IMPROVING INDUSTRIALISED BUILDING SYSTEM (IBS)

CONSTRUCTION THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF BUILDING

INFORMATION MODELING (BIM) IN INTEGRATED PRACTICE
1
Teo Yu Shan, 2Mariati Taib
1,2
School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia 11800, Penang, Malaysia
1
yu_shan93@hotmail.com, 2mariati@usm.my

ABSTRACT
Currently, Industrialised Building System (IBS) implementation faced a lot of barriers associated with
fragmentation problem in traditional construction process such as reworks, project delays, cost overruns and
lack of communication and coordination. However, the adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in
integrated practice is identified as one of the solutions that could minimize the problem associated with
fragmentation in construction [1]. Therefore, this research will study the impacts of fragmentation issue in IBS
projects and assess the awareness and current usage of IBS towards BIM in Malaysia. The study was carried out
through the interview session and distribution of questionnaires via email to all IBS contractors listed under the
G7, G6 and G5 CIDB registration list within Penang region. There are 104 sets of questionnaires have been
collected back. The main conclusion drawn from the study are that the high rate of fragmentation issue in
Malaysian construction industry has resulted in poor quality and low productivity of IBS construction projects
and the adoption rate of BIM is still very low in the construction industry due to unawareness of potential
benefit of BIM application in construction projects. Furthermore, this research has identified the potential
factors that could encourage the adoption of BIM in integrated practice in order to minimize the fragmentation
issue in IBS projects.

Keywords: Industrialised Building System; fragmentation problem; Building Information Modeling; integrated
practice; impacts of fragmentation issue; assess the awareness and current usage; potential factors
that could encourage the adoption of BIM in integrated practice

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The construction industry is one of the drivers of economic growth of every country [2]. It has shown a
significant impact on social, environmental and economic. However, the quality of construction environment in
Malaysia has dragged behind other industries [3].
Currently, the successful adoption of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) is now emerging
within the construction industry due to the increasing awareness of the benefit of ICTs [4].
Industrialised Building System (IBS) is one of the technologies that enhance the construction industry to be
more efficient and productive. It is the method of construction which the construction system is built up by
using prefabricated components; where the components are manufactured, transported, positioned and
assembled into a structure with minimal additional of site work [5]. The advantages of the application of IBS
include improved quality, reduced waste material, increased efficiency and productivity and enhance cost
effectiveness [6].
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is another technology which is the software application used to assist
construction industry to be more efficient and productive. BIM encompasses all phases of construction from
designing, analysis, construction, operation and data management [7]. Normally, BIM is adopted by
construction contractors in order to improve the planning and management of construction projects. Public
Works Department (PWD) has introduced an idea on the implementation of BIM in Malaysia since 2007 [8].
However, it is rarely used in the local construction of Malaysia.
There are many researchers have studied Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Industrialized Building
System (IBS), but both of these topics have been rarely studied together. Therefore, this study tends to explore
the adoption of BIM in integrated practice in order to increase the productivity and efficiency in the IBS
construction.
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Fragmentation Problem in IBS Projects

The IBS construction still faced some adoption barrier in implement IBS system although there are various
benefits of using IBS system. Current studies show that most of the Industrialised Building System (IBS) project
procurement or delivery methods in Malaysia are still based on the traditional approach. This traditional
construction process has been widely criticized for its fragmented approach to project delivery and resulted in
failure to form effective teams [9]. The fragmentation problem of IBS has impacted Malaysian construction
industry.
Normally, the lack of integration in design, construction and production process has impacted the
productivity and efficiency of IBS projects. This lack of integration among relevant players in design stage has
resultant in need for plan redesign and additional cost to be incurred if IBS is adopted [10]. Normally, IBS
manufacturers and contractors are only involved after the design stage. This has caused lack of integration
between designers and manufacturers.
Besides, the disputes always arise due to the misunderstanding between design professionals and
contractors. The construction work only begins after the design drawing prepared and completed by design
professionals meet the owners needs. The projects are carried out in a sequential manner and the construction
cannot be commenced prior to the completion of the design. Therefore, the misunderstanding between the
design consultant and contractors causes the design conflict happen.
Meanwhile, the separation process between design and construction also caused lack of coordination in the
project [11]. It causes poor communication between the design consultants and contractors. This is because all
the project works are carried out individually rather than as a team. Usually, the coordination problem will arise
when each trade contractors have not scheduled appropriately.
Normally, the process carries in a sequential manner that only can begin the construction process after the
design usually causes the project works are not completed within the project period. This will cause the cost of
the project increase and cost overrun. Besides, the design and construction that are not complete perfectly may
cause the high probability of rework [12]. Moreover, the design and construction error also cause rework in the
projects. Sometimes, the time spent on rework in the design phase is higher than that of the construction phase.
The IBS projects always lead to time delays and rework. All the decision making for each stage of the project
may cause time-consuming. Thus, the projects always fall behind the timetable. Besides, the design and
construction error also cause rework in the projects. Uncontrolled rework and wastage affect the performance of
the construction [13]. As a result, IBS system produces a low productivity and efficiency construction work.

