Building information modelling and its effect on computer aided manufacture in the UK construction industry

Building information modelling and its effect on computer aided manufacture in the UK construction industry.

By --Stephen Trench

Dissertation for MSc Construction Project Management, London South Bank University, Faculty of Engineering, Science and the Built Environment, Department of Built Environment, 23rd May 2014.

[edit] Abstract

To predict outcomes of current Government strategy in regard to the UK Construction industry. Building information Modelling (BIM) has the potential to radically change the way the industry works by forcing integration and collaborative practices in an industry that is fragmented and founded on Victorian concepts, in terms of separation of professions and trades set out in traditional construction contracts.

The main issues addressed in this dissertation are what effects this will have on the private sector and whether the perceived advantages will materialise in the public sector. It also considers whether the supply industries will respond by investing time and finance into adapting their tooling in such a way that it is synchronised with the BIM modelling produced by designers.

Objectives:

• Objective1: To determine whether or not the cost savings and uptake aspirations of BIM will materialise.
• Objective 2: To highlight the potential of increasing computer aided manufacturing (CAM) in the event of the role out of BIM.
• Objective 3: To explore what flexibility is offered to designers in the event of the expansion of BIM/CAM.
• Objective 4: To examine changes in methods of design procurement following the widespread implementation of BIM & CAM.
• Objective 5: To establish the criteria necessary for the successful implementation of BIM & CAM.

Assumptions:

• That the announcement by the Cabinet office of The Government Construction Strategy report on 31 May 2011 which stated that, “collaborative 3D BIM with all project and asset information, documentation and data” being electronic (level 2), will be imposed on all Government projects by 2016.
• Major clients involved in development in the private sector will follow the public sector and impose level 2 BIM.
• Technological advancements in BIM & CAM software and scale of production in hardware and robotics, will lead to affordability and flexible within systems which are not currently available.
• CAM will be intrinsically linked to BIM.
• The Internet will continue to provide a platform for the dissemination of innovation and research.