BIM Application in Malaysian Construction Industry PDF

See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256605769 Building Information Modeling (BIM) Application in Malaysian Construction Industry Article · January 2013 DOI: 10.5923/s.ijcem.201309.01. CITATIONS...

See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256605769 Building Information Modeling (BIM) Application in Malaysian Construction Industry Article · January 2013 DOI: 10.5923/s.ijcem.201309.01. CITATIONS READS 39 4,928 4 authors: Aryani Ahmad Latiffi Suzila Mohd Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA 25 PUBLICATIONS 69 CITATIONS 9 PUBLICATIONS 50 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Narimah Kasim Mohamad Syazli Fathi Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA 32 PUBLICATIONS 97 CITATIONS 41 PUBLICATIONS 137 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Ageing in Place for Elderly people in Malaysia (for landed property) View project Aryani Ahmad Latiffi View project All content following this page was uploaded by Mohamad Syazli Fathi on 03 June 2014. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. International Journal of Construction Engineering and M anagement 2013, 2(4A): 1-6 DOI: 10.5923/s.ijcem.201309.01 Building Information Modeling (BIM) Application in Malaysian Construction Industry Aryani Ahmad Latiffi1 , Suzila Mohd1 , Narimah Kasim1, Mohamad Syazli Fathi2,* 1 Faculty of Technology M anagement & Business, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn M alaysia (UTHM), Batu Pahat Johor, 86400, M alaysia 2 UTM Razak School of Engineering & Advanced Technology, Universiti Teknologi M alaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 54100, M alaysia Abstract Bu ilding Informat ion Modeling (BIM) is a set of digital tools that can manage construction projects effectiveness. BIM has been used by the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industries in Malaysia. The idea to imp lement BIM in Malaysia was introduced by the Director of Public Works Depart ment (PWD) in 2007. The aim of this paper is to exp lore BIM imp lementation in Malaysian construction industry. A literature review was done to exp lore previous BIM studies on definitions and history of BIM, construction issues, application of BIM and BIM tools in construction projects as well as benefits of BIM. Malaysian government encourages construction players to apply BIM to construction projects because it can overcome construction project problems such as delay, clash of design by different professionals and construction cost overrun. Autodesk tools have been suggested by the government as a BIM tool platform. Other tools include Revit Architecture, Revit St ructural, Revit M EP, Navisworks and Cost-X. It is crucial for construction players to be aware of the importance of BIM applicat ion in construction projects. This is because BIM can be one of the conditions required of a co mpany to qualify for government and private projects, similar to what is practiced in some other countries. Moreover, BIM helps to increase construction project efficiency and effectiveness. It can also be imp lemented to improve commun ication and collaboration between construction players. The implementation of BIM technology is expected to become mo re widespread in Malaysian construction industry because of the government’s effo rts in pro moting BIM. Keywords Building In formation Modeling (BIM), Applicat ion, Construction Project, Effect iveness, Malaysia Director of Public Works Depart ment (PW D) in 2007. 1. Introduction This step was a result of the government’s awareness of the potential of BIM to reduce construction cost and avoid Building Informat ion Modeling (BIM ) is a collaborative design problems in planning phase. Moreover, BIM also has tool used by architectural, engineering and construction been seen as a concerted action to ensure collaboration (AEC) industries based on a number of software solutions. between construction players such as architects, engineers, It is a technology and a process to manage construction project managers and contractors. projects. BIM is a set of technology developments and On 27 August 2007, PW D co mmittee was established by processes that has transformed the way infrastructure is the government to choose the right BIM p latform to ensure designed, analyzed, constructed and managed. BIM can interoperability. The purpose of establishing the enhance and improve planning p rocess, design and committee was to identify construction project processes that construction of projects. BIM concept has been introduced involved BIM implementation. Moreover, the committee since 1970 by Professor Charles M. Eastman. In also prepared a BIM standard manual docu mentation for mid-year o f 2000, A EC industries have started to implement PWD as a guideline for construction players’ reference. The BIM in construction projects. The United States of committee also provides BIM train ing and advisory America (USA) is the first country to