A review of cloud-based bim technology in the construction sector

Cloud computing technology is regarded as a major transformational force that is causing unprecedented change across the communication and business disciplines. In the architecture, engineering and construction sector, cloud-BIM integration is considered to be the second generation of building information management (BIM) development, and is expected to produce another wave of change across the construction industry. Despite this, few studies to date have attempted to summarise the research literature on cloud-BIM. This paper explores the literature to identify the substantive work on cloud-BIM, particularly regarding building life cycle management, to provide valuable insight for practitioners and to propose avenues for further research. Thirty academic sources, including refereed journal articles and conference papers, were retrieved and analysed in terms of their research focus and nature of application. The review revealed that most cloud-BIM research has focused on the building planning/design and construction stages. The findings suggest that more research should be directed towards operation, maintenance and facility management, energy efficiency and the demolition and deconstruction stages of building life cycle management. Further empirical research on organisational and legal issues, including security, responsibility, liability and model ownership, of the cloud-BIM model is also needed

Survey of the research of ICT Applications in the AEC Industry: a view from two mainstream journals

The application of information and communication technology (ICT) in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry has attracted much attention by researchers in recent years. However, a comprehensive review is still missing from the existing literature. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art research of ICT applications in the AEC industry. A total of 432 articles, published during 2011-2015 in two mainstream journals, namely Automation in Construction and Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, are selected and analyzed. This review is conducted from three different views: 1) view of construction project lifecycle, aiming to investigate the distribution of research of ICT application in different stages; 2) view of ICT technologies, aiming to identify the popular ICTs in the AEC industry that researches focus on; and 3) view of ICT application areas, aiming to identify the areas in the AEC industry that ICTs are applied in. Throughout this review, the distribution of the research of ICT in four different stages (i.e., design stage, construction stage, operation & maintenance stage, and multistage) is firstly investigated. A total of 24 types of ICTs, categorized into 8 groups and 19 ICT application areas are then identified and analyzed. In additional, limitations of this review are also discussed.published_or_final_versio

Enhancing BIM Methodology with VR Technology

Building information modeling (BIM) is defined as the process of generating, storing, managing, exchanging, and sharing building information. In the construction industry, the processes and technologies that support BIM are constantly evolving, making the BIM even more attractive. A current topic that requires attention is the integration of BIM with virtual reality (VR) where the user visualizes a virtual world and can interact with it. By adding VR, the BIM solution can address retrieving and presenting information and increasing efficiency on communication and problem solving in an interactive and collaborative project. The objective of this chapter is to report the improvement of BIM uses with the addition of interactive capacities allowed by VR technology. A bibliographic and software research was made to support the study

Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Dams-Literature Review and Future Needs

Dam is a structure with high beneficial values and these include, serving as the source of raw water supply and electrical energy, ensuring flood reduction, tourist attractions, and habitat protection. It is, however, associated with a very complex development process ranging from the planning/design, construction, as well as operation and maintenance. Therefore, there is a need for special attention, accuracy, and good coordination at every stage from the parties involved as well as the integration of all fields starting from the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) elements. Moreover, ensuring an effective and efficient construction process presents a serious challenge for the owner/government, designers, consultants and contractors which is now being resolved through the use of a technological innovation known as the Building Information Modeling (BIM).This study was conducted to determine the scientific developments of BIM for dam management and also to identify further related areas to be researched in the future. Moreover, the analysis was concentrated on the potential added value of the technological innovations on dams, explained its advantages, and assesses the potential challenges hampering its effectiveness in Indonesia. It was discovered that the use of BIM for dam projects is possible as long as there are adequate government regulations and the availability of qualified human resources while the consequence would be an increase in the investment cost. The findings of this research are expected to encourage the use of BIM in dam construction and management in Indonesia and also to increase efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects

Cloud computing in construction industry: Use cases, benefits and challenges

Cloud computing technologies have revolutionised several industries (such as aerospace, manufacturing, automobile, retail, etc.) for several years. Although the construction industry is well placed to also leverage these technologies for competitive and operational advantage, the diffusion of the technologies in the industry follows a steep curve. This study therefore highlights the current contributions and use cases of cloud computing technologies in construction practices. As such, a systematic review was carried out using ninety-two (92) peer-reviewed publications, published within a ten-year period of 2009-2019. A key highlight of the research findings is that cloud computing is an innovation delivery enabler for other emerging technologies (building information modelling, internet of things, virtual reality, augmented reality, big data analytics, mobile computing) in the construction industry. As such, this paper brings to the fore, current and future application areas of cloud computing vis-à-vis other emerging technologies in the construction industry. The paper also identifies barriers to the broader adoption of cloud computing in the construction industry and discusses strategies for overcoming these barriers

An explanatory case study on cloud computing applications in the built environment

Fragmentation of practices is one of the key issues in the built environment. However, with advances in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), particularly cloud computing, the fragmentation of working practices can be potentially overcome. The technology could enhance communication and information flowin various stages along a project life cycle.Due to the increasing demands and the newly developed cloud computing applications, it is critical to review and identify the appropriate cloud computing applications in the built environment. A total of forty two cloud computing applications consisting of general cloud applications, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and project management cloud applications were selected and critically reviewed. A decision-making model was also developed to assist parties in selecting a suitable application. The explanatory case study has discovered numerous possible cloud computing applications in various disciplines, for example, Google Apps, Autodesk BIM 360, and Viewpoint are the applications with the most features. The findings contribute to creating a certain awareness and an insight to reduce the fragmented working practices in the built environment

