Title: The Use of BIM Software Application for Design and Construction of OfficeBuildings in Anambra State Nigeria: A Case Study of Selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies
Authors: Okoye Noel Ifeanyichukwukwu& Okolie Kelvin C.
Volume: 8
Issue: 9
Pages: 323-337
Publication Date: 2024/09/28
Abstract:
Building Information Modelling henceforth, BIM is a software application that is used by building professionals to plan, design, construct, and manage buildings in a digital 3D model incorporating detailed information that help in making decisions throughout the building's lifecycle.The use of BIM software application for design and construction of office buildings in selected Ministries, Departmentsand Agenciesin the state is faced with multiple problems ranging from the difficulty of building professionals to apply BIM software application to properly analyze, design, construct, maintain and manage office building projects; poor collaboration and integration of the building professionals at the early planning and designing stage of the project; lack of skilled and trained personnel in BIM software application and the absence of relevant BIM software application framework.The studyaimsto evaluate the use of BIM software application for the design and construction of office buildingsin selected Ministries, Departmentsand Agencies of the state with a view to developing a framework that will aid building professionals achieve effective design and construction. The objectives were to; identify and examine key BIM software application frequently used for design and construction of office buildings by building professionalsand develop BIM frameworks for effective application of BIM tool for the design and construction of office buildings in the selectedMinistries, Departmentsand Agenciesof the state. The study adopted a mixed research design (quantitative and qualitative) approach in addressing the research questions of this study. The study area was Anambra State Nigeria with a population of study of 223building experts (Land Surveyors, Architects, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Builders, etc). Sample size of 185respondents comprising of various building experts were drawn from the population study using Sloven's formula after a simple random sampling.The study shows a significant association between the perception of the various building experts and; the use of BIM software application for the design and construction of office buildings in the selected Ministries, Departmentsand Agencies of the State. The result also shows that BIM framework does significantly enhance effective design and construction of office building projects using BIM software application, hence the need to develop a framework. The study concludes that the use of appropriate BIM software application, integration of building experts and the adoption of relevant BIMframework are fundamental to the way office buildings are analyzed, designed, constructed, maintained and managed throughout the project lifecycle. The study recommends among others, the adoption of the developed BIM framework to ensure effective BIM software application usage fordesign and construction of office buildings in Anambra state.