A Comparative Analysis of BIM Standards
A Comparative Analysis of BIM Standards
A Comparative Analysis of BIM Standards
Abstract. Architectural projects, carried out by the public sector in Iraq using traditional
methods suffer from lots of problems such as the inaccurate estimation of time and cost, and
the poor cooperation among project team members. To tackle these problems, it is important to
benefit from the experiences of the pioneering countries in this field such as the UK and USA.
These countries kept pace with digital development and established new systems in
construction, namely Building Information Modelling (BIM). This paper investigates the
similarities and differences between the BIM standards and guidelines in the UK and USA.
The findings of this comparative analysis can build a knowledge base for establishing BIM
standards in Iraq. The paper identified the similar aspects to be adopted in the Iraqi standard of
BIM, such as the design techniques, the designers’ roles and responsibilities, and some aspects
in the information management. In addition, their differences are distinguished, which indicate
the specificity of BIM application in each country. For the different aspects, the Iraqi BIM
standard can either adopt the descriptions of the UK or USA such as the method of structuring
design data, or reflect the Iraqi specificity such as the national library of BIM.
1. Introduction
In the era of digital technology, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a new approach in a
building life cycle, from design phases to construction, operation, and maintenance. The construction
sector has witnessed a digital transformation through the application of BIM in the field of building
engineering. Designers can generate a virtual digital model of building that supports all design stages
and allows for better analysis and control of manual processes. The digitally designed models contain
the accurate engineering data necessary to support work activities in the construction, manufacturing,
and installation phases and through which building, operation, and maintenance objectives are
achieved. Architectural and engineering studies have addressed the definition of BIM from many
aspects of engineering work. The BIM model is defined by the National BIM Standard in the USA
(NBIMS), as a “digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility”. It is
considered as a source of shared knowledge and information about a building [1]. It is a platform to
support the collaboration and integration in the working environments of building project management
[2]. BIM is facilitated by digital techniques to describe tools and processes about the building
planning, design, construction and operation. It is a methodology for a digital format management of
building design and project data during the building's life cycle [3]. This modelling technology has a
set of processes to generate, communicate, and evaluate building models. BIM models are building
components (objects) that are represented digitally to incorporate computable graphic, data attributes,
and parametric rules that enable them to be handled in an intelligent manner [4].
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IICESAT Conference, College of Material Engineering, University of Babylon, Iraq IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1973 (2021) 012176 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1973/1/012176
In the next sections, the importance of BIM in building design and construction was identified. Then
the research problem and objective were outlined to highlight the requirements of BIM application in
Iraq. The research methodology was to determine the most important aspects of BIM, to conduct a
comparative analysis between the standards and guidelines of BIM in the UK and USA, and to review
the results and conclusions. Figure 1 shows the structure of the research.
Discussion of findings
Conclusions
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IICESAT Conference, College of Material Engineering, University of Babylon, Iraq IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1973 (2021) 012176 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1973/1/012176
Figure 2. The difference in the project workflow between the BIM system and the traditional CAD
method [9].
2.4. Level of database
In the traditional CAD method, there was no reliable digital database for the various operations of the
project. There is a loss of data after the completion of the project therefore, it cannot be used in the
operation and maintenance stages. In contrast, the BIM provides a virtual 3D model of the building to
be a single source that contains all the information and documents of the project in one three-
dimensional model and within a synchronized database [7].
Figure 3. The work stages of the Shanghai Tower using the BIM system [10].
Also, in the Foundation Louis Vuitton project, the use of the BIM system helped to eliminate many
problems that typically arise from poor communication and technological regulation. Parametric
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IICESAT Conference, College of Material Engineering, University of Babylon, Iraq IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1973 (2021) 012176 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1973/1/012176
modelling was combined with advanced automated manufacturing processes to produce components
and to control the quality that promoted the entire production chain, as shown in figure 4 [4].
Built on the aforementioned, the importance of adopting BIM in the architectural practice across the
world is evident. This calls for the need to adopt it in Iraq to benefit from its advantages and to address
the problems that the building and construction sector suffers from.