Information Technology and Human Factors to Enhance Design and Constructability Review Processes in Construction

abstract: Emerging information and communication technology (ICT) has had an enormous effect on the building architecture, engineering, construction and operation (AECO) fields in recent decades. The effects have resonated in several disciplines, such as project information flow, design representation and communication, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) approaches. However, these effects can potentially impact communication and coordination of the virtual design contents in both design and construction phases. Therefore, and with the great potential for emerging technologies in construction projects, it is essential to understand how these technologies influence virtual design information within the organizations as well as individuals’ behaviors. This research focusses on understanding current emerging technologies and its impacts on projects virtual design information and communication among projects stakeholders within the AECO organizations.Dissertation/ThesisDoctoral Dissertation Civil and Environmental Engineering 201

Towards future BIM technology innovations: a bibliometric analysis of the literature

The evolution of the construction industry is associated with the continuous implementation of new technologies. Building Information Modelling (BIM) has revolutionised the collaboration and data sharing processes in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. However, it needs to be supported by new technologies that can embrace digital construction by transforming the construction industry into a dynamic environment. There is a lack of understanding of the cutting-edge technologies that have emerged to help with the digital transformation of the construction industry. There is a need to understand all these technologies and how they can be leveraged holistically towards future BIM innovations. Therefore, this article conducts a literature review to evaluate how targeted cutting-edge technologies can be utilised to release the full potential of BIM from a technical perspective. A bibliometric analysis focusing on the co-occurrence of keywords related to various technologies, their links with BIM, and their related research themes was conducted based on the Web of Science (WoS) database holdings from 2010 to 2019. The findings demonstrate that one type of technology can help with solving a specific issue. However, using one technology alone does not solve an issue entirely. The current technology has been utilised independently and not as a coherent system. Thus, a weak information integration and management approach can restrict the leveraging of a smart BIM environment. This paper is not meant to be exclusive. Many new technologies, concepts, and ideas can be added to help realise BIM potentials that are not covered in this study. Furthermore, the analysis was based on the dataset retrieved from WoS and only included the literature in English. Based on those findings, the authors indicated a technology fusion to support BIM development

Implementation of Building Information Modeling in Infrastructure Construction : Lessons from Norway and Vietnam

Industrialization, innovation, and infrastructure are important drivers in improving employment and income (United Nations, 2015b). To meet the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, developing countries need to invest more in research and innovation that aims to improve their infrastructure (United Nations, 2015a). More basic infrastructure, such as roads, information and communication technology (ICT) systems, and electrical power grids, is essential to improving standards of living and protecting the environment in developing countries (ibid.). Construction researchers have found that the use of ICT increases construction efficiency. Adwan and Al-Soufi (2016) classified 21 sets of ICT technologies used in construction, including web-based platforms, Building Information Modeling (BIM) based technologies, CAD- and 3D CAD–based technologies, virtual reality, and video conferencing. Among these, BIM is an information system that facilitates digital collaboration in construction. BIM provides an environment for data sharing based on 3D models, and it has been used to increase productivity and quality of building construction. In the context of transportation infrastructure, BIM reduces errors, provides better understandings of projects, and improves project performance (SmartMarket Report, 2017). In my construction industry experience, 3D modeling was applied to infrastructure projects that include roads, bridges, and railways. 3D models of infrastructure, such as that related to railways (stations and line alignments) and bridges, was used to detect design clashes and support communication with stakeholders. More broadly, BIM implementation is rapidly increasing in the context of infrastructure construction (Bradley et al., 2016), and examples include the integration of 3D infrastructure models with other technologies, such as geographic information systems, global positioning systems, laser scanners, and photogrammetry (Bradley et al., 2016; Costin et al., 2018). Researchers have also reported on BIM applications in different phases of the infrastructure life cycles (ibid.). In general, BIM supports infrastructure construction by reducing costs and risks and increasing reliability (Costin et al., 2018). The trend of rising use shows BIM’s potential to benefit the infrastructure sector. Infrastructure is critical if developing countries are to achieve their Sustainable Development Goals, which motivated me to explore BIM implementation in that context. Since developed countries is leading in BIM use, this thesis explores whether they can learn from the experiences of more advanced countries. To identify useful lessons, I conducted a comparative analysis of BIM implementation in a developed and a developing contexts. Moreover, BIM-related innovation communities were studied to understand how BIM practices can be further strengthened in infrastructure projects. This thesis focused on the following research question: “How can the implementation of Building Information Modelling be improved to support infrastructure projects in a developing context?”publishedVersio

Integrated collaborative tools for precast supply chain management

Precast construction projects are associated with many activities, numerous parties, enormous effort, and different processes. For effective communication, this requires delivering appropriate and up-to-date information to enhance collaboration and improve integration. The purpose of this paper is to develop the system architecture and prototype of Context-Aware Cloud Computing Building Information Modelling (CACCBIM) for precast supply chain management. The findings of this research are grounded on the literature of cloud computing, context-awareness, building information modelling, and, ultimately, the analysis of interviews with stakeholders in precast construction. Findings determine that lack of integration, improper planning and scheduling, poor production timing, poor coordination, lack of good communication among parties, wrong deliveries, and poor control and supervision are the major issues within the precast supply chain. These issues could result in adverse consequences for the objectives and success of the precast project. Eventually, to reduce and eliminate these issues, the proposed prototype will support appropriate deliveries, efficient monitoring, facilitation of coordination, and collaboration with improved communication. It is anticipated that this research will establish a unique perception in the precast construction industry, which will finally enhance its productivity, improve its efficiency, and maximise its effectiveness