Building information modelling : construction data integration past and present

The UK construction industry has often been criticised for its inefficiencies, adversarial relationships and poor health and safety record. In order to address these problems it has often tried to apply management theory, good practice and technology developed in different sectors, but generally it is slow to adopt innovation meaning the potential benefits are slow to be realised and limited in scale. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is one approach that aims to integrate the construction supply chain through the use of a multi-dimensional computer model of the building that contains design data that can additionally be used for maintenance and refurbishment purposes. The use of BIM has demonstrated construction cost savings but challenges regarding its uptake and use remain. This paper will describe the key challenges and developments associated with ICT use in the sector and the current situation regarding its use in practice in the UK.