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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)

Volume 11, Issue 1, January 2020, pp. 165-171, Article ID: IJCIET_11_01_018
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijciet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=11&IType=1
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
© IAEME Publication

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPTUAL OF

BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING: A
LITERATURE REVIEW
Ibrahim Moh'd A.Q Saraireh
PhD, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang,
26300 Gambang Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Ahmad Tarmizi Haron

Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang,
26300 Gambang Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

ABSTRACT
Among the last decade there is several developments in the architecture,
engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, information technology and its
application was the major one. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is now globally
considered a better solution to enormous building problems, it made huge effect on
building and construction industry, and not only in the project design and
implementation phases, but it is considered as a good tool for the whole project
lifecycle. This paper aims to explain the concept of BIM including the definition,
history, benefits and advantages. A conceptual understanding of (BIM) has been
suggested in this paper depend on an extensive literature review. It is hoped that the
concept emphasize in this paper will encourage positive debate on BIM and winning
some concern from the practitioners and researchers.
Keywords: Building Information Modelling, AEC, literature review, Concept.
Cite this Article: Ibrahim Moh'd A.Q Saraireh, Ahmad Tarmizi Haron,
Understanding the Conceptual of Building Information Modeling: A Literature
Review. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology 11(1), 2020,
165-171.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=11&IType=1

1. INTRODUCTION
The construction industry has become more complicated and difficult to manage, because of
low investment rate, raising cost, adding risk, and waste and labour productivity tremendously
increase in this industry, this is confirmed by (Haron, 2013). So (BIM) is attractive solution
and its main objective is the managing of the information, and all building problems. This
study includes a background on building information modeling (BIM), its importance for the
building industry. (BIM) is considering one of the most promising recent developments in the
architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. With BIM technology, an

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 Understanding the Conceptual of Building Information Modeling: A Literature Review

accurate virtual model of a building is digitally constructed. This model, known as a building
information model, it can be used for planning, design, construction, and operation of the
facility. The model helps (AEC) to visualize what is to be built in a simulated environment to
identify any potential design, construction, or operational issues. BIM represents a new
paradigm within AEC, one that encourages integration of the roles of all stakeholders on a
project.(BIM) provides close collaboration through project stakeholders to visualize what is to
be built in a simulated environment by identifying any potential design, construction or
operational issues (Ahmad Huzaimi, Mohamad Syazli,2017). BIM process can boost
knowledge sharing for information of a building or facility. It forms a strong fundamental for
decision making among the life cycle phase from the conceptual design to demolition (Azhar
et al., 2015)

2. LITERATURE REVIEW
Building Information Modeling (BIM) has become the essential methodology including the
digitalization of the built environment supply chain. BIM is a digital representation of the
physical and functional characteristics of a building and serves as a knowledge sharing
vehicle for building information (Barlish and Sullivan, 2012). Incentives and use related to
BIM have been increasing over the past few years and received considerable recognition for
its ability to reduce costs and time as well as improve quality (Juan et al., 2017). Azhar et al.
(2015) demonstrates; “BIM has gone from being a buzzword to the centerpiece of AEC3
technology”. Although BIM is applied to many large design and construction projects it is
still not common practice throughout the industry. Now, design and construction projects are
more efficient in terms of cost reduction, quality improvement, time schedule and a better
work flow between project participants. In addition, project owners have started realizing
other benefits deriving from BIM as a work method, such: as reduce claims, enabling easier
calculations and visualizations for promotional purposes and ease of cross-disciplinary
collaboration to name a few (Sanchez and Joske, 2016; McGraw Hill Construction, 2014).

