INVESTIGATION OF CONSTRUCTION FIRMS' UTILIZATION OF 4D/5D BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING (BIM)

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to understand the current 4/5D BIM implementation in the construction industry where it will investigate the usage of 4/5D BIM in large construction companies (A1 and A2). Over the years, the Singapore government greatly supports the idea of BIM implementation as BIM helps to improve the construction productivity. Currently, BCA made BIM mandatory for all public projects with GFA area over 5,000 sq.m. Thus, many construction firms have started to implement 3D and nD BIM in their company. In order to understand the benefits and challenges of BIM, it is essential to find out the current BIM practices and utilization in the construction industry. The objective of this study are to: (1) Investigate on 4/5D BIM usage in large construction firms, (2) Discover the benefits and challenges of 4/5D BIM adoption, (3) To determine if large construction firms are willing to create partnership with SMEs to help them embark on BIM adoption and (4) To find out if integrated BIM is achievable. Surveys were being sent out to various large construction companies to obtain information on the current BIM implementation. The data collected will undergo statistical and qualitative analysis to determine if large construction companies have started implementing 4/5D BIM and if they are willing to help SMEs embark on BIM. Furthermore, the study consists of several industry professional views on integrated BIM, suggestions on how to improve BIM adoption and opinion on integrated BIM. However, the study consists of various limitations and the main limitation would be many large construction firms have yet to implement 4/5D BIM resulting in a smaller sample size to analyze. Hence, for future research, one can target a larger population where it can include SMEs BIM utilization.