2.2 Potential of Integrated Practice and BIM with IBS

Generally, IPD is considered as a new project delivery method that involves the integrated project team such as
designer, owner, contractor work together from the initial design stage until the project handover [14]. Architect,
engineer, designer, developer, contractor and owner will collaborate more tightly and effectively towards a
successful project delivery.
As has been discussed earlier, the fragmentation problem in IBS project is due to the separation in the
process of design and construction stage. Thus, a high effective collaboration and information sharing among
the project team is crucial in project delivery [15]. According to Eastman et al (2008), he suggested that
Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) with the utilisation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) could improve
the traditional fragmented construction process [16].
The principle of early involvement of Integrated Project Delivery allows the concurrent processes to
integrate the people, business structures, systems and practices [17]. Therefore, it can reduce the wastage and
optimise efficiency through all phase of the project. As a result, the issue of lack of integration and collaboration
existing in IBS projects can be overcome.
Through the integrated practice, project stakeholders do not require to spend time on conveying certain
information of documentation in the traditional design process [18]. This can save a lot of time and money in
IBS projects. Therefore, the weakness of current IBS projects in Malaysia can be improved by the integrated
practice of BIM and IBS and make the IBS project delivery process more effective and efficient.

3.0 METHODOLOGY
In this study, questionnaire survey was used to gather the relevant supportive information. The face to face
interviews was conducted in total 3 in order to identify the most appropriate questions and response alternatives
for the questionnaire. Google documents were used to design the online questionnaire for the survey. The email
address was acquired from the website of CIDB registration list and through personal contacts. Out of 188
questionnaires sent out, 104 were received. The data analysis is carried out by using MS Excel and IBM SPSS
Statistics 20.
The data collected were presented based on the outcome of the statistical analysis such as frequencies,
average index, Relative Important Index (RII) and rank. The use of A.I. is to determine the average response of
the respondents. A five-point Likert scale of 1 to 5 was adopted to show priority, in which:

1 = Strongly Disagree / Not At All Aware

2 = Disagree / Slightly Aware
3 = Undecided / Somewhat Aware
4 = Agree / Moderately Aware
5 = Strongly Agree / Extremely Aware

The average index is calculated by using the following formula:

a x
Average Index =
x
[( x 1)+(x 2)+(x 3)+(x 4)+( x 5)]
AI = ( x + x + x + x + x )

Where,
a = constant, weighing factor for i,
x = frequency of respondent
i = 1, 2, 3n
x = Number of respondents for Strongly Disagree or Not At All Aware
x = Number of respondents for Disagree or Slightly Aware
x = Number of respondents for Undecided or Somewhat Aware
x = Number of respondents for Agree or Moderately Aware
x = Number of respondents for Strongly Agree or Extremely Aware

According to Memon, A. H.et al. (2014), the evaluation ranges was used in this study in order to assess the
agreement level and awareness level as shown in table 1 [19].

