BUILDING INFORMATION

MODELLING: THE ADOPTION OF

INTERNATIONAL BEST
PRACTICE IN THE FULFILMENT
OF ENERGY AND CARBON
REDUCTION IN THE UK
MEng Civil Engineering MEng Dissertation

Steven J Moffat, 10001207

i
Moffat, S.J, 19th March 2015, ‘Building Information Modelling: The Adoption of
International Best Practice in the Fulfilment of Energy and Carbon Reduction in the
UK’, MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering, Edinburgh Napier University, MEng Dissertation

Abstract:

A period of 15 years of constant growth in the construction industry has been

dramatically halted following a global economic recession. The Government now has
committed to a strategy that will remediate this including a target for the use of Level
2 Building Information Modelling by 2016. This research aims to review the supporting
information in light of this tracking progress to date and using the U.S. General
Services Administration (GSA) BIM Energy Consumption guidance point the way
forward for UK BIM-based energy and carbon modelling. A state of the art review of
the UK BIM adoption path was undertaken and it was noted that progress in use of
BIM for carbon reduction is absent. Therefore using the GSA approach the feasibility
for energy and carbon reduction was noted to be based on early project team decisions
in level of experience, budget and schedule, scope and detail and availability of
technology. The most prominent finding was the realisation of the requirement in
additional software and how the UK’s level of training and software support can hinder
feasibility. However previous research has shown a potential method for inclusion of
BIM in carbon reduction and the development of this can be promoted with the UK’s
developing expertise in collaborative working.

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Table of Contents
1. Previous Research ............................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Background .............................................................................................................................. 1

1.2 Method of Analysis and Findings ............................................................................................. 3

1.3 Further Development of Research ........................................................................................ 10

2. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 12

2.1 Aim and Objectives ................................................................................................................ 13

2.2 Literature Review ................................................................................................................... 14

3. Research Method ............................................................................................................................. 16

3.1 BIM Trial Project Evaluation: Progress towards 2016 Compliance ....................................... 17

3.2 A Review of International BIM Practice to Provide a Feasibility Study for Energy and Carbon
Modelling ............................................................................................................................... 17

4. Review of the Mandated Use of BIM in the UK ............................................................................... 19

4.1 Public Sector Construction Industry Reform and Growth ...................................................... 19

4.2 The Emergence of a Collaborative Environment within the Construction Industry ............... 21

4.3 The Government’s Mandate for Building Information Modelling ........................................... 22

4.4 UK’s Ambition for Global Recognition of BIM Development.................................................. 27

4.5 Progress of the Government BIM Mandate ........................................................................... 30

5. The Feasibility of BIM-based Energy and Carbon Modelling .......................................................... 33

5.1 Findings of Feasibility Study .................................................................................................. 35

5.1.1 Project Team Experience .............................................................................................. 36

5.1.2 Budget and Schedule .................................................................................................... 37

5.1.3 Scope and Detail ........................................................................................................... 39

5.1.4 Technology .................................................................................................................... 40

6. Discussion ........................................................................................................................................ 41

7. Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 45

7.1 Conclusion of Study ............................................................................................................... 45

7.2 Future Research .................................................................................................................... 48

8. References ....................................................................................................................................... 48

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Table 1.1.1: Moffat (2014) Case Study General Information .................................................................. 2

Table 1.2.1: Moffat (2014) BIM Benefit Scoring Criteria based on Bryde et al (2013) ........................... 4

Figure 1.2.1: Moffat (2014) Summary of BIM benefit results .................................................................. 4

Figure 1.2.2: Comparison of Bryde et al (2012) and Moffat (2014) results ............................................ 5

Table 1.2.2: Moffat (2014) Carbon Reduction Scoring Criteria, produced in research .......................... 7

Figure 1.2.3: Moffat (2014) Graph of scoring results with trend lines added to identify link with BIM
benefits and carbon reduction ................................................................................................................. 8

Table 1.2.3: Moffat (2014) Case study publication influences ................................................................ 9

Figure 1.2.4: Moffat (2014) Graph of results with trend lines omitting identified exemplar projects ..... 10

Figure 4.2.1: Data management repository (BSI, 2007) ....................................................................... 22

Figure 4.3.1: BIM Maturity Model (BIS, 2011)....................................................................................... 24

Figure 4.3.2: 5 Year Programme for BIM Delivery (BIS, 2011) ............................................................ 25

Figure 4.3.3: COBie progression adjacent to maturity model (BIS, 2011) ............................................ 27

Figure 4.3.4: COBie project life cycle data exchange (BIS, 2011)........................................................ 27

Table 4.4.1: Action Plan adapted from HM Government (2012)........................................................... 29

Table 4.5.1: Featured Government Trial Project Information ............................................................... 31

Table 5.0.1: Proposed Opportunities from BIM-Based Energy Modelling (GSA, 2012) ....................... 35

Figure 5.1.1: Energy Modelling Decision Loop Diagram (GSA, 2012) ................................................. 36

Table 5.1.3.1: Modelling Detail and Depth of Analysis over Project Length (GSA, 2012) .................... 40

Acknowledgments

Firstly I would like to thank Dr Kenneth Leitch of Edinburgh Napier University for his
guidance and invaluable feedback during the course of the Honours and Masters
dissertations. I will also like to thank the Robertson Civil Engineering team and in
particular Tony Fry, Managing Director for granting me part time work experience
during my final year and for the offer of graduate employment on completion of my
university course. Lastly I send my greatest thanks to the support of my parents John
and Jean Moffat, Brother David, girlfriend Mel and the friends whom accompanied me
over the last 5 years. Without the support of these individuals my university journey
and achievements would have never been possible.

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1. Previous Research

1.1 Background

The research paper titled, ‘The Benefits of BIM for the Life Cycle Reduction of Carbon

in Building Projects’ (Moffat, 2014) gave an insight into two continuingly developing

practices within the construction industry. Focussing within the UK the research looked

to identify a link in the widespread adoption of BIM and the continued effort to reduce

the production of carbon in construction projects. An initial literature study identified a

large number of research focussing around the applications for BIM. However a gap

appeared in the research when considering increased building performance and the

sustainability agenda being facilitated within BIM processes. Bryde et al (2012)

focussed on the project benefits experienced through the implementation of BIM.

Using benefit indicators identified through analysis of literature based case studies a

scoring matrix was adopted leading to a better understanding of the most found

benefits in BIM use. Acquiring this knowledge pointed the direction for Moffat’s (2014)

research. Therefore the aim of the research was to identify the most found benefits in

the implementation of Building Information Modelling for projects specifically achieving

a reduction of embodied carbon and emissions across the UK.

The limitation of knowledge in this area was noted to continue through the

development of a data gathering network. To replicate a similar quality in results as

that experienced in Bryde et al’s (2012) paper, it was proposed the information of

project cases would be sourced from literature. However the existence of this

information was scarce and none featuring UK cases were to be found. The data

gathering then required to expand and focus the search for cases within publications

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from construction firms, software vendors and industry award entries. This search

successfully provided 13 cases from across the UK shown in Table 1.1.1.

Table 1.1.1: Moffat (2014) Case Study General Information

Completion
Project Name Location Value Size Type
Date

Hadlow College Kent £0.537 M 308 m2 Education 2010

Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 London £4,300 M 353,020 m2 Transport 2008

Passivhaus Schools Wolverhampton £4.061 M 1,900 m2 Education 2011

Affordable Passivhaus Birmingham Residential

Cobalt Data Centre 2 Newcastle 11,736 m2 Data Centre 2013

Adler Street Hotel London 13.918 m2 Hotel

Holiday Apartments, Arkleby Cumbria 75 m2 Residential

Kingsway Primary School Gloucester £4.26 M Education 2008

Innovate Green Project, Thorpe Park Leeds £5.5 M 4180.6 m2 Office 2007

Ulster General Hospital Dundonald £350 M Hospital

Kirkcaldy Museum & Art Gallery Fife £2.5 M Education 2013

E.ON Regional HQ Building Nottingham £22.2 M 9754.8 m2 Office 2012

Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Edinburgh £414.4 M 31,000 m2 Government 2004

As noted the data gathering method obtained information from numerous sources

(software vendors, construction firms and award stories). Two areas of interest were

noted when evaluating this information prior to undertaken the research method.

The first was the lack of a standardised format to showcase project information as part

of a collective glance at BIM use. For instance each source had a unique format in

cataloguing the use of BIM and the features which promoted carbon reduction. This

lead to key information being scattered through the publication or in some cases a lack

of clear benefit indication. An idea put forward in this research was for the industry to

provide a single source for BIM case studies. In which each case was categorised by

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BIM application or project information (type, budget range, etc.) for ease of research

and to promote the adoption through easy access of success stories.