implement BIM. assistance to project teams in using BIM tools. Nowadays, BIM has been implemented in many countries The first project in Malaysia that involved the such as the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, Hong Kong, implementation of BIM is Multipurpose Hall of Universiti Den mark, No rway , Fin lan d and Sin g ap o re. In Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) in the Southern region Malaysia, the idea to imp lement BIM was introduced by the of Malaysia. Other BIM projects in Malaysia are Nat ional Cancer Institute of Malaysia, wh ich is expected to be * Corresponding author: [email protected] (Mohamad syazli Fathi) completed on 31 August 2013, Educity Sports Co mp lex in Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/ijcem Nusajaya, Johor and Ancasa Hotel in Pekan, Pahang Copyright © 2013 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved. 2 Aryani Ahmad Latiffi et al.: Building Information M odeling (BIM ) Application in M alaysian Construction Industry BIM will be implemented in the following future of basicinfrastructure. In 2005, the demand for projects in Malaysia:. construction projects came fro m government and p rivate i. Healthcare Center Type 5 at Sri Jaya Maran, Pahang. construction sectors to fulfill the economic needs of ii. Ad ministration Co mp lex Project of Suruhanjaya infrastructures and commercial buildings. Pencegah Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) at Shah Alam, Several problems occurred in construction projects. The Selangor. problems include delay, dirty construction sites, difficu lt and iii. Primary School of Meru Raya Ipoh, Perak. dangerous site conditions, poor quality of work and iv. Primary School of Tanjung Minyak 2, Melaka Tengah, occurrences of accidents on construction sites such as the Melaka. collapse of Jaya Supermarket in Petaling Jaya, Selangor These projects are known as pilot projects. Pilot projects. These problems had caused negative impact to the are part of Malaysian government’s init iative in exposing industry. They are signs of weaknesses of Malaysian government officers to BIM. To date, there are twelve (12) construction industry. projects using BIM in Malaysia. However, these problems can be solved with ICTsolutions. The government encourages construction players to apply The use of ICT in construction projects helps to manage BIM to projects because BIM has a huge potential to projects in productive and effective ways. ICT has facilitate solving problems o f construction projects. For introduced BIM as a tool to manage construction projects instance, BIM can prevent disputes between construction effectively. Effective construction planning can prevent players, manage the right quantity for each structure, potential problems fro m occurring during pre-construction decrease construction cost and avoid project delay. phase, construction phase and post-construction phase. Nowadays, BIM implementation in Malaysia is seen more BIM has emerged as an innovative way to manage suitable for comp lex projects and high risk projects. The construction project planning. setback for BIM implementation in construction projects is Even though implementing BIM can overcome problems that local contractors from Grade 1 (G1) to Grade 6 (G6) are in construction projects, its application remains in its not ready to apply BIM. Th is is because the above-mention infancy. Construction players need to be aware of the ed groups of contractors hardly use informat ion technology benefits of BIM in help ing them to improve implementation (IT), and they need substantial amount of money to purchase of construction processes. It is noted that BIM is still new in BIM tools such as Revit Architectural, Revit Structural and Malaysian construction industry. BIM is seen as an Navisworks as well as to attend BIM-related training. To expensive technology to be adopted, but it has been proven overcome these issues, Malaysian government has allocated to provide solutions to the above-mentioned construction a grant to undergraduate students and any organizations or problems. The next section of this paper will discuss BIM individuals to receive train ing on BIM provided by application in different phases of construction projects. They Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Malaysia. M SC are pre-construction phase, construction phase and Malaysia is a Malaysia Nat ional In formation and post-construction phase. Co mmunicat ions Technology (ICT) in itiative, designed to attract world class technology companies while grooming the local ICT industry. MSC Malaysia gives explanation 3. BIM Application in Construction about BIM guidelines and provides training in using BIM BIM applications in construction projects bring many tools. It also awards BIM professional cert ificates to all benefits to construction players such as improving participants. communicat ion between construction players and facilitating The Malaysian government’s effort in introducing BIM in faster design