Building Operation and Maintenance: A Framework for Simplified Building Information Modeling (BIM) Digital Mobile Application

Abstract

Managing maintenance cost data is one of the issues due to difficulties in identifying the accurate cost for maintenance and repair of specific components. This is because of the accounting systems used by majority of building managers. The introduction of Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a tool for facilitating information and knowledge sharing through digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility has seen wide application in the construction industry, spanning over the entire life cycle of a facility, i.e., planning, design, pre-construction, construction and post-construction. In post-construction stage, BIM is used for transferring the data of building (spaces, systems and components) into maintenance management operations, keeping track of building assets, and enable scheduled maintenance and provides information of building maintenance history. However, the current BIM rather complex and requires a huge amount of data to develop, which make the system is difficult to adopt for the existing buildings. This study therefore aims to investigate the implementation of BIM for Operation and Maintenance Management (O&M) in Malaysia by identifying the information that should be prioritized to enable BIM mobile application at O&M phase. The study makes used of qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. Three (3) rounds of expert discussion using Delphi techniques were carried out with 10 to 15 selected respondents (experts in O&M and BIM). The framework validated by a case study via on-site data collection, which used site measurement, building modelling using appropriate software i.e., Revit and AutoCAD. Most of the experts agreed that technology could improve the efficiency of service delivery and interested in implementing BIM in O&M practices. Simplified BIM for O&M that consists of the critical information includes location, dimension asset information, asset capacity, specification, manufacturer, statutory, condition and cost was developed. For the O&M element and items, information varies and can be modified according to the needs. All this information was systematically organized in a data matrix. A simplified BIM model has been developed to demonstrate how the information is stored, shared, and utilised. Majority of the stakeholders agreed that the Simplified BIM system is useful, flexible, least complex, and effective in managing and monitoring maintenance operations of their building.