The value of BIM

While most faculty at Texas A&M University’s College of Architecture would probably agree on the educational value of building information modelling (BIM), many construction industry professionals remain unconvinced. 

In an attempt to address these qualms, two construction science professors have received an industry grant to apply the technology to a real-world project in San Antonio.
 
Julian Kang and James Smith, both in the Department of Construction Science, have received a $25,000 William A. Klinger Research Award from the Associated General Contractors Education and Research Foundation.  They plan to use the funds to apply BIM to a San Antonio hotel project undertaken by Zachry Construction.  Smith and Kang have already begun their research, building an initial BIM model of the high-rise that will be the test-case for their research.
 
‘I expect the outcome of this investigation will produce empirical evidence for the benefits of BIM in construction,’ Kang said. 

Lack of confidence in BIM’s merits make general contractors reluctant to use virtual construction technology for their projects.  Many construction projects that have pioneered the use of new technologies have ended up with cost overruns and schedule slips, so few general contractors want to place their projects at such risk. 
 
‘Right now, most construction firms use BIM’s 4-D capabilities – 3-D construction simulations over time – to help land a contract.  Few construction firms use BIM to follow up on project progress. We hope the results of our research will help them gain the confidence they need to incorporate BIM in their day-to-day project operations.’
 
Kang explained that while architects use BIM software to expedite building design, construction science professionals have different needs.  He believes 4-D construction simulation with BIM could be used to better plan the construction sequence on the job site.
 
‘Many project stakeholders, such as owners, government officials and prospective tenants, may not necessarily understand construction blueprints, so it is less likely they can visualise the construction sequence needed to bring a project in on time and under budget,’ Kang said.