The second area of interest was the link, in the case study publications, between BIM

use and carbon reduction. An initial focus of Moffat’s (2014) research was the

existence of a clear link. This was identified and best promoted via software vendor’s

case study publications. In which BIM-based analysis software was implemented to

feasibly design and construct low energy and carbon features within a building. The

other types of case study sources demonstrated both practices independently and on

the off chance showed links between the two.

1.2 Method of Analysis and Findings

The method for analysis seen the data gathering results put through a developed two

part assessment process. The first part implemented the already established scoring

matrix in Bryde et al’s (2012) research. A few modifications were required for this

study. The scoring criterion was relatively unchanged with the only modification to the

scope management criteria. This was omitted from the assessment as the process of

analysis failed to identify any benefits which fell into the description.

Another modification was the inclusion of a positive focus in software use. Bryde et al

(2012) concluded that only negative experiences with software use were documented

in the literature cases. Altering the description of software use opened up the

possibility to identify benefits.

The complete scoring matrix used in the research can be seen in Table 1.2.1.

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Table 1.2.1: Moffat (2014) BIM Benefit Scoring Criteria based on Bryde et al (2013)

BIM Benefits
Score awarded for
Benefit criteria based
every benefit identified
on Bryde et al (2013), through publications

PMBOK

Criteria Definition Positive impact

Unification, integration (project teams), design

Coordination Improvement
changes

Accomplish timely completion of the project or

Time Reduction or control
activities

Cost Planning, estimating, budgeting and controlling costs Reduction or control

Quality Quality planning, assurance, finish and control Increase or control

Organization Organize and manage the project teams Improvement

Timely distribution of information to various parties,

Communication Improvement
consultants and award accreditors

Increase the probability and impact of positive

Risk Reduction
events and decrease negative events

Positive design and business practice through

Software Improvement
software adoption

Following an analysis of the 13 chosen case studies the benefits of BIM use were

collated and shown in Figure 1.2.1.

25
22

20
16
14
15 13
10 10 10
10

4
5

Figure 1.2.1: Moffat (2014) Summary of BIM benefit results

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The main finding from this part of the research, to satisfy the overall aim, was that the

primary benefit identified from implementing BIM in low carbon building projects was

quality regarding finish and assurance. This was deemed justified as a great aspect in

feasibly achieving a reduction in carbon is maintaining a high quality standard in

design and construction.

As a major part of this research was inspired through the knowledge gained from Bryde

et al’s (2012) literature based benefit analysis. It was interesting to document the

differences in the results. The most striking difference was the existence of cost based

benefits from BIM use. Bryde et al (2012) noted a large quantity through the literature

case study analysis. However when analysing low carbon building projects cost

benefits were somewhat surprisingly low. It was proposed that this may be related to

the cost of implementing BIM with higher capabilities to perform building performance

simulations resulting in lower carbon emissions. However no formal evidence

supported this claim. The complete comparison showing the differences between the

two papers is highlighted in Figure 1.2.2.

Figure 1.2.2: Comparison of Bryde et al (2012) and Moffat (2014) results

The second section, albeit combined within the main tranche of the study, added

critical value to the research. A second bi-spoke assessment was produced to identify

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a ‘carbon score’ element based on environmental features. This was undertaken with

the purpose of enhancing the link between BIM and low carbon building production.

Within each case study documentation it was common practice to highlight the

individual measures chosen to combat energy consumption, environmental impact

and the overall carbon production throughout the development. The formation of the

carbon scoring matrix was developed with close reference to the information available

in relation to zero carbon buildings and the classifications for assessment of a Building

Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) award. The

scoring matrix is shown in Table 1.2.2.

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Table 1.2.2: Moffat (2014) Carbon Reduction Scoring Criteria, produced in research

Carbon Reduction Extent

Score awarded for every feature identified through

Evaluation of sustainable
publications
and environmental features

Features identified through

all available publication of Description

case studies

Reduction through use of low energy appliances (lighting exempt, EPC

Energy Consumption Rating separate), CHP, utilities (grey water supply, water usage
reduction)

EPC rating A or B acceptable

Drainage and waste SUDS, SWMP, wetlands, use of vegetation

High use of insulation and heat containment measures (window

Insulation
glazing) (U-values awarded in sub section)

Use of natural lighting with windows, skylights, building orientation, use

Lighting
of low energy lighting

Use of brownfield sites for part or complete foot print, orientation

Location
consideration

Use of less environmentally impacting materials, local resources or

Materials sustainable import, recycled materials, disposal of waste material,
thermal properties of materials

Monitoring and control Energy level monitors and automatic/manual control of appliances

Sustainable energy sources (e.g. PV panels, rainwater harvesting)

Renewables
(HVAC separate)

HVAC, natural ventilation air flow, natural heating through source,

Ventilation and Heating
window shutters and shades for cooling

BREEAM Predicted to/awarded BREEAM award

Passivhaus Passivhaus certified through meeting standards

Code for Sustainable Homes Obtained level of CSH

SAP Ratings Achieving SAP rating for energy and environmental efficiency

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Combining both assessment models provided a better understanding of the link in

adopting BIM to reach carbon reduction goals. It was noted that in general projects

with the most reported BIM benefits seen a better carbon score. This is shown by

Figure 1.2.3.

25

BIM
20 Carbon
Percentage of total results (%)

Trend (BIM)

15 Trend (Carbon)

10

Figure 1.2.3: Moffat (2014) Graph of scoring results with trend lines added to identify link with BIM benefits and
carbon reduction

Figure 1.2.3 highlighted a trend and insight into BIM best practice potentially bringing

better success in specific goals such as carbon reduction.

The results achieved provided the developing construction industry with a positive

outlook for a potential future path for BIM adoption within the UK. Using BIM in low

carbon building developments not only brings a large number of benefits but can

incorporate a larger scope to enhance projects carbon goals. However influence was

apparent whilst collating case study information sources. The overall quality and

reliance of the results were mainly cohesive by ensuring that the scoring criteria and

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method of analysis had clear links to previously established study. However the

inconsistency in the available information promoted certain cases as exemplar

projects. Table 1.2.3 summarises this insight.

Table 1.2.3: Moffat (2014) Case study publication influences

Project Name # Source Types References

Software, Construction firm, Industry (EUROBUILD t/a MassivHaus Ltd. 2014), (Graphisoft UK Ltd, 2012a),
Hadlow College 4
award (Passivhaus Trust, 2012a), (Passivhaus Trust, 2012b)

(IES Consulting, 2004), (Mott MacDonald, 2010)

Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 3 Software, Construction firm
(Heathrow Information, 2014)

(Burrell, 2013b), (Passivhaus Trust, 2012c), (Passivhaus Trust,

Passivhaus Schools 5 Presentation, Industry award
2012d), (Passivhaus Trust, 2012e), (Passivhaus Trust, 2012f)

Affordable Passivhaus
Cobalt Data Centre 2
Adler Street Hotel
2 Software, Construction firm (Graphisoft UK Ltd, 2012c), (Graphisoft Connect, 2014)
Environmental award, Construction
2 (BRE Global, 2014), (Woods Bagot, 2014)
firm
1 Software (Sefaira Ltd, 2013)

Holiday Apartments, Arkleby 1 Software (Graphisoft UK Ltd, 2012b)

Kingsway Primary School 1 Software (Nemetschek North America Inc, 2014)

Innovate Green Project, Thorpe
1 Software (IES Consulting, 2007)
Park
Ulster General Hospital 1 Construction firm (Morgan Sindall Professional Services, 2014)

Kirkcaldy Museum & Art Gallery 1 Software (IES VE-Scan, 2012)

E.ON Regional HQ Building 2 Construction firm (BWB Consulting, 2013), (BWB Consulting, 2014)

Scottish Parliament, Holyrood 1 Software (IES Consulting, 2009)

The first observation is the quantity of publications found for each case study. The

largest scoring cases generally had more than one publication available for analysis.

This echoes the notion that this form of research would be bolstered with a single

destination and format for case study publications. The second influencing factor came

from the case study source type. Both the highest scoring carbon project’s information

was found through award story and firm publications. It was noted that these two

cases, Hadlow College and Cobalt Data Centre 2, were showcased as exemplar

environmental and sustainable projects which were then supported by BIM. These

were exceptions as the majority of cases focused on BIM use as a driver and supporter

for carbon reduction measures. This is clarified in Figure 1.2.4 when the exemplar

carbon projects are removed and a more uniform trend is promoted.

