A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study into the impact of BIM on the Social Dynamics of the AEC professional in the workplace.

A review of the literature published surrounding new digital design and construction technologies and associated processes described within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) community as Building Information Modelling (BIM) or Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) reveals a gap in the theoretical understanding of the impact these technologies are having on professionals who work in this industry. The central aim of this research is to discover if there has been a shift in social dynamics as a result of the adoption of BIM in the workplace and, if there has been, to discuss the meaning of this for the industry and the community who educate these professionals. This study is important as it seeks to develop an understanding of the impact of BIM from the perspective of those AEC professionals affected. The study of human beings is referred to as Anthropology. It is a social science and is characterised as the study of human societies, cultures, and development often affected by social or technical intervention. BIM is an example of a technological intervention that has been introduced into the complex design and construction industry. This multidisciplinary industry has relied on representation in the form of paper-based communication documents for 500 years. However, with the introduction of new technologies, the AEC industry is experiencing a digital transformation, characterised by a move from representation to simulation. The author has conducted a study examining the lived experience of AEC professionals who have come into contact with the subject phenomenon in their workplace. The workplace is the locus for this research. It is defined as the place where the AEC professionals conduct their day to day business. The subjects of this research study are a purposeful selection of industry professionals who have experienced the phenomenon and have told the Author their stories. These lived experiences have been analysed and interpreted using a suitable methodology to address the research question; in this case, Hermeneutic Phenomenology. The data analysis has identified four themes: Identity, Empowerment, Disarrangement and Collaborative Practice. The emergence of these themes and the discussion around them will add new knowledge into the subject area. The study concludes by discussing the implications of this research for the design and construction industry and educational institutions

BIM: Building Information Management (not Modelling)

Being aware of something is not the same as having knowledge of or ability in the selected subject matter. Much of the Irish Architecture Engineering & Construction (AEC) industry is now aware of Building Information Modelling (BIM) as highlighted in a national survey from an Academic Industry Body (2016) which shows that a total of 90% of respondents reported that their awareness of BIM has improved to some degree in recent years. However, it is a legitimate question to ask if the industry does have knowledge and understanding of the processes? Defining these processes would be: knowing the difference in maturity levels; adhering to associated standards of that level; producing the associated documentation in accordance with those standards; and managing and sharing the information correctly. BIM software is being utilised throughout industry. One of the key findings of this paper concluded that 100% of respondents of a survey conducted by the author have a stated use of 3D BIM Modelling Software with 86% of respondents using Revit. However, it is important to realise that this is not doing BIM, as Donoghue (2015) highlights that Revit is a tool that merely enables the BIM process. These figures would highlight that the use of software is not a major issue when it comes to BIM implementation. The literature review outlines these BIM processes. Surveys have been conducted to date that highlight the level of adoption of BIM within the industry, however, some conflicting information has materialised. The author will critically analyse these national surveys and outline the results of a targeted survey that was aimed at industry to identify the level of these processes being implemented. Some of the key findings of this paper concluded that the level of BIM that companies say they are operating at conflicts with the procedures followed and documents produced within that company in alignment with that level. The results of this targeted survey shown a lack of knowledge and ability to implement these processes within their BIM operational level. This research paper set out to investigate levels of knowledge of BIM process in the Architecture & Engineering industry in Ireland by breaking down BIM into technologies and process and breaking down process in accordance with PAS 1192-2:2013 to achieve a more specific understanding of the current state of BIM implementation in Ireland. A quantitative research methodology was used to investigate the problem and results and conclusions are presented in this paper

What is a BIM Design Model?

The recent report into Building Information Management or BIM, by construction law experts May Winfield and Sarah Rock entitled “Winfield Rock Report” [1] gives reason to state that the UK architectural, engineering and construction industry or AEC, is hindered by the absence of a clear definition of Level 2 BIM. The ISO 19650-2 standard published in 2019, is based upon PAS1192-2:2013. The intent of ISO 19650-2 is to provide a road map to facilitate the standardisation of BIM process in a uniformed fashion. A key pillar of ISO 19650 is the “information cycle” and central to this is a federated set of design intent models, commonly referred to as the design model.The design model underpins the Level 2 BIM process, however different interpretations by BIM practitioners ,impacts the collaborative process leading to disagreement and conflict. This paper will research the design model, focusing on design-bid-build or “traditional”projects,where the main contractor is required to develop the design model into a project information model or PIM. With the publication of the ISO 19650 standard, the AEC industry is obliged to abandon the familiarity of the PAS 1192 suite of documents. However, as was the case with the PAS1192 suite,the new ISO19650 standard are not intended to,and do not, provide a definitive definition of Level 2 BIM or the design model. Using a mixed methodology, this paper investigates the design model from the perspectives of different AEC stakeholders. A selection of engaged professionals participated in an online survey followed by interviews with a selection of respondents to the survey. The interview findings were triangulated with a comprehensive literature review and the online survey results. These are discussed and the paper concludes with valuable insight into BIM in the Irish AEC industry at a time of transitio

