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Dodge Data + Analytics | Managing Risk in the Construction Industry

Impact of Using BIM on Risk

Research by Dodge Data & Analytics has repeatedly demonstrated that use of BIM reduces rework, reduces RFIs and has a positive impact on project cost and schedule, especially when it facilitates the transfer of reliable project information between team members.

Owners, GCs and trade contractors who use BIM or see BIM used on their projects were asked if they agree that the use of BIM decreases risk on projects. In general, over half of respondents agree that BIM reduces risk on their projects.

However, approximately one quarter of owners and one third of contractors also remain neutral on the impact of BIM on risk. Owners currently are most likely to report that using BIM reduces risk. Two thirds of owners (67%) agree that BIM decreases risk on their projects, compared with 57% of GCs and 54% of trade contractors.

Previous SmartMarket Reports have demonstrated owner condence in the impact of BIM on their projects, including the 2015 Measuring the Impact of BIM on Complex Buildings SmartMarket Report.

The SmartMarket surveys always include Case Studies from their findings. Here's an excerpt from a BIM-related Case Study within this report: 

Enhancing Knowledge and Communication (Case Study)

A particular risk identified in the project analysis was the location of the architect and a number of the design team’s engineering consultants outside the region.

To ensure this posed no disadvantage, Gilbane implemented a design assist strategy, retaining a structural and historical consultant in New York to enable all members of the design team to function as effectively as if they themselves worked in the city. Extensive use of BIM facilitated the team’s communication.

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Dodge Data + Analytics | Managing Risk in the Construction Industry

Related BIM Safety Articles

- Revit-BIM Manages Construction Site Assets and Safety -

- Mayo Clinic BIM Manager – Project Model Development Specification (MDS) -

- BIM Process Improving Construction Site Safety | Turner Construction -

- Download McGraw-Hill – Business Value of BIM for Construction Report -

 - Taking the Mystery Out of BIM for Owners & Principals | CM-BIM Classes -

New York City Department of Buildings Approves First 3-D BIM Site Safety Plans

Turner Construction released their ground-breaking BIM Site Safety article in May 2012.

Turner Construction Company Received Approval for Building Information Model (BIM)-based Site Safety Plans

3D BIM Site Safety Plans Enable Building Inspectors to Take Virtual Tours of Construction Projects and Review them in Real Time on the Construction Site. Continue Reading >>

In August 2012, Turner Construction, provided a BIM Design-Build Healthcare Success Case Study for the Fort Benning Hospital at our DBIA - Federal Sector Conference in Washington DC.

The Turner Construction case-study, shared how they used the hospital BIM model to provide a dramatically safer construction process for their workers. In addition, the revised process increased the Turner Construction worker's output twelve-fold; thereby improving the construction schedule.

Description of Improved MEP Hanger Installation Construction Process:

Turner Construction is using a BIM-based construction process; that delivers a dramatically faster process for installing MEP hanger inserts; while providing a substantially safer work environment for construction workers.

The BIM process has enabled sub-contractors to connect geographically-position (GPS) technology and BIM facility files to create a way-finding, installation system. Turner teams collect hanger point locations; from the GPS coordinated BIM file (In the Office) for layout in the field.

Traditionally, MEP hanger inserts were installed from the underside of the deck; after the concrete topping was poured. We used a ladder (Less safe), drilling up into the underside of concrete. One worker could install approximately 20 holes a day.

The GPS \ BIM-enabled process, empowers a crew of 3 workers to install (From top of metal deck and walking with no ladder needed– (Safer) to install 750 hanger inserts\day.

Installation is much faster and safer – Simply walk to a hanger insert location using the GPS device --and screw in the threaded rods for pipe hanger racks, cable tray, electrical conduit racks, etc.

This is an excellent example of a time-saving, safer, and more efficient process to install 100,000+ hanger inserts into metal deck before concrete topping is poured.

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Download Building a Safety Culture SmartMarket BIM for Safety Report

Examples on the use of BIM processes to enhance construction worker & site safety are highlighted by contractors in the report.

BIM provides the value of visually simulating construction safety situations. Turner Construction and Skanska Construction discuss their use of BIM for Safety in two separate areas of this 50-page report:

1) Emerging Uses of Technology to Advance Safety

The continued adoption of digital tools such as Building information Modeling (BIM), has prompted some construction firms to explore the potential uses of these tools for safety planning and training. 

1. Site Safety Plans  
2. Code Checking 
3. Safety Planning, Training and Evaluation

2) Wearable Devices and Onsite Safety

Technologies that attach to—or are incorporated in—standard safety equipment such as vests and helmets can be part of a system that warns workers and/or supervisors when risks arise and can also provide data for analysis after incidents occur. 

1. Identifying Worker Skills,
2. Training and Locations 
3. Warning Systems Augmented and Virtual Reality

Additional McGraw-Hill SmartMarket BIM Reports reference the use of BIM for Safety and are available for free download on Bradley BIM Portal.

Bradley Articles with These McGraw-Hill SmartMarket BIM Reports:

• Measuring the Impact of BIM on Complex Buildings SmartMarket Report

• Download McGraw-Hill Construction Safety Management BIM Report

Additional Bradley BIM for Construction Safety Articles

• Revit-BIM Manages Construction Site Assets and Safety 
• BIM for Virtual & Augmented Reality. Game On! 
• BIM Process Improving Construction Site Safety | Turner Construction

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Martin Miller (left) and Jeff Bauer (center) from Turner Construction