Investigating the Constraints to Buidling Information Modeling (BIM) Applications for Sustainable Building Projects: A Case of China

Abstract

China’s construction industry is facing significant challenges in achieving sustainable development and digital operations. Integrating building information modeling (BIM) and sustainable construction is a good method for achieving these goals. However, barriers impact the applications of BIM technology to sustainable buildings, resulting in significant cost loss and time. As such, it is important to identify the constraints, hindering the application of BIM technology in sustainable buildings. This study used the factor analysis method, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and structural equation modeling (SEM) to investigate the key constraints and conducted a questionnaire survey with 389 respondents to investigate the applications of BIM technology in sustainable building projects. The results showed that there were four main constraining factors: “Public participation”, “technology application”, “economic cost”, and “application management”; “public participation” was particularly important. The study offers practical and managerial implications based on the findings for local government and the private sector and thus can improve the implementation of BIM technology in sustainable buildings and contribute to the accomplishment of China’s sustainable development goals.