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An Exploration of BIM Uses for Asset Management in the Dutch Construction Industry

Ferdinand, Milton L.D. (2024) An Exploration of BIM Uses for Asset Management in the Dutch Construction Industry.

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Abstract:Building Information Modeling (BIM) has become an important part of the construction process in the Netherlands. A study by BIMloket (2021) had shown significant differences however between the usage of BIM in different phases of the project’s lifecycle. As such, BIM usage in the design and construct (D&C) phase was found to be around 5 times higher than that in the operations and maintenance (O&M) phase. This significant lower usage of BIM in the O&M phase is surprising, as BIM in combination with asset management (AM), had been theorized to deliver great efficiency gains in the O&M phase. A gap in the scientific literature existed in our understating of the BIM uses for AM and the factors which work as barriers and drivers to their adoption in the context of the Dutch construction industry. This study set out to address this gap in the scientific literature. This study used a qualitative research methodology. The research was guided by a main research question (MRQ) and 4 sub research questions (SRQ’s). The research employed a literature review, systematic literature review, and case study research to find the answers to the research questions. The SLR was conducted on the SCOPUS platform. Two case studies were selected in the Netherlands and data collection occurred via document analysis and 7 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders of the two cases. The study first set out to develop a theoretical framework to study the BIM uses for AM. The theoretical framework was grounded in Rogers (2003) Diffusion of Innovations theory and consisted of 8 variables pertaining to the perceived attributes of the innovation and nature of the social system. The choice for the DOI theory was based on two major arguments. First, the DOI theory was deemed suitable for this research as it is backed by sufficient empirical evidence which demonstrates its suitability for studying BIM adoption in the construction industry. Second, BIM adoption involves the individual as well as organizational structures, organizational norms, and social factors. The DOI theory offers a balance between the social system dynamics, organizational factors, and the individual. The chosen variables for the framework were: the relative advantage (V1), compatibility (V2), Complexity (V3), trial-ability (V4), Observability (V5), The role of opinion leaders (V6), Norms and cultures of the system (V7) and the structure of the system (V8). Applying the theoretical framework to two case studies in the Dutch construction industry resulted in its validation as 7 out of the 8 variables were found to influence adoption. The variables relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, observability and trial-ability, norms of the social system and role of opinion leaders were found to influence adoption of the BIM uses. There was however no influence found between the structure of the social system adoption. Additionally, the non-variable related “perceived time pressure” and “procedural agreements i.e. lack asset information requirements” were also found to influence adoption. The study further set out to identify the BIM uses for AM in the O&M phase, which was done via a systematic literature review (SLR). The platform SCOPUS was used for this research activity and after scoping 27 research papers were chosen for full text analysis. This resulted in the identification of 7 BIM uses for AM. These BIM uses were the BIM use for RAM analysis (BU1), Asset Condition Monitoring & Health Assessment (BU2), Asset Commissioning (BU3), Asset Performance Analysis (BU4), Asset information management (BU5), BIM based FM (BU6), and Simulation of Processes and Events (BU7). The research then set out to identify the factors which work as barriers and drivers to the adoption of the BIM uses. Two case studies were done on maintenance and renovation projects of tunnels in the South-Holland region of the Netherlands. These were the REHT (in Dutch: Renovatie Eerste Heinenoord tunnel) and PTZ (in Dutch: Programma tunnels Zuid-Holland). The research first identified barriers to the adoption of the BIM uses. One of the major barriers regarded the lack of a perceived relative advantage to the utilization of the BIM uses. Compatibility issues with the known way of working and, knowledge and experience of stakeholders were other major barriers. A lack of observable positive results of utilizing the BIM uses was further found to be a significant barrier, as the absence of such results failed to motivate stakeholders to adopt the BIM uses. The findings further showed that there was a lack of support from top management toward the adoption of the BIM uses for AM. Two barriers originated from variables which do not pertain to the developed framework. Based on the findings it can be concluded that the perceived time pressure and procedural agreements i.e. the lack of AIR also worked as barriers to adoption of the BIM uses. The research hereafter identified drivers to the adoption of the BIM uses. A highly perceived relative advantage and good observability were found to be the most significant drivers to the adoption of the BIM uses. The perceived relative advantages were seen in the ability of the BIM Uses to reduce downtime of assets, shorten the project duration, and deliver an enhanced asset information management on the project. A good observability of the positive results of adopting the BIM uses further proved to be a major driver to the adoption of the BIM Uses as these positive results motivated stakeholders to adopt and overcome barriers. It was further shown that a high degree of trial-ability could also positively influence the adoption of BIM uses as the findings demonstrated how small-scale tests were a driver to adoption. Based on the findings it was further shown that a combination of a highly perceived relative advantage, good observability, and trial-ability of the BIM uses was capable of overcoming barriers relating from a highly perceived complexity and incompatibility. The findings of this research study serve as a gateway to understanding the adoption of BIM uses for AM in the O&M phase. The research has contributed to filling the gap in the scientific literature and holds practical implications for project teams and asset managers in the construction industry to better select BIM uses for AM on their projects. These stakeholders are now better equipped to identify barriers on their projects and develop strategies to mitigate them, while fully utilizing drivers. By addressing barriers and leveraging drivers, stakeholders in the Dutch construction industry can achieve the highly sought-after efficiency gains in the O&M phase.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Clients:
Witteveen+Bos, Deventer
Faculty:ET: Engineering Technology
Subject:56 civil engineering
Programme:Civil Engineering and Management MSc (60026)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/103651
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