To read this content please select one of the options below:

Reliability evaluation index for the integrated supply chain utilising BIM and lean approaches

Jingxiao Zhang (School of Economic and Management, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China)
Hui Li (School of Civil Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China)
Hamed Golizadeh (School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia)
Chuandang Zhao (School of Civil Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China)
Sainan Lyu (School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia)
Ruoyu Jin (Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Brighton, Eastbourne, UK)

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management

ISSN: 0969-9988

Article publication date: 4 June 2020

Issue publication date: 4 June 2020

777

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to develop an approach to assess the reliability of integrated construction supply chains via an integrated model of building information modelling (BIM) and the lean supply chain (LSC). It reflects the synergistic workflow between BIM and LSC as a novel approach to improve the reliability of construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

This research evaluates the reliability of the BIM-LSC approach through a combination of entropy theory, set pair analysis (SPA), and Markov chains (EESM). An exploratory survey was conducted to collect data from 316 industry professionals experienced in BIM and LSC. Subsequently, multiple cycles of calculations were performed with indirect data inputs. Finally, a reliability evaluation index is established for the BIM-LSC approach and potential applications are identified.

Findings

The results show that the EESM model of BIM-LSC developed in this study can handle not only supply chain reliability evaluation at a given state but also the prediction of reliability in supply chain state transitions due to changing project conditions. This is particularly relevant to the current environment of the construction project, which is characterised by an increasing level of complexity in terms of labour, technology, and resource interactions.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could consider the accuracy and validity of the proposed model in real-life scenarios with by considering both quantitative and qualitative data across the entire lifecycle of projects.

Practical implications

The research offers a model to evaluate the reliability of the BIM-LSC approach. The accuracy of BIM supply chain reliability analysis and prediction in an uncertain environment is improved.

Originality/value

The BIM-LSC reliability evaluation and prediction presented in this study provides a theoretical foundation to enhance understanding of the BIM-LSC in the construction project context.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to sincerely thank the case in Chongqing Jiaotong University. This research is supported by the National Natural Science Foun-dation of China (No. 71301013); Humanity and Social Science Program Foundation of the Ministry of Education of China (No. 17YJA790091); List of Key Science and Technology Projects in China's Transportation Industry in 2018-International Science and Technology Cooperation Project (No. 2018-GH-006); Shaanxi Social Science Fund (No. 2017S004 and No. 2016ZB017); Shaanxi Province Social Sciences Major Theoretical and Practical Research Fund (No. 2019Z191 and No. 2017Z028); Xi'an Social Science Fund (No. 18J139); Xi'an Construction Science and Technology Planning Project (No. SJW201705); Xi'an Science Technology Bureau Fund (No. 201805070RK1SF4(6)); Shaanxi Universities Second Batch of Youth Outstanding Talents Support Projects(No. [2018]111); Shaanxi Province Higher Education Teaching Reform Project (No. 17BZ017); Education Funding of Master of Engineering Management in China (No. 2017-ZX-004);Shaanxi Province Civil Engineering ‘first-class professional’ project (No. 300103292804 and No. 300103282803); Special Fund for Graduate Student Education Reform of Central College, Chang'an University (No. 300103190413, No. 300103190018, No. 300103190943, No. 300111002005, No. 300103187091 No. 310623176201, No. 310623176702, No. 310628176702 and No. 310628161406); Fundamental Research for Education Reform of Central College, Chang'an University (No. 300104292305, No. 300104292304, No. 300104292308, No. 300103292806, No. 300104282301, No. 300104282318, No. 300104282323, No. 310623172904, No. 310623171003 and No. 310623171633); Fundamental Research for Funds for the Central Universities (Humanities and Social Sciences), Chang'an University (No. 300102239616); Fundamental Research for Funds for the Central Universities, Chang'an University (No. 300102238201).

Citation

Zhang, J., Li, H., Golizadeh, H., Zhao, C., Lyu, S. and Jin, R. (2020), "Reliability evaluation index for the integrated supply chain utilising BIM and lean approaches", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 27 No. 5, pp. 997-1038. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-12-2018-0542

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles