Construction Database-Supported and BIM-Based Interface Communication and Management: A Pilot Project

Abstract

Construction projects are subject to numerous interface problems, particularly during the construction phase. The absence of suitable systems or platforms to tackle these issues could hinder the performance of construction management. Thus, the communication and management of interfaces (CMI) are necessary to improve the quality of the management of construction projects. E-mail and generic construction information systems are commonly used communication tools; however, they pose several limitations in recording and managing as well as in responding to interface problems. Building information modeling (BIM), by contrast, saves and delivers information in a digital format in a 3D computer-aided design (CAD) environment. The adoption of BIM technology integrated with web technology for construction projects allows users to communicate interface issues and obtain responses for them effectively. Thus, this study develops a database-supported and BIM-based CMI (DBCMI) system for general contractors to enhance their CMI work efficiency during the construction phase. To confirm the efficacy of the CMI, the DBCMI system was used in a building project in Taiwan. The case study results reveal that the proposed DBCMI system is an effective communication and management platform, particularly for practical CMI work integrated with BIM technology. This study concludes with the benefits of using the proposed system and possible limitations in its further application.