Building information modelling - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 21 Words: 6346 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Statistics Essay Did you like this example? 2.1 Introduction As expressed in the Egan report (1998), the UK construction industry is a significant contributor to the domestic economy in the UK that it is simply too important to be overlooked. The construction process and its success are influenced by various factors and choosing the most effective investment to improve the construction process is a very important decision. Building Information Modelling has been said to represent a paradigm that will have comprehensive benefits brought to the construction industry (Eastman, 2009b). Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Building information modelling" essay for you Create order Popov et al. (2010) claimed that the growing diversity of disciplines, professionals, tasks, events in respect of the management during design and construction stages of projects, plus the more competitive cost and more intense deadlines with higher quality expectations as well as the need for enhancing technology are the driving force of information modelling in the construction industry. Building Information Modelling, or better known as BIM is not; strictly speaking a new technology as it has been developing and used by other industry sectors since 1950s i.e. the automotive and aero plane industries. These industries have been way ahead of the AEC industry as for the past 20 years, fully utilizing the available technology for their industries (Augustsson, 2007). Subsequently, this literature review will assess and evaluate the historic and current information in respect of Building Information Modelling to enable an understanding on the past development of BIM, the benefits that it could offer to our construction projects as well as identifying the barriers entailing for the full adoption of BIM among the contractors in the UK construction industry. 2.2 What is BIM? As defined by BIMForum:- A building information model (BIM) is an object-oriented building development tool that utilizes 5-D modeling concepts, information technology and software interoperability to design, construct and operate a building project, as well as communicate its details (BIMForum, 2007). One common understanding to describe BIM is the building development tool that creates a three dimensional (3D) geometric model with computer softwares. The model then can be used to assist the design, construction and operational process and also acting as a communication tool (BIMForum 2007). Nevertheless a 3D geometric model wouldnt be sufficient to answer the demanding construction requirements at present. A BIM model contains a high level of intelligence which not just limited to a three-dimensional geometric representation of the building, (GSA, 2007) but also includes 5D modelling where the 4th dimension is referring to time element whilst the 5th dimension is referring to cost. In addition, as indicated by BIMForum (2007), there might be further development that is inclusive of procurement application which is the 6D as well as the operational applications which is the 7D. In general, a building information model is a digital representation, virtual representation of all the physical and functional characteristic of a building which also acts as a resource of information storage for the building which could be shared/used from the inception period and throughout the lifecycle of the building. 2.3 The past development and revolution of BIM Conventionally, constructing a building was merely the responsibility of the Architects and the Engineers, designing on papers and then the Contractors build it. Cyon Research (2003) stated that Construction projects have always been defined by various drawings and documents where at times might be in conflict with each other thus showing inconsistency. These inconsistencies are the typical issues that often aroused when the documents and drawings are maintained separately with different participants working on different or superseded documents. There will always be unanticipated field costs, delays and eventual lawsuits between various parties within a project team as a result of errors and omissions in paper based communication. According to Vinod Kumar (2009), the beginning of orthographic drawings and perspectives can be traced back as far as during the Renaissance era when Filippo Brunelleschi represented the plans in drawing format for Santa Maria del Fiore in Italy in order for the patrons to understand how the building would look like. Vinod Kumar (2009) further explains the evolution of systematic documentation from manual methods all the way till our presently available technology by dividing it into three phases: I phase Till early 1980s: Before 1980s the traditional way of creating design documents are through manually drawn lines representing building i.e. plans, sections, elevations and etc. II phase 1980s to Late 1990s: This was the period where major change took place from manual drafting towards computer aided drafting when computers were firstly introduce. There is more elaborated information as the complexity of buildings increased as well as more specialization in the design and construction process. Use of computers, especially for 2D drawings and reports are ground-breaking changes into the systematic Documentation. III phase Beginning of the 2K: With the buildings degree of complexity presently, the number of parties involved in the process of drawing production has also increased. In line with the development of technology there are also more introduction of more interrelated and integrated building system i.e. HVAC system, energy requirement and etc. The computer based technology has also been constantly updated to reduce errors that occur but nonetheless they are still merely the collections of manually created, non-intelligent lines and text. The diagram below shows the evolution from manual methods all the way till the introduction of new technologies. A previous study by Autodesk (2002) which correlates with Vinods statement, mentioned that in the early 1980s the Construction industry took one step forward when the architects began using PC based Computer Aided Design, CAD. It is said that the CAD system was adapted with ease by the Industry as it was initiated from the pin-bar drafting which the Industry was familiar with. Thus many construction documents and drawings were completed using CADD rather than being drafted manually on drawing boards. DWS files were then exchanged in replacement of paper drawings, from simple graphics to the information content on the building. The CAD files developed significantly, communicating the information on the building which plotted drawing couldnt. Following that Holzer (2009) also stated that in the late 70s and early 80s, CAD systems like RUCAPS was used where it operated in parametric environment enabling 2D information extracted from a 3D model. RUCAPS allowed multi user access and put f orward a new way in generating, distributing as well as retrieving building information which was different fromt he common drafting processes. Unfortunately the down side of this system was the high cost and slow speed of the system as well as its inability of producing more complex geometrical shapes. Nevertheless, some of the fundamental concept of RUCAPS can be found in the current BIM software such as Autodesks REVIT, Bentleys TRIFORMA, Gehry Techs DIGITAL PROJECT and etc. Nowadays, the use of BIM is very common within the manufacturing and aerospace industries where new products or product changes are modelled virtually for the assessment of design, performance and production. . We are also in the process of experiencing a similar revolution in the construction industry. BIM and other related technologies have emerged since the past decade and developing up till the present where they have been acknowledge as the platform for the design and construction of various projects (Shen, et.al, 2009). Nevertheless, FWCI (2009) argued that it is important to understand that BIM is not CAD+ or the Son of CAD as BIM functions in its own approach and discipline. BIM, acting as a single source entry for project team involves the process of generating, storing, managing, exchanging and sharing building information in an interoperable and reusable way. Generally a BIM system is a tool that enables users to integrate and reuse building information and domain knowledge through the lifecycle of a building Presently there are numerous BIM products on the market by various vendors. Autodesk Revit was considered as one of the leading BIM creation tools. Bentley Systems, Graphisoft, Vico software and Nementcheck are also currently very well-known in the market. They each provide various building model tools to design a building (Rosenberg 2006). With this technology, the information needed for a projects design, construction and operation are contained in a model digitally which is centralized and could be shared across all associated project stakeholders (COBRA, 2008). 