2.1. Definition of BIM

The definition of building information modeling conception depends on the understanding of
a researcher. BIM is not software as many people in the construction industry think. The BIM
definition is in the form of using three-dimensional (3D) data in the process of producing and
managing building data during its lifecycle, with appropriate building information software to
improve productivity in building design and construction (Dan, 2015).
There are several aspects of BIM such as building geometry, spatial relationships,
geographic information, quantities, and properties of building components are also produced
from the process. According to Succar (2009) who clarified that BIM is a digital format to
organize the appropriate building design and project data throughout the building’s life-cycle.
It can be concluded that BIM is a process to produce the digital information models (3D) with
their relevant software in enhancing communication and interaction throughout the
stakeholders.
There are many definitions and explanations for building information modeling have been
introduced. Laiserin indicated that BIM is a process and not a software (Laiserin, 2017) ,
while Woo described BIM as a new methodology for building design and documentation that
provides faster and easier construction process for all involved parties(Woo,2006). Similarly,
(Penttila, 2006) defined BIM as a methodology but for managing the digital format of design
and project data during the building lifecycle. (Eastman et al., 2011) defined BIM as a
technology that allows the building digital and virtual models to support design process
phases by the accurate geometry and data. This not only will support the fabrication,

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 Ibrahim Moh'd A.Q Saraireh, Ahmad Tarmizi Haron

procurement and construction phases but also will be used for other phases and activities of
the building lifecycle. Thus, BIM can facilitate a form of integrated design and process that
marks higher quality and reduces costs and time of the project. Furthermore, in 2007 the US
National Building Information Modeling Standard (NBIMS) defined BIM as “BIM is a digital
representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. (Azhar, 2011) expressed
BIM as a pattern within AEC in which it can boost integration of all stakeholders on a project.

2.2. BIM History

BIM started in the 1950s and 1960s with the application of computer-aided design (CAD),
after that CAD software is developed in 1963 by Ivan Sutherland by creating a graphical
interface named Sketchpad, in 1970s by the French Aerospace Company who developed two
dimensions (2D) to three dimensions (3D).
Subsequent, in the 1980s to 1990s, Autodesk become a popular developer and leading in
the information technology (IT) industry with their product AutoCAD. The transformation
From 3D model to the 4D model was introduced to help stakeholders, especially in the AEC
industry in managing schedules and resources with respect to time. Later, 5D was developed
to relate to cost estimating. This 5D model is valuable to cost estimators or quantity surveyors
in checking the estimated cost of projects. The development of 6D is related to sustainability
and 7D more to facilities management. However, the development of nD is dependent on the
functions. As mentioned by (Beveridge, 2012), 8D was identified as integrated project
delivery and maintainability, 9D for acoustics, 10D for security, and 11D was for heat. This
shows that the transition of BIM started in the 1950s and continues to the present day.

2.3. BIM benefits for Construction Industry

BIM Benefits adapted from (Azhar, Khalfan, & Maqsood, 2012) as following :
Owner
- Ensure that the project requirements are met from the early design stage.
- Evaluate the building performance and maintainability.
- Reducing financial risk due to reliable cost estimates and reducing the number of change
orders.
- Best project marketing through the efficient use of 3D presentations and animation.
- Perfect and integral information about building and its systems in a single file.
Designer
- Better design by carefully analyzing digital models and visual simulations and receiving
more valuable input from project owners.
- An early blend of sustainability features in building design to anticipate its environmental
performance.
Contractor
- Better cost estimation and production.
- Discovering of design errors in early stage through clash detections.
- Construction planning and constructability analysis.
- Site safety planning.
- Favorite communication with stakeholders on site and high profitability.
- Preferable customer service.
- Compression the cost and schedule.
- Best planning, management and informed decision making.

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 Understanding the Conceptual of Building Information Modeling: A Literature Review

Facility Managers
- Major and essential information is found in one electronic file.
- BIM system and its database provide all information about any equipment in the project in
just one click. So, the facility managers do not have to travel among the piles of information
to gather data.
Barriers to BIM Adoption
The main disadvantages of BIM .as following :
- Contracting companies need to purchase and install appropriate hardware and software.
- Culture to resistance.
- Standards
- Before everything staff must trained to learn using the software, the new adopted
technologies (Rajendran and Clarke, 2011).
- Various parties in the project who may use several software's and tools through the
information exchange. This difference causes difficulty in exchange of the model because the
software difference may describe information differently (Man, 2007).