9
 25

BIM
20
Percentage of total results (%)

Carbon
Trend (BIM)
15
Trend (Carbon)

10

Figure 1.2.4: Moffat (2014) Graph of results with trend lines omitting identified exemplar projects

1.3 Further Development of Research

A provisional idea of how the research can be developed further was put forward in

Moffat (2014). This included a development of the methodology to include semi-

structured interviews with project parties involved in the focused case studies. The

view of this was to provide additional and more detailed information on the benefits

noted from BIM use and how this directly linked to carbon reduction. This approach

however would become more valuable if a larger quantity of cases were available. It

would be deemed necessary to acquire a large number of respondents to mitigate the

defined influences and justify that value has been added to the findings. Due to the

scarce availability of project cases this approach was seen to be unavailable at this

present time.

Another recommendation was to refine the carbon scoring methodology in which, with

a specific focus away from BIM, a carbon assessment framework is developed. This

10
would promote normalisation of project carbon reduction scores. Using this framework

it can be assessed how BIM aids in feasibility of carbon reduction. However to best

facilitate this it was recommended that the industry provides quantitative data on

carbon or energy consumption figures through case study publications. Something

which is rarely noted and most definitely not found in mass throughout industry case

studies. If available this would be valuable information and could provide an initial step

to acquiring carbon reduction benchmarks to be expected from BIM use in carbon and

energy analysis.

The final recommendation for future research, something initially proposed to be the

next step, was to expand the data gathering scope to include international projects.

The aim of this was to gauge the effectiveness of the UK case studies’ approach in

BIM adoption for low carbon buildings against those internationally. The international

approach was considered following the realisation from McGraw-Hill Construction’s

(McGraw-Hill, 2010) paper that in North America more BIM adoption is present for

‘green’ goals and at a higher development than any other purpose.

However there is a chance that this research path would produce scattered results

without clear means to compare the UK and international BIM adoption. It is advised

prior to this research to evaluate the supporting information which aims to drive BIM

for the purpose of carbon and energy reduction. This will provide the knowledge in

how ‘green’ BIM is established domestically and internationally. From this knowledge

the case study information can then be related back to the supporting information to

identify areas of best practice, inefficiency or failure and exemplar activity. Adding the

international cases can potential identify future development and experience from the

understanding of more advanced usage.

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2. Introduction

The global economic crisis swept through the construction industry leaving the UK

Government with an enormous task in continuing to provide funding for improvement

and procurement of public projects. In 2010 the change in Government brought an

opportunity to combat this with the production of a Construction Strategy (Cabinet

Office, 2011). Within this strategy the aim was to reform the methods of procurement

to drive an alteration in the Government client-supply chain relationship, increase

industry value in budget spending and with the intention to contribute to the overall

country’s economic growth.

In the modern age the move towards automation and digital technology has swept

global markets. The construction industry has been noted to lapse in the uptake of

digital technology and failed to grasp the potential growth opportunities associated

(Cabinet Office, 2011) (HM Treasury, 2011). Therefore in a move to counter this trend

the Government has set the industry a challenge in raising the current digital

technology capabilities to include 3D modelling. In particular the adoption of Building

Information Modelling (BIM). A collaborative, data rich process in which project phase

decisions and life cycle information are contained within a 3D virtual environment.

Having identified the most found benefits in BIM for low carbon building developments

(Moffat, 2014). It is important to understand the method in which the Government,

being a prominent influence on BIM uptake, can push for industry development of BIM

to a state in which there is an inclusion of energy and carbon modelling. Therefore

closely examining the supporting documentation for BIM adoption will provide a means

to evaluate the progression from the mandate’s inclusion within the construction

reform strategy.

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The global construction industry has similarly identified the requirement to undertake

more collaborative steps to inject increased efficiency and value. BIM has been a focal

point for streamlining this and hence a global market for BIM support has erupted. The

UK has identified itself as a European leader in BIM adoption (HM Government, 2012).

However in the view of Nick Nisbet (Nisbet, 2010),

‘We’re a long way behind the achievements of the Nordic countries and North America.

In those countries, the discussion phase is over and people are expanding the benefits

they can get from use of BIM’. (Nisbet, 2010)

In particular the emergence of BIM-based energy performance modelling in North

America is an area seemingly unexposed within the UK. The knowledge base of this

practice, and indeed that of carbon reduction modelling, is limited yet encouraging.

Hence it is a recommendation for a similar support to feasibly achieve a reduction of

energy and carbon through the adopted BIM processes.

2.1 Aim and Objectives

The aim of this research is to review the information in support of the Government’s

mandate of minimum level 2 BIM on all procured public sector projects by 2016 and

provide a general review of progress through analysis of Government trial projects.

From this with the use of the U.S General Administration Services BIM Guide for

Energy Performance point the way forward for the UK to incorporate energy and

carbon reduction measures within BIM processes.

To undertake this study the following objectives have been set:

 Conduct a review of the documents in support of the Government’s mandate for

Building Information Modelling. Collating all information to provide a foundation

in order to observe the feasibility of future development.

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 Evaluate the progress of this mandate to date using the available trial projects

which have identified to feature BIM.

 Study the GSA BIM Series Guide for energy performance and operation to

summarise the feasibility in widespread roll out of BIM-based energy and carbon

modelling.

 Discuss the findings from the study of GSA energy performance best practice

and suggest a path for the UK involvement with aid from previous supporting

research.

2.2 Literature Review

As the construction industry begins adjustment to the realisation that digital technology

is now reality. An increase in research is required to provide the industry with a

knowledge base to continue development. Lieyun, Ying and Burcu (Lieyun, Ying and

Burcu, 2014) collected 135 BIM research papers over a 7 year period and categorised

the viewpoints of each paper to provide an outlook of the knowledge base provided.

This concluded with only 2% of papers with a focus on ‘carbon emission calculation’.

The reasoning behind this was proposed by Lieyun, Ying and Burcu (2014),

‘There is a BIM related research gap for the project domains of quality, safety and

carbon emissions. In comparison to other domains, few research studies have been

conducted so far in these domains. The reason might be that these project domains

are more complicated to quantify than cost management and schedule control’.

(Lieyun, Ying and Burcu, 2014)

Something echoed by Moffat (2014) which noted the lack of quantitative data in which

to provide an overview of how BIM can facilitate a reduction in carbon.

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Lieyun, Ying and Burcu (2014) continued the carbon focus by expressing the method

of carbon emission calculation through a 4D BIM application. This would see an

emphasis on the inclusion of carbon production and embodiment figures as live data

within the construction programme (Li et al, 2012). Lieyun, Ying and Burcu (2014)

demonstrated the method in production of the 4D model in which, ‘the carbon emission

curve can be generated as the construction process moves forward’ (Lieyun, Ying and

Burcu, 2014). This process also includes the carbon information from consumed

materials noted during construction. Something which was demonstrated in a 4D BIM

application by Li et al (2012). Including the embodied carbon information within the

real time BIM process allows the live generation of carbon reduction measures.

However the results at the time of the research were generalised due to the missing

availability of material embodied carbon information (Li et al, 2012). Within the UK this

approach would be beneficial to develop alongside the information now available from

life cycle analysis of building materials. One such database which has been

constructed is the Inventory of Carbon and Energy. A database containing the efforts

of life cycle analysis to produce figures for the raw materials used in building materials

available in the UK supply market (Hammond and Jones, 2011). As such this idea has

been conducted by Capper et al (2012) which produced embodied energy and carbon

figures contained in building elements through interoperability promoted by the use of

BIM.

As noted before Lieyun, Ying and Burcu (2014) identified a lack of research into BIM’s

involvement for carbon emission calculation. On the other hand within the same

literature study a respectable 17% of papers focused on ‘energy performance’ (Leiyun,

Ying and Burcu, 2014). Something that internationally has seen a dramatic

involvement in modern construction practice. McGraw-Hill Construction (McGraw-Hill,

15
2010) produced a market report based within North America which highlighted the

increase in BIM adoption for ‘green’ goals. Undertaking a survey of industry

practitioner movements in BIM development. It was noted the top use of ‘green’ BIM

was in simulation of building energy performance (McGraw-Hill, 2010). A possible

result from the large knowledge base supported by industry research and the

existence of BIM guidance in such practice (GSA, 2012). Not surprisingly then, the

second least used BIM ‘green’ activity was carbon emission analysis (McGraw-Hill,

2010). Another statistic from this survey which brings attention is the top driving factor

for ‘green’ BIM. McGraw- Hill Construction (2010) noted the top driver to be from

‘owner (or client) demand’ with ‘availability of BIM tools’ and ‘saving time and money’

similarly high in frequency. No existence of any influence from Government guidance

or the larger scale carbon and energy agenda was apparent. Begging the question if

UK Government will be the driving force in similar adoption of ‘green’ BIM.