2.4 Various understanding of BIM in the Industry At present there is a vast amount of information that is available in respect to the definition of premise of BIM. Holzer (2007) explained that even though the application of BIM becomes more accepted and common throughout the industry, but there has been a problem in agreeing the definition of BIM. The common definitions would be described as a method for project information management with the combination of non-geometry attributes with geometrical entities, or defined mostly by pointing out its capabilities for cost-control and to facilities management. Holzer (2007) continues to claim that because the term BIM is often used by vendors for their marketing strategies in order to promote their company software, the definition of BIM technology has become very confusing. On the other hand, Eastman et al (2008) has suggested that in order to deal with this confusion it is useful to describe modelling solutions that do not utilize BIM technology. This includes tools that create models containing only 3D data with no object attributes, models that do not utilize parametric intelligence, models composed of multiple 2D CAD reference files that must be combined to define the building as well as models that allow changes to dimensions in one view that are not automatically reflected in other views. Furthermore, another popular talk about issue within the industry is the multi dimension product models, the ability of BIM to provide multi dimensional application. (GSA 2007) has stated that 4D models represent 3D models plus time which include project phasing, construction scheduling whilst 5D models incorporate the costs elements. Nonetheless, Lee (2005) has identified the additional numbering of the dimension as nD modelling. Lee stated that nD modelling is an extension of the building information model that incorporates multi-aspects of design information required at each stage of the lifecycle of a building facility. On the other hand, in the year 2006, The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) also published The Contractors Guide to BIM which touched on the issue in respect of the continuing usage of the numbering i.e. 6D, 7D, and etc has therefore acknowledged the extended application of the 3D tool as XD (AGC, 2006). This research is mainly focusing on the 3D mode ls with incorporation of time (4D) and cost (5D) elements. 2.5 Benefits of BIM There are many obvious benefits that BIM could offer to various parties including the owners, planners, engineers, estimators, designers and etc. It is understood that different stakeholders would value BIM differently. They may share the same information but have different responsibilities and uses on the model. From a Contractors perspective, BIM brings essential value for enabling virtual construction of the structure within a single source file (Hardin, 2009). As quoted from the BIM 2009 Smart Report, A model is Worth a Thousand Drawings. Contractors are making use of the intelligent model for assisting them with various activities i.e. planning construction sequences, cost estimations and bidding, conflict resolution and visualization project demonstration for client and etc (Neeley, 2010). The incorporation of intelligent data improves the models construction and post-construction realities, which also enables the contractor to get closer to the world of the designer (Sage soft ware 2008). The initial literature review has showed that costs are significantly reduced, time is saved and the quality improved. 2.5.1 Single source Model In conventional process, the Project Manager reviews the updated drawings and reflects any changes onto the schedule as the design progress. Many times the same information is entered into different program. Every repetition increases the probability of inconsistency and error occurrence. BIM on the other hand allow direct changes applied to the single model. As both designers and contractors have access to the model simultaneously, this corresponding process also enables them to reduce lead times which normally take place throughout the period of sending back-and-forth the documents. The collaborative environment contributes to a substantial time saving during pre construction. Extra coordination checks are also unnecessary because the information generated from the model will lead to fewer errors on site which normally is caused by inaccurate and uncoordinated information. In the case of any last minute design changes, addendums, clarifications and etc it could be altered and updat ed to the model automatically across the project team, from early design through completion (Hardin, 2009). These ensure that all parties are working with the latest information. With all the information contained within the BIM database it will definitely increase the efficiency between the Architect, Engineer as well as the Contractors. 2.5.2 The 3D Visualization Clash Detection The 3D visualisation capability of BIM models can be of great benefit as a means of testifying the workability and demonstrating aspects of the construction itself such as construction sequencing, logistics, access, storage and security (C3 System 2009). BIM allows for building twice which offers various benefits like improvement in Constructability, maintainability, cost estimate accuracy and etc. This reduces ambiguities before commencement of actual construction (Robert, 2005). The construction issues for layperson or non layperson are also made easier to understand as the 3D visualisation helps them to understand any constraints that the client had not made clear earlier, or were misunderstood (Furneaux and Kivits 2008). One of the major benefits which BIM could provide for contractors is clash detection. As identified by FWIC (2009), a hard clash is where more than one object is being designed to occupy the same space whilst a soft clash is where the objects in the design is too close to each other that there is no space for access or construction, or are too close that they have violated the building codes. The BIM system automatically detects and manages interferences which prevent possible delay or additional cost. The system could be set to run the check either the entire model or between certain parts of the model. 