’s construction industry.
In conclusion, with insights provided by industry experts, we have identified the three primary drivers behind the promotion of BIM applications in China. As government and corporate focus intensifies, the demand for BIM technology continues to rise. The importance of BIM is steadily increasing, heralding a new era of rapid growth and widespread adoption in the construction sector.
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