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Profile of Building Information Modeling – BIM – Tools
Maturity in Brazilian Civil Construction Scenery
Samuel Santos, Oduvaldo Vendrametto, Miguel González, Creusa Correia

To cite this version:

Samuel Santos, Oduvaldo Vendrametto, Miguel González, Creusa Correia. Profile of Building In-
formation Modeling – BIM – Tools Maturity in Brazilian Civil Construction Scenery. IFIP Interna-
tional Conference on Advances in Production Management Systems (APMS), Sep 2015, Tokyo, Japan.
pp.291-298, _xFFFF_10.1007/978-3-319-22756-6_36_xFFFF_. _xFFFF_hal-01417492_xFFFF_

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Profile of Building Information Modeling – BIM – Tools
Maturity in Brazilian Civil Construction Scenery

Samuel Dereste dos Santos (samuel_dereste@yahoo.com.br)1,2,Oduvaldo
Vendrametto (oduvaldov@uol.com.br)1,Miguel León González
(miguel.leon@uol.com.br) 2, Creusa Fernandes Correia 2
(creusa.profmat@gmail.com)

1 Paulista University-UNIP, Dr. Bacelar St. 1212, São Paulo, Brazil
2 Cruzeiro do Sul University-UNICSUL, Dr. Ussiel Cirillo Ave. 225, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract. Building Information Modeling – BIM – tools are gaining, nowadays,
great visibility by the possibility of integrated project development. The imple-
mentation of BIM tools is gaining space worldwide, including Brazilian scenery.
Besides, the degree of tool implementation can vary depending the country, and
can show how is the level of projects that are being developed. This paper eval-
uates the degree of BIM maturity implementation in Brazil´s context, to find the
differences of BIM software utilization under different projects. The strategy
adopted was a technical review focused on periodical papers as well as a case
study developed with 16 BIM expert´s projects in Brazil. The results shown that
Brazil presents an advanced BIM implementation considering BIS – Department
of Business Innovations and Skills requirements, with great application in mod-
eling, building installations, infrastructure, and low applicability on development
of integrated projects.

Keywords: BIM, CAD, Profile, Maturity

1

Introduction

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has different definitions, with wide aspects
considered by experts. It can be defined as the process of generating, storing, managing,
exchanging, and sharing information from building process, in an interoperable and
reusable way, with the use of a computer generated model to simulate the planning,
design, construction and operational phases of a project [1]. The BIM – Building Infor-
mation Modeling – tools are gaining, worldwide, great importance despite all this qual-
ities for project development in AEC – Architecture, Engineering and Construction –
Area. This tool has conceptual differences when compared with other software and per-
mits a project development more efficient [2].

An analysis of the project development history since 1950 shows that the advent of
CAD – Computer Aided Design – tools remains the transfer to the computer infor-
mation that was handmade manipulated. Besides, with software and computer popular-
ization starts a process of evolution that changed the type of information manipulated.

adfa, p. 1, 2011.
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011

Besides all work integration possibilities of BIM tools nowadays, the construction
industry worldwide still exhibits a low maturity in BIM use, since no significant
changes in the traditional business model accompany the introduction of new tools [2].
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of BIM maturity implementation
in Brazil´s context, to find the differences of BIM software utilization under different
projects. The strategy was based on a technical review focused on periodical papers as
well as a study developed with 16 BIM expert´s projects in Brazil.

This paper is organized into sections as follows: introduction, technical review, case

study, discussion and, finally, results and references.

2

– Technical review

2.1 General Definition

The Building Information Modelling (BIM) can be understood like an IT approach
that involves applying and maintaining an integral digital representation of the building
information, considering different phases of the project lifecycle, working like a data
repository. The common data changed in this environment is geometric data, non-geo-
metric data (parameters), and this information is joined in a virtual reality ambience,
that allows research, collaboration, improve data integrity, intelligent documentation,
retrieving of building data. All these characteristics allow a high quality process project,
thorough an enhanced performance analysis, as well as multidisciplinary planning, ver-
ification and coordination [3]

This project model allows reducing design mistakes and increases productivity of
construction industry because is being used not only one software, but a family of tools
that, in an integrated way, results in an integrated model that have, inside, all the dif-
ferent projects steps and the different types of information joined in the same model.
Such, BIM provides an emerging new paradigm for project development and construc-
tion management to architecture, engineering and construction industry [4].

The potential of productivity increased by BIM implementation express one consider
modification in civil construction production projects. Besides the BIM definition, the
need and possibility of project development in integrated and interoperable platforms
was yet recognized already in the 1970s. BIM systems can be seen as an evolution of
CAD systems through intelligence and interoperable increasing information [4].