2.5.3 Construction Phasing (4D Simulation) Furthermore, one of the obvious BIM applications for improved time efficiency is construction planning. Hardin (2008) argued that the construction planning is one of the most important tasks and also one of the driving factors that determine the success of any projects. It is noted by Eastman et al (2008b) that Construction Planning and scheduling involves sequencing activities in space and time, procurement consideration, resources, spatial restrictions and etc. BIM is said to contribute in project planning solutions via the use of 4D simulation. Napier (2009) claimed that the conventional scheduling methods are labour intensive and is not easily understood by laypersons. BIM enables better communication and understanding how the schedule would impact site logistics as a result of the 4D construction phasing/planning tools that incorporate direct links to the design model, capturing spatial information which the traditional Gantt chart is unable to demonstrate. The 4D model incorpor ates time as added 4th dimension which enables the planner to visually plan and sequencing of construction activities with space and time consideration. Also, there might be specific materials and products selected from a potential range of refinements and substitutions that meet the project specification but may result in changes to some aspects of the design. As Neeley (2010) have stated, with the allowance of what ifs, a significant of cost, project risks and unnecessary waste could be saved by shifting the try-and-error process from construction site to the virtual environment on beforehand. Resource Allocation/Reducing Waste According to Egan (1998) in Rethinking Construction, within the construction industry almost 10% of materials are wasted and 30% of construction is rework. As mentioned by Articlesbased (2009) construction projects are very often planned based on resources availability as well as other external factors. With the 4D construction phasing/planning, the team members are able to understand the scope of work and the availability of various resources in order to optimize the resources and labour accordingly. In addition, Eastman (2008b) highlights that BIM is also accurate in providing the design model and material resources required for each segment of the work, it effectively assists in utilization of critical resources like labour, material and time during the building construction life cycle. With the improved monitoring of site logistics and the progress of project, the site management via BIM fosters just-in-time (JIT) of materials, plant/equipment and labours. Pre-fabrication Accuracy of design details are critical for determining the success of pre-fabrication, and a data-rich BIM model can have a positive impact and provide greater confidence on pre-fabrication. As BIM brings clarity towards a complex project, more contractors appreciate that BIM offers the advantage of effective coordination as the complexity level of project increases. The Design to Build and Build to Design concept improves accuracy for estimation and design specification for prefabricated elements thus reducing unnecessary wastage (BIMJOURNAL 2009). With greater confidence in the coordination process, many contractors are approaching more prefabrication options to help ease schedules. (BIM Smart Report, 2009) 2.5.4 Cost Estimates/schedule management From the costing aspect, Jernigan (2008) stated one of the main benefits provided by BIM is the accuracy in cost estimate during earlier stages. Conventionally, estimators have been relying on Excel spreadsheet to carry out their construction cost estimating (Autodesk, 2007), Eastman (2009b) then revealed that BIM include features for extraction and quantification of BIM component properties. By using a building information model instead of drawings; the takeoffs, counts, and measurements can be generated directly from the underlying model and the information can be linked to generate bills of materials, size and area estimations along with other related estimating information. Therefore the information is always consistent with the design and reduces the potential for human error or misunderstanding (Autodesk, 2007). This contributes to substantial time and cost saving as well as ensuring good quality of the BOQ. BIM offers the opportunity to develop more accurate cost estimates bas ed on actual elements (Hartman and Fischer 2008). Moreover, the linked cost information evolves in step with the design changes (Ashcraft, 2008). In addition, an indirect advantage that BIM could offered is the estimator would be given more extra time to bring in more value engineering, more time for risk evaluation and to more time to find any additional cost savings as the technology has taken up most of the grunt work from the estimator (Hague, No date).Using cost attributing features of the model to assess alternative design and construction schemes to enhance and improve the value engineering process; BIM certainly contributes in supporting the Contractor to present value for money to the Client. Neeley (2010) has claimed that the use of BIM and IPD (Integrated Project Delivery) is reducing project costs around 10%- 20% below construction costs compared to non BIM/IPD projects. 2.6 Case Studies No 1: One Island East, Hong Kong One of the popular examples of the actual Building Information Modeling Project that has been mentioned by various Authors in their research is One Island East Office Tower in Hong Kong which was developed by Swire Properties Limited. Together with the project BIM consultant, Gehry Technologies (GT) they began the process of working together to create a single, 3D electronic Building Information Model (Riese, 2006). The Project Details are summarized as follow: Project name One Island East, Hong Kong, China Project scope $300 million (approximate figure) Project Scale 70 Floors with 2 basement levels Total floor area: 141,000 m2 Typical floor area: 2,270m2 Schedule Construction Period: 24 months Expected completion: March 2008 Structure Reinforced concrete Exterior Aluminum curtain wall Owner Swire Properties Limited Contractor Gammon Construction Limited Architect Wong Ouyang (HK) Ltd Structural Ove Arup Partners HK Ltd Quantity Surveyor Levett Bailey MEP subcontractor Balfour Beatty BIM Consultant Gehry Technologies BIM Technical Support MTech Engineering Co. Ltd BIM scope Design coordination, clash detection, and work sequencing 2.6.1 Background Information The One Island East is a 308 meter high skyscraper with 59 stories of office space and two basement levels. The building has 70 floors in total which comprise of a sky lobby on 37th and 38th floors (Elkem Microsilika, 2009). It was Swires intention to achieve a high-quality design while improving construction time as well as cost savings by the use of collaborative, collocated work methods and integrated 3-D modeling tools. The initial objective was to save 10 percent on the cost with reduced time for construction (Shelden et al, 2008). The software tool chosen to create the BIM for this project is Digital Project with some of the benefits stated as follows: (Riese, 2006) Has automated clash detection and management Has a complete ME system routing tool. With built-in scripting function, enabling project requirements to be integrated for customization. Automated simultaneous file versioning and file sharing. Able to handle and manipulate large amounts of data Integrated with Primavera scheduling software with high interoperability 2.6.2 BIM Implementation (Pre-tender stage) BIM commenced after the schematic design phase. The office building has been pre-designed virtually using Digital Project by assembling up to 300.000 building components in a single master file. Almost all coordination issues were resolved using BIM. The design team, BIM consultant and Project Manager worked in one room for the first year. They also communicate with each other via a portal site for the BIM process. The DP software was capable of identifying geometric clashes and generates a list automatically. There were already several clashes and errors identified and resolved before tendering and construction. The DP tool also measured most of the quantities automatically which reduced the time and effort compared to manual take off. Also, the quantities were linked to the BIM which automatically updates when changes were made. 2.6.3 BIM Implementation (Tendering Stage) The model was provided to all tenderers which enabled them to have confirmation on the bill of quantities using the model without having to measure the quantities manually. As a result, tender process improved significantly with lower cost estimates and more accurate quantity takeoffs. 2.6.4 BIM Implementation (Post Tender Stage) Gammon Construction Limited, which was the contractor awarded for the project had full responsibility for the BIM model and began the development of highly accurate and detailed 3D BIM model for construction, ensuring that all 2D information would be firstly scrutinize in the 3D prototype before it went to the site. 2.6.5 BIM Implementation (Construction) During the construction period, the BIM model became the main visualization tool for the coordination of various project elements. There were full time modelers that assisted with the clashes identification and coordination issues where the design solutions were then incorporated into the model. A few subcontractors also participated in modeling their parts of work. 4D simulation was one of the main factors for the success of the OIE project. It was used extensively for improving construction sequence and managing risk. 2.6.6 Outcome There were more than 2000 clashes and errors were identified prior to bidding and construction stage, which resulted significant cost savings. The figure below is an example of a clash that has been detected between an electrical cable tra y and an air supply duct. Without BIM it wouldnt have been detected until the actual construction taken place which might potentially cause additional cost and time to the project. According to Shen et al.