Table 1: Evaluation ranges

Average index Rating scale

1.00 < average index < 1.50
1.50 < average index < 2.50
2.50 < average index < 3.50
3.00 < average index < 4.50
4.50 < average index < 5.00
Strongly disagree / Not at all aware
Disagree / Slightly aware
Undecided / Somewhat aware
Agree / Moderately aware
Strongly agree / Extremely aware

Relative Importance Index (RII) was used for ranking of the attributes in terms of their criticality. The ranges
for RII value is from 0 to 1 and the factors which scored the highest score of RII shows it was the most
important factors. The RII was calculated using the following formula:

W X
RII =
X
 Where,
i = response category index = 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
W = The weight assigned to ith response = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, respectively
X = Frequency of
th
Descriptions Frequencies Percentage (%)
the i response given
A. Profession
as percentage of the
Contractor 16 15.4
total responses for
Quantity surveyor 32 30.8
each factor
Engineer 21 20.2
Architect 19 18.3
Project manager 8 7.7
Others 8 7.7
A. Qualification
Certificate 4 3.8
Diploma 30 28.8
5. RESULTS Bachelor's degree 59 56.7 AND
DISCUSSIONS Master's degree 3 2.9
Doctorate 2 1.9
5.1 Respondent Others 6 5.8 Profile
B. Working experiences
As shown in 0-5 years 34 32.7 table 2, out of the
104 sets of 5-10 years 42 40.4 questionnaire
that were 10-15 years 22 21.2 received, most of
the respondents 15 years above 6 5.8 were quantity
surveyors C. Grade of contractor firm (30.8%),
followed by G5 21 20.2 engineer
(20.2%), G6 16 15.4 architect
(18.3%), G7 67 64.4 contractor
(15.4%), project D. Company size manager (7.7%)
and others 1-10 employees 11 10.6 (7.7%). Most of
the respondents 11-20 employees 41 39.4 were bachelors
degree holders More than 20 employees 52 50.0 (56.7%) and only
3.8% of them were certificate
holders (3.8%). Further, most of the respondents have 5-10 years working experience (40.4%) and respondents
with more than 15 working experience are the least (5.8%). In Addition, most of the respondents were from G7
IBS contractor firm (64.4%) with larger organization which has more than 20 employees (50.0%).

Table 2: Respondent Profile

5.2 Fragmentation Issue in IBS Projects

From the figure 3, the respondents were asked whether their organizations are involved in fragmentation issue.
Majority of the respondents mentioned that their organizations were involved in fragmentation issue (87.5%)
and only 12.5% of companies have never been associated with fragmentation issue. Based on the result from
figure 3, it can be concluded that the rate of fragmentation issue in Malaysian construction industry is very high
which has resulted in poor quality and low productivity of IBS construction.

Involvement in fragmentation issue

12.5

87.5

Yes No

Figure 3: Respondents company involvement in fragmentation issue

Table 4 shows the results of the responses to the impact of fragmentation issue in IBS construction. The
average index values of these variables indicated that the respondents were agreed that the fragmentation issue
had caused the problem of lack of integration between designers and contractors (4.15), lack of communication
(3.66), design clashes, omission and errors (3.99), changes of design (3.99), increase complexity of project
(3.54) and increase cost of project (3.84).
From the Relative Importance Index (RII) and overall ranking for impact of fragmentation issue as shown in
table 4, the lack of integration between designers and contractors is ranked at the top (RII = 0.830) and followed
by design clashes, omission and errors (RII = 0.798) and changes of design (RII = 0.798) whereas time delays is
ranked at the lowest (RII = 0.640). It has significantly shows that the adoption of traditional procurement
approach in construction projects has caused the lack of integration between designers and contractors.

Table 4: Impact of fragmentation issue in IBS construction

Impact of fragmentation issue in IBS projects AI RII Rank

Lack of integration between designers and contractors 4.15 0.830 1
Lack of communication 3.66 0.732 5
Misconceptions and misunderstandings 3.47 0.694 8
Design clashes, omission and errors 3.99 0.798 2
Changes of design 3.99 0.798 2
Increase complexity of project 3.54 0.708 6
Rework 3.48 0.696 7
Increase cost of project 3.84 0.768 4
Time delays 3.20 0.640 9
5.3 Awareness and Current Uses of BIM in Malaysia

From the analysis result, it shows that most of the construction professionals have the least aware of BIM and its
application. This might be one of the reason that the adoption rate of BIM in Malaysia is still low although
Malaysia government has provides training in using BIM tools to introduce BIM in construction industry. The
awareness of BIM was divided into four stages as shown in Table 5. In these stages, the most aware stage is
feasibility stage (RII = 0.425). The least aware stage is in-use and maintenance stage (RII = 0.345).
Table 6 shows the result of the responses to the awareness of BIM application. The average index values of
these variables indicated that the respondents only have slightly awareness of BIM application. According to
data analysis, able to quantify every element and generate Bills of Quantities automatically (RII = 0.486) and
able to reduce construction wastage and construction period (RII = 0.486) are the most aware element of BIM
application. The role of quantity surveyors in taking off quantities to produce a bill of quantities indicated that
they have more understanding towards the BIM application since quantity surveyors represent a large portion of
the respondents in this study.

