Investigating the Source of Claims with the Importance of BIM Application on Reducing Construction Disputable Claims in KSA

Abstract

The construction industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is a significant sector in the Middle East, with annual expenditures surpassing USD 120 billion. It employs approximately 15% of the workforce and consumes more than 14% of the country’s energy resources. However, the Saudi construction sector encounters numerous challenges, including a deficiency in skilled labor, escalating costs, disputes, and material shortages. This study aims to investigate the origins of construction disputes in KSA and emphasize the significance of employing Building Information Modeling (BIM) applications to diminish the factors causing claims in both commercial and residential construction projects. The methodology employed comprises a comprehensive literature review and a field survey consisting of interview sessions. This study analyzes a total of 50 contributing factors to the causes of claims, along with conducting a field survey interview session involving 35 participants. The findings reveal seven substantial sources that give rise to construction claims in the KSA, impacting 75 projects, as discussed in this study. Furthermore, the research critically evaluates the advantages of utilizing BIM technology to mitigate construction disputes in the KSA. The data analysis results indicate that the reliance on traditional project management approaches is one of the catalysts for the emergence of disputes in the construction industry, particularly in the KSA.