Could Autodesk Revit Be Automated for Code Compliance Checking and Demonstration with A Focus on Fire Safety Regulations?

Often a subject to ambiguity and interpretation, building codes and compliance with them require years of expertise to understand and to integrate into good design. Automation of code compliance through Building Information Modelling (BIM) removes the human aspect from these processes and ensures building codes are correctly adhered to. In this paper, the author reviews current code compliance systems implemented internationally and, with a focus on fire codes, compares them to the current fire certificate application in The Republic of Ireland. By conducting interviews with an Executive Fire Prevention Officer of Dublin Fire Brigade and a Fire Consultant practicing in Ireland, the author determines the process of the two professionals and attempts to automate the demonstration of compliance for 4 items from these processes. The author attempts to contain these solutions within a Revit Template File. By doing so, the solutions can be applied to any number of BIM models, demonstrating compliance for each design and, in turn, making a leaner compliance checking process for designers. By checking 4 items from the processes the author hopes to show that in theory, Revit can be automated for code compliance checking and demonstration

The Automation of BIM for Compliance Checking: a Visual Programming Approach

A study by FIATECH confirmed that human interpretation causes inconsistencies in applying building compliance & regulations (Solihin & Eastman, 2015). Producing, updating and quality assuring such processes is inconsistent and unreliable (Preidel & Borrmann, 2016). A barrier to interpretation of building regulations is that software is designed by developers that are separate to local authorities (Solihin & Eastman, 2015). The current literature suggests Singapore, Norway, USA & Australia have all implemented BIM automation systems for building regulations. This study reviews current automation systems and based on this proposes a system of creating a checking system is efficient in the control of professionals skilled with local authority and building regulation knowledge. Dynamo visual programming software is selected as the software to assist the automation due to the open source availability and widespread adoption in the BIM field. A methodology of Design Science is applied to diagnose the problem of manual checking through review of the current literature (Kehily & Underwood, 2015). An automation solution is proposed and evaluated in a design office. Architectural professionals provide feedback of the implemented solution and this feedback is applied iteratively to a second automation solution, where feedback is also obtained from users to further improve the solution. Results show a change in workflow and an improvement of traditional compliance checking. The study concludes by proposing a similar BIM automation approach could be applied in local government, within the Irish Planning and Building Control (BCAR) system

Using BIM Technologies to Calculate and Visualise the Global Warming Potential of Building Materials

The built environment has a significant potential to reduce carbon emissions and raw material consumption. Digitisation processes such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can offer solutions to improve sustainability throughout the building’s life cycle for the decarbonisation of the industry. In Ireland, the Royal Institute of Architects Ireland (RIAI) launched the 2030 Climate Challenge in response to the climate emergency. This sets out a list of targets to meet before 2030 for carbon emissions within the built environment. This research aims to investigate if the application of BIM tools can be leveraged to automate Global Warming Potential (GWP) to support design decision-making in meeting the RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge. This research focuses on the development of a validated database for building materials using the growing register of Environmental Product Data certificates (EPD) necessary for the correct calculation of GWP of building materials. This study has developed a series of workflows that can be used to automate and monitor Global Warming Potential (GWP) to assist professionals in meeting the RIAI 2025/2030 embodied carbon targets. The results demonstrated a proof of concept for automating GWP calculation via the digital building model database and, in doing so, giving the design team visual feedback, empowering them in their design decision-making

A BIM+Blockchain approach to ensure Transparency in the Strategic Housing Development Planning System

