Key Factors for BIM Implementation in Existing Buildings.

Key words:

Building Information Modeling, BIM, Facility Management, FM, Life Cycle,

LC.

Literature review:

The interest in BIM implementation has been growing greatly in the past few

decades, this is mainly due to the benefits that BIM can introduce through enhanced

design, resource savings and better implemented planning for new buildings. The

concept of developing 3D models for buildings and structures was established in the

1970s mainly using the then available CAD software. (Carbonari, Stravoravdis &

Gausden, 2015).

The importance of applying BIM as an analysis tool was not widely accepted

in the construction business until recently, this is due to the heavy rely on

conventional CAD 2D designs, the implementation of BIM was not available

regularly in construction projects until the early 2000s as a supporting tool for the

work of designers and engineers. (Chan D. & Olawumi T. O. 2010)

The main interest in BIM has been focused mainly on the improvement of the

design and preplanning phase, including visualization, quantification, cost, time,

energy analysis, structural analysis and progress tracking. (Desogus et al. 2021)
 Only recently has there been a focus in implementing BIM in later stages in a

building life cycle, including maintenance, facility management, refurbishment and

ultimately demolition or end of life. (Sikorski, 2017).

The use of BIMs has been increasingly applied in existing buildings

applications such as the monitoring of construction and modification, defection

detection, interior and exterior renovations, energy savings and facility management.

(Sikorski, 2017).

The application of BIMs to existing buildings can prove to be costly, highly

time and labor consuming. This is mainly due to the highly demanding data collection

processes. The preparation of geometrical points to model existing buildings and the

raw data collection for different building components, this provides large sums of data

that form input for a BIM. (Wang, Cho and Kim, 2015).

Current technologies require processing and preparation that can prove to be

costly and demanding, these problems inhibit the use of BIM as a mainstream tool for

the visualization improvement of existing buildings. (Wang, Cho and Kim, 2015).

It is unusual for FM staff to use BIM, this is mainly due to the

misunderstanding of and the inexperience in applying BIM. Technical difficulties

must be addressed, mainly by simplifying and standardizing data sharing methods and

preparing a link between BIM and FM schemes. (Mohamed, Abdallah and Marzouk,

2020)
Research idea:

Although the ideal situation would be one where we have an accurate BIM for

every building, the problem remains that most buildings have been built before the

application of BIM.

BIM or Building Information Modelling as a technological concept has

provided ground breaking advances to the design and implementation of construction

and building management. BIM relies on the idea of Data preparation and processing

to incorporate different engineering aspects to provide a comprehensive model to

encompass all aspects into an easy to access virtual location.

The idea of BIM for existing buildings is relatively new and so requires much

research to provide an easier approach to facility management and maintenance

during the operation of the building.

This research will focus on analyzing the main factors that would assist in the

application of BIM to existing buildings and to examine the benefits that may arise

from applying BIM.

The main barriers and difficulties will also be analyzed to provide a

comprehensive approach and a better understanding of the implementation of BIM to

pre-existing buildings.

Furthermore, the research will shed light on the compatibility of BIM with

other FM and maintenance schemes for buildings. This will eventually provide

engineers and Facility managers with easier approaches to applying BIM to their

buildings and collect the benefits of applying BIM.

Main goals:

1. To analyze the importance of applying BIM to existing buildings.

2. To analyze the type of building and how that factors in the implementation

of BIM.

3. To analyze the basic requirements for the successful implementation of

BIM to existing buildings.

4. To analyze the existence of a previous digital model for existing buildings

(CAD or BIM) and how that may factor in the implementation of BIM.

5. To analyze the benefits and barriers in the implementation of BIM to

existing buildings.

6. To analyze the compatibility of BIM with other FM methodologies and

applications.

Research questions:

1. What are the main differences between BIM for new buildings and for

existing buildings?

2. Does the type of building (residential, commercial, industrial, historical,

etc.) affect the implementation of BIM for existing buildings?

3. What are the main requirements for the implementation of BIM to existing

buildings?

4. What difference is there between establishing a new BIM model and

updating a previously existing digital model for existing buildings?

 5. What benefits can be drawn from implementing BIM to existing

buildings?

6. What are the main barriers that may hinder the implementation of a

successful BIM?

7. Does the existence of other FM applications affect the implementation of

BIM?

References:

Mohamed A. G., Abdallah M. R. & Marzouk M. (2020). BIM and semantic web

based maintenance information for existing buildings. ELSEVIER.

Wang C, Cho Y K & Kim C. (2015). Automatic BIM component extraction from

point clouds of existing buildings for sustainability applications. ELSEVIER.

Sikorski T. (2017). Implementation of BIM in existing buildings. LEEDS Beckett

Uni.

Carbonari, G., Stravoravdis, S. & Gausden C. (2015). Building information model

implementation for existing buildings for facilities management: a framework and two

case studies. WIT Press.

Chan D.W.M., Olawumi T.O. & Ho A.M.L. (2010). Critical success factors for

building information modelling (BIM) implementation in Hong Kong. EMERALD.

Desogus, G.; Quaquero, E.; Rubiu, G.; Gatto, G.; Perra, C. (2021). BIM and IoT

Sensors Integration: A Framework for Consumption and Indoor Conditions Data

Monitoring of Existing Buildings. DOI Sustainability.