Capstone Report:

The integration of BIM in Construction

Organizations & it’s impacts on Productivity
BLDG 4051 | George Brown College| Omer Syed -
April 21, 2016
100777134
Intensions & Assumptions

 To explain the concept of BIM and its impacts on productivity in

the Construction Industry.
 To help educate the reader in understanding what BIM is and
how BIM can be implemented in the workforce.

 Due to conflicting schedules, only 3 in-person interviews could

be used as primary sources of information
Introduction
 The Construction Industry accounts for 6% of Canada's GDP
(Statistics Canada, 2016).

 Currently, programs like AutoCAD is the popular choice to use

when designing and documenting architectural & construction
drawings
 However the process can be slow and most of the time is used
up in coordination and correcting discrepancies.
 Which is why increase the productivity and output of
construction drawings and documents is a crucial part in a
project orientated industry such as the Construction Industry.
Thesis Statement

 “BIM programs & practices are not only used

to help with communication and visual
understandings of a project, but also have a
great impact on accelerating productivity and
achieving a higher project turnover rate.
BIM – Definition
 In 2016, The Us National
Building Information Modeling
Standard Project Committee
defines BIM as:
 “(BIM) . . . is a digital
representation of
physical & functional
characteristics of a
facility. (BIM) . . . is a
shared knowledge of
resources for information
about a facility forming a
reliable basis for
decisions during its life-
BIM – Dimensions in Construction
BIM – History
 Charles M. Eastman. Is a pioneer in AEC
CAD and developed early research on
BIM.
 In the mid-1970s, he focused on the
development for practitioners with the
‘Building Description System’ and
‘Building Product Modeling’ (which was
later renamed into ‘Building Information
Modeling’ – BIM).
Charles M. Eastman,
Picture taken in 2014.
 Author of BIM Handbook: A Guide to
Building Information Modeling for Owners,
BIM – Off-Site Applications
 BIM is mainly used in offices of Construction & Design
companies.
 There are 5 main purposes when working with BIM:
 Gather – Collect & organize Information
 Generate – Create & design with the information gathered

 Analyze – Review the design and it properties

 Communicate – Present & document the design & information

 Realize – Follow through with the design & implement it in the

construction phase
BIM – On-Site Applications
 BIM can be used to facilitate a virtual walkthrough while on a
construction site – through the use of BIM “apps”. Most
common BIM apps are listed below:
 Graphisoft BIMx
 Telka BIMSight Mobile
 Navigator Pano Review
 Autodesk 360 Mobile
 Revizto Viewer
 BIManywhere
 BIM – Programs

3D Modeling Software - 4D Project Scheduling - Software, Autodesk 5D Estimating Software -

Revit Architecture 2011 Navisworks. PlanSwift.
Features. (Autodesk Navisworks, 2016). (Planswift, 2016).
(Autodesk Revit, 2016).
BIM – Productivity Rates
IPD vs Traditional methods
of construction in terms of
Cost / Time / Efforts.
(Hijazi, 2015).
BIM – Productivity Rates
This graph depicts the total time it takes to
complete a project, by using BIM & CAD
separately.
(Graphisoft, 2015).

Additionally, BIM enabled projects have

reduced the number of RFI’s to 10% of the
project.
(Chelson, 2010).

This reduction of rework and idle time, due

to site conflicts savings for trade
contractors, have been reduced to 9% of
BIM – Productivity Rates
Long term & short term rates
when a construction company
is working with BIM and
applying BIM to a construction
project.
(McGrawHill Construction, 2012).
BIM – Productivity Rates
Tangible benefits for contractors &
sub-trades working with BIM related
programs and implementing BIM
practices.
(Turner, 2015).
BIM – Productivity Rates: Facts from
Studies
 75% of BIM users reported better multi-party
communication.

 57% of Designers state BIM reduces errors during the

design phase.

 Average project duration reduced by 37%.

 65% of contractors report BIM reduces rework and cost

BIM – Project Turnover Rates
The impact
of BIM on
Project
Turnover
rates
(Becker-Gerber,
2010).
BIM – Implementation
 Software / Hardware Requirements:
 CPU Types:
 Multi-Core Intel Pentium, Xeon, or i-Series Porcessor or an AMD equivalent
 Memory
4 – 8 GB of RAM
 Video Graphics Card
 Direct X11 with Shader Model 3 (As recommended by Autodesk)
 Staff Training Requirements:
 SufficientHuman Capitol to complete the project in a Team Based
environment
 A diploma in Architectural Technology (or equivalent diploma) is
usually required.
BIM – Challenges
 IPD concept education & “Know how”
 Understanding each other’s role &
responsibility
 Set up communication protocols
 Understanding that increase in cost at
early stages can substantially reduce
construction process costs, change
orders and requests for information.
 Contractors & sub-contractors need to A typical IPD system.

revise their construction management &

process.
Primary Sources – Jacek Gorka
 Jacek Gorka Dipl. Ing., ARCH., M.Arch, OAA, MRAIC - Project Manager
at GorkaArchitects.

 Mr.Gorka has been working with CAD & BIM software for the
past 20 years and also has his own practice at GorkaArchitects
 “Being a designer and Project Manager, I have noticed that
‘Element Redundancies’ have dropped, which has improved
project productivities. I have also noticed that over the years,
with using BIM practices and the Revit Program, is that
coordination errors have dropped 90% - which has greatly
improved productivity” – (J. Gorka, personal communication, December 2, 2015)
Primary Sources – Kaite Kuzan
 Katie Kuzan B. AS, M.Arch - Project Manager at Kohn Partnership
Architects Inc.

 “The growing trend is that a number of trades have requested

the Architect/Client release the BIM model to perform Quantity
Take-offs at a much faster rate and with ease.”
- (K. Kuzan, personal communication, December 3, 2015).

 Ms.Kuzan has also stated that this trend has increased by as

much as 20% within the past years.
 She has also stated that this trend is most common within the
Steel Sub-Trade.
Primary Sources – Nay Calderon
 Ney Calderon, Dipl. Arch. Tech. - Research and Innovation Lab
Technician Coordinator - CCET

 “BIM is a great tool to optimize project results, increase project

value for the owner, reduce waste and maximize efficiency
throughout all aspects of the project.” - (N. Calderon, personal communication, December 4, 2015)
 Mr. Calderon has stated that the best way utilize BIM to its
fullest potential is to have everyone on board with the process
and for everyone to understand it.
BIM – Conclusion & Recommendations

 In conclusion BIM can help Construction Companies

 Improve visualization of construction projects

 Improves productivity due to easy retrieval of information

 Increase coordination of construction documents

 Embedding and linking of vital information such as vendors for specific

materials, location of details and quantities required for estimation and
tendering

 Increased speed of delivery

Thank you for Listening!