CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION – TECHNICAL BARRIERS & OPPORTUNITIES FOR

PREFABRICATORS

D.G. Tharinda Rathnapala, Dr D.Heesom

University Of Wolverhampton, University Of Wolverhampton,
Wolverhampton, UK Wolverhampton, UK
T.Rathnapala@wlv.ac.uk D.Heesom@wlv.ac.uk

Abstract
Within the Building Construction industry information flow between different entities plays bigger role
in order to bring a given project to a successful end. And indeed throughout the world, resources and
great encouragement have been expanded in the deployment of latest technological advancements
to improve the construction industry functionalities, Building Information Model (BIM) is one of the
introductions to the industry to accelerate technological improvement phase.

Offsite Prefabrication is one of the widely used methods to gain the productivity & efficiency in
construction projects. How ever there exists very little research into the effectiveness of this Building
Information Model deployment process when applied to offsite prefabricators who are directly effect
the whole building construction phase and beyond the life cycle of any building.

Keywords
Building Information Model, Construction Industry, Prefabrication, Information Exchange standards

Information in the Construction Industry
Compared to other technical industries such
as Automotive, Aerospace, according to
Bradfield (1983) the construction industry has
a well-documented history of information and
communication problems.
From the history due to large, complex
and highly fragmented and diverse nature
of the industry and the separation of
design from construction are contributing
factors, augmented by new technologies,
new materials and techniques (Bradfield,
V.J., 1983).
One can argue that architects have a
thorough understanding over each and every
element of the building and they technically
know how the each system works. But this is
not the true situation. In the construction
industry the architect is dependent in many
senses on others and their skills, as an
example Prefabrication can be one of those
other skill areas/industries where the
architect needs to communicate. Since it took
number of painful years for the prefabrication
industry as an example the light gauge steel
industry to come up with more robust
solutions such as prefabricated internal &
external walls, roof trusses, mezzanine floors
etc.., one can not expect architects to learn
all the technical aspect of it. That‟s where the
industry specific information sources and pre
packed information can come to play a great
role.
From the early state architects had a small
basic „library‟ of information sources, this
included books, pamphlets, catalogues and
articles. In the construction industry
„classification of information …is widely
acknowledged to be the most complex,
controversial and fundamentally important
component in the development of data
coordination, since it is basic both to general
information systems and to the structuring of
project information‟ (Phillips, 1976)
Construction earlier was based on practical
experience of the architect/main builder. But
now with the technology development is
requiring number of areas to consider before
coming to any conclusion regarding
construction projects.
Gradually more and more has come to be
grounded on science: Strength of
materials, development of new and
 improved materials, structural analysis
and design, heat and moisture transfer,
acoustic, natural and artificial illumination,
energy conservation, fight against
corrosion, fire, smoke, wind, floods,
environmental protection, information and
telecommunication technology,
mathematical methods and application of
computers, management and social
science (Sebastyan, 2003)
Even though the technology develop rapidly
in different principles (electrical, Acoustic,
Heating, Plumbing, Materials, Manufacturing
processes etc..) it hasn‟t specify or
implemented a proper method to abstract
relevant different information from unrelated
industries for the architects or the designers
to use for any given construction process (in
the stages of prior, during and after the
construction).
Currently some of this information can be
found in paper format, electronic format and
in CAD systems (e.g Stuc CAD, Architectural
Desktop) or in latest 3D building modelling
CAD systems (eg Vertex BD, Tekla,
AdvanceSteel) as a comprehensive
information package. Is a question of who is
responsible / volunteer to collect all the
available information and validate and
process to provide comprehensive
information source. According to Sebastyn
(2003) “Architectural design at all times has
had to reckon with the available technology:
materials and processes”. Same instance the
architect or the engineer had to work against
the available design tools, techniques to
achieve the ever changing ideas and
objectives of the society, of the client. In the
process of trying to achieve what the end
user require and what end picture the
architect has, it always required latest
information for the building construction
methods and its related techniques.
Building Information Model (BIM)
Building information model is a sole database
of building design information. Not only a
design model, it is an information base which
can be used through out the life cycle of the
building, from tendering, construction,
servicing, refurbishing and at the end for
demolition. Based on the developed central
database, different information can be
retrieved to fulfil number of expectations and
requirements. Even though the information
can be obtained for different purposes, the
root for all information is the same. Having a
core database provides hidden coordination
in-between different parties who use the
building information model for their own
purpose.
In current instance the use of BIM is evident
with major architect companies and giant
contractors who handle a number of projects.
But the benefit can gain by processes down
the chain as well, (Khemalni, 2006). Different
users can obtain different views from the
model, these views include not only plan,
section and elevation drawings typically
found in a set of construction documents, but
