BIM As A Design and Safety Tool For Cons
BIM As A Design and Safety Tool For Cons
BIM As A Design and Safety Tool For Cons
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Abstract - Building information modelling (BIM) has gained are lacking in certain nations, while they do exist in others,
prominence in the construction sector in recent years, notably like India, although their implementation is problematic.
in the fields of design, scheduling, and costing. The purpose of Occupational illness and accidents at work are global issues.
this study is to examine how traditional health and safety National preventive efforts require statistics and information
practices may be used in conjunction with BIM technology and on workplace accidents. Due attention is not given to safety
digitalization to enhance safety management in the since statistics on construction accidents are either non-
construction environment. The study starts with an extensive existent or grossly underreported. Safety precautions must
review and analysis of the available literature and live case be taken into account from the beginning of the project until
studies. A questionnaire survey was undertaken among its conclusion. Safe working conditions need proper
construction professionals to examine the adoption of BIM as a coordination between contractors and employees, which is
design and safety tool in the Indian construction sector. The often missing in Indian construction areas. Regardless of sex,
research finishes with findings about the software involved in religion, location, age, or other factors, occupational health
using BIM as a design tool and the challenges and barriers to and safety (OHS) is an area that is concerned with the health
implementing BIM as a safety tool for construction, as well as and safety of people working in any occupation and it is
recommendations for the proper application of the BIM-based essential for both employee and employer wellbeing. In order
theoretical model, which acts as a design and safety to promote OHS in the workplace and protect worker
management tool used throughout the whole project duration interests and health, the government of India periodically
for construction projects. passes various laws, rules, and requirements. Construction
has been significantly impacted by the Occupational Safety
Key Words: BIM – Building Information Modelling, OHS- and Health Act (OSHA) and its rules.
Occupational Health and Safety, Design Tool, Safety Tool,
BIM Software. 1.2 Problem Statement
© 2023, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 8.226 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 697
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 10 Issue: 05 | May 2023 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
1.4 Objectives of the Study selected: 1. Safety Management; 2. Causes and Effects of
Construction Accidents; 3. Accident Prevention; 4. BIM and
The objective of the research is to analyse the use of BIM as a Safety; 5. BIM Trends and Advancements.
safety and design tool and the methodologies involved in
integrating safety management techniques into BIM software Effective Safety Management in Construction Projects can be
for construction projects. achieved if the top five most important factors affecting
construction site safety, such as safety training and
2. METHODOLOGY awareness, worker attitude towards safety, availability of
safety equipment, safety inspections, and organizational
This research was performed to analyze the potential of BIM safety policy, are addressed and closely monitored. Safety
as a design and safety tool for construction projects. The affects all levels of the construction organization, including
research was divided into various stages starting from the government (Othman et al., 2018). Some of the top
literature study to recommendations, as shown in Figure 1. ranked causes of accidents are failure to follow safety rules,
A questionnaire survey was done to determine the use of BIM ignorance of PPE, space congestion, and improper use of
as a design and safety tool in the construction industry. safety equipment. The top-ranked effects of accidents are:
cost of medical expenses, time loss of project execution,
productivity loss, distrust of the firm, and cost of training
given to new workers (Sakthi et al., 2017). The age group of
less than 30 was more prone to accidents, and the most
common body parts exposed to injury were the upper limb,
lower leg, head, and neck. Construction workers lack PPE
(Jesline Serrao, 2020). The major preventive techniques to
reduce construction site accidents are following the safety
clauses, conducting safety audits, safety training
programmes, safety drills, safety education, and pre-job
meetings (Dheeraj Benny, 2017).
© 2023, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 8.226 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 698
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safety rule by matching the IDs of the safety rule and the Case Studies on Using BIM as a Safety Tool:
component. Through this process, unsafe design factors are
identified and corrected by comparing component 4.1 The Recreation and Wellness Centre at Auburn
parameters and their related information in safety rules (Guo University [15]:
Hongling et al., 2016). The demonstration of safety culture at
different maturity levels will lead to a proper understanding
of safety culture and practices among workers. This model
can be included in safety training and practiced for effective
outcomes and achieving safety goals on construction sites
(Oluseye Olugboyega, 2016). BIM usage shall not be limited to
design purposes; it shall be extended to various scopes in the
management of construction projects. Awareness
programmes and training sessions can be conducted to
diverge the knowledge of BIM in India (Shalaka Hire, 2021).
The suitable tools for 3D BIM are Revit, AutoCAD, Sketchup,
and Part Builder in civil 3D, and to develop 4D Simulation for
safety management, the suitable tools with 3D BIM are
Google Sketchup, ArchiCAD, Tekla Structures, Tekla
Construction Management, Navisworks, Solibri Model
Checker, etc. These tools can also be included with VR and AR
to make effective safety management in construction
(Nguyen Quoc Toan et al., 2021).
