An Examination of the Potential of Building Information Modelling To Increase the Efficiency of Irish Contractors on Design and Build Projects

Competition between Irish contractors is more aggressive than ever before. In the current economic climate an ability to construct with greater efficiency could ensure a company’s survival. The purpose of this research was to determine the extent to which efficiency benefits could be realised by contractors on design and build projects as a result of implementing a revolutionary process referred to as Building Information Modelling (BIM). After a critical analysis on all aspects of BIM in the literature review, questionnaires were sent to establish the success of this system in the US and also in the comparatively few Irish firms that have more recently pioneered the adoption of BIM. In-depth interviews with two well established Irish firms were conducted to gain an understanding of the challenges and myriad factors that positively or negatively affect efficiency due to the use of BIM. In compiling the results from these interviews and surveys , it was apparent that the use of BIM does indeed result in increased efficiency from pre -construction to the final execution of works. The results highlighted efficiency benefits through a reduction in man -hours, requests for information and rework, a greater capacity to use more pre-fabricated elements and an increase in on-time completions.