also door, window and finish schedules,
material listings, 3D renderings and
animations, and virtual reality scenes
(www.triglyph.net, 2006).
At the same time BIM should not adopt by
any entity just for the cost saving purpose,
also for many other benefits which can derive
such as the ability to explore different
engineering systems, perform energy
analysis, determine building specifications
automatically, and eventually eliminate the
use of paper and paper-based processes
(Khemalni, 2006), such as drawings, bill of
materials, inventory, order processing etc..
According to Adams (2006, p.13) the Building
Information Model should capable of
providing is reliable, co-ordinated, and
internally consistent digital representation of
the building which available for design
decision making, the production of high
quality construction documents, construction
planning and predicting performance in
different ways. In the same stage it argues
that the “BIM model for construction is
substantially different from a BIM model for
design” (Khemalni, 2006). This situation
creates theoretical barrier between the
initial/planning stage of a building and the
actual live executing process of the building
when it comes to integrate different parties in
to single database driven BIM.
Construction Information and BIM
At which point the building information model
should initiate or who should maintain the
information model is still an undefined topic.
An important fact is the system existing in the
technology world, this has been highlighted
by Grobler (2005) during the BIM standard
council at NIBS, USA. Still some barriers and
lower growth cause the construction industry
to chase behind advanced technology. When
deciding who should contribute to the BIM
and what are the types of information the
model can accept to facilitate more reliable
information is still an industry question.
Information will vary from content and format
(Bradfield, V.J., 1983), some might prefer
information to be „pre-packed‟ for specific
needs. By having pre-filtered information for
any task will result not allowing end user to
thoroughly evaluate required features and to
logically accept what is been presented to
them.
Also it is a question with respect to the level
of contribution from each party to the building
process. One can argue that architect leads
the building process, or other may argue it is
main contractor or the structural engineer or
the onsite project manager. Some can argue
that this is a collective responsibility. Peter
Rice, an English structural engineer, having
cooperated with architects in several projects
(Pompidou Centre, Sydney Opera House,
Paris La Villette, etc.) declared that whilst the
architects work is creative, the engineer‟s is
essentially inventive (Rice, 1994 in Sebastyn,
2003).
This is an indication of not only the architect
should be taken as the focal point of
developing any CAD based information
system such as BIM. Any developed system
and its related information base should be
able to provide information for any given user
to obtain what is relevant for them. According
to Hagan (2005) beneficiaries from BIM
varies during the course of the project,
moving from designer to constructor to facility
owner over (25- 30 Years) of life cycle.
Current BIM Information Framework
The key factor for implementing a BIM
system/solution in construction/Architect
entity will be how to interact with other
stakeholder in the industry, mainly to
exchange the design information.
Regardless of the type of information which
can be included in to the BIM, it is a matter of
how to insert readily available information in
to the new BIM. Key objective is how to
exchange data between different platforms
and to maintain a two-way information path
between users. According to Douglas Ross et
al., (AFIPS Conference, 1963) due to
different languages used to create Computer
Aided Design Systems, it has created own
restrictions & interwoven computational
complexities which generate great difficulties
to integrate different CAD systems together.
According to Gorbler (in NIBS, 2005)
“Technology is available, albeit; it is not
perfect; nor is it complete, but it is at a place
that it can be implemented”. In current there
are number of methods and ideas behind
how the information framework for the BIM
should work.
Most common method is having BIM with one
repository (e.g virtual data bank in Internet)
over the project life cycle (Gorbler, 2005).
This method brings the argument whether do
we need to create number of data
banks/storages uniquely for each and every
project. As per Davis (in NIBS, 2005) over
one million projects been designed and
constructed using BIM. Did it create one
million data storages over the internet?. Key
criteria behind BIM are to hold recreation of
data and share information.
According to Dillon (2005) there mainly three
types of information one can in put in to BIM.
1) Geometry: Designers can model the
entire building as a 3D model and create
2D drawings from it. And finally 2D
drawings can be directly link to initial 3D
model. When ever there is a change in
the 3D model, it will automatically
update the 2D drawings such as
Elevation, Plan and detail drawings.
This will reduce the time taken to rectify
any errors in the process of
accommodating quick changes. Also
having 3D model will help in
understating and providing solutions in
the beginning of the project.
2) Non-graphical information: with the
latest technology development in the
area of parametric modeling, 3D objects
can contain number of non-graphical
features of the component which will
helpful to further define it function. As an
example common I-Beam can contain
information about it fire rating, framing
parameters, estimating information, etc.,
(Dillon, 2005). These information are not
visible in the drawings and in the 3D
model, but can be obtained though
reporting procedure and also use in
another analysis software for further
analysis.
3) Linked information: these are the
information in the model, but which is
not directly related to the model, such as
project details (main contractor/sub
contractor details), Gantt charts etc..
Information exchange standards
According to Eastman (1999) need to