When a business implement BIM solutions, there are a substantial impact through
all stages of project and construction process. There is an expand of stakeholder collab-
oration through different steps of project development. However, is necessary a change
in business processes, and not only a simple promotion technology. BIM implementa-
tion can affect all the processes, and cannot be treated only as a software change [1].

At final, with BIM implementation, is possible to have a more accurate way of work-
ing, as a reduction of waste/loses (materials, resources, hour-work, etc). Besides, the 3
dimensional work allows the development of a better project. Instead, it needs the gen-
eration of models in extranet/internet, what makes necessary the utilization of security
protocols for information management [1].

2.2 BIM Maturity

The BIM implementation will not occur at the same way in all kind of business. BIM
adopters will need to go through a managed process of changing, starting with the in-
ternal organization through external suppliers and clients. BIS – Department of Busi-
ness Innovations and Skills – UK, developed a maturity model defining the levels from
0 through 3 (fig. 1) to understand software implementation in construction industry.
Worldwide, great part of the market is still working with Level 1 processes, and the
best in class are experiencing significant benefits in Level 2 [2].

Fig. 1. – BIM maturity implementation [2]

According BIS, the BIM evolution can be divided into 4 levels. The level 0 consists
in the first CAD applications for project development worldwide. The focus of these
applications was bi-dimensional objects, and remains the transfer of handmade projects
to computer in all areas, like aeronautics, mechanical and civil construction. The level
1 consists in the first efforts of make bi and tri-dimensional integrated objects, but the
objects of this level are difficult to be integrated because they are still vectorized, like
CAD previous tools [2].

In the sequence, the level 2 consists in the utilization of BIM first applications. How-
ever, the utilization in this phase are still modelling, without integration. At last, the
level 3 consists in the application of BIM in an integrated manner, with the project
development with different tools.

Others models were developed to understand the BIM implementation. Model Pro-
gression Specifications for BIM has been adopted by the American Institute of Archi-
tects to address the phase outcomes, milestones, and deliverables, and the idea of as-
signing tasks on a best person basis. The core was the level of detailing, which describes
the steps of the BIM element logical progress. The levels of details ranged from the
lowest level (100) of conceptual approximation to the highest level of representational
precision (500) (fig. 2.) [2].

Level of Detail
Model Content
Design and Cordination Non-geometric data or line work,

100
Conceptual

work, areas, volumes,
zones etc.

Model Progression Specifications (AIA)*

300

200
Approximate geometry Precise geometry
Generic elements shown in Confirmed 3D
three dimensions
• maximum size
• purpose

Object geometry
• dimension
• capacities
• connections

500
As-Built

400
Fabrication
Shop drawing/fabrication
• purchase
• manufacture
• install
• specified

*a portion of table adapted from American Institute of Architects, AIA-E202 element model table.

Fig. 2. – Model Progress Specifications. Adapted from [2]

2.3 BIM Implementation Stages and Definitions

The evolution of BIM tools can be linked with the type of information manipulated

in that phase. According [5], it can be defined by:

Table 1. – BIM stages and definitions. Adapted from [5].

Definition
First CAD applications drawings. Use of lines, arcs, and geometric
vectors.
First tri-dimensional objects, with some parameters like construction
materials.
Models with time-production information. Possibility of production
planning using just-in-time solutions.
Models with cost-estimation. Each element of the building model has
a cost associated with it. It’s allows for detailed analysis to be done
regarding budgets.
Sustainability analysis variables of building projects. LEED – Leader-
ship in Energy and Environmental Design – performance.
As-Built. Fundamental part to accurate Facilities Management.
Maintenance planning.

The BIM implementation in industry requires the adjustment of variables of working
(cooperation between pairs, suppliers), hardware, operators (designers, engineers, ar-
chitects, collaborators) and client demands. Worldwide, it had not a uniform implemen-
tation, where different solutions divide same partners, and it is a great challenge for
BIM implementation. To understand these variables in Brazilian Civil Construction
scenery, is necessary evaluate the market behavior.

Stage
2D

3D

4D

5D

6D

7D

3

Case Study

3.1 Description

To understand the degree of BIM maturity implementation in Brazil, there was made
an analysis of works presented by BIM experts of Brazil at “Autodesk University Bra-
zil” in the years 2013 and 2014. In this event, the most important offices shows their
BIM experiences developed in Brazil, what made the event one thermometer of how
the companies are leading with this technology, and how is the level of BIM software
integration in the country.

