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Bridging BIM and building (BBB) for information management in construction: The underlying mechanism and implementation

Ke Chen (Department of Construction Management, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China)
Weisheng Lu (Department of Real Estate and Construction, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management

ISSN: 0969-9988

Article publication date: 16 May 2019

Issue publication date: 2 August 2019

1074

Abstract

Purpose

How to make an effective use of building information modeling (BIM) for information management (IM) is a challenging question in the field of construction project and asset management. Chen et al. (2015) answered this question by developing a conceptual framework of “bridging BIM and building (BBB).” However, the underlying mechanism through which BBB can truly impact IM remains unclear. The purpose of this paper is thus to demystify the mechanism linking BBB and IM.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon the IM literature, this paper proposes three IM requirements, namely, requirements on information quantity, quality and accessibility, as the significant mediators between BBB and IM. To verify this proposition, a two-year, participatory case study was conducted based on a real-life construction project in which a BBB system was implemented.

Findings

The results of the case study supported the proposition that by enhancing the information quantity, quality and accessibility BBB could favorably contribute to IM in construction.

Practical implications

This paper provides knowledge about system architecture, components and their linkage in an operable BBB system. It also provides empirical experience about BBB implementation.

Originality/value

This study is among the first attempts to streamline the theoretical discourses relating to BBB for IM in a construction context. It contributes to the construction IM by directing attention to key IM requirements and processes rooted in the IM literature.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of the General Research Fund (GRF) (Grant No. 17205614) by Hong Kong Research Grant Council (RGC) and the Innovation and Technology Fund (Grant No. ITP/045/13LP) by the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC). The authors would also like to thank the Hong Kong Housing Authority and the three companies for conducting the two-year case study.

Citation

Chen, K. and Lu, W. (2019), "Bridging BIM and building (BBB) for information management in construction: The underlying mechanism and implementation", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 26 No. 7, pp. 1518-1532. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-05-2018-0206

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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