Kherun Nita Ali

Preliminary building information modelling adoption model in Malaysia A strategic information technology perspective

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the relationship between building information modelling (BIM) adoption from the perspectives of people, process and technology to strategic information technology (IT) in construction mediated by collaborative processes for new BIM entrants. The demand pull for more effective project delivery in the construction industry across the globe has continued to transform design techniques from two-dimensional, three-dimensional (3D) and, currently, BIM. Leverage on IT is pivotal for construction industry development as earmarked by the Malaysian construction industry master plan. BIM uptake by stakeholders in Malaysia construction industry is on a gradual increase. BIM generates and manages building data during its life cycle via 3D, real-time, dynamic building modelling. Design/methodology/approach – BIM model is dependent on collaborative contribution by project teams’ input at various stages. However, challenges such as people, process and technology impede an effectiv...

Modeling construction cost factors in the Klang Valley area of Malaysia

Factors that should be taken into consideration during the economic evaluation of the building have a direct impact on the total project cost. Literature reviews on construction cost factors reveal that researches in this area have been conducted in various parts of the world decades ago. Nevertheless, none of these studies has substantively estimated the causal relations among the construction cost factors. As a result, this paper presents a research proposal to evaluate and model construction cost factors particularly in the Klang Valley area of Malaysia by using the structural equation modeling approach. The resulting construction cost factors models will be validated in terms of convergent and discriminant validity, construct reliability, and goodness of fit.

Preliminary Study Impact of Building Information Modelling Use in Malaysia

The paradigm shift in the construction industry from 2D to Building Information Modelling (BIM) presents unforeseen challenges for new entrant construction industries. Experiences from advanced industry users of BIM shape the directions for future use. In Malaysia, BIM maturity is fast appreciating with increasing demand for efficiency and competitive advantages. However, adoption rate encounters resistance from several factors highlighted in previous research: people, process and technology. To improve on Information technology (IT) adoption models factors such as business process re-engineering, computer integrated construction and BIM adoption were considered for this research. This paper represents findings of an ongoing research, presenting the designed questionnaire to access perception of construction industry professionals (Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Engineers and Contractors) knowledge on BIM softwares and BIM attributes. Responses were derived from 120 construction professionals in the pilot phase of the research. The data is analyzed using SPSS for a descriptive overview of the most prominent BIM software usage. Smart PLS was utilized to analyze the path coefficient effects of each variable in the model. The Cronbach Alpha derived fell within an agreeable minimum threshold of above 0.60. The factors loaded appropriately to each variable. The path coefficient revealed people perception had the highest effect on collaborative processes, business process re-engineering (BPR) had the highest effect on BIM adoption and model variance R2 explained 24.6% of BIM adoption. The results will demonstrate the current state of BIM adoption in Malaysian construction industry complimenting current efforts to improve BIM awareness. At this stage, future research focuses on developing the second phase of the model and recommends towards extending and redefining the model with other mediating variables.

Addressing the Needs of Gaming Approach in Hazard Identification Training

Construction industry is reportedly the third highest accident occurrence after manufacturing and agriculture. Research have shown that hazard is the major factor that contributes to accident on construction sites. Thus, training on hazard identification is important to construction workers as they need to understand how to identify and act wisely in handling hazards. Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) through government initiatives provide trainings in order to enhance the knowledge on safety among the construction individuals. Currently, trainings are conducted through lectures, hands-on and video demonstration. However, these approaches can only increase the awareness and theoretical knowledge of the trainee which 70% of the training modules cover the theoretical aspects and the rest is the hands-on. Unfortunately, they are not able to practice the theories that they have learnt. Moreover, the cost of training is high and not all levels of construction workers could afford to attend the training. Gaming approach seems to be an approach that could provide more hands-on training. Unlike the above mentioned conventional approach, the gaming approach allows users to experience and practice a real life scenario within a gaming environment. As well as it is an affordable module, this approach offers flexibility to users in term of time and venues. The purpose of this paper is to address the needs of gaming approach to enhance the hazard identification training, by providing an immersive, real experience and affordable approach to training.

Building information modelling technological innovations in industrialised building systems cost estimation

The paradigm shift in construction cost estimation is attributed to technological innovations in the spheres of building information modelling (BIM) and industrialised building systems (IBS). Majority of construction projects experience cost overruns which affect project objectives. The outcome of cost overruns invariably leads to disputes and further delays. Similarly, cost estimators resistance to overcoming the inertia to leap from traditional estimation methods to advanced methods further exacerbates the issues of cost estimation. This paper aims at comparing cost estimate between traditional cost estimation and advanced cost estimation. Data was collected via questionnaire from registered quantity surveying companies with the Board of Quantity Surveying Malaysia (BQSM). Subsequently, real time simulation was carried out on a sample IBS project using Autodesk Revit and Navisworks to compare cost estimates. The results revealed that BIM is accurate than bill of quantity (BOQ) as this difference results in a critical factor for large construction projects. The study was limited in terms of cost standard and database in Autodesk Navisworks. Future research can improve on the quantity coding for BIM in Malaysia.

A Review on BIM-based automated code compliance checking system

The checking process of the building design with building regulations or codes is a time-consuming and error prone process. The automation of code compliance checking process has been explored since 1960s and becoming more vigorous with the emergence of Building Information Modeling (BIM). A neutral format, Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) which is developed under BIM platform had led to better collaboration and information exchange throughout BIM software and development of the checking system. Generally, the structure of an automated system consists of rule interpretation stage, building model preparation stage, rule execution stage and rule reporting stage. Rule interpretation stage is the most vital and complex stage. In interpreting the rules, various techniques have been investigated and applied to employ comprehensive and accurate checking process on the building designs which are mainly in IFC format. The most common techniques used are by utilizing existing software such as Solibri Model Checker, establishing a plug-in application, adopting object-based approach, logical approach and ontological approach. This paper provides a highlight and review on previous studies which successfully employed the appropriate techniques in interpreting the rules for checking purposes. This will subsequently assist future research on this area and create more astounding code compliance checking system.

A Preliminary Survey of Factors Influencing Project Cost Estimating Practice in the Klang Valley of Malaysia

The objective of the survey which was conducted in the Klang Valley of Malaysia was to prioritise factors that are considered by building contractors in estimating the construction cost of buildings. Respondents selected by simple random sampling have been asked to assign a one-to-five rating for each of the total of 79 cost factors identified from the literature review. The result of the preliminary survey of factors influencing project cost estimating practice of building contractors has indicated that only 35 cost factors have been regarded by the respondents from small, medium and large building construction companies as highly relevant for building construction projects. ‘Client requirements on quality’ was found to be the most significant cost factor influencing the construction cost of buildings.