Whether used internationally or domestically, the full potential of BIM (Building Information Modeling) in construction and maintenance management stages remains underutilized. The primary reason is the industry’s limited understanding of BIM and the lack of standardized practices, which has prevented the formation of effective BIM application models. Consequently, BIM usage tends to serve only the immediate interests of users. So, what are the common BIM application modes in construction projects? They can be broadly classified into three categories: design-driven mode, contractor-driven mode, and construction unit-driven mode.
1. Design-Driven Mode
The design-driven mode is the earliest and most widely adopted BIM approach in construction projects. Here, the design team leads the process, largely independent of contractors and construction units. In a highly competitive market, design firms often utilize 3D technology to develop and present architectural designs, especially for large and complex projects, to enhance their chances of winning bids.
Typically, the design-driven BIM application is limited to the early design phase. Once the design is approved by the construction unit, the design team rarely refines the 3D model further or uses it for in-depth analyses such as structural assessments, unless specifically requested by the construction unit. Its use in construction and maintenance phases is minimal.
While this approach has contributed to BIM’s initial development, it mainly leverages BIM’s 3D visualization capabilities during early design stages, without fully applying BIM’s core functionalities throughout the entire construction process.
2. Contractor-Driven Mode
The contractor-driven mode has emerged recently as BIM technology has matured, primarily adopted by large contractors. Contractors use BIM for two main purposes: assisting in bidding and managing construction. Facing intense competition, contractors employ BIM and simulation technologies to demonstrate the feasibility and advantages of their construction plans to secure project bids and boost competitiveness.
For example, Figure 2 illustrates a visual construction plan for an office building, outlining construction procedures, resource allocation, and scheduling information. This visualization aids the construction unit in understanding the entire construction process clearly during bidding.
During construction, especially for complex projects, contractors use BIM and simulation to analyze and optimize construction plans, minimizing rework and ensuring smooth progress. Collaboration with subcontractors is facilitated through these technologies, allowing for refined and validated construction plans after multiple simulations, which then guide actual construction.
3. Construction Unit-Driven Mode
Initially, construction units used BIM primarily for project communication, design display, and promotion. However, as their understanding deepened, BIM applications expanded to include project bidding, construction management, and property maintenance.
(1) Design Phase: Construction units employ BIM to showcase and analyze designs, using the BIM model as a communication platform with designers to monitor progress and detect design errors (see Figure 4). Addressing these issues early reduces rework and ensures constructability.
(2) Bidding Stage: BIM’s visualization capabilities help construction units evaluate bids more effectively, improving clarity and feasibility assessments.
(3) Construction Phase: BIM and simulation technologies enable the optimization and simulation of construction plans, fostering communication with contractors and ensuring construction progresses on schedule and meets quality standards.
(4) Property Management: The BIM model, enriched with comprehensive project data like material specifications and supplier information, supports ongoing maintenance and facility management.
Construction units typically create a 3D building model based on 2D design drawings, conducting iterative testing and analysis until all design issues are resolved. They then release bidding information, requesting contractors to provide visual bidding plans for evaluation. The winning contractor refines the construction plan using BIM and simulation for feasibility testing and coordination with the construction unit. Upon project completion, the BIM model is updated with as-built information to assist in property management.
Although construction units have the potential to use BIM for full lifecycle project management, this practice is still experimental. In reality, most construction units currently apply BIM mainly during design and bidding phases rather than throughout the entire project lifecycle.
From the overview above, it is clear that BIM’s application modes in construction projects vary significantly. Deciding which mode is best depends on the specific project context and stakeholder goals.
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