Application of BIM on Quantity Estimate for Reinforced Concrete

The focus of this study is on the differences in quantity estimates made by BIM and a senior engineer using conventional method for materials needed during construction. BIM-Revit Architecture 2012 is utilized to establish the information for two actual cases the control room for a new construction and a single floor on a school campus to conduct estimates for the amount of reinforced concrete needed. For comparison, an engineer with considerable experience is also asked to perform the above estimate. Data from the two estimates are compared and the unit price obtained from the Public Construction Commission is applied to calculate the price difference. The result shows that in Case 1, the engineers estimate is higher than that of BIM by 1.33%, while in Case 2, the engineers estimate is higher than that of BIM by 0.30%. The results indicate that estimates made by BIM have high accuracy. Thus, applying BIM toward the construction industry may effectively reduce human errors such as omissions and miscalculations.