Why is BIM adoption arduous for United States?

Posted on: March 8, 2019, By: Dhvani Badheka

Overview

Building Information Modeling implementation and adoption had been started long back in the 1990s all around the world, but in the US it started from 1970s. Its rate in the US is moderately slowing down. Till date, no mandate has been applied by the government. Without VDC standards, the deliverables are emphasized on client-to-client or project-to-project basis. The General Service Administrator (GSA) in the US prepared the national 3D and 4D BIM program in 2003 because of which it got mandated for public works projects.

Many private and public companies are looking forward to executing Virtual Design and Construction due to increased funding of construction projects and the US government also aims to support investments in Infrastructure.

Today more than 70% of contractors in the US are adopting such technologies for various projects to leverage the benefit of cost-savings, efficiency, and material optimization and increased ROI (Source: McGraw Hill Construction).In 2009, the Indiana University issued IU BIM standards and Project Delivery Requirements and also the Penn state university also indicated VDC adoption by facility owners.

The first state in the United States to successfully adopted BIM is Wisconsin for public projects with an overall budget of $5 million in 2010. Los Angeles Community College District (LCCD) in 2018 stipulated its adoption to nine of its campuses. BIM implementation has become an important tool for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry (AEC) in the US and is at a slow phase but gradually is moving at the right track to implement the technology.

An annual growth rate of 21.6 % from 2016 to 2022 is expected to achieve in the United States for the adoption of BIM Modeling Services by the reports of Alliance Market Research. Recent Dodge Data & Analytics survey depicts that US contractors are exploring the increased ROI that they get by the use of it out of which 5% reduction is derived in final construction costs, 25% improvements in labor productivity, 25% reduction in labor and 5% increase in speed of project completion.

Standardization and Collaboration in the US:

Standardization and Collaboration have helped to improve productivity in the construction industry for the US. Construction standards have improved ROI for contractors and engineers. Engineers easily understand BIM Co-ordination Services than the architects.

Barriers that are Distracting Mandate in the US:

The major factor in arduous of BIM mandate in the US is decentralization which states that no common set of government practices can be followed in the US. Another factor may include that many industrial parties don’t want to implement it as it is expensive technology and lack of experts are available for the same.

Many architects have to lay the liability of any demolition in the construction of the projects taken by him. So due to this architect are not keen to implement VDC as under pressure of liability addressed to any constructions. Architects are not even aware of which stage BIM is to be implemented and need constant guidance with agencies or companies.  Every two year, Architects needs to undermine the exam to know how well they are adverse with updated rules and regulation of it.

Every state in the US has different code applicable due to which practitioners need to manage BIM collaboration between them which is most of the times challenging to conduct and need to articulate the weather conditions, as well as they, are different at all regional zones.

In the US, different agencies handle construction projects and look upon its adoption due to which mandating BIM can be controversial for some companies.

Conclusion:

BIM has revolutionized the industry where every company benefits from adopting it to indicate future possibilities. It has set a foundation for making possibilities turn into reality. BIM adoption in the US will be sooner mandated as it is growing much popularity in many countries and serving the benefit of efficiency productivity, reduced rework and cost-savings. Many government departments must update their rules and regulation which in turn can make the work of Architects easier once they get proper training and knowledge on BIM adoption and implementation at the right stage. Standard codes and practices must be common and adapted gradually in the US.

Written By:
Dhvani Badheka

Dhvani is an irreverent writer who has over 4 years of experience under her belt. She is a life-long learner and a quick study which provides her articles a unique insight. She is always reading, researching new materials and trying to expand her knowledge of the AEC industry so that she can create interesting and valuable content.