3. Research Method

The first section of this research is a review of the Government’s mandate for BIM use

in public projects. This has been a chosen task to initially understand the catalyst for

BIM use and how the industry is supported. Following this progress to date will be

examined with the evaluation of the trial project reports produced within the

Government publication portal. The final section of this research will undertake a study

of international practice which looks at the U.S General Services Administration (GSA)

Energy Performance and Operation guidelines. This section will extract the feasibility

measures implemented to steer uptake of energy modelling and provide a direction

for a similar existence in the UK’s BIM development. The eventual findings of this will

be discussed and related to previous research in the field.

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3.1 BIM Trial Project Evaluation: Progress towards 2016 Compliance

The existence of trial project reports within the public domain is a means to provide a

form of progress indicator for the reform in the procurement of construction projects.

This is deemed necessary to measure the impact that the revised construction strategy

has made in current projects. Documenting each project at varying stages allows a

comprehensive ‘lessons learned’ approach for developing the industries commitment

and highlight examples of efficiency and innovation to be rolled out on future projects.

In terms of BIM use 11 trial projects were identified to feature an adoption of level 2

BIM (Cabinet Office, 2012b). The intended evaluation undertaken in this research will

focus on these projects to identify how BIM has aided in the reduction of cost and

carbon.

The trial project publications have only recently been made available in the public

domain. Therefore only 3 BIM compliant projects are published to date out of a

potential 11. Leaving a comprehensive review of the progress unable to be undertaken

until more cases are available. With under a year left until the mandatory minimum

level 2 BIM is in effect a large quantity of compliant projects is to be expected. However

with only 3 reported BIM projects via the Government’s procurement case study

publications this information source does not provide insight into whether the public

sector construction industry is BIM compliant at this stage. Nevertheless the results

can be seen in Section 4.5.

3.2 A Review of International BIM Practice to Provide a Feasibility Study

for Energy and Carbon Modelling

As in the UK, North America, in particular the United States General Services

Administration (GSA) Public Building Services (PBS), have similarly pushed for reform

17
in the construction industry to combat inefficiency and wasteful rework in design (GSA,

2007). The use of BIM in this movement was initially introduced in 2007 (GSA, 2007)

in which all funded projects from this year, being a fiscal year, required a minimum use

of 3D BIM processes prior to submission of designs for approval. The availability of

BIM guidance allowed feasibility of this. The GSA stated the intent to further develop

the supporting BIM guidance and notably providing direction to best practice in energy

performance modelling.

The global realisation of the negative effects of construction processes on the

environment has led to widespread mitigation efforts. North America has taken

initiative and similarly to the UK provided a future date for the existence of zero emitting

buildings over their life cycle. However the GSA has focussed on the need to reduce

the overall energy consumption from its procured public facilities. Hence aspiring to

continuingly reduce energy consumption until the eventual production of net zero

energy facilities by 2030 (GSA, 2012).

A means to drive this is aligning BIM modelling tools with building performance

simulations in order to understand the optimal option for each project to reach specific

energy reduction goals. Therefore the development of the GSA BIM Series 05 –

Energy Performance and Operation (GSA, 2012), as part of the wider BIM guidance

series, helps create feasibility and best practice with this process. The guidance was

formed to simplify energy performance analysis of buildings using BIM-based

modelling tools thriving with asset information. The guidance is generalised to suit all

applications and cater for all levels of BIM maturity. However it is noted, ‘the scope of

implementing BIM-based energy modelling is typically unique for every project’ (GSA,

2012).

18
Using this established international guidance document. This research will identify

best practice guidance in implementing energy modelling and adapt this into a

feasibility case for the UK’s goal of carbon reduction. This is documented in Section 5

and the findings from this is discussed in Section 6.

4. Review of the Mandated Use of BIM in the UK

4.1 Public Sector Construction Industry Reform and Growth

By the time the Government office and supporting departments seen a refresh in 2010

the UK’s industries were suffering a lack of clear direction to enable growth in the

economy. The construction industry’s decline is of particular note as the lack of

investment and development of the country’s infrastructure and facilities has had an

impact on the country growing as a whole (HM Treasury, 2011). The general view is

that the UK construction industry has undervalued its capacity for growth through the

procurement of public sector projects (Cabinet Office, 2011). This hasn’t always been

a reality and the UK has come to this conclusion following a period of decline in the

international economy, ‘the global financial crisis and the associated recession has

ended a 15 year period of continuous growth’ (HM Treasury, 2011). The agenda to

rejuvenate the industry was initiated in the HM Treasury’s (2011) ‘Growth Plan’

document (HM Treasury, 2011). The plan is to benefit construction with changes to

the planning system, agreement of public sector funding, reform in the procurement

method for projects and the injection of the carbon initiative particularly in housing

development (HM Treasury, 2011). HM Treasury (2011) highlighted that £200bn is to

be spent in both the public and private sector on infrastructure until the end of the

Government term (2015). With the public sector having a 40% stake in the investment

19
and workload, considerable growth can be extracted in the public domain (Cabinet

Office, 2011).

With the growth agenda firmly in place a strategy was to be produced and

subsequently adopted throughout the industry. The Cabinet Office (2011) produced

‘The Construction Strategy’ which committed to increasing the industry’s value,

reducing costs and reducing the burden on the carbon output of the country. The aim

for the strategy is to change the relationship between the Government Authorities and

the industry in the public sector resulting in the Government as a client getting the best

value for money while maintaining a constant improvement and procurement of the

country’s infrastructure (Cabinet Office, 2011). With this the ideal model for

procurement is to be examined.

 Clients issue a brief that concentrates on required performance and outcome;

designers and constructors work together to develop an integrated solution that

best meets the required outcome.

 Contractors engage key members of their supply chain in the design process

where their contribution creates value.

 Value for money and competitive tension are maintained by effective price

benchmarking and cost targeting, by knowing what projects should cost, rather

than through lump sum tenders based on inadequate documentation.

 Supply chains are, where the programme is suited, engaged on a serial order

basis of standardised (or mass customised) product.

 Industry is provided with sufficient visibility of the forward programme to make

informed choices (at its own risk) about where to invest in products, services,

technology and skills.

20
 There is an alignment of interest between those who design and construct facility

and those who subsequently occupy and manage it. (Cabinet Office, 2011)

In review of this the public sector is seen to shift to become a more informed and co-

ordinated market and in challenging the procurement model the industry will promote

a more collaborative culture (Cabinet Office, 2011).

4.2 The Emergence of a Collaborative Environment within the

Construction Industry

In 2007 The British Standards Institute (2007) published BS 1192:2007. This standard

governs the best practice for the production, recording and distribution of construction

project information. In particular this standard is relevant as a support for ‘technology

enabled processes’ and more importantly as a promotion of collaboration between

construction project participants (BSI, 2007). The standard explains, ‘A major

constituent of these collaborative environments is the ability to communicate, re-use

and share data efficiently without loss, contradiction or misinterpretation’ (BSI, 2007).

The notable benefits to this ‘environment’ is a higher quality of information, greater re-

use of knowledge and experience and increasing efficiency (BSI, 2007).

BS 1192:2007 became available at the cutting edge of digital technology. As

collaboration increased, an action for more efficient information sharing was targeted,

‘a “Common Data Environment” (CDE) approach should be adopted to allow

information to be shared between all members of the project team. This is a repository,

for example a project extranet or electronic document management system’ (BSI,

2007). Figure 4.2.1 shows the intended repository flow.

21
 Figure 4.2.1: Data management repository (BSI, 2007)

With this standard published in the industry from 2007 the methodology for

collaboration and information exchange was established (BSI, 2007). However it was

noted in the Cabinet Office (2011) Construction Strategy that the industry had failed

by not taking the initiative and lost direction with collaboration and technology

adoption. The document noted, ‘…construction has generally lagged behind other

industries in the adoption of the full potential offered by digital technology’ (Cabinet

Office, 2011).

4.3 The Government’s Mandate for Building Information Modelling

Following the realisation that growth in the construction industry can be driven with a

collaborative environment the Cabinet Office’s (2011) objectives included the push for

collaborative 3D modelling or more specific Building Information Modelling. A target

for BIM adoption was set for 2016 with the mandate that, ‘Government will require fully

22
collaborative 3D BIM (with all project and asset information, documentation and data

being electronic) as a minimum by 2016’ (Cabinet Office, 2011).

For the Government’s benefit BIM will improve the quality of construction information

through a 3D digital representation of a building and contents (Crotty, 2012). The

typical characteristics of BIM models are summarised in Crotty’s (2012) book which

focused on the impact of BIM:

 They are precisely accurate in terms of their geometry: dimensions, orientation

and insertion point location. They can also carry many more attributes than

geometry; all of these other attributes can be equally accurate and well specified.

(Relates to the other dimensions of BIM; programme, cost etc.)

