China Construction Eighth Engineering Division Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “China Construction Eighth Engineering Division”) is a major state-owned backbone enterprise under China State Construction Engineering Corporation, a Fortune 500 company. The company also has an engineering research institute and various research studios, such as the BIM workstation.
In terms of BIM technical applications, the organizational structure of the BIM workstation at China Construction Eighth Engineering Bureau includes 17 subsidiary offices. These offices are operated and managed by different project management departments, covering structural, architectural, and electromechanical specialties. Through years of exploration and practice in BIM, the company has developed its own unique approach to BIM implementation and achieved notable results.
BIM Technology Application Features
China Construction Eighth Engineering Division demonstrates four main characteristics in its BIM Technology application:
– Each branch actively promotes BIM technology, and frontline engineering management personnel are skilled in its use.
– 80% of new construction projects utilize BIM technology, with application points originating from construction sites.
– Every subsidiary office has an established BIM team, making the adoption rate of BIM technology one of the highest among Chinese construction enterprises.
– For application points that offer value, project-based exploration is encouraged.
Currently, 80% of new projects by the China Construction Eighth Engineering Bureau employ BIM technology, which has been successfully implemented in 228 projects. Notable examples include Wangjing SOHO, Zhuhai Opera House, Disney’s Tomorrowland, and Hongqiao SOHO. These are recognized as classic cases of BIM application (see Figure 1).
Wangjing SOHO
Zhuhai Opera House
Disney’s Tomorrowland
Hongqiao SOHO
Figure 1: Classic Cases of BIM Application
Application of BIM Throughout the Project Life Cycle
Bidding Phase:
During the bidding stage, BIM is mainly used for visualization and quantity takeoff.
1) Visual Display: Engineering management personnel can directly access the required information from the BIM model, with dynamic updates reflecting changes in design, ensuring alignment between visualization and the actual design.
2) BIM-based Cost Management – Quantity Statistics: Given the tight bidding schedules, BIM technology allows rapid and accurate verification of work quantities, reducing project losses due to quantity discrepancies.
Construction Preparation Stage:
BIM is applied in ten key aspects during the construction preparation stage:
1) Construction Deepening – Constructability Modeling: The construction process for large-scale concrete works, including formwork design, concrete pouring, curing, as well as the design of slanted columns and complex steel structures, can be effectively demonstrated.
2) Drawing Review and Scheme Optimization: BIM technology is used to review drawings and optimize construction schemes.
3) BIM in Quality Control: After collision detection and rectification, on-site rework is reduced by 60%, reserved openings reach 80%, and support usage is cut by 30%.
4) BIM in Project Safety Control: BIM helps identify potential conflicts between mechanical layouts and structural elements, thus eliminating safety risks before construction.
5) BIM in Safety Management: The application of BIM in construction site safety and standardized management (China Construction CI) enables timely detection and isolation of hazards.
6) BIM in Project Warning Mechanism: Through 3D modeling and collision checks, potential issues can be addressed during the preparation phase, minimizing economic losses.
7) Plan Comparison and Selection: BIM assists in the comparison and selection of construction plans (see Figure 2).
Figure 2: Comparison and Selection of Construction Plans
8) Installation Process Simulation: BIM-enabled installation process simulation reduces on-site workload and enhances efficiency.
9) Application in Interior Decoration: BIM is used for simulation and engineering quantity statistics in interior decoration, reducing on-site work, enabling visual comparisons, saving costs, and lowering engineering sample production costs by approximately 70%.
10) Application in Irregular Structures: BIM reduces drafting time, decreases drawing workload, and boosts efficiency. It allows for flexible sectioning, aiding technicians during on-site construction.
BIM Application in the Construction Process
1) Construction Organization Design: Project progress guides the real-time adjustment of on-site water, electricity, and material storage layouts. This provides feedback to management personnel, supporting dynamic site management and optimal resource allocation.
2) Construction Schedule Planning and 4D Management: Virtual construction rehearsals help develop feasible construction schedules, avoid conflicts, control milestones, ensure quality, reduce costs, and shorten the construction period.
3) Application in Prefabrication: For the design, processing, and installation of prefabricated components, the company completed BIM design for a 3D parking building, including full prefabrication and hoisting operations for the FAW Group Technology Center passenger car project. For prefabricated pipe fittings, BIM deepening is used to create detailed drawings for processing and on-site assembly.
4) Complex Node Reinforcement Arrangement: BIM visually communicates design intent, preventing errors and improving project quality.
5) 3D Technology Disclosure: Based on BIM, 3D visualizations enable clear communication of construction details (see Figure 3).
Figure 3: On-site Assembly of Plate Heat Exchanger
6) Visual Acceptance Based on BIM: BIM supports acceptance inspections with visualizations (see Figures 4–5).
Figure 4: On-site Acceptance
Figure 5: Acceptance Criteria
7) Detailed Design Drawings: Construction guidance is provided directly from BIM models.
8) Construction Technology – Formwork Support: BIM assists on-site construction, optimizes construction plans, enables virtual simulation of high-rise and stair formwork, assesses plan feasibility, and addresses potential issues in advance.
9) Application in Secondary Structures: BIM visual models allow for precise calculation of plastering and masonry quantities, facilitating communication between secondary structures and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) disciplines.
10) BIM Cloud Platform: The BIM cloud platform supports design, construction collaboration, and information sharing. It improves quality inspections and work efficiency.
Application of Core BIM Technologies
Two main systems support BIM core technology within China Construction Eighth Engineering Division: the enterprise-level family library management system and the enterprise-level BIM resources collaborative management system. The company has developed a family library management system based on the Revit platform, currently housing 7,500 custom families. The web-based BIM resource collaborative management system includes modules for BIM project management, talent databases, knowledge bases, and auxiliary applications.
Expansion of BIM Applications
– BIM Management System: The company is building a comprehensive BIM management system, aiming for seamless integration between BIM data and enterprise ERP systems.
– BIM Specifications: China Construction Eighth Engineering Division has developed a Building Information Modeling (BIM) guidebook, covering resources, workflows, and delivery standards.
– Collaborative Workflow: A technical team of architects, structural, and MEP professionals, along with BIM consultants, has evolved into a full-process, multi-disciplinary BIM team.
– Family Library Standards: The company has formulated general standards and specifications for the creation and storage of custom families, enhancing model creation efficiency.
– BIM Standards: Participation in compiling national BIM standards for construction projects.
Surveys show that 96% of enterprise managers believe extensive management is the primary cause of resource waste in the construction industry, while 42% believe BIM improves refined project management. Thus, BIM technology has become a crucial tool for implementing general contracting management in construction.
Article by: China Construction Eighth Engineering Division Co., Ltd.
Authors: Zhao Jingya, Yao Shouyan
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