(2009), the geometric coordination off the design prior to construction is thought to achieve 10% cost savings whilst construction process modeling is thought to contribute further 20% cost savings on the construction. Gammon Construction has also reported that Construction Process Modeling saved the project at least 20 days. This project was awarded the American Institute of Architects 2008 BIM award for design/delivery process innovation. 2.7 Implementing BIM and the Potential Challenges From section 2.2 above it is demonstrated that BIM has brought numerous advantages and benefits to the industry. However there are also challenges and barriers that to be overcome before the full capability of BIM could be demonstrated and subsequently fully enjoyed by the industry stakeholders (Furneaux and Kivits 2008). In the very traditional and fragmented building industry, new technologies are not easily introduced. It should be noted that when a new technology is introduced, there will be a certain period of time in which the claims about the potential of the technology needs to be examined, tested and verified particularly the AEC industry which is known for the very long adoption periods of promising technologies (May et al. 2005; Salazar et al. 2006). Even though the technology of BIM is readily available and rapidly maturing but the adoption of BIM is much slower than anticipated (Fischer Kunz, 2006). Gillis (2008) made the criticism indicating that UK appears to be a more conservative and over protective country that demands proven effectiveness before considering adoption of new technology whilst Counties such as Norway, Sweden, and US attempts to proceed with new technology without 100% confirmation (Simon Gillis, 2008). As criticised by Prather (2007), most of the time, our professional would take the wait-and-see approach towards BIM. This is echoed by Safe software (2008) stating that our industry would mostly accept BIM only when the risk level has dropped and a clear return on investment is made known to the industry. Moreover, in these recessionary times, the money to spend on technology has got to have a good business case. The current UK industry inhibitors include contracts that has not promote working in collaboration, no external incentive for innovation, no motivation for parties to seek ways to deliver a better or quicker product and etc (Steve Dunwell, 2008). 2.7.1 Installation and operation Cost Eastman (2009) has highlighted one of the barriers to adopting BIM is the cost associated with the implementation. It is said that implementing new technology like BIM requires additional cost in respect of purchasing new software and hardware packages, training as well as changing the work processes and workflows. Also, if there are no technical expertises available within the organization, there will be a need to engage with external consultants to train employees prior to applying BIM within the organization which accounts for additional cost as well (Furneaux and Kivits 2008). Corresponding to what Eastman (2009) as well as Furneaux Kivits (2008) have said, a research done by Suermann et al. (2009) revealed that the whole installation of BIM for an organization is a costly plan when done at on one occasion, and even greater when done for several installations simultaneously for different projects. In addition, Suermann et al (2009) findings showed that there has been company which have had to increase their effort and cost allowance to do BIM due to the high learning curve. Apart from that, there is also an implication for procurement policy where consideration needs to be given to the additional funding for the development of BIM models in the first instance. The large size of BIM files will involve a different system for data sharing i.e. real time access to the BIM database between firms which are geographically distant and high speed internet connectivity will be essential (Kiviniemi et al., 2008 p.64). This would constitute extra cost for the operation of BIM. Furthermore, in order to reduce the risk of data corruption, sabotage, and loss; it is important to pay any indispensable cost associated to ensure data stability and security. 2.7.2 Embracing BIM throughout the entire supply chain Another apparent factor that has caused BIM taking the back seat is lack of commitment from the higher level of the supply chain. According to Oberle (2009), the transition to BIM requires support and commitment throughout the supply chain from top to down of an organization. In addition, The Crawley Schools PFI project in West Sussex has revealed the benefits which they have gained with the implementation of BIM but simultaneously also addressed one of their main barriers in implementing BIM was the reluctance of the supply chain in embracing this new technology, stating that some conservative individuals did not believe the benefits that BIM could offer thus were hesitant to undertake this new approach (Constructing Excellence, 2010). It is also noted that some Contractors that have too much existing workload might give the excuse that they dont have enough time to try out new technology. As quoted from Dunwell (2009), Old habits die hard. Most workers are reluctant to step out from their comfort zone and believed that their current handling approaches towards their projects are better than satisfactory. Apart from that, as indicated by Owen (2009), a very significant gap between conventional process and new technology that the industry is facing at present is the dependence of 2D drawings as a means of official information correspondence. Owen explains that in order to solve this problem there will need to be a change by clients and regulatory authorities, as well as the remaining members of the supply chain. Nevertheless, this will put BIM in a challenging position, attempting to accommodate the different levels of technology adoption and competency across the various sectors within the industry especially when progressing from few leading organizations to a majority of the construction industry and its stakeholders. 2.7.3 BIM Complexity/Familiarity for Early Adopters The size and complexity of the files that BIM system create might be a big challenge for early adopters of BIM especially when dealing with complex and big scale projects where fully loaded central BIM project database management is crucial (Howell, 2009). As a result earlier users which are not familiar with BIM would tend to default back to exchanging documents rather than working from a single model (Batcheler and Howell 2005). Suermann et al (2009) have emphasized that producing 2-D plan sets using BIM will not offer any advantages over using any CAD application to perform the same function. Unfortunately, it is still not possible to entirely stop the team members from defaulting back to the conventional process i.e. sharing information via exchanging documents in pdf, dwg and etc instead of sharing intelligent objects from the model, which goes against what BIM is seeking to achieve in the first place (Batcheler and Howell 2005). Unless contractors have a means to utilized BIM t hemselves, otherwise the development of BIM will be exceptionally slow and we will limp along with incomplete integration. 