decision. Moreover, one of the BIM features the AEC industries offers beneficial opportunities to small is ease of use related to its tools; hence, the use of BIM can construction companies, as they will be able to explore and reduce time spent in design as well as decrease cost and apply BIM to projects. With BIM applications, small duration of construction. construction companies can increase staff efficiency, BIM can be applied to all construction project phases, productivity and job satisfaction, which will lead to which are pre-construction phase, construction phase and reduction in operating cost. These advantages give post-construction phase. companies opportunities to be involved in large construction Table 1 shows BIM application in a construction project projects. Therefore, this paper discusses how BIM can for every phase, consisting of pre-construction phase, benefit Malaysian construction industry. construction phase and post-construction phase. It can be seen that BIM application in a construction project helps in 2. BIM and the Construction Industry managing the project mo re effect ively. The ability of BIM to Issues foster collaboration between construction players facilitates the design process decision. Moreover, detection of clash The construction industry is one of the major industries and clash analysis during the design stage can reduce time that contributes to Malaysian economy. The industry and construction cost. BIM also ensures completion of a continues to support social development through provision quality construction project because it assists in organizing  International Journal of Construction Engineering and M anagement 2013, 2(4A): 1-6 3 activities and phasing during planning stage of a project. BIM tools have been introduced in many types and functions. Among the tools are Rev it, Tekla, Bentley, Table 1. BIM applications in a construction project Autodesk, Vico and Cost X. Each tool has its own functions, Phase Stage Uses of BIM and they are each used to manage different activities in construction projects. The selection of BIM tools is Enhances accuracy of existing Existing conditions based on four (4) features, which are communication conditions documentation. reliability, accuracy, usability and reliability of data modeling Identifies schedule sequencing or exchange. Planning Co mmunicat ion reliability can be seen through BIM phasing issues. process in defin ing a p roject team, identifying the key Facilitates better communication and processes and dependencies throughout a project, assigning faster design decision. Perform clash detection and clash roles and assigning responsibilities to each project team. Design The application of BIM in estimat ing process shows the Pre-construction Increases design effectiveness. analysis. accuracy of BIM during the taking-off process. BIM can Enables project manager and contractor reduce the number of erro rs related to measurement estimates during the estimating process. to see construction work sequence, Scheduling equipment, materials and track In terms of usability, BIM tools such as RevitArchitectural progress against logistics and timelines and Revit Structural are ab le to illustrate construction established. processes through 4-Dimensional (4D) simulation and clash Enables generation of takeoffs, counts detection. Furthermore, BIM has proven itself through Estimate and measurements directly from a successful projects that have been managed in other 3-Dimensional (3D) project model. countries such as the USA, the UK, Hong Kong and Decreases costs of utility demand and Australia. Examp les of the successful projects are One Site analysis Island East in Hong Kong, Hilton Aquarium Atlanta, demolition. Enables demonstration of construction Georgia, The Freedo m Tower, New Yo rk and The Sydney Opera House, Australia. Additionally, the reliab ility process, including access and exit roads, traffic flows, site materials and of data exchange between architects and structural engineers Construction machineries. must be verified before proceeding to develop a model that Construction Provides better tracking of cost control can facilitate other processes such as mechanical Enables tracking of work in real time, and cash flow. andelectrical design, estimates and construction phase process. faster flow of resources and better site management. Based on the above-mentioned features, the PWD acknowledged that BIM tools fro m Autodesk and Exactal Keeps track of built asset. Manages facilities proactively. Cost-X were applicab le to the industry. The tools serve as an construction Operation / Enables scheduled maintenance and application platform for Malaysian government. This has Post- Facilities management provides review ofmaintenance been officially declared by the PWD on 25 February 2010. history. As mentioned earlier, Autodesk has all four (4) features of BIM selection. Autodesk is an American mu lt inational The application of BIM in p re-construction phase is more software corporation. It