Development of building information models (BIM) to support innovative time management and delay analysis

Although time is a critical factor for most projects, the majority of construction projects encounter delay. Conventional methods for managing time tend to use static medium, which can make understanding delay challenging. This can result in reactive management, which contributes to inappropriate mitigation measures, untimely and insufficient claims, and failures to award extensions of time. These consequences are common causes of dispute, which have a negative effect on the construction industry. The likelihood and severity of disputes on construction projects are increasing but it is suggested that Building Information Modelling (BIM) has the potential to reduce the number of delays and disputes in the industry. However, literature directly addressing how to achieve this appears limited.To contribute research to this knowledge gap, this EngD aims to improve the understanding of delay on construction projects through BIM. This is addressed through five objectives, which gather data through a case study, workshop, simulation, questionnaire, focus group, content analysis and the available literature. The findings of each objective contribute to the next stage of research and led to the proposed interactive exhibit, which integrates VARK modes of presentation with 4D modelling technology developed to support BIM. The rationale behind this proposal is supported by five journal publications, which are appended to this document. [Continues.]</div

An investigation into whether building information modelling (BIM) can assist with construction delay claims

It is probable that a construction project anywhere in the world will encounter some form of delay as a consequence of change. The impact of the delay on a project will vary, but it is likely to have a negative financial outcome. Compensation can be requested by an affected party in the form of a claim; however, issues of liability and quantum can be difficult given the ever increasing complexity of construction work involving numerous differing successive parallel tasks with varying levels of interrelated resources. Experts are often employed to analyse delays based on project records and report their findings to a tribunal. This paper identifies the difficulties associated with the retrieval and representation of information for delay claims and recognises technological opportunities to deal with these challenges. The potential to exploit aspects of BIM to support these possibilities are discussed, concluding that it can assist through the ease of access to coordinated contemporaneous project information and the use of visualisation through multiple dimensions. In order to support this initiative a detailed review of the literature is undertaken which forms part of an Engineering Doctorate

An investigation into whether building information modelling (BIM) can assist with construction delay claims

It is probable that a construction project anywhere in the world will encounter some form of delay as a consequence of change. The impact of the delay on the project will vary but it is likely to have a negative financial outcome. Compensation can be requested by an affected party in the form of a claim; however, issues of liability and quantum can be difficult given the ever increasing complexity of construction work involving numerous differing successive parallel tasks with varying levels of interrelated resources. Experts are often employed to analyse delays based on project records and report their findings to a tribunal. This paper identifies the difficulties associated with the retrieval and representation of information for delay claims and recognises technological opportunities to deal with these challenges. The potential to exploit aspects of BIM to support these possibilities are discussed concluding that it can assist through the ease of access to coordinated contemporaneous project information and the use of visualisation through multiple dimensions. In order to support this initiative a detailed review of the literature is undertaken which forms part of an Engineering Doctorate

An interactive exhibit to assist with understanding project delays

Time, a dynamic concept, can be difficult to understand in static form. As a consequence, the pro-active management and retrospective analysis of delays on construction projects can prove challenging using conventional methods. This can result in time overruns and the rejection of valid delay claims which could develop into dispute if they are not resolved. Disputes have a negative effect on the construction industry but their occurrence, value and duration is rising. This research aims to reduce the likelihood and severity of common delay disputes by providing a solution which aims to: 1) assist with the pro-active management of delays; and, 2) improve the presentation of delay claim information. A detailed background study was undertaken which identified technological opportunities and modes of presentation as potential ways of overcoming the challenges associated with managing and analysing delays. Two stages of assessment were then undertaken to determine the suitability and application of these findings. The first stage utilised a workshop with 50 construction adjudicators to determine the appropriateness of modes of presentation in assisting construction claims. The second stage developed the workshop findings with previous research and integrated modes of presentation with delay analysis. The output was an interactive exhibit, which was assessed through a simulation based on case study data. The interactive exhibit is intended to support, not replace, traditional methods of delay analysis but the solution encountered difficulties with technology as well as the challenge of creating a holistic tool for both pro-active management and retrospective analysis. It is perceived that the interactive exhibit would add most value to the resolution of construction delay claims but further investigation is required to validate the proposed concept before it is used in practice

Building information modelling

Since the fourth edition of Delay and Disruption in Construction Contracts1 was published there has been a significant increase in the recognition and uptake of Building Information Modelling (BIM) on construction projects around the world. As BIM continues to develop, the understanding of the subject and the speed of adoption varies between different countries.2 As a consequence, this has led to “BIM” meaning different things, to different people, across the globe.3 To offer some clarity on the subject and update the BIM knowledge found in Delay and Disruption in Construction Contracts, a detailed review of the literature associated with BIM is presented and is used to determine the potential effect BIM might have on construction claims and disputes