2.7.4 Interoperability of BIM BIM is obviously an important subset and the intelligent objects are a key enables, but the critical ingredient for BIM is interoperability, which is the ability to interact and coordinate as a consistent representation of the same building for each of these purpose-built models. The sharing of information between the different BIM models is critical to the success of BIM (Howell, 2009). Different uses of BIM may require different software applications to utilize the model; hence BIM requires software to be interoperable (BIMForum 2007). Synchronisation issues, project management, partial model exchange and software interfaces, all requires high interoperability and would definitely appreciate further research (Kiviniemi et al. 2008 p.64). As BIM is undergoing advance development and more new tools being introduced, interoperability has become an increasingly important issue. A recent studies conducted by McGraw Hill Construction showed that eight in ten BIM users say there is a sign ificant need to improve interoperability (Young, et al., 2009). The software packages from different vendors might not always interface with each other which can lead to information exchange problems, therefore the development of BIM could possibly be hold back as a result of the diversity of software providers. In order to mitigate this issue, interoperability and connectivity issues should be agreed as early as possible (Constructing Excellence, 2010). The expectation after implementing BIM is that everyone on the project team now will adapt a uniformity of one BIM system. Nevertheless according to Howell (2009) project teams comprise a collection of different companies, each of which has their own preferred and trusted software applications for design and management of projects. The structural team may be using Tekla, the architectural model may be built using Revit, the electrical contractor may use Bentley and HVAC engineers may deploy Graphisoft. These applications do not speak directly to each other and so collaboration issue might occur (FWCI, 2009). Apart from that, Dean McClendon (2007) also stated that it wouldnt be possible for one 3-D CAD software to include all functions i.e. cost estimating program and the specification writing program. Hence, separate programs would be needed and to have access to the common database. It is very rare that single technology is being used on any one building project between different companies and/or across all phase of the project lifecycle (Howell, 2009). But the various programs developed by different companies would be an issue for interoperability that needs to be resolved. However, looking from the positive side of this issue, The Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs), developed by the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI), has introduced rules and protocols to help resolving interoperability issues. It provides the consistency in determining how the data representing the building in the model are defined along with the agreed specification of classes of components which foster the development of a common language for the construction industry (IAI, 2004). Still, another major issue arouse from the BIM model is the technological interface between design and construction companies. In order to co-create a virtual model the programs and file formats must be compatible. All associated companies must be capable of opening and editing the BIM model. However, if the additional or altered work on virtual model is unable to be opened or edited by any of the companies across the supply chain then the implementation of BIM is said to have failed (Furneaux and Kivits 2008). 2.7.5 Legal Issues and Contractual Relationships In any construction projects, one of the most important issues that must be addressed is the contractual or legal matters associated with the projects. According to Thompson (2001), the first legal issue that needs to be considered in a project that utilizes BIM is the ownership of BIM data and how to provide protection via copyright laws. As there are multiple parties contributing proprietary information to the project hence there is no simple answer to the question of data ownership; it requires a unique response to every project depending on the participants needs. As discussed by Rosenberg (2006), licensing issues might arise if any elements of the data contained in the model are used on subsequent projects. Therefore, this issue must be properly addressed in the contract documents to prevent any possible disputes from occurring. Another issue highlighted by Miner Thomson (2006), is the person accountable for the control of the data entry into the model that would need to take up the responsibility in case of any inaccuracies. Individuals carry a huge risk taking the responsibilities to update the BIM model and ensuring its accuracy. It is noted that proper negotiation needs to be carried out in respect of the indemnities by BIM users and the offer of limited warranties as well as disclaimers of liability by designers. All these issues need to be resolved before BIM technology could be implemented. Without any proper legal documents incorporating clear and agreed scope of responsibilities, if the model turns out to be faulty at later stage, the project team will most certainly start pointing fingers to each other, shifting the liability among each other (Ashcraft 2006). This might lead to poor relationship between the engineers, architects and contractors which prevents collaborative working atmosphere. At the end of the day it is the end product (the building) that suffers from delay, poor quality, additional cost and etc. In a typical BIM contract, the three key players are the owner, the design team and the contractor. For the contractor in particular, Contracts on BIM project is important defining his ability to influence collect and share the data throughout the projects life cycle (Hardin, 2008). Nonetheless, according to Ashcraft (2008), the legal aspect for Building Information Modeling at present still fails to keep up with the development of it. The implications of BIMs have just started to be recognized and only limited solutions have been developed to address the legal issues associated with it. Lack of standard contract documents hinders development of BIM. Liability concerns have lead industry professionals, to contractually separate the building information model, hence thus stripping the greatest benefits that BIM offers. Nevertheless, there has also been a research findings which is in contracts with what previous authors have said. The BIM Smart Report have showed that the legal issues which were once one of the main concern of the users as illustrated in past studies has now slowing fading (Young et al., 2009). 3.0 Conclusion from theoretical Analysis BIM is the future but at present there is still confusion about what it is and how it should be fully utilised and implemented in order to enjoy the benefit it brings. Using its three dimensional capability to produce visualisations is becoming widespread, however, limitation of its use is not exploiting the true potential for providing information about the building and its construction. BIM must meet the needs of the users of the content of the BIM (as distinct from the users of the BIM software) and, by definition,must be totally integrated(CPIC, 2009). BIM is not just merely about purchasing and installing the softwares (Fishking et.al 2009). Eastman (2008b) criticized that many people within the industry believed that once they have purchased the software from the vendors then they are BIM-ing. But it is certainly not the case. BIM as explained by Eastman (2008b) is bout software and process. This was then further reinstate by Fishking et.al (2009) explaining that implementing BIM involves dramatic changes in the current business practices as well as cultural and behavioural transition of the industry, changing the individuals way of thinking about working in collaboration with and relating to various parties in project planning and construction (Fishking et.al 2009). Thus, investigating the challenges/barriers as identified in literature would contribute in accelerating the adoption of BIM in the industry especially for contractors. It is essential to interact with the construction industry, investigating which factor is on the d rivers seat that has the biggest impact in implementing BIM. It is also important to establish the benefits that BIM could possibly bring to the Contractors and to obtain the Contractors perception towards these three letters by comparing the primary data findings with the secondary data result, whether to reinstate or to oppose the findings from Secondary data.