 BIM components are said to be ‘intelligent’ in the sense that they can be

programmed to embody various forms of technical knowledge, including rules,

such as building regulations, design standards and others.

 BIM components are interoperable; at least in theory, objects created in one BIM

system can be fully understood and reused by any other standards-compliant

system. (Crotty, 2012)

However there is no relevance in defining BIM at higher-level for validating the

widespread adoption. The BIM Industry Working Group (2011) chose rather to focus

on the outputs of BIM to develop a strategy for increased use leading to the 2016

Government target. This provided the hypothesis, ‘Government as a client can derive

significant improvements in cost, value and carbon performance through the use of

open sharable asset information’ (BIS, 2011).

The target set by the Cabinet Office (2011) translates in BIM terminology as equal to

‘Level 2’ which is defined, ‘BIM – File Based Collaboration and Library Management.

23
This approach may also include 4D and 5D elements as well (4D cost, 5D programme)’

(BIS, 2011). The ‘maturity model’ of BIM is the UK BIM Groups’ staged model which

clearly defines the increasing data and processes associated with a level of

competency (Level 0 – 3) (BIS, 2011). The model which is explained in the BIM

Working Party Strategy Report (2011) is intended to clear up the confusion which was

present with BIM at the time and provides transparency for what data and standards

are offered to the client at the developing levels (Figure 4.3.1).

Figure 4.3.1: BIM Maturity Model (BIS, 2011)

It is noted that level 3 is remaining under development and therefore no timeline for

the intended adoption, in comparison to Level 2 by 2016, is presently arranged. Each

Level has an associated definition which accompanies the model,

 Level 0: Unmanaged CAD probably 2D, with paper (or electronic paper) as the

most likely data exchange mechanism.

 Level 1: Managed CAD in 2 or 3D format using BS1192:2007 with a collaboration

tool providing a common data environment, possibly some standard data

24
 structures and formats. Commercial data managed by standalone finance and

cost management packages with no integration.

 Level 2: Managed 3D environment held in separate discipline “BIM” tools with

attached data. Commercial data managed by an ERP. Integration on the basis of

proprietary interfaces or bespoke middleware could be regarded as “pBIM”

(proprietary). The approach may utilise 4D programme data and 5D cost elements

as well as feed operational systems.

 Level 3: Fully open process and data integration enabled by “web services”

compliant with the emerging IFC / IFD standards, managed by a collaborative

model server. Could be regarded as iBIM or integrated BIM potentially employing

concurrent engineering processes. (BIS, 2011)

The BIM Industry Working Group (2011) was the initial contributor for the UK

construction industry’s target of Level 2 BIM by 2016. The document collected the

information with the view that all Government suppliers (construction services) should

adopt at least Level 2 BIM with the use of the five year programme (BIS, 2011). The

programme is shown in Figure 4.3.2.

Figure 4.3.2: 5 Year Programme for BIM Delivery (BIS, 2011)

25
The phases within the 5 year programme are explained:

 Phase 0: This will allow detailed planning and delivery of the support,

communications, training and technology programme.

 Phase 1: To use the new process documents and contracts to deliver COBie

data drops, using basic but secure collaboration style service.

 Phase 2: Expand on phase 1 by expanding the COBie data set to include

attached or enhanced data sets including propriety models, drawings and

specifications.

 Phase 3 & 4: This will be future capabilities that make use of the work underway

in BuildingSMART. (BIS, 2011)

For the purpose of clarity in this plan, COBie is the collection and distribution of all

asset data in spreadsheet format which is passed on to the Client for immediate

ownership and responsibility of the finished building (BIS, 2011). This provides a

complete information package of the asset from each project phase to be used

throughout the lifecycle operation and occupation of the building (BIS, 2011). The

vision of this in its developed form, alongside Level 2 BIM, is a fully web based portal.

This is shown in Figure 4.3.3 with reference to Figure 4.3.4.

26
 Figure 4.3.3: COBie progression adjacent to maturity model (BIS, 2011)

Figure 4.3.4: COBie project life cycle data exchange (BIS, 2011)

4.4 UK’s Ambition for Global Recognition of BIM Development

A year on from the Cabinet Office (2011) ‘Construction Strategy’ considerable

development was present throughout the industry (Cabinet Office, 2012a). The

Cabinet Office (2012a) produced a ‘One Year Report’ document which presented the

progress to date. This included a designated BIM Task Group haven been launched,

movement in the launch of COBie UK 2012 and a network of BIM hubs being

introduced as advice centres for local Governments across the country (Cabinet

27
Office, 2012a). There was an existence of positive BIM capabilities with the Ministry

of Justice being the first Government Department providing details of implementation

in their procurement and expressed desire to showcase current projects as exemplar

examples (Cabinet Office, 2012a). The Cabinet Office (2012a) also included, within

the action plan, the provision of trial projects which will be evaluated on a yearly basis

(Cabinet Office, 2012a). This was committed and trial projects were published in a

separate document ‘Construction Trial Projects’ highlighting that BIM has been

featured in a number of projects across all 7 departments (Cabinet Office, 2012b). The

continued evaluation of the projects will be recommended throughout the remaining

time until the 2016 target is reality. With the evidence that progress and commitment

to the strategy exists, it is promising that the UK looks set on reaching the 2016 target

of minimum Level 2 BIM adoption.

The UK’s goal for BIM is now developing recognition globally. The HM Government

(2012) stated, ‘The UK is now recognised by its peers as one of the leading nations in

the exploitation of BIM technology and processes with an internationally respected

centrally-led programme’ (HM Government, 2012). The document identified that the

UK is stretching its influence of the strategy and commitment to the 2016 target. HM

Government (2012) explained, ‘The digital applications (in construction) ‘genie’ is well

and truly outside of the lamp and cannot be put back in. The UK is well placed to

capitalise on it and to embrace BIM to become a recognised leader in its application

and development’ (HM Government, 2012). This continued, ‘We will identify key

actions to support and accelerate this programme to ensure that the UK is able to take

advantage of its leading position in exploiting BIM in design, construction and

operation of assets’ (HM Government, 2012). The action plan contained within this

document is summarised in Table 4.4.1.

28
Table 4.4.1: Action Plan adapted from HM Government (2012)

Ambition Action Description Category

Fully Commit to Existing BIS
BIM Programme to Create
Critical Mass
Expand and accelerate the action programme identified in the BIS BIM
What is Government and
1 Strategy to embed BIM in the domestic market and plan for
industry doing already?
International growth
To develop with UKTI a strategy for the exploitation of UK leadership
2 in BIM to enable design and construction firms to increase their Global Strategy
success in global markets

Engage with EU partners to assist in the coordinated adoption of BIM;

3 and to use our leadership position to help shape developing standards EU Engagement
and practice

Work with the BIM Technologies Alliance to identify the opportunities Cultivating and nurturing
4 in the expanding BIM market and investigate the need for a innovation in software and
technology hub to incubate/stimulate ICT start-ups/spinouts from BIM services sector

Government will work with the Construction Products Association and

other trade bodies together with standard organisations to ensure that Engagement with Construction
5 UK manufacturers remain at the vanguard of supplying BIM data to Product Manufacturers
Aim for Growth
their Clients

Development of BIM enabled

'Designed for Manufacture and
Government will work with the Offsite Construction Working Group,
Assembly' (DFMA) as a
Industry and Buildoffsite Group to identify opportunities from the
6 forward pipeline to enhance the UK's BIM enabled DFMA capacity for
mainstream integrated and
sustainable construction option
wider construction and infrastructure
to enhance construction
efficiency

The Government, industry and the research community will

Operational Efficiency of Built
7 collaborate to investigate how to harness BIM to enhance the
Assets
operation and functionality of assets

Government will build the capability to accept and handle BIM data to Review public sector portals and
8 support our aspiration to be a recognised global force in Building establish a strategy to accept
Information Modelling digital information

Commit to 'Digital Built Britain' as a vehicle to allow the UK to achieve

9 fully integrated BIM
Sustaining a UK leadership

The UK will take a leading role and seek global partners in developing
10 International BIM standards to enable software to work together more Sustaining a UK leadership
effectively

Help Create the Future by Action to ensure that the UK has

Government will establish a pilot programme for the collection and a coordinated Approach to the
Continually Developing Our 11 analysis of BIM data to capture lessons and share best practice collection and analysis of BIM
Capabilities data

To ensure the UK leads the development and commercialisation of

technologies in this area, the Government is investing in both a Leading the move from BIM to
12 connected digital economy catapult, and in a future cities catapult, Smart Communities and Future
together with £25 Million to create a future cities demonstrator to be Cities
launched in early 2013

As the BIM strategy picks up steam towards 2016, the most relevant section in this

document is the future actions. Action 10, ‘The UK will take a leading role and seek

global partners in developing International BIM standards to enable software to work

together more effectively’, works on the realisation in the BIS (2011) BIM Strategy of

the importance of international alliances (HM Government, 2012). The BIS (2011) BIM

Strategy document recognised that connecting BIM strategies with other nations can

push for a BIM policy enabling a larger scale adoption internationally (BIS, 2011).

