Building Information Modeling (BIM) Workflow and Technological Framework for Building Design - The Case of Ethiopian Construction Design and Supervision Works Corporation - Building and Urban Design Sector
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Date
2023-10-02
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The construction industry plays a vital role in the development of any country, as it is responsible for constructing essential infrastructure projects that are necessary for societal and economic growth. However, the adoption of advanced technologies and workflows, such as BIM, remains relatively low in developing countries like Ethiopia. This can be attributed to various challenges, including resistance to change, high adoption costs, and the lack of government support. This
study focuses on the implementation of BIM, its workflow and technological framework at the Ethiopian Construction Design and Supervision Works Corporation (ECDSWC). The objective is to study the BIM implementation on an active project within the company and develop a contextually appropriate BIM workflow and technological framework that aligns with the existing protocols at ECDSWC. The implementation and workflow of BIM encompasses areas such as training and education, data management, the technological framework, and collaboration among different departments within the organization. To investigate these aspects, a case study approach is employed, observing and analyzing the operational and technical implementation of BIM at ECDSWC. Data collection involves
interviews, questionnaires, observations, and document analysis conducted with the design participants of the CoESCoEM project. The research findings highlight that the adoption of BIM at ECDSWC has resulted in significant improvements in cross-disciplinary collaboration and communication. However, challenges arose due to the demanding project timeline, notable design complexities, the absence of a well-integrated BIM workflow, and the relative inexperience of the BIM team. These factors led to errors, shortcuts, technical issues, fragmented workflows, and omissions in the final project outcomes. The study further delves into the operational and technical aspects of BIM during the design process at ECDSWC, analyzing the existing design workflow to enhance efficiency and effectiveness through the utilization of BIM. Finally, the study developed a BIM workflow and technological framework to enhance BIM implementation by integrating it within the existing workflow in a manner that suits the specific context. Ultimately, this research aims to contribute to the existing knowledge base on BIM implementation as an emerging technology in Ethiopia's AEC industry.
Key Words: BIM implementation, ECDSEC, workflow