BIM for FM: Input versus Output data

In the last decade, the implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in facilities management has significantly increased among practitioners. This has largely been due to the noticeable BIM capability in collecting, capturing and generating data/information during the lifecycle of assets through Open data standards such as the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and specifications such as the Construction Operations Building information exchange (COBie). However, accuracies of data and interoperability between facilities management and BIM software systems are still the main challenges for facilities managers. Thus existing applications of BIM for facilities management often output data that does not satisfy the facilities management requirements. Furthermore, the existing frameworks for overcoming the interoperability are generally inclined towards software oriented or theoretical procedures. The purpose of this paper is to develop BIM ‐ based guidelines, which enable to integrate data between the facilities and BIM software systems to keep the data accurate and ensure the outputs achieve the required data/information for facilities management. To achieve the aim of the study, a critical review of peer‐reviewed literature in BIM‐ facilities management and a case study are conducted. The critical review discusses the challenges, gaps and linking approaches of the peer‐reviewed studies about BIM‐facilities management integration. The case study is to assess the suitability of integrating a building modelling tool (e.g. Revit), Open data specification (COBie) and a facility management tool (e.g. Ecodomus) for exchanging data between BIM and facilities management environments. This paper provides practical evidence of both the challenges and the benefits of BIM in facilities management applications and also provides the requirements for successful proprietary middleware for BIM-FM interoperability

Opinions of small and medium UK construction companies on environmental management systems

Pressure to reduce the environmental impact of construction activities has increased, such that a paradigm shift is required. This paper presents stakeholder opinions of environmental management systems as a means for the construction industry to respond to these issues. Using a previous approach (Shen and Tam, 2002) the views of small and medium construction companies were sought, using questionnaires to ask respondents to reveal their perceived benefits and barriers of implementing the ISO 14000 suite of environmental management standards in the UK. Detailed statistical analysis showed environmental management systems can sometimes produce quantifiable benefits to organisations in terms of cost reduction. However, from a contractors’ view, the greatest benefit was a reduction in environmental impact outweighing financial benefits. Findings also demonstrated numerous barriers, both internal and external, to an organisation exist regarding adoption and use of environment management systems. The most critical barrier was that cost savings do not always balance with the expense of implementation. Furthermore, waste minimisation at design stage is viewed as most important. In general, the opinions gauged in this study indicated short-term profits are normally considered more imperative than long-term gains. Therefore, despite a need to focus on developing strategies for removing or reducing the challenges of environmental management systems, the reality is that they may not be the panacea to sustainable development, as is often touted

A State of the Art on Railway Simulation Modelling Software Packages and Their Application to Designing Baggage Transfer Services

There is a new baggage transfer service suggested in Newcastle Central Station. In order to prove that this service is feasible, a simulation model can be developed to test the concept and operating pattern behind. For the purposes of this paper, we intend to organize a literature review on simulation modelling software packages employed to study service design. Specifically, this paper has compared five different simulation software packages used by the railway industry to study service-related challenges. As a result, it is suggested that SIMUL8, a macroscopic discrete event-based software package, should be used among the five compared ones because of its simplicity and the ability to give practical results for the design and performance of such a baggage transfer system

The quality and value of higher education facilities: a comparative study

Purpose - The aim of the paper is to explore the relationship between the quality and value of higher education facilities through comparing the views of different user groups and professionals involved in the procurement and design of such facilities. Design/methodology/approach - The paper adopts a mixed methods approach incorporating a number of interviews and a questionnaire survey, underpinned by the recommendations and input of an expert panel. Findings - The results reveal the potential of facilities management and maintenance to create value for higher education institutions (HEIs) and students, perhaps even greater than the construction of new highprofile facilities, by facilitating student recruitment and improving student learning experience. Research limitations – The sample includes data from a single HEI. Although this was deemed necessary so as to reduce the impact of externalities, the adopted approach has to be applied to a wider sample of HEIs in order to claim more generalisable findings. Practical implications - The paper provides a better understanding of the relationship between the quality and value of higher education facilities. This can potentially support HEIs to achieve improved value for money from their facilities and free up resources to be reinvested in other aspects of student experience. Originality/value - Considering the subjective nature of value the paper incorporates views from a number of different interest groups. These views are correlated with different facility quality standards to provide a holistic approach to assessing the value of higher education facilities

BIM adoption and implementation: Focusing on SMEs

Purpose - To reach its full potential, Building Information Modelling (BIM) should be implemented throughout the supply chain. This study explores BIM implementation and adoption among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the UK Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector. The paper addresses two key issues; the slow rate and lack of homogeneity of BIM adoption in the SME sector.Design/methodology/approach - The study employs qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate BIM uptake and test for correlations between organisational features and BIM aspects. The sample includes data from SMEs, based in the South East of England, analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.Findings - The results show that, although SMEs have some understanding of BIM related concepts, their familiarity with existing BIM software support systems is particularly low. Limited financial capacity is identified as the main barrier to BIM adoption while knowledge exchange initiatives as the most useful measure in facilitating further implementation. The variations of SMEs in the adoption and implementation of BIM are mostly affected by company size, professional discipline and offered services. The paper also demonstrates that a one-size-fits-all approach to BIM implementation in the AEC sector has limited potential.Originality/value - The heterogeneity of SMEs in the AEC sector has been considered to a very limited extent. This paper considers the nature, characteristics and core business areas of SMEs as factors affecting BIM adoption and implementation