focuses on 3D design software for evident than during the construction and post-construction AEC industries. Autodesk has produced many tools such phases. This is because there are many activities done in this as Revit Architectural, Revit St ructural, and Rev it MEP for phase such as design, scheduling and estimating; these construction players. activities generally involve the use of BIM technology. BIM Exactel was established in October 2003 to develop an tools such as Revit Architectural, Revit Structure, Rev it estimating tool for the construction industry, known as MEP, Nav isworks and Cost-X aredeveloped to assist Cost-X. It focuses on estimat ing process and morespecifica construction players in all phases in construction process. lly, it is used to integrate the estimating process with CAD Discussion on BIM tools applicable to the industry is drawing files. discussed in the next section of this paper. Figure 1 shows five (5) types of BIM tools reco mmended by the government to be applied toconstruction projects. They are Revit architecture, Rev it structural, Revit M EP, 4. BIM Tools Navisworks and Cost-X. 4 Aryani Ahmad Latiffi et al.: Building Information M odeling (BIM ) Application in M alaysian Construction Industry Figure 1. BIM tools suggested by PWD An architect uses Revit Architecture to design plans of every aspect of a building includ ing walls, staircases, doors 5. Benefits of BIM and roof. Revit Structural allo ws structural engineers to perform structural design and analysis by modeling building Implementing BIM in construction projects can overcome using the basic co mponents of walls and a foundation. construction problems such as delay, clash of design and Meanwhile, Revit M EP can be used by mechanical engineers disputes between construction players. to develop a model of ducts, piping and to gain a betterunderstanding of HVAC zones. On top of that, Design Revit M EP allows electrical engineers to model placement of aspect light fixtures as well as to create circuits and wiring. A ll of these tools can be used to create drawings in 2 Dimension (2D) and 3D. Moreover, pro ject managers can use Scheduling Budget Autodesk Navisworks to create a mult idiscipline model to aspect aspect simu late and optimize scheduling, identify and coordinate Benefits of BIM clashes as well as establish collaboration between contractors and design team, which consists of architects, structural engineers as well as mechanical, electrical and plumb ing (M EP) engineers; this collaboration enables the Documenta Communic team to gain insight into potential problems. tion aspect ation aspect Furthermore, Cost-X tool can be used in construction cost estimating. It contains numerous additional features such as Figure 2. Benefits of BIM implementation advanced viewing tool and unique revision tool to increase the speed of take-off process. Advanced viewing tools Figure 2 shows five (5) main benefits of imp lementing use the transparent and filter mode to make model navigation BIM in construction projects. The benefits of imp lementing quick and easy to review. Meanwh ile, unique revision tool BIM in construction projects can be seen in each can identify changes in design and automatically update the construction phase. The explanations of the benefits are as quantities. follows: There are several co mpanies in Malaysia that are i. BIM gives support to design, scheduling, and budgeting associated with BIM by provid ing consultancy services, of built assets. training, and also BIM tools to support BIM implementation ii. BIM provides a platform to help architects initiate the in the construction industry. The co mpanies are process of evolutionary design. Integrated Project Management Solution Sdn. Bhd. (IPMS) iii. The speed of design can be increased when using the at Johor Bahru, Johor, Precision Design Solution Sdn. database provided by BIM tools as less communication Bhd. (PDSSB), Petaling Jaya, Selangor and Sunway with engineers is required. Berhad, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. iv. A visualization of the construction process through a  International Journal of Construction Engineering and M anagement 2013, 2(4A): 1-6 5 4D model greatly enhancesunderstanding of processes and for supporting this research under the Exploratory Research helps to identify construction issues as well as possible Grant Scheme (Vote No. E029). problems in the building assets process. v. The 4D BIM models allow demonstration of how a construction project would affect traffic flows, access and exit roads, public transport and storage of materials on site as well as, scheduling of machineries and personnel. REFERENCES vi. BIM p rovides an effective way to imp rove design and Robinson, C. (2007). Structural BIM : Discussion, Case documentation quality significantly. Studies and Latest Developments. Struct. Design Tall Spec. vii. BIM saves 10% of contract value through clash Build. 16, 519-533. Wiley Interscience. 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