However the UK needs to remain close to the adopted strategy to remain competitive

29
within the technology and software market which develops through fluctuation of the

international markets (BIS, 2011). This is noted in the HM Government (2012)

document in which it states, ‘In order to support the UK construction industry as it

gears-up to meet the ambition of the Government’s BIM programme, Autodesk is

investing in the UK in delivering the technology needed, assisting with strategy and

communication about the transformation occurring within construction’ (HM

Government, 2012). Therefore the scope of the international alliance is a means to

develop a standard BIM implementation policy featuring best practice whilst remaining

independent with the current strategy to maintain a UK BIM software and knowledge

support base (BIS, 2011) (HM Government, 2012).

4.5 Progress of the Government BIM Mandate

As part of the continued effort in the reform of the Government procurement methods.

The Cabinet Office (Cabinet Office, 2012b) developed progress indicators through the

issue of case study reports of industry trial projects. Three of these trial projects within

the set of publications have been identified to demonstrate compliance of the

Government BIM mandate. Each publication demonstrating the chosen procurement

path at a varying phase towards project completion. Therefore potentially providing an

outlook of BIM use in each procurement phase.

One year on from the Government Construction Strategy (Cabinet Office, 2011) it was

noted that the Ministry of Justice looked to excel in BIM adoption and roll out BIM

processes with all future procured assets earlier than any other department (Cabinet

Office, 2012a). Therefore it is no surprise that two of the BIM trial project publications

come from the Ministry of Justice, including the most beneficial indicating project

30
(Cookham Wood Young Offenders Institution). The available projects are summarised

in Table 4.5.1.

Table 4.5.1: Featured Government Trial Project Information

Trial Project Project Cost

Title Form of Project Reference
Sequence Value Saving

New Build Young

Cookham Wood
Build and Occupy Offenders £20M 20% (Cabinet Office, 2014a)
Youth Justice Board
Institution
New Prison North Brief/Team
New Build Prison £250M 26% (Cabinet Office, 2014b)
Wales Engagement
New Build &
Property Services
Decision to Build Refurbishment: £119M 14% (Cabinet Office, 2014c)
Cluster - iESE
Primary Schools

It is noted that all three projects chose the two stage open book procurement method.

In the first stage of this method the contractor-consultant teams compete for the

contract with the most competitive all round package being awarded the project. The

second stage allows the winning team to produce a proposal based on an open book

cost which meets the clients intended project output and benchmark cost. The

Cookham Wood project (Cabinet Office, 2014a) trialled the involvement of BIM at the

earliest stage of the project reporting the positive impact in the selection of the delivery

team and acquiring the best price for the project. This was achieved with the availability

of additional information at an early stage from the collaboration of project teams and

projected through to project completion. Furthermore the use of COBie data drop

guidance allowed the data transfer to an acquired facility management hub in order to

continuingly develop asset information and generate cost savings through the life cycle

of the asset. The use of BIM in this project has allowed the Ministry of Justice to

evaluate the potential for cost savings in future projects. As seen in the New Prison

North Wales project (Cabinet Office, 2014b), lessons learned will be rolled out to

achieve the predicted cost savings in this larger more complex project.

31
The Property Services Cluster (Cabinet Office 2014c) is a development of 12

education projects. Two of which are the focus of the trial project publication. The

project stated the compliance of level 2 BIM adopted by the client on selected

individual facilities. However noted that the programme has developed standardised

and innovative designs. The use of BIM was noted in one of the project to develop the

design and create employer’s requirements for use in other projects within the master

plan. The standardised designs have reduced costs from benchmarks yet has not

critically explained the effectiveness of BIM in realising this saving. In general this

project has not led to clear indication of progress in the use of BIM. It was hoped that

this case study would provide evidence that a similar adoption rate apparent in the

Ministry of Justice is underway in other Government departments.

The Government trial projects have successfully shown the progress in the reformed

procurement models. The existence of increased collaboration expressed in the two

stage open book procurement route suggests that best practice in combatting

inefficiency and a lack of innovation is through BIM adoption. The Cookham Wood

project summarised what is evidence that there is commencement of best practice in

the procurement of Ministry of Justice facilities. Stating the intent to become an

industry leader in BIM adoption the MOJ has strengthened the benefits of BIM use by

noting the findings from an innovative example. Overall the project has noted an

exemplar case in BIM use in which the construction industry and Government

departments would value a close analysis to develop a similar framework for adoption.

This notion is strengthened when the case study publication stated,

‘The implementation of BIM has created improved value in the pre-commencement

and construction phases of the project. Virtual and actual prototypes have been

32
produced to engineer out potential defects and clashes. It is also envisaged that the

data that BIM will capture will positively inform the future facilities management of the

project.’ (Cabinet Office, 2014a)

The final observation of BIM progression following the Construction Strategy (Cabinet

Office, 2011) is the striking absence, within the BIM featured trial projects, of any

actions to reduce energy and carbon consumption. Something which has become a

major focal point of modern construction and noted as an important step to introduce

within the overall improvement of ongoing procurement (HM Treasury, 2011).

However potentially the carbon and energy goals in the procurement trial projects are

not yet a focus due to the prominent emphasis on residential developments over

commercial buildings as there is a requirement to action the housing sector in the

nearest future. The Construction Strategy procurement trial case studies have

specified the scope to include cost reduction methods as the progress indicator.

However it was expected to find evidence of the wider construction strategy elements,

for instance carbon reduction measures, to be reported. Being the primary source for

progress indication it is a concern that what seems an important area (environmental

focus) in the reform of the procurement and supply of public projects has been

presently neglected.

5. The Feasibility of BIM-based Energy and Carbon Modelling

The construction industry has seen a dramatic move to clean up the phasing process

and minimise the effects on the environment. The UK mentioned the requirement and

development of industry standards to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from

construction to eventually completely omitting the industry from the overall carbon

generation of the country (HM Treasury, 2011). However it is not yet discovered how

33
this will be aligned, or indeed feasibly possible to align, with the recommended and

mandated steps to include digital technology throughout the life cycle development of

projects.

Similarly in North America the concentration on energy performance and consumption

of energy within the national building stock has led to a target of net zero energy

buildings, embodied and operational, as early as 2030 (GSA, 2012). With the

existence of guidance to achieve this via BIM-based energy modelling this eventual

target is to be met implementing the digital technology in support.

To feasibly achieve this a focal point in the U.S. General Service Administration’s BIM

Guidance Series (GSA, 2012) was to include guidance information to support best

practice in implementation of BIM-based energy modelling. The aim of this practice is

to improve the accuracy of design level energy and building performance calculation.

Incorporating energy modelling with BIM presents reassurance in accuracy while

simplifying the process with the aid from the contained asset information including

geometry and simulation parameters (building elements and room space/cavities).

There is also the standardisation in BIM in which models can be automatically

generated without additional rework reducing the time when conducting design

simulation. The GSA (2012) energy performance and operation guidance summarised

the potential opportunities available with BIM-based energy modelling (Table 5.0.1).

34
Table 5.0.1: Proposed Opportunities from BIM-Based Energy Modelling (GSA, 2012)

Project Type Project Challenge Goal Metrics for Success

Life-cycle cost and estimated

New construction and Major
Renovation
Accurate analysis and prediction
of building performance during
design, construction and
operations
Consistent and accurate
annual energy consumption
energy predictions that result
that meets or exceeds project
in energy efficient designs
goals, accuracy and
based on life-cycle costing
consistency in energy models

Renovation and Modernisation
Accurate modelling of as-built
conditions, calibration of energy
models, reliable evaluation of
existing mechanical design and
performance
Consistent and accurate
energy predictions that result
in the identification of the
most cost effective energy
efficient retrofits
Life-cycle cost and estimated
annual energy consumption
that meets or exceeds project
goals, accuracy and
consistency in energy models

Continuous commissioning using
real-time energy modelling to
Existing Building
evaluate actual future building
performance
Optimised energy
Develop an energy modelling
performance, meeting or
feed-back loop which
exceeding design intent,
evaluates building
accuracy and consistency in
performance in real-time
energy models

5.1 Findings of Feasibility Study

The GSA (2012) demonstrated the project level decisions which are required in

providing clearance for the adoption of energy modelling within BIM. This forms a

decision loop in which the four decisional inputs, project team experience, budget and

schedule, scope and detail and technology, initiate the process of answering, ‘How

can the project team implement BIM-based energy modelling?’ (GSA, 2012). This is

demonstrated via Figure 5.1.1.