Child Abuse And Neglect Of The United States - 1175 Words

Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States David is a 10 years-old boy doing his homework at the kitchen table. The homework consisted of mathematical problems, a short reading and answer question, and memorizing the 50 Capitals of the United States. All the assignments for homework were due on Friday morning, so he quickly finished his homework so he could get to bed. Around 10:00 pm, David’s father came home from work, checked his son’s homework and saw many errors. He immediately went up to David’s bedroom and kicked open the door. Yelling at David, â€Å"You see this homework, you have many mistakes in math, your answers to your short readings are not correct and you did get all the 50 capitals right!!, you are worthless, stupid, and a big mistake of being born.† David’s father then proceeded to hit him with a wire hanger in both legs, and arms, the face and on his buttocks. David’s dad yelled again â€Å"Tomorrow morning when you get up, you will not eat breakfast and go to school hungry!!† David cried the rest of the night, hurting in pain, then eventually falling asleep. Child abuse and neglect is a big problem in the United States. Child abuse is sexual, physical, emotional, and even verbal maltreatment towards the children. When food, clothing, and shelter is not provided this is termed neglect. Many children in the United States are abused and neglected by parents, grandparents, guardians, and friends of the family. Many children suffer abuse such as beating, starved,Show MoreRelatedChild Abuse And Neglect Within The United States2211 Words   |  9 Pagesilluminate the four main types of child abuse that exist within the United States. It also discusses some of the effects of abuse and attempts to offer some solutions for this very prevalent societal problem. The definitions of child abuse and neglect vary, based on the context in which they have been studied. Some studies suggest that neglect is the most prevalent type of child abuse in this country. Kaplan, Schene, DePanfilis, and Gilmore assert that neglect becomes chronic when its occurrenceRead MoreChild Abuse And Neglect Of The United States That Should Demand Direct Attention Essay1187 Words   |  5 PagesStatement Child abuse and neglect is a significant problem in the United States that should demand direct attention. There are approximately three million child abuse reports made each year, and these reports involve more than six million children. Out of four to five children that die daily, 70 percent are under three years of age. There are 90 percent of cases involving of children who know who know their perpetrator. The main factors of child abuse are physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. In manyRead MoreHistory of Child Abuse1113 Words   |  5 PagesHistory of child abuse BSHS/408 February 15 2016 Chiffone N Shelton Abstract In order to discuss child abuse and neglect it is important to have a clear understanding of what child abuse and neglect is and the different form of child abuse. How the various types of child abuse and neglect are different from one another, ill-treatment of children comes in many forms, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional ill-treatment, and child neglect. Child neglect comes in many forms and occurs whenRead MoreNature and Social problems1091 Words   |  5 PagesSocial of the Social Problem Child abuse and neglect has been a prevalent problem throughout history and although progress has been made, it continues to till today. Children are subjected to the treatment of the adults surrounding them and have limited capacity to make their own decisions and protect themselves. Children are often defenseless and end up being taken advantage of and this can lead to abuse and neglect, including sexual, psychological, and physical abuse that cause short-term and long-termRead MoreChildren Should Be Raised Surrounded By Attention, Affection, Support, And With All Their Parents964 Words   |  4 Pagespainful but real to accept that a great percentage of the child population, suffers the most common act of violence from their parents, which is called neglect. This type of abuse is the most common and the deepest, in terms of consequences that a child may suffer, creating a future adult with emotional disbalance, which is a big and sad problem for our society’s developmentà ‚     Child Neglect is a horrible thing that occurs in the United States everyday. Millions of children are refused food, shelterRead MoreChild Neglect Within The United States1707 Words   |  7 PagesChild neglect refers to the continued failure to offer a child with the necessary protection, and care. Such protection and attention involve the necessities such as food, medical care, clothing, as well as shelter (Conte 7). In addition, lack of proper supervision for the young children for an extended duration of time is also child neglect. There are various signs of possible neglect. These include; inconsistent school attendance, evidence that health care is not being provided for in a child,Read MoreAbuse993 Words   |  4 PagesChild Neglect 1 Running Head: CHILD NEGLECT Child Neglect Sahar Taki American University of Culture and Education Eng 260 Child Neglect 2 Abstract Study results found evidence that the apparent negative effects of maltreatment on children’s tendency to engage in crime were real. Being maltreated was found to almost double the probability of engaging in many types of crime and the effects were worst for children. Sexual abuse appeared to have the largest effects on crimeRead MoreAbuse Of The Ages : Child Abuse And Neglect1311 Words   |  6 Pages Abuse of the Ages Kendra M. Curtice #32 Sociology Professor Niemann November 5, 2015 Abuse of The Ages Child abuse and neglect is a national problem which has increased to epidemic proportions in the United States. More than 2.5 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States annually with over hundreds of deaths related to child abuse that has been reported each year. In 2013, an estimation of 1,520 children died from abuse in the United States. In thatRead MoreChild Abuse And Neglect Of Children924 Words   |  4 PagesChildren get abused and die everyday of abuse and neglect. In 2005 1,460 died throughout the year of child abuse or neglect. The majority of kids who get abused are mostly 3 years or younger (77 percent ). The United States has one of the worst records, losing on average of 3-7 kids everyday to child abuse or neglect. Throughout the year there are referrals to the state child protective services that involve 6.6 million children, and about 3.2 million of the children are subject to an investigatedRead MoreChild Abuse And The United States Department Of Health And Human Services1509 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is Child Abuse There is not one specific type of child abuse in fact there are more than one form of child mistreatment such as: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. Before going into further details of the problems and treatment of child abuse; one must know what child abuse is. The United States Department of Health and Human Services provides a standard legal definition of child abuse, CAPTA (2010) states: Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent

Quality Function free essay sample

Quality Function Deployment:  ¦ To provide customer input at the product design stage  ¦ The process results in a matrix, referred to as a â€Å"house of quality† for a particular product that relates customer attributes to engineering characteristics.  ¦ The central idea of QFD is the belief that products should be designed to reflect the customers’ desires and tastes  ¦ The house of quality provides a framework for translating customer satisfaction into identifiable and measurable conformance specifications for product or service design House of Quality : Quality Function Deployment (Village Volvo): Village Volvo is an independent auto service garage that specializes in volvo auto maintenance and competes with volvo dealers for customers. Village Volvo has decided to assess its service delivery system in comparison with that of the volvo dealer to determine areas for improving its competitive position 1. Establish the aim of the project: in this case, the objective of the project is to assess Village Volvo’s competitive position 2. We will write a custom essay sample on Quality Function or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Determine customer expectations: reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy and tangibles 3. Describe the elements of the service: for Village Volvo we have selected training, attitude, capacity, information, and equipment 4. Note the strength of relationship between the service elements: three level of strength of relationship: *= strong, . =medium, and O= weak. E. g. , note a strong relationship between training and attitudes. These relationships may provide useful points of leverage to improve service quality. . Note the association between customer expectations and service elements: the body of the matrix contains numbers between 0 and 9 (9 indicating a very strong link) to indicate the strength of the link between a service element and corresponding customer expectation 6. Weighting the service elements: this step is taken to measure the importance of a customer’s perception. The chimney of the house of quality contains a listing of the relative importance of each cu stomer expectation. The relative importance will be multiplied by the strength of the link number in the body of the matrix under each service element to arrive at a weighted score for the element. For example, the training element would have a weighted score calculated as (9)(8) + (7)(3) + (4)(0) + (2)(2) = 127 7. Service element improvement difficulty rank : in the basement of the house is a ranking for the difficulty of improving each service element, with a rank of 1 being the most difficult. Capacity and equipment have a high rank because of their capital requirements 8. Assessment of competition.