The introduction of the fast-tracking housing regulations in Ireland has modified the dynamics in which democratic participation is deployed in planning decisions. The resulting planning process has favoured inequality phenomena and has strengthened the position of construction lobbies in large-scale developments. This paper enforces citizen engagement in the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) framework using Building Information Modelling (BIM) and blockchain technologies to build digital trust. Digital tools have enormous potential to deliver more transparent planning by establishing proven accountability for building permissions and promoting trusted interactions between citizens and local administrations. This study first describes all the reasoning underpinning the de-democratisation process of Irish planning after introducing SHD regulations. Based on the previous findings, a theory-driven, inductive case study is proposed. The case study offers an integrated framework that combines the improved visualisation properties of BIM with the immutability characters of blockchain. Results indicate that such a methodology successfully addresses the problem of trust and transparency and brings additional intrinsic benefits due to the use of digital solutions in planning

Incentivising Multidisciplinary Teams with New Methods of Procurement using BIM + Blockchain​

This paper researches a potential method of incentivising AEC industry professionals to design to better than NZEB standards. Analysing the potential of a purposefully designed local microgrid storing excess energy generated by solar technologies embedded within the building envelope; the microgrid excess output is measured and recorded using a (Post Occupancy) “Blockchain” application and measured against the data provided at design stage on a (Predictive) “Blockchain” database. This paper researches how energy output predictions at design stage, by multidisciplinary teams, may be enhanced by BIM + Blockchain Technology. The paper researches the potential of a digital twin (predictive versus post occupancy) in pursuit of answering this question: “If a building can produce more energy than it is consuming, is there an opportunity for the building owner and/or design team/building occupants to sell the surplus energy as a commodity?” In turn, this creates the potential for “Added Value Networks”. The first being a financial incentive for designers to strive for the very best building performance, and the second, a financial incentive for building occupants to conserve energy leaving more energy for sale. This paper will test the predictive energy theory and report on data generated by virtual sensors in a BIM model recorded on a (Predictive) Blockchain. This will be the basis for comparing predictive energy use against actual energy output. Actual energy output during occupancy can be recorded using real time sensors matching the number and location of the digital sensors. The information on both databases are secured using the immutable and transparent properties of Blockchain. This can provide confidence for transactions, securing the “Added Value Network”

A Proposal to Harmonize BIM and IoT Data Silos using Blockchain Application

The integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Internet of Things (IoT) provide significant end-to-end benefits for the architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AECO) industry. Example applications include on-site assembly services, data localization for built environment, occupancy performance measures and many other analyses that can be used to improve the built environment. However, silos in the BIM and IoT data exchange have impacted the digital process adoption in AECO industry, which aims to change the dynamics and behaviors of the current working process. Penzes, (2018) in his report, acknowledges the AECO industry as one of the most fragmented sectors with a scattered and complex supply chain. Kelly & Dowd, (2015) reported that the prevalence of waste in AECO industry is due to old management practice and business culture, while Charlès, (2014) suggested this is a symptom of ineffective practices caused by the lack of data integration and disconnected documents between the industry players. Insufficient data for process simulation have resulted in poor productivity, high risk, and low profitability. This study sets out to critically analyse the Blockchain technology’s potential to connect, integrate and advance AECO industry information exchanges and digital processes by using BIM and IoT integration use case as a methodology to identify, clarify and organize the proposed system requirements. This paper presents a comprehensive literature review to uncover the current state of BIM and IoT data silos. Moreover, an online survey assessment and a simulated test were conducted to critically evaluate, investigate, and examine the opportunities and solutions in harmonizing BIM and IoT data silos by using the Blockchain application

Linking Geospatial Engineering into Collaborative Multidisciplinary BIM Projects - an Educational Perspective

This paper describes the background to and execution of a postgraduate project undertaken by students on DIT\u27s MSc in Geospatial Engineering (GeoEng) in support of a project on level 2 BIM being undertaken by students on the MSc in applied Building Information Modelling & Management (aBIMM) around the retrofit of and new build extension to the Grangegorman Clock Tower Building. In support of this requirement, an external and internal survey of the existing structure and its surrounding topography was required. The aBIMM students and staff acted as the Design Team who subcontracted the Geo Eng group who were organised into a survey team with a Topcon Ireland surveyor as team leader. Students and staff, at the end of the project, recognised the need for significant upskilling of both Geospatial and Design professionals around the different requirements, time-scales and costs, associated with surveying for BIM versus traditional survey deliverables. The experience of this project showed that these design teams would be prepared to pay for a more value-added product than the basic point cloud. The onus now is on Geospatial practitioners to take advantage of the opportunity afforded by collaborative BIM to engage early, often, and meaningfully in projects, and this will bring benefits to the geospatial profession as well as to the client, to the design team, and to the wider economy