Field BIM: Establishing a Requirements Framework for Mobile BIM Technologies

Abstract

Field BIM and its enabling Mobile BIM Technologies (MBT) are increasingly recognised for their role in improving collaboration and integration between project teams on construction sites. Very limited research about the development and applications of Field BIM and MBT is available in the literature. The few available studies have generally focused on specific types of MBT and their application on a single project or individual use cases. A framework to clarify the technical and business requirements of MBT is still missing. This paper is part of a wider research aiming to develop a holistic framework for MBT and Field BIM consisting of a requirements taxonomy, a benefits evaluation approach linking use cases to relevant performance metrics, and a project and supply chain performance analytics dashboard. This paper presents the findings about the technical and business requirements of MBT, which represents the first step towards the development of the requirements taxonomy.

Appendix A – MBT Requirements and Use Case Interaction

MBT Requirements	Core Management Disciplines
	Health & Safety	Quality	Environmental	Site Records & Programme	Design	Cost	BIM
View 3D Model Files in the field	- Understand potential construction risks in design – e.g. working at height i - Access to relevant H&S data within the model	- Access to relevant Quality data within the model – e.g. specification references - Understand design intent	- Access to relevant Environmental data within the model – e.g. BREEAM, EPC, Life Span of product	- Compare site progress versus model in the field - Record progress in the field	- Compare design intent versus installation - Understand coordination issues	- Compare site progress versus model in the field	- Access to model data in the field - Compare model data to installed assets - Share model issues from the field with real life context
View 2D Drawings & Documentation in the field	- Understand detail that may not be recorded within the model – e.g. CDM risks - Access to relevant specifications, standards and guidance	- Understand detail that may not be recorded within the model – e.g. interface details - Access to relevant specifications, standards and guidance	- Understand detail that may not be recorded within the model – e.g. BREEAM information - Access to relevant specifications, standards and guidance	- Understand detail that may not be recorded within the model – e.g. objects that may not be modelled - Access to relevant specifications, standards and guidance	- Understand detail that may not be recorded within the model – e.g. objects that may not be modelled - Access to relevant specifications, standards and guidance	- Ability to visualise elements that are costed but not modelled - Access to relevant specifications, standards and guidance	- Monitor compliance with BEP and associated standards remotely - Access to wider BIM documentation for reference in real life environment for compliance
Produce Digital Tasks linked to either 2D or 3D environment in the field	- Action on site hazard observations - Action H&S Good Practice - Address non- compliance issues - Accessible Site Audit Trail	- Action on site quality issues; e.g. snagging, defective materials - Action incomplete works - Accessible site audit trail	- Address on site environmental issues; e.g. water discharge, dust, noise, vibration - Accessible site audit trail	- Action incomplete works - Accessible site audit trail - Record status of project at regular intervals for future reference; e.g. condition of scaffolding, fire stopping installation	- Technical Queries from the field - Requests for Information from the field - Address non- compliance issues – e.g. incorrect materials - Accessible site audit trail	- Access to all site activity to understand which organisations are performing which activities - Monitor progress against costs	- Address BIM Compliance issues - Utilisation of BCF to communicate back to design team - Establish connections between site data and model data
Produce Digital Forms linked to either 2D or 3D environment in the field	- Production of regular forms – e.g. permits, inspections, drills, - Accessible evidence of controlling the works - Access to historical data over duration of project	- Production of regular quality forms – e.g. Inspection Checklist, Pre- Start Checklist, Quality Plans - Access to historical and live site data	- Production of regular quality forms – e.g. Environmental Inspection Checklist, Waste Records, Quality Plans - Access to historical and live site data	- Record site progress; planned vs actual - Access to live site data to understand progress over duration of project	- Manage change control and understand impact on design - Detailed technical queries and requests for information - Approve design solutions on site - Access to site data audit trail	- Manage change control and understand impact on design - Understand flow of information and impact on progress and costs - Manage sign off of work packages for payments	- Record Model Compliance against agreed deliverables - Establish connections between site data and model data
Perform Analysis on Digital Data created in the field	- Understand where current issues are quickly, and actions required - Establish trends in data against variables – e.g. amount of cleanliness issues by contractor discipline or building area	- Understand where current issues are quickly, and actions required - Establish trends in data against variables – e.g. amount of fire issues by contractor discipline	- Understand where current issues are quickly, and actions required - Establish trends in data against variables – e.g. amount of missing BREEAM data by design discipline	- Understand where current issues are quickly, and actions required - Establish trends in data against variables – e.g. amount of delays in planned vs actual by contractor discipline	- Understand where current issues are quickly, and actions required - Establish trends in data against variables – e.g. amount of coordination issues by design discipline	- Understand where current issues are quickly, and actions required - Establish trends in data against variables – e.g. amount of outstanding work by contractor discipline to substantiate payments	- Understand where current issues are quickly, and actions required - Establish trends in data against variables – e.g. amount of outstanding model issues by model author organisation