exchange data between engineering
applications existed even before the
development of initial CAD systems. Eastman
(1999) also highlighted the different
requirements to exchange data
Translate data between two CAD
systems, when two business entities
working in the same project
To extract data from CAD system for
input into an analysis application
Loading the output from an external
application that generates design
results in the receiving CAD
application
Loading data of an exiting building for
the planned renovation work
Reading in details or building parts
from parts catalogue in represented in
some general format for inclusion in a
CAD project.
Extracting base information from
construction drawings.
To automatically derive the Bill Of
Materials from construction drawings
When Eastman mention about some general
formats to use to exchange parts information
and loading outputs from external application
for further design purpose, it unintentionally
highlight the requirement of having system be
able to interact with other business entities
who are in the second or third level of the
construction industry supply chain.
With respect to Prefabricators or other
bespoke item suppliers having BIM system
be able to accept information (i.e. CAD data
and associated information) from external
system will generate great benefit.
Technical Barriers and Opportunities for
Prefabricators
In most of the engineering fields there is
prespecifiability of the fabrication technology,
where small numbers of parts are combined
in to hierarchical structure to deliver final
product “Kit-of-Parts” Design and to deliver
different function.
The possibility of using BIM to interact
prefabricators is still an ill defined subject. As
per Lachmi Kemlani,(2006 , AECbytes)
“There seems to be a natural correlation
between the computational technology of BIM
and the constructional technology of
Prefabrication”. What above comment
highlight is still there is an unexplored link
between BIM and requirements of
prefabricators. With the Availability of all the
prefabricated components in digital format
which will represent as accurately as it
geometry as their properties, BIM system
could be developed where it can use to
assemble these components in the design
stage as well as during the offsite
construction stage Lachmi Kemlani (2006 ,
AECbytes). By having all the associated
information such cost, structure, energy
performance and so on, it could be used
positively in BIM model to analysis future
proceedings of the project.
By having all the prefabricators information in
the BIM model from the beginning of the
building lifecycle it will dramatically reduce
the cost and errors and increase the
efficiency. This will be great tool for early
decision making procedure and to use as a
test bed to trial different prefabrication
methods.
But due to large number of prefabricators and
their infinite number of materials and
construction methods it is a very time and
cost incurring activity to build up a such
comprehensive database. Even after
achieving this it need to run in a super
computer environment to deliver all the
relevant information for the architects or
engineers. Then the standards, before
determining who the prefabricator is, architect
or structural engineer need to be able to use
BIM system to form the building in 3D
environment. Without specialty knowledge on
prefabrication industry this will be a highly
responsible procedure. In the same time the
system should be able to customize
prefabricated components based on its
materials, special construction methods and
for different construction scenarios so on.
Eastman (1999), Due to current contracting
practice, when moving through the building
lifecycle phases it is a common situation of
not giving proper consideration about
activities involve in the next phases. Due to
this situation and to cope with unnecessary
amount of data which need to be in any
computer system Eastman (1999, p.28)
emphasized it is more practical to add
information about different technologies (ex
prefabricated components) as a design
proceeds. In the current stage of the BIM it is
hard to forecast when the prefabricator‟s
direct involvement appear within the system.
In first offsite prefabricators need to produce
and publish their prefabricated components in
a digital format, where it can be used at the
very early stages of the building design
process.
Due to mass production and having to deal
with number of construction projects at a
given time has prompted prefabricators to
utilise in house 3D modelling and Computer
Aided manufacturing Systems by individual
part manufacturers and modular builders.
This shows that incorporation of
prefabricators information in to BIM will not
be an alliance activity for prefabricators, the
commitment and leading trade partner‟s
architect/contractors for the technology is
required. And appropriate technical
procedures need to incorporate within BIM
technology to accept prefabricator‟s
information.
Conclusion
One objective of this research is to
understand uniqueness of construction
industry information and its latest
development with technological
advancement.
Second objective is an actual implementation
of relevant technological requirements in a
selected offsite prefabricator‟s infrastructure
to adapt Building Information Model. With the
possible live integration with an existing
Building Information Model and the positive
impact on both construction and
prefabricators business cycle will be
assessed.

A thorough understating about the Building
information model is required prior to
recommending any technological
advancement. A proper understating about
different users and industry requirements
need to be assessed in advance to find how
the prefabricators should interact with
Building Information Model.
It is not realistic to predict when the whole
industry will incorporate prefabricators in to
Building Information Model within its own
development stage. But it is a fact that by
incorporating such second/third level offsite
manufactures information in to BIM will
provide higher cost savings and efficiency in
real time construction process.

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