Essay Writing Topics For Grade 3

Essay Writing Topics For Grade 3When you write essays for your Grade 3 class, you have to come up with essay writing topics that are suitable for the age group of your students. These topics might seem difficult at first, but with practice, you will find that they are not as hard as you think. It is best to write more about the general subject rather than having one particular topic.Essay writing topics for grades 3 should be mainly concerned with the area of learning, usually learning English or Math. There are many factors that influence the grades of an essay, such as grammar and vocabulary, but these can be expected to become easier once you know how to write a coherent paragraph. Students who study in this way become more confident and it will be much easier for them to make connections between different things in their studies.Grade 3 students have to be taught about grammar because this is very important in reading and writing essays. They need to learn how to write a sentence that consists of correct grammar and punctuation. They also need to learn how to write words properly. This will help them in explaining what they read or heard and will enable them to create a more accurate and concise essay.Write Essay Writing Topics for Grade 3 may also involve learning about different writing styles. It is important for a student to learn about proofreading, which will enable them to understand the direction of the writing and correct mistakes. One thing that students need to be taught is to use the right font for their type of writing.They also need to know how to edit and proofread their work, so that they do not have to spend too much time on it. Proofreading will help them understand the style of writing and help them identify the mistakes they make. Most writers use the same style when they write essays, but some people may find it better to change the style so that they will make their essay more interesting.In Grade 3, students are taught about proper re ading and writing and how to determine the significance of the text. To properly do this, they will need to read on and learn the meaning of words. They will also need to understand when to use sentences and paragraphs to show the meaning of a word or an idea.When it comes to writing essays, Grade 3 students need to know how to relate their understanding of an idea to the meaning of the word. They should remember that knowledge is not enough, but that they also need to have proof in order to present an argument to support their ideas. This can only be achieved through proofs and references.Of course, if you are not sure about what to write, then you should ask the guidance of a teacher who is experienced in grading essays. A teacher will know what type of topics are suitable for Grade 3. It is best to write in a format that will allow you to explain the topic to your students and ask questions in order to make them understand your essay.

Getting the Best Roman Empire Essay Topics

Getting the Best Roman Empire Essay Topics Process will be the straightforward and believe me you're likely to do it easily. With the welfare system, however, the individuals further lost an initiative to get the job done. What the In-Crowd Won't Tell You About Roman Empire Essay Topics Bad management of the roads on account of the deficiency of fund from the government made a huge influence on the economy. Trade was declining as people decided to grow their very own good rather than getting and trading them. There are, though, a variety of treatments for some conditions and diseases which can't be cured, but may be treated. There are several diseases found on the planet. The cost of an essay rides on the quantity of effort the writer has to exert. Or the paper might concentrate on medical discoveries, like the polio vaccine or penicillin. It is advised to look for the one which has a great reputation and offers high-quality papers at very affordable rates. The demise of the Roman Empire can't be attributed to a cause alone. Which is thought be one reason on the other side of the Decline of Roman Empire. With the Roman Empire having spanned several centuries, and have had a substantial influence on a huge region of the planet, there are several different things that you may write about. The emperor had a little glimpse of the use of the medieval papacy. There are additional authors that believe that the Christian religion proved to be a partial reason for the Roman Empire's Decline. The persian religion is named Zoroastrianism. You might also examine one particular religion more closely (including Buddhism, Confucianism, or Christianity) and examine the method by which the religion differs in a variety of sections of the planet. On account of the adoption of Christianity. Definitions of Roman Empire Essay Topics The dream an imperial empire couldn't only conquer, but in addition create a Pax Romana, a huge region of peace, prosperity, and unity proved to be a genuine inspiration for some other empires. In truth, it might even be believed to be the most powerful empire to get ever existed. Profitable farming in modest villas 1.2. To safeguard the empire from threats. For instance, you may want to speak about the Roman army and the way it was organised, or possibly you might wish to chat about any particular military leaders. Rome hadn't ever developed a system efficient enough to earn money. He was not built in a day, therefore couldn't be destroyed in a day. The One Thing to Do for Roman Empire Essay Topics The principal thing here is to locate a writer who's knowledgeable in your topic. For that reason, it is sometimes a very good idea to attempt to select a topic that you feel you will delight in researching about, together with writing about. There are a number of good things in the western culture which we've adopted. The writing process is going to be a pleasure, and your reader will delight in reading your bit of academic writing. The Advantages of Roman Empire Essay Topics Events that occur somewhere now, aren't historic. Remain realistic and pick a topic you're able to research. Students lead busy lives and frequently forget ab out an approaching deadline. What You Can Do About Roman Empire Essay Topics Starting in the Next Two Minutes It also needs to be deep enough so you could cover the needed quantity of words in your undertaking. After discovering our website, you will no longer will need to bother friends and family with these kinds of requests. Write a list of ideas you've got or a list of things you're interested in. Who knew tv, mobile phone, internet, are likely to be this critical part of our life that w.. So How About Roman Empire Essay Topics? The subjects listed on this page are somewhat universal and might not do the job so great if you need to produce a flawless history essay. Therefore, many students and employees decide to acquire low-cost essay rather than writing it themselves. There are more than a few reasons as to why you might need to write in ancient history essay. Our writers can take care of all types of papers and topics. Perhaps you still must understand more about the way to compose a history paper. Thus, writing a history paper will definitely be fun, if you merely select a really intriguing history essay topic. Choosing our service, you are going to see that studying can be simple if you gain from the help of capable experts. Despite the fact that you pay for homework, we provide those options free of charge. Your list is only going to supply you with a headache if you don't locate a remedy to end your problems. Actually, it's a familiar knowledge that there's a range of explanations.