3.2

Sampling

Sixteen companies was analyzed by their case studies showed on lectures. There was
6.25% of small companies, 56.25% of medium companies and 37.5% of large compa-
nies. The business line of the companies were: 37.5% of companies develop architec-
ture projects and infrastructure works, 18.75% of the companies works with control and
planning production, and 6.25% with Building Systems (HVAC).

Fig. 3. – Company Profile Fig. 4 – Business Line

3.3

– BIS Data analysis and classification

Second [2], the BIS made one classification based on levels to define de degree of
maturity of BIM tools implementation. The BIS classification consider the scale
showed at table 2. Analyzing the projects and materials available by enterprises, no
ones were classified in Levels 0 and 1. About level 2, 37.5% of the companies were
classified in this level because they are using BIM solutions only for modeling, without
integration between different instances. So 62.5 % were classified in Level 3 because
they were using BIM solutions in a superior instance.

Table 2. Level Definitions by BIS [2]

Level

Data
Information

Characteristics

Bi-dimensional in-
formation. Vector

Tri-dimensional

information

CAD

2D-3D

BIM

Parametric Objects

IBIM/Lifecyc
le Manage-
ment

Parametric Objects.
Integrated Data. In-
teroperability

0

1

2

3

Fig. 5. BIS Classification Results

A problem resultant of this classification is the generalization made by BIS of how
kind of works are being developed inside Level 3, that consider advanced one enterprise
that develop projects at high BIM instances.

3.4

– Category Data Analysis

To resolve this problem, there was made another analysis dividing the BIM imple-
mentation into seven categories, named CAT-01, CAT-02, CAT-03, CAT-04, CAT-05,
CAT-06 e CAT-07. The characteristic of each one are listed at table 3. The objective
was understand the differences between BIM implementations in the different enter-
prises, to know the particularities of each one.

Table 3. – Category BIM classification

Category

Characteristics

Data
Infor-
mation

2D

3D

CAT-0

CAT-1

CAT-2

BIM

CAT-4

i-BIM

CAT-5

i-BIM

CAT-6

i-BIM

CAT-7

i-BIM

Bi-dimensional in-
formation

Tri-dimensional in-
formation

BIM for architec-
tural Modeling

Building Systems /
HVAC

Thermal and acous-
tic analysis

Infrastructure Pro-
jects

BIM Integration /
Interoperability

CAT-3

i-BIM

Structural Analysis

Fig. 6. Category Classification Results

4

Discussion

The BIM implementation inside a company can get different results depending of
the context. BIS classification can indicate the degree of BIM evolution inside a com-
pany. The results, according this classification, demonstrated that no enterprises are
Level 0 or Level 1, and 37,5% are Level 2 and 62,5% are Level 3. These results indi-
cates that great part of companies are implementing BIM tools into an advanced way.
However, the data analysis of Category Classification could shows that no enter-
prises are using only 2D and 3D solutions, but BIM for modeling (31,25%), BIM for
Structural Analysis (6,25%), Building Systems (37,5%) and Infrastructure Projects
(25%). No enterprises are using BIM for thermal and acoustic projects evaluation.

Another important aspect is the low rate of enterprises (37,5%) using BIM in an
integrated way. The great BIM challenge is the possibility of project development in a
collaborative job. If the offices in Brazil are not implementing software integration in
large scale, the BIM systems values are not full and contributes to a low evolution of
the tool in the country.

5

Conclusions

BIM tools were a great change on project development. The study shown that, be-
sides difficulties, the companies are implementing the tool. Considering the BIS clas-
sification, the companies are using the BIM tools into an advanced way, signaling that
software implementation is accompanying the world context.

Besides, the Category Analysis showed a low application of structural analysis with
BIM tools (6,25 %), and a great force in Modeling (31,25%), HVAC (37,5%) and In-
frastructure (25%). The Category Analysis also showed that great part of the companies
(62,5%) use BIM tools without instances integration. Companies did not mention the
thermal and acoustic analysis.

To professionals, the BIM implementation in AEC industry means a better kind of
tool for project development, with could permit the collaborative work, with is very
interesting in our actual scenery, where the deadlines are short and changes need to be
done in a fastest way. A collaborative work also permits project development without
disciplines incompatibilities, contributing for a more efficiency project.

Besides, for Building and Facilities Managers, the growing of projects developed
with BIM tools creates an opportunity for a better work, where all information is joined
at same model, allowing a better maintenance of all building systems, saving energy
and water, becoming ecological the building lifecycle.

The challenges of BIM implementation in Brazil are many, and, the BIM integration
with interoperability data can be, in the long run, a way of better project development
processes in Brazil context.