ITcon Vol. 20, pg. 51-67, http://www.itcon.org/2015/4

The assessment of constructability: BIM cases

submitted:November 2014
revised:December 2014
published:January 2015
editor(s):Mahdavi A., Martens B.
authors:Matti K. Tauriainen
Aalto University, School of Engineering, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Espoo, Finland;
matti.tauriainen@aalto.fi

Jari A. Puttonen, Professor
Aalto University, School of Engineering, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Espoo, Finland;
jari.puttonen@aalto.fi

Arto J. Saari, Professor
Aalto University, School of Engineering, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Espoo, Finland;
arto.saari@aalto.fi
summary:The constructability appraisal methods developed so far are based on evaluating and analysing the major design components and systems of an entire building, such as structural systems, materials and production techniques. At first, this paper discusses the current practice of constructability assessment used in Finland and next it introduces an experimental constructability assessment method (ECAM) using building information models (BIM) as a source of constructability information. Interviews of design and construction professionals were used to explore the current practice of constructability assessment. An experimental assessment methodology was developed and tested in case projects. According to the interviews, the main assessment method used was the inspection of drawings, and constructability was assessed occasionally during the design development stage and more systematically at the very end of the detailed design stage with varying professional participants in meetings. Using ECAM in the project level a constructability score of a building and building type can be analysed. When using ECAM on the level of structural elements a constructability score of elements can be measured. These scores incorporate information for the development of constructability. In Finland, the development of a systematic review process of constructability will be needed. The constructability assessment methodology suggested in the article is experimental and is to be developed and tested further before using it reliably in building projects. The assessment combining visual and analytical approach will change present methods for assessing constructability.
keywords:assessment, analyses, buildability, constructability, modelling, BIM, quantitative
full text: (PDF file, 0.821 MB)
citation:Tauriainen MK, Puttonen JA, Saari AJ (2015). The assessment of constructability: BIM cases, ITcon Vol. 20, Special issue ECPPM 2014 - 10th European Conference on Product and Process Modelling, pg. 51-67, https://www.itcon.org/2015/4