Application, Advantages, and Methods Associated with Using BIM in Commercial Construction

Abstract

Building information modeling (BIM) has become an integral part of commercial construction processes in recent years. This article summarizes a research study undertaken to explore the frequency of BIM application, the advantages and effects of using BIM, and various other methods associated with developing and using BIM models in commercial construction. Executive, mid-management, and BIM practitioner-level employees from eighteen leading commercial general contracting firms (with regard to BIM use) were surveyed to determine how their companies utilized BIM. Thirty-two different applications of BIM use were identified for commercial construction, and those most commonly utilized included clash detection, 3-D modeling, team collaboration, constructability issues of design, and sales. Communication, scheduling, coordination, visualization, and clash detection were identified as the top advantages of using BIM. Regarding the effects of using BIM, companies reported a positive impact on profitability, time of construction, and marketing. Finally, this article discusses various processes for using BIM, how models were used internally and with trade partners, and the decisions affecting BIM use by leading commercial contractors.

Keywords:

• commercial building
• construction project management
• construction productivity

Acknowledgment

The authors wish to acknowledge and thank the various representatives from the following commercial contracting companies, for their participation in this research: Balfour Beatty US, Barton Malow, Bernards, C.W. Driver, DPR Construction, Gilbane Building Co., Hensel Phelps Construction, Holder Construction Co., Hunt Construction Group, JE Dunn Construction Group, Layton Construction, McCarthy Construction, Robins and Morton, Rogers Obrien, Skanska USA, Suffolk Construction, Swinerton Builders, and Whiting-Turner.