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IICESAT Conference, College of Material Engineering, University of Babylon, Iraq IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1973 (2021) 012176 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1973/1/012176
guidelines of BIM, and the different specifications that require a local specificity in their
definition can be investigated in future studies.
4. The main aspects of BIM
The paper investigated many studies on the theory and practices of BIM such as, [1],[4],[14],[15],[16]
and [17]. Based on them, the most important aspects in the application of BIM can be categorised in
its work strategy, utilizing of information, and the participating parties.
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IICESAT Conference, College of Material Engineering, University of Babylon, Iraq IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1973 (2021) 012176 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1973/1/012176
parties in BIM, the modes of communication and sharing, and the patterns of design workflow among
the participating parties in BIM [5], [19], [20], [21].
5. A Comparative Analysis of BIM Standards and Guidelines Between UK and USA
The authors did a comprehensive review of 40 BIM standards and guidelines, 14 of them issued by the
institutions in the United Kingdom and 26 issued by the institutions in the United States of America
[22]. They have been analysed to identify the similarities and differences in their descriptions of the
main aspects of BIM specified in section 4. The comparative analysis focused on the knowledge
content in the definition of each aspect of BIM in the standards and guidelines of these two countries.
The results obtained from the comparison range between the existence of similarities in the content
description of a BIM aspect, or the differences in the content description of a BIM aspect. In case of
the differences, they can be total differences or partial differences at the level of titles, details or the
laws in contracts.
6. Discussion of Findings
The similarities and differences in the standards and guidelines of BIM between the UK and the USA
can be summarised as follows:
6.1. The similar aspects of BIM
The standards and guidelines of the two countries are identical in their content description of
BIM aspects such as the timing of using BIM in the construction, operation, and maintenance
phases. In addition, there are similarities in the definition of design techniques of BIM such as
parametric modeling, virtual reality, time scheduling simulation, structural analysis,
coordination and conflict detection. Also, same descriptions of BIM aspects are found in BIM
dimensions (3D,4D,5D), digital information collection/ COBie methods, digital information
security organization methods of BIM, integration and interoperability in the digital
representation of information in BIM, communication and sharing methods, and workflow
methodology among design teams. According to that, the descriptions of these aspects can be
adopted in the Iraqi standard and guidelines of BIM.
There is a high similarity in the content description of digital organization methods for
managing and exchanging information in BIM between the standards of the two countries.
Therefore, its descriptions can be adopted in the Iraqi standard of BIM.
Partial difference: at the comprehensive level, the differences between the standards and
guidelines of the UK and the USA is not fully.
The content descriptions of the timing of using BIM at the design stages vary in terms of their
details between the BIM standards in the UK and USA. The BIM standards of the UK
determine the path of the design process within a specific methodology without deviating
b
Uniclass, is the UK Building Information Classification System which provide a set of hierarchical tables for identifying and categorizing
everything from site (at the macro level) to floor tiles (at the micro level) [23].
c
OmniClass, is a Building Information Classification System in the USA and especially in North America starting from material
organization, catalog organization, product data, and project information providing a classification structure for electronic databases [24].
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IICESAT Conference, College of Material Engineering, University of Babylon, Iraq IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1973 (2021) 012176 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1973/1/012176
from the set plan and within levels ranging from (0,1,2,3). On the other hand, the USA
standards give the designer freedom to model according to the need for each stage and
according to five levels namely the Level of Details or the Level of Development LOD 100-
500. Accordingly, for this aspect, the UK standards can be adopted in the Iraqi standard.
Other partial difference can be found in the content description of the two countries' standards
regarding the simulation of environmental analysis. They vary in terms of the data adopted in
the environmental analysis and according to the geographical context of each region.
In addition, there is a difference in the details of BIM 6D or 7D dimensions of sustainability
depending on each country criteria for the classification of the degree of obtaining green
buildings. This indicates the necessity for building Iraqi database for environmental analysis
taking into consideration the Iraqi codes of elements and materials to be used in the design of
sustainable buildings. Also, to facilitate the use of BIM for sustainable design, it is necessary
to prepare the Iraqi standard for assessing the degree of building sustainability by the research
centers or universities.