BIM technology with AR can be used to establish a Figure -1: Recreation and Wellness Centre at Auburn
construction safety index and realize real-time and effective University [15]
monitoring of construction site-related information. Through
the relevant 3D model data and progress linking using BIM, The location of the project is Auburn, Alabama, USA. The total
4D simulation can be done, which results in orderliness and cost of the project is $50,000,000, and the total area of the
improved safety in construction activities (Zhenxian Huang, project is 2, 40,000 sq. ft. The project's start date is October
2021). Integration of BIM and IOT will enhance effective 2011, and its completion date is May 2013.
safety management planning. Early investment in safety
planning enables zero accidents in construction. Algorithm The list of software used for this project includes: Autodesk
development for effective computer graphics enhances BIM Revit for modelling; Google Sketchup for creating 3D
and IOT systems effectively. A remote monitoring system by equipment, characters, and related families; Synchro for 4D
comparison of IOT + BIM and on-site activities with CCTV will phasing simulations; MS Project for scheduling; Camtasia and
have proper tracking and monitoring of construction safety, MS Movie Maker for producing videos. In this case study, a
which in turn will reduce the cause of accidents (Haiyang Yu safety plan is developed through BIM technology to address
et al., 2022). The challenges that restrict the application of the "fatal four" construction fatalities and injuries: falls,
BIM to construction safety are legal issues, technology, cost, electrocutions, being struck by an object, and being caught in
management, and human resources. or between. The workflow followed in this project by the
team for developing BIM-based safety plans, simulations, and
4. CASE STUDY videos is shown in Figure 3.
The case studies chapter has been divided into two categories
according to the usage of BIM: case studies using BIM as a
safety tool and case studies using BIM as a design tool. The
case studies were conducted in the form of a net case study
and a live case study. A total of three case studies were taken
into consideration and studied. Two case studies were
reviewed, and inferences were drawn utilizing BIM as a
safety tool. One live case study has been studied and inferred
using BIM as a design tool.
© 2023, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 8.226 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 699
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 10 Issue: 05 | May 2023 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
The crane management plan is done to identify the crane's preventing risks in different activities, such as assembly and
swing radius to ensure its safe distance from the power lines disassembly of temporary elements, formwork, scaffoldings,
and nearby temporary and permanent structures, and to and the pouring of concrete in structural elements.
identify the crane's usage time by the crew. The excavation
risk management plan is done to coordinate with jobsite
equipment used for earthwork phase operations to avoid
cave-ins and accidents while installing sheet piles. A fall
protection plan for leading edges is prepared according to
OSHA Subpart M: Fall Protection Standards. Two types of fall
protection railings are modelled and placed on the structural
BIM model. Using the 3D view, the developers identify
multiple falling risks that will not be found with the 2D plan
view. They are exported to Synchro for developing 4D
simulations. The 4D simulation provides the contractor with
complete details, including location and date. A fall protection
plan for roofers is done as the roof is constructed in two
phases, consisting of decking the roof and then fusing
membrane sheeting on top of the decking with rigid
insulation. The entire operation is simulated to identify safety
issues related to that activity. These animations were used to
brief workers who are exposed to fall protection hazards by
working on a constantly changing roof structure.
It has been inferred through the case study that site safety
planning using BIM will enable designers, engineers, and
project managers to formulate safety plans for construction
sites. BIM 3D and 4D can visualize the process of construction
activity on a day-to-day basis, and possible site-related risks
can be observed. BIM also visualizes which hazard prevention
and safety control measures are to be implemented during
each and every construction activity. These visualizations will
help the construction workers with effective safety
management and safeguard them from hazards.
Figure -3: Safety Model using BIM [6]
4.2 The Recreation and Wellness Centre at Auburn
University [6]: The designers used architectural and structural 3D models
developed in Revit. They encouraged the use of temporary
construction while allowing the use of safety precautions.
Scaffolding, platforms, and construction fences were
imported using external web libraries (Revit City.com,
Bimstore.co, BIM objects, and BIM&CO). The designers
developed a variety of guardrail families, such as those with a
clamping mechanism, guardrails with spikes, and hole
coverings. In Navisworks, the two 3D models were finally
overlapped to create a federated model. By including the time
factor in the Navisworks federated model, a 4D model was
produced. The activity schedule created in Microsoft Project
served as the basis for the generation of the time component.
Figure -2: Radio Therapy Centre at Madeira [6] In order to prevent falls from height, this schedule took into
account both the primary construction operations and the
The location of the project is Madeira, Portugal. The list of temporary tasks, which correspond to the employment of
software used for this project includes: Autodesk AUTOCAD; safety mechanisms and the planned starting and finishing
Google Sketchup for creating 3D equipment, characters, and times for each activity. Additionally, safety files were created.
related families; Autodesk Navisworks; and Autodesk Revit. Tools were added to the 4D model, such as comments and
The building plans were developed in AutoCAD. It consists of links to these safety files, to promote safety. These documents
two floors: a basement and a ground floor. In addition, the include thorough explanations of guardrail and scaffold setup
BIM 4D model also contains safety documents for the and disassembly, as well as of dangers, risks, and
construction phase linked to it. The safety files focus on preventative actions. By using the Navisworks simulation tool
© 2023, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 8.226 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 700
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 10 Issue: 05 | May 2023 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
on the 4D model, it was possible to visually follow the The Statue of Unity is a bronze replica of India's first deputy
evolution of the workplace through time and identify the prime minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The models were
management and safety actions that were required at any created in various sizes: 3ft, 18 ft, and 30ft.
given time. Each color on a color-coded graphic created by
Navisworks simulation represents a different sort of task, Design Process:
such as construction, demolition, or a temporary task. This
case study gave extra consideration to the scheduling of
temporary safety equipment for reducing risks due to falling
from heights and its proper sequence of disassembly and
assembly from the excavation to the finishing works.
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International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 10 Issue: 05 | May 2023 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
5. QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY
The survey has been divided up into five parts, and
professionals in the construction industry responded to 18
questions: Part A: General Questions; Part B: BIM Awareness;
Part C: BIM as a Design Tool; Part D: BIM as a Safety Tool;
Part E: Barriers to the Development of BIM as a Safety Tool.
The questionnaire survey was circulated to 150 professionals
through online mode. A total of 120 replies were received in
response to 150 inquiries. 30 replies were considered invalid
due to missing or irrelevant information. 90 replies were
evaluated, analyzed and the findings has been discussed.
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