2.4. BIM for Sustainable Design

BIM can supported sustainable design through (Wong & Zhou, 2015), (Jrade & Jalaei , 2013),
(Dowsett & Harty, 2013):
- Selecting the preferable building orientation that can minimize the energy cost.
- Managing the internal ventilation temperature.
- Analyzing the day lighting and the safety structural.
- Reducing the water needs in the buildings among construction or operation (Water
harvesting).
- Selection of sustainable materials and reduce the construction waste energy needs.

Figure 1 Green building BIM Triangle taxonomy (Lu, Wu, Chang, & Li, 2017)
On the other hand, green BIM triangle which developed by (Lu, Wu, Chang, & Li, 2017)
explaining the interaction between BIM and green buildings and how BIM supports green
buildings in several stages during the whole building lifecycle as shown in Figure 1. The
green buildings according to the triangle divided into three major elements: the project stage,

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 Ibrahim Moh'd A.Q Saraireh, Ahmad Tarmizi Haron

green attributes, and BIM attributes. The project phase contains the perspective of the project
lifecycle (project design, construction, maintenance and operation, and demolition). The
project attributes includes sustainability considerations such as energy saving, water saving,
material selection, waste materials, day lighting, natural ventilation and acoustics analysis.
The BIM attributes explain how BIM software contributes to the two green building elements
by analysis, simulation and visualization, and interaction database.

2.5. The Standard BIM Maturity Classification

BIM Phase 1 (Level 0-1)
This explains the development from unmanaged to managed Computer Aided Design (CAD),
both in 2D or 3D formats. At this phase, project teams are engaged with industry standards
and processes such as the BS1192 in completely individualized or non-connected data and
software systems (PAS1192:2, 2013). This may include stand-alone, design, engineering,
communication, finance, or cost management packages (Succar, 2010).
BIM Phase 2 (Level 2)
This phase refers to the 3D model-based cooperation visualized as the main form of data
management (Succar, 2010). This will, however, be depend on data produced and held in
separate discipline based proprietary tools (Succar et al., 2012). The standards required for
their production should however allow high degrees of interoperability, object based with
sufficient levels of information detail and parameterization (PAS1192:2, 2013). Integration at
this stage can be achieved through proprietary interface or bespoke middleware (Succar,
2010).
BIM Phase 3 (Level 3)
This phase explain the maturity level where network-based integration is to be achieved with
the aid of fully open and interoperable processes enabled by standards, such as Industry
Foundation Class (IFC) (Succar, 2009). The available commercial BIM software applications
already possess such IFC data exchange capabilities (such as Autodesk Revit, Archicad, Vico,
Bentley Micro Station), though the extent to which they are fully utilized is not clear, data and
information is managed by a collaborative single platform model server with functionality
that supports every CSC discipline’s data uses (PAS1192:2, 2013). The progression of BIM
maturity is depicted in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Development through BIM Maturity and Relevant Standards and Documentation (Bew et
al., 2008)

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 Understanding the Conceptual of Building Information Modeling: A Literature Review

BIM level 2 implementation, as visualized by Government, will require all project

information to be managed in a 3D virtual environment, where individual Construction
Supply Chain(CSC) disciplines contribute data with proprietary tools that have high inter-
operable data exchange capabilities, that are supported by project data exchange protocol and
standards (PAS1192:2, 2013). BIM Level 3 maturity explains entire system interaction,
among single model server platforms where individual CSC contribute to projects in common
or completely synchronized data environments (PAS1192:2, 2013).

3. CONCLUSION
In a summary, BIM supply a best platform for the AEC industry as it is able to improve the
communication through the stake holders, collaboration and avoid fragmentation.
Understanding of the concept of BIM is essential to assist stakeholders in the AEC industry to
adopt and implement BIM. In addition, the resistance to change from the stakeholders is also
a vital element in achieving this mission.

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