The content descriptions of the two countries' standards differ in their definition of the 6D and
7D models, as the UK standards define the 6D model for operation and maintenance of
building and the 7D model for sustainability. The US standards define the 6D model as the
sustainability model and the 7D model as the operation and maintenance model. Accordingly,
descriptions of one of them can be adopted in the Iraqi standard. The content descriptions of
the design data structuring methods at the various levels of the BIM varies between the
standards of the two countries. Since the standards of the UK and USA clarify the
methodology of work and the steps required at each stage, it is therefore possible to adopt one
of them in the Iraqi standard.
The results indicated the variance in the naming and terminology used in the two countries'
standards. Thus, it is possible to adopt specific naming and terminology in the Iraqi standard
for BIM.
There is a variance at the level of details in the content descriptions of the methods of storing
the design database in BIM / BIM libraries between the standards of the two countries. This
result indicates the necessity for building Iraqi database to represent the national library
according to the Iraqi standard of BIM.
The methods of digital storing of information differ in the two countries' standards and
guidelines. The UK standards are characterized by a full explanation of the methodology of
storing information, which makes it possible to adopt their descriptions in the Iraqi standard of
BIM.
There is a partial difference at the level of details between the UK and US standards in their
focus of the roles and responsibilities of the participating parties. At the same time they are
similar in defining the roles and responsibilities of the participants, which makes it possible to
be adopted in the Iraqi standard of BIM.
There are differences in the content descriptions of BIM standards and guidelines in the UK
and USA in terms of the information of contracts and laws. According to that, Iraqi laws can
be adopted when concluding agreements between the contractor and the employer, to define
the requirements and objectives of modeling, the required processes, and the workflow stages
of BIM.
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IICESAT Conference, College of Material Engineering, University of Babylon, Iraq IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1973 (2021) 012176 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1973/1/012176
7. Conclusions
The paper conducted a comparative analysis between BIM Standards and Guidelines in UK and USA.
The results of the analysis revealed the similarities and differences in the descriptions of BIM
standards and guidelines of these two countries. The similar aspects of BIM that can be adopted in the
Iraqi standards and guidelines of BIM are the timing of using BIM in the construction, operation, and
maintenance phase, the design techniques, as well as the dimensions of BIM (3D, 4D, 5D). In
addition, there are similar methods of digital organization for information management and exchange,
similar methods of a digital collection of information / COBie, and similar methods of digital
organization for information security. Other similar aspects are the integration and interoperability in a
digital representation of information in BIM, the communication and sharing methods, and the design
team workflow methodology.
On the other hand, there are varied aspects in the BIM standards and guidelines between UK and
USA. There is a difference in the timing of using BIM in the design stages. As the UK standards
determine the design process in a specific sequence within four levels of (0,1,2,3). Contrary to the
standards of USA, which give flexibility in modeling according to the need within five levels of
details (LOD 100 to 500). Also, the UK standards define the 6D model for operation and maintenance
of building, and the 7D model for sustainability, while the USA standards define the 6D model as the
sustainability model and the 7D model as the operation and maintenance model. In addition, there is a
variation in the classification systems of building information, as the UK adopts the Uniclass and the
USA adopts the OmniClass. For these varied aspects, the Iraqi standard and guidelines of BIM can
adopt the descriptions of one of the two countries.
Furthermore, the results distinguished the varied aspects that need to reflect the specialty of each
country such as the classification of the degree of obtaining green buildings, the methods of
structuring the design data, the naming and terminology of files, storing the design database in BIM
libraries, as well as the contracts subject to the building laws of each country. These aspects require to
be defined in compatible with the specialty of Iraq.
However, the paper did not cover in detail important aspects necessary for the implementation of BIM
in Iraq such as the BIM library and sustainability standards of BIM which can be adopted in future
research.Based on the aforementioned, table 1 provides a summary of the conclusion as a future vision
for implementing BIM in Iraq.
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IICESAT Conference, College of Material Engineering, University of Babylon, Iraq IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1973 (2021) 012176 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1973/1/012176
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Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1973 (2021) 012176 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1973/1/012176
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Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1973 (2021) 012176 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1973/1/012176
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