Topics to Write About in College - Writing Your Argumentative Essay

Topics to Write About in College - Writing Your Argumentative EssayAs you prepare for your next college argumentative essay, you may want to take a look at some of the topics to write about in college. These topics are great ways to get your argumentative essay started. Take a look below and learn more about these topics to write about in college.First, you should decide on a topic that you would like to write about in college. An argumentative essay is very important in college, so you want to make sure that you choose a topic that will interest you. You may want to consider a subject that you know something about. For example, if you have a college degree in English, you may want to choose a topic that relates to literature or something that you have learned as a hobby.Once you have chosen a topic, you will need to figure out how to approach this topic. Remember that when you are writing an argumentative essay, it is important to establish yourself as an expert in your subject. Do not rush through writing this essay. If you do, you may miss important details that would have helped you make your essay stronger.To help you with this, you will want to create a skeleton for your essay. This means that you should write out a rough draft of your essay and then break it down into several parts. Keep track of how many pages you are writing, so that you will know how much room you have to add onto this skeleton. If you feel comfortable with the first draft, then move on to the next topic to write about in college.After you have written your skeleton, you will want to do the actual writing for your essay. Since you already have an idea about what you want to write about in college, you will be able to go back and re-read your essay several times. The reason why this is so important is because there are certain things that you may want to change. By writing over again, you will get the most out of your essay and have a greater chance of succeeding.After you have gone th rough the entire skeleton of your essay, it is time to start writing your essay. Remember that you should not write your argumentative essay all at once. Instead, write one topic at a time, going through each part as you write. If you try to write the entire essay at once, you may find that you forget important details.Finally, once you have completed the skeleton of your essay, take a few hours to go through the essay again. Sometimes, you may be too excited about the topic and can forget some details. If this happens, don't worry. Just write it down as you go and when you are ready, you can re-read it to ensure that you did not miss any important details.This advice should help you write a good argumentative essay. Remember, you want to use topics to write about in college to make sure that you are an expert in your topic. This will help you achieve your goal of writing an excellent argumentative essay.

The Diversity Essay Samples Cover Up

The Diversity Essay Samples Cover Up Diversity Essay Samples - the Conspiracy Diversity is a well-known scholarship essay topic. Truly exceptional conditions may make your Diversity Statement the most significant thing about your application. Academic Leadership on-line Journal. Writing a diversity essay is an exceptional means to be sure admissions officers have a better comprehension of what makes you a good candidate for their law school. While writing the essay it's important to consider past the question and see whether the admission board could be asking more than that which the question is seeking. However, it's also a fact that search committee members who don't care about diversity do not read diversity statements. Admission officers have a great deal of essays to read, and that means you need yours to stand out! Recognizing and understanding cultural differences at work is only the start. To begin with, I would recommend reading some terrific diversity statements. As an example, not all Hispanic Americans hold to the identical religion. Faculty jobs can be challenging. Diversity statements may not be applicable to everyone. They are a relatively new addition to the job application packet. What's more, it's essential to perfectly polish the writing and raise its uniqueness to the maximum level! The most critical advantage of a structured dialogue procedure is the teacher's capability to learn from other on unique approaches which may help in improving classroom practices and student learning outcomes. Broadly speaking, your diversity statement needs to be written very much like your own personal statement. Accepting the diversity gracefully will aid in building a congenial atmosphere. The goal of the essay is to get a deeper comprehension of the student. Commonwealth essay competition is organized inviting people from all around the world to take part in it. As you ought to be cautious not to over-share, ensure your essay isn't describing the experiences of a group. Your essay will win you an admission if it's in accordance with the views of the college concerning the family. Diversity Essay Samples Gender differences affect communication in a manner that people of distinct genders don't understand each other very good, generally. Males have a weaker immune system when compared with men that is a significant evidence to demonstrate the presence of man flu. Even if you're a male, Caucasian, third-generation American, you can nonetheless illustrate your diversity in different areas. The training course is divided in five sections which cover a wide variety of global difficulties. Also, research would be imperative to decide on whether the environmental conditions play a part in the greater mortality rate among men in comparison to women. Graduate programs are constantly looking for students with distinct backgrounds to help diversify their classes, so being a minority, immigrant, or a different underrepresented demographic could be precisely what you have to set yourself aside from the remainder of the applicant pool. For instance, if a school focuses a great deal on community service and you've got similar experiences, mention that. As you don't wish to cater to people's biases, you likewise don't wish to diminish your odds of getting into college. Every teacher differs. The issue is that most people haven't a clue what math actually is. Please describe your cultural and community service pursuits and why you opted to take part inside them. Diversity Essay Law School With so several options for internet payouts using our reputable and secure on-line partners, you can be certain that playing here at Prism Casino you will always get the greatest levels of security and satisfaction in regards to your money. No country can survive by itself. There are lots of issues that help determine the communication and sometimes put barriers without a reason.