An investigation to introduce BIM in undergraduate civil engineering teaching to improve construction processes

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The popularity of Building Information Modelling (BIM) has grown rapidly within the constructionindustry, motivated by its potential advantages for improving construction processes. A majority ofthe world's leading firms have adopted BIM solutions by moving from 2D or even 3D CAD to BIMtechniques. However, for companies in South Africa this transition has not been the same as for firmsin Europe and the USA.Besides the improvements which can be achieved by viewing a computer model of the designedfacility, BIM provides a multi-disciplinary tool, to be used for collaboration of all project parties in areal-time simulated model of construction process. Due to this remarkable feature, the way ofconstructing a designed facility can be viewed and analysed from the conceptual stages and canimprove design and construction processes.As this object-oriented approach has been developed in the industry, handbooks and standards havebeen released to support BIM utilization. A considerable amount of research has been conducted toestablish the advantages and barriers in applying BIM. A large number of investigations have alsobeen performed for reporting quantified achievement of construction projects executed in BIMenvironment.As such, a new knowledge field has been added to the industry requirements. BIM knowledge hasbecome more demanding and BIM-specialist requirements have been enhanced. As a result, academiahave been stimulated to raise BIM awareness among engineers, architects and construction managersto train sufficiently qualified professionals for applying BIM tools. Universities started offeringdifferent courses and programmes to fulfil this need while a variety of strategies have been developedfor introducing BIM to the students at different levels.This research studied the current industry situation in South Africa regarding application of BIM andthe role of universities to achieve a suitable level of BIM capability. The industrial and educationalsituations from some pioneering countries are reviewed as lessons for the South African adoption ofBIM. Comparing these facts, proposals for introducing BIM through university courses are providedto satisfy industry requirements for the application of BIM in projects.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University