35
Figure 5.1.1: Energy Modelling Decision Loop Diagram (GSA, 2012)

5.1.1 Project Team Experience

The experience of project teams first starts with the capabilities in integrating the

information from collaborative working of each project discipline into BIM. The level of

collaborative working and engineering processes are the foundation of Integrated BIM

expressed as Level 3 maturity in the UK (BIS, 2011). However the experience of

collaboration in the UK, albeit currently under development, remains in the early

stages as guidance and support from the reform in procurement methods are in trial

form with limited progress (Cabinet Office, 2012b).

36
Secondly the experience in BIM-based energy modelling is similarly limited. The cases

focused in Moffat’s (2014) study identified examples of projects undertaking simulation

modelling. However this experience relates to individual private sector companies and

not always in a collaborative manner.

The GSA (2012) energy modelling guide states, ‘Energy modelling itself is a complex

activity, which requires a certain level of engineering experience and judgement to be

successful’ (GSA, 2012). This suggests that the overall level of knowledge in building

performance and energy consumption analysis is key to accurate energy modelling.

This knowledge then supported with the reliability of BIM provides a means of

simulating energy performance to best replicate that of the actual outputs of the

completed asset.

1) The UK is recommended to continue development in sustainable and low

carbon design and align within the collaborative BIM movement to raise

project team’s expertise and undertake energy and carbon modelling.

5.1.2 Budget and Schedule

The price tag associated with BIM adoption is rarely a focus in supporting information.

The BIS BIM Working Group (BIS, 2011) mentioned the support for BIM at a cost

effective and feasible state. However did not provide guidance in costing BIM within a

project. Trebilcock (2015) summarised the existence of increased fees from tender

packages due to a ‘BIM factor’ charge (Trebilcock, 2015). However stated that it may

be impossible to set a nominal expenditure on BIM due to the differing project abilities

and scope of works (Trebilcock, 2015).

Adding energy and carbon modelling with BIM processes is assumed to cause some

level of additional cost through the requirement of supplementary software (GSA,

2012). Yet GSA (2012) demonstrated,

37
‘With increased attention to the sustainable design of buildings, more and more design

teams are enhancing their in-house energy modelling expertise and/or working more

with consultants to their Client’s modelling demands. This phenomenon, in conjunction

with the continued development and improved usability of energy simulation programs,

has resulted in a decrease in energy modelling costs in recent years.’ (GSA, 2012)

In addition to this GSA (2012) proposed the use of software vendors’ consultation and

potential support to not only procure software packages but to produce a cost effective

procurement of software platforms. The level of support and availability should be

identified early to predict and manage setup costs (GSA, 2012).

The GSA (2012) as a client requires energy calculations and environmental award

classification prediction prior to concept design approval. As a means to produce this

compliance information typically project practitioners choose energy modelling during

design phase as an integrated step (GSA, 2012). However if only specifying

compliance during later design stages there is a recommendation to provide a form of

strategy to streamline inclusion at intended project timeline (GSA, 2012). Noteworthy

the GSA (2012) stated, ‘Energy modelling commenced during design development or

construction document phases typically has very limited impact compared to modelling

started earlier in the design phase’ (GSA, 2012).

2) It is recommended for projects to gain support from software vendors to

mitigate unforeseen costs from BIM plug-in applications.

3) Project teams should evaluate and decide the inclusion of energy and carbon

modelling at the earliest stage to minimise disruption to the project schedule

and improve impact.

38
5.1.3 Scope and Detail

Following on from the recommendation to include management strategy for adoption

of energy and carbon modelling, a form of execution document can be included during

concept phase (GSA, 2012). This is aimed at defining the project constraints and

performance goals and how these elements impact the scope for energy and carbon

modelling. This is produced within the collaborative BIM direction plan in providing

transparency for all involved team members (GSA, 2012).

The influencing factors in scope and detail stem from the project itself. Be it size and

importance of the project or control measures set by industry targets. Each project’s

implementation of BIM-based energy and carbon modelling is unique (GSA, 2012). In

terms of the most prominent UK project type it must be seen to be residential

developments. As noted in the Government’s carbon goals (Cabinet Office, 2011) (HM

Treasury, 2011) the inclusion of zero carbon homes by 2016 signifies the first industry

milestone. Yet in some cases the requirement for BIM-based analysis of building

performance is not deemed necessary. With the GSA (2012) stating, ‘In smaller

projects it can be faster to make adjustments to the building design in the energy model

directly, rather than using a workflow involving an export from a BIM-authoring

application to a simulation tool’ (GSA, 2012). However this does not take into account

the eventual development of BIM libraries promoting standardised design capabilities

(BIS, 2011). Potentially better suited to smaller building projects.

Project phasing provides a heavy influence on the level of detail. Table 5.1.3 indicates

that with the earliest design phase adoption brings a continued expansion of modelling

detail in analysis and subsequent accuracy.

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Table 5.1.3.1: Modelling Detail and Depth of Analysis over Project Length (GSA, 2012)

Phase Modelling Detail Depth of Analysis

Site location, building orientation, massing and Quickly assess large-scale impacts of
Preliminary Concept Design
default assumptions design alternatives

Building geometry, preliminary layout, Evaluate and compare proposed design

Final Concept Design construction, mechanical equipment and schemes, intermediate analysis,
intermediate assumptions preliminary code compliance

Building geometry, detailed layout, detailed

Design Development
Construction Documents
Estimate final design energy performance,
construction and envelope design, mechanical
detailed analysis, preliminary code
equipment, building controls and detailed
compliance
assumptions
Finalise estimated energy performance and
Detailed model
code compliance

Assess impact of change orders and

Construction Documents Detailed model
construction detailing

Evaluate actual building energy

Operations Detailed model performance, including HVAC control
systems

GSA (2012) concluded, ‘When properly used with building performance analysis tools,

BIM has the potential to enable completely different design mentalities and strategies,

creating a completely new design process that expands a design team’s capabilities

and allows for information typically considered during later design to be used upstream

during earlier design stages’ (GSA, 2012).

4) Provide transparent project energy and carbon reduction goals and provide

the process best suited to achieve this through a BIM Execution Plan.

5.1.4 Technology

The most critical element in feasibly undertaking energy and carbon modelling is the

availability of supporting software. The lack of ready-made BIM packages containing

analysis tools to combine all life-cycle assessments requires the inclusion of third party

plug-ins. Compatibility is plentiful in selection (GSA, 2012). However specific analysis

aims may be better supported than others, ‘Though software capabilities are

increasing rapidly, the project team may find that a particular project proposal or

40
desired analysis is simply not well supported by a give tool’s functionality and/or the

technical support capabilities of the software vendor’ (GSA, 2012).

The feasibility for increased BIM add-in software in the UK market relies heavily on the

training of project team members and the availability in supply from vendors. In

particular the BIM software support has a tendency to target the most developing

market in which demand and profitability is thriving (BIS, 2011) (GSA, 2012).

Nevertheless the existence of software support for analysis has been documented in

Moffat’s (2014) paper. In which a number of case studies were identified via software

vendor publications.

It is important to note as the energy and carbon modelling goals develop in complexity.

The more fragmented the compatibility becomes (GSA, 2012). Inclusion of renewable

energy simulation and complex comfort control analysis brings more and more

additional software into practice creating the constant need in research and

development.

5) Provide training packages for available analysis software in line with

development of BIM towards enriched data transfer, indicated by phase 2

programme level in the BIS BIM Strategy Paper (BIS, 2011).

6. Discussion

Prior to conducting this additional study it was understood the lack of research in the

area of focus. Moving forward from the previous research (Moffat, 2014), a target was

noted to potentially re-evaluate the existence of energy and carbon modelling by

including the information in support of the Government’s aim for BIM adoption. Having

identified a means of progress indicator, Government trial projects, its believed that a

missing opportunity in trialling BIM energy and carbon costing is apparent. Rather the

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Government trial projects have provided only an overview of the involvement that BIM

has in early design decisions to feasibly achieve cost reductions. Hence a similar

involvement for carbon reduction, as initially outlined in (HM Government, 2010), is

recommended as a valuable key to better industry awareness and overall compliance

towards the steps noted in the Construction Strategy.

The exclusion at this stage may be reality following a movement initiated by the HM

Treasury’s (2011) Growth Plan,

‘The Government will introduce more realistic requirements for on-site carbon

reductions, endorsing the Zero Carbon Hub’s expert recommendations on the

appropriate levels of on-site reductions as the starting point for future consultation,

along with their advice to move to an approach based on the carbon reductions that

are achieved in real life, rather than those predicted by models.’ (HM Treasury, 2011)

However as seen with Leiyun, Ying and Burcu (2014) and Li et al (2012) the

development of on-site carbon reductions can be incorporated within a 4D

(scheduling) BIM production. This option showcased in Capper, Matthews and

Lockley’s (2012) research may be the industry defining option to use the already

supported BIM progress to help catalogue and reduce carbon of building projects

(Leiyun, Ying and Burcu, 2014) (Li et al, 2012) (Capper, Matthews and Lockley, 2012).

Hence potentially streamlining the construction industry’s goal of zero carbon buildings

in the near future.

It is not quite sure how the industry will react to this movement. The lack of already

established progress in BIM adoption for carbon reduction within the public sector

provides no justification of forecasted movement towards this practice. Also the lack

of clear knowledge base in the practice, cemented by the literature study undertaken

in Leiyun, Ying and Burcu’s (2014) paper, is seen to revolt the industry practitioners

42
back to the standard methods of carbon and energy performance analysis. Highlighted

by Ariyaratne and Moncaster (2014),

‘The construction industry is heavily dependent on knowledge and experience

gathered over time, with many industry professionals showing a tendency to stay with

tried and tested methods. This reluctance for change was noted through the scoping

stage discussions and supported by the experiences of the interviewees who are

currently promoting LCA tools and BIM software.’ (Ariyaratne and Moncaster, 2014)

The guidance available from the GSA BIM programme (GSA, 2007) has provided the

North American construction industry with a base of support to feasibly stretch beyond

basic 3D collaboration into integrated BIM. Including guidance in energy performance

and operation modelling has allowed more accuracy in a continuingly developing

project practice, sustainable and environmental design, to find a place in the life cycle

phasing. The feasibility of implementing energy and carbon modelling requires a

decision making process from project teams (Section 5.1) (GSA, 2012). In the UK

carbon reduction is the main focus with the inclusion of a carbon budget. BIM is

considerably influenced by the Government construction strategy. Therefore the

feasibility decision process would be more suited to be driven by the project client and

based around the aims set out in the Government’s carbon goals. This would provide

a better use of the already established BIM progress with the Government mandate

and introduce digital technology to reach the wider industry carbon budget, rather than

individual project goals. However as noted in Section 5.1 the four inputs to the decision

loop requires significant contribution from project teams during preliminary phasing.

Therefore the increased collaboration between the client and project teams is essential

to feasible energy and carbon modelling.

43
A major finding in the feasibility study during this research is the emphasis on the

requirement for additional software in energy and carbon modelling. An area missing

from the GSA (2012) guidance on this practice is the existence of training support and

how this has an impact on project team’s experience level and competence.

Within the UK the level of BIM knowhow and industry experience is annually

catalogued in the NBS BIM Report: BIM Survey (Malleson, 2014). This documents an

increase in BIM adoption throughout the years most importantly from the year in which

the Government mandate was produced (Malleson, 2014). Most notably is that 70%

of survey respondents source the information regarding BIM from colleagues and

other professionals (Malleson, 2014). Providing a notion that BIM users gain

knowledge from previous experience with no suggestion of procuring that knowledge

from an accredited training solution. Existence of training solutions could combine

knowledge on BIM framework and inclusion in design processes, practical software

demonstrations and introduction to contractual documentation and planning

completion.

The basis of individual project BIM creation is defined from the AEC (UK) BIM Protocol

(AEC (UK), 2012) document founded by the existence of industry standards. This

coupled with the BIS BIM Strategy’s (BIS, 2011) existence of contractual language

provides a more official stance in BIM adoption and provides the UK construction

industry with a comprehensive means of including BIM at all project levels. The

protocol performs a basis for a complete software generic solution to create models

and project information. However it notes, ‘a consistent software platform will aid the

collaboration potential of BIM projects and is recommended’ (AEC (UK), 2012).

Therefore the inclusion of additional energy modelling software would require some

form of protocol in which consistent and standardised usage maintains progress in

44
collaboration and does not alienate the specialist users. It is also a recommendation

for generation of training solutions via the BIM and additional software protocols to lift

the users to sufficient competency in energy and carbon modelling.

The final note warns the UK BIM movement that in order to move towards integrated

BIM and inclusion of BIM-based energy and carbon modelling. There is a requirement

to aim for a transparent direction for this practice in order to generate a software

support market which is noted to be setup in North America (GSA, 2012). A potential

method for this has already been discussed by the BIM Working Group (BIS, 2011).

In which an alliance may be formed to create parallel markets and to not leave the UK

blind to software maturity.

7. Conclusion

7.1 Conclusion of Study

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the progress of the UK Government’s

mandate for BIM adoption and following this provide a feasibility path for the

involvement of energy and carbon modelling.

By conducting a collection and review of the documents in support of the

Government’s mandate for Building Information Modelling. The most relevant

documents in which allow the understanding of the drivers, deliverables and

development of BIM have been compiled into one location. From this the identification

of the Government’s method of progress was noted. This took the shape of industry

trial projects in which three had featured BIM and had published case study

documents.

Following this discovery a means of which to evaluate the progress of the BIM

mandate was facilitated. Using the Government published case studies provided a

45
quality assurance in the reliability of the information source. However limited the study

to only three projects which does not allow a comprehensive valuable review.

Nevertheless the progress was noted in cost savings due to the inclusion of BIM at an

early stage during the new two stage open book procurement model. Yet surprisingly

no progress in implementing BIM as a carbon reduction or sustainability tool was to

be found. The particular importance of finding this progress was based on the inclusion

of increased carbon reduction in buildings, especially in housing, as a step in the

country’s construction strategy.

Following this the study into the feasibility of energy and carbon modelling was ignited.

Having identified the inclusion of this within the North American BIM guide series, this

would form the best practice document in which to base the feasibility study upon. The

North American guidance suggests a decision process in which project teams decide

on four elements; project team experience, budget and schedule, scope and detail

and availability of technology. The outcomes of these inputs decides whether the

execution of energy modelling is viable for the intended project. Following review of

this in light of the UK situation a series of recommendations from the researcher were

made and summarised.

1) The UK is recommended to continue development in sustainable and low

carbon design and align within the collaborative BIM movement to raise

project team’s expertise undertake energy and carbon modelling.

2) It is recommended for projects to gain support from software vendors to

mitigate unforeseen costs from BIM plug-in applications.

3) Project teams should evaluate and decide the inclusion of energy and carbon

modelling at the earliest stage to minimise disruption to the project schedule

and improve impact.

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4) Provide transparent project energy and carbon reduction goals and provide

the process best suited to achieve this through a BIM Execution Plan.

5) Provide training packages for available analysis software in line with

development of BIM towards enriched data transfer, indicated by phase 2

programme level in the BIS BIM Strategy Paper (BIS, 2011).

The discussion into the findings of this research suggested that to aid in the inclusion

of BIM-based carbon and energy modelling the UK strategy should revaluate its tried

and tested means for carbon and energy calculation and potentially look to include this

within the scheduling (4D) section of BIM. This can be supported with the now

developed existence of carbon costing databases from life cycle analysis research.

The feasibility decision loop analysis contributed to the eventual realisation that the

decision process can be better suited in the UK to be undertaken as part of the

collaborative efforts between the client and project teams. From the feasibility study

there is a realisation that the UK will require more stringent training into BIM processes

and additional software to support energy and carbon modelling. A recommendation

is to establish a software support market and to include solutions for software inclusion

in BIM processes as part of a BIM standards compliant protocol.

To conclude the research provided findings which contributed to knowledge of the BIM

development in the country. The findings included:

 No existence of progress towards BIM use for energy and carbon modelling can

be found attached to the Government Construction Strategy BIM mandate.

 Feasibility in energy and carbon modelling contains a decision process to

achieve clearance that this activity can be viable and in which phase to include.

47
 Emphasis is found on additional software and knowledge to undertake this

practice leaving a gap in the UK BIM development which suggests an increased

push for training, software support and simulation and analysis usage protocol.

7.2 Future Research

The next step in this research to provide overall value to the feasibility of BIM-based

energy and carbon modelling spawns from the limited knowledge of supporting

software. It is proposed to study the available software associated with this practice

and collate the information and usage into a software database. From this a

comparative study can be conducted to attempt to provide a review of the best found

software in combination to maximise the scope of BIM analysis. With this there is also

a means to provide a framework for industry training on each software’s intended

process. The overall aim of any future research into energy and carbon modelling is

to raise awareness. Therefore it is necessary to urge the industry practitioners to

pioneer the usage of this practice within the UK. Providing examples in order to

research best practice and formulate a proposal to include this within the widespread

BIM movement.

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