Adopting Building Information Modelling (BIM) into Industrialised Building System (IBS) in Malaysian Construction Industry

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is the development of digital models used during planning, design, construction, and operation stages of a project. Some construction players doubt the practicality in implementing this new technology. Full adoption of Industrialised Building System (IBS) project is not an easy journey. In addition, the implementation of BIM technology into IBS system will put the client's expectation at risk as it is difficult to understand the complex software. Therefore, the aim of this research is to explore the adoption of BIM into IBS application in Malaysian construction industry. Among the objectives of this research are to investigate the implementation of BIM into IBS application, examine challenges in implementing BIM into IBS application and propose ways to improve the incorporation of BIM into IBS application by Malaysian construction industry players. Research data were collected through questionnaire survey and the results were analysed using SPSS software. The results showed vast majority of public and private sectors have some experience in handling IBS and BIM projects and these sectors are aware that BIM can facilitate IBS projects. However, the implementation of BIM into IBS application is still at the low level especially in private sectors. One of the challenges faced is its high cost, thus only large organisations can afford its implementation. To successfully improve the incorporation of BIM into IBS project, government should take some measures by organising awareness programs, restructuring IBS and BIM training programs, providing incentive, as well as promoting sustainability development and green construction. By doing that, the proposed measures are expected to increase the confidence of industry players to actively adopt BIM into more IBS projects in Malaysian construction industry.