Table 5: Level of awareness towards BIM at different stage

Stages RII Rank

BIM awareness at feasibility stage 0.425 1
BIM awareness at design stage 0.328 3
BIM awareness at construction stage 0.409 2
BIM awareness at in-use and maintenance stage 0.345 4

Table 6: Level of awareness on BIM application

Element AI RII Rank

A. BIM awareness at feasibility stage
A brief design or model can be projected at early stage 1.84 0.368 10
Pre-estimation can be identified within a shorter period 2.36 0.472 3
Any changes in the design will give effect to the pre-estimate 2.18 0.436 4
Forming a better integration between designers and client 2.12 0.424 6
B. BIM awareness at design stage
It converts 2D drawings into 3D models 1.65 0.330 16
Able to link all the data from different software such as AutoCAD, Tekia, Vico
1.77 0.354 14
and etc.
Able to detect clashes between structures and ducting for services 2.13 0.426 5
Able to quantify every element and generate Bills of Quantities automatically 2.43 0.486 1
Able to shorten the duration of tendering by eliminating the taking off process 1.87 0.374 9
C. BIM awareness at construction stage
Able to reduce construction wastage and construction period 2.43 0.486 1
Able to reduce variation orders 1.88 0.376 8
Able to reduce the probabilities of extension of time 2.04 0.408 7
Able to ease the project management procedures 1.83 0.366 11
D. BIM awareness at in-use and maintenance stage
Able to store historical data as references for new projects 1.82 0.364 12
Able to obtain pre-estimation on maintenance cost 1.67 0.334 15
Able to reduce the energy wastage 1.63 0.326 17
Able to retrieve the building data for renovation and replacement purposes 1.78 0.356 13

Table 7 shows the involvement of respondent in BIM projects. From the figure, only 4.8% of respondent had
involved in BIM projects and almost all of the respondents have never involve in BIM projects. This may due to
unawareness of potential benefit of BIM application in construction projects.
 Involvement in BIM projects

4.8

95.2
Yes No

Figure 7: Respondents involvement in BIM projects

5.4 Potential Factor that could Encourage the Adoption of BIM in Integrated Practice

Table 8 shows the perception of respondents on the potential factor that could encourage the adoption of BIM in
integrated practice. The average index values indicates that the respondents were agreed that the potential factor
that could encourage the adoption of BIM in integrated practice includes principle of early involvement in
concurrent process in order to reduce the waste and optimize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication
and construction (4.38), enhance communication between parties in the Architecture, Engineer and Construction
(AEC) industry (4.53), strengthen the project team's understanding of client's needs (4.33), reduce design-related
issues during construction phase such as constructability, rework and wastage (4.58), assist designers in order to
provide an accurate budget of estimation (4.06), put owner in control of entire collaborative process (4.02),
reduce construction cost and time (4.52) and ensure a better quality of work (4.05).
From the Relative Importance Index (RII) and overall ranking potential factor of BIM implementation in
IBS projects as shown in table 8, reduce design-related issues during construction phase such as
constructability, rework and wastage.is ranked at the top (RII = 0.916) and followed by enhance communication
between parties in the Architecture, Engineer and Construction (AEC) industry (RII = 0.906) and reduce
construction cost and time (RII = 0.904) whereas ensure a better quality of work is ranked at the lowest (RII =
0.810). The findings shows that it has a high potential of BIM implementation in construction industry as it can
solve fragmentation issue of IBS construction.

Table 8: Potential factor of BIM implementation in IBS projects

Potential factor of BIM implementation in IBS projects AI RII Rank

Principle of early involvement in concurrent process in order to reduce the waste
4.38 0.876 4
and optimize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication and construction
Enhance communication between parties in the Architecture, Engineer and
4.53 0.906 2
Construction (AEC) industry
Strengthen the project team's understanding of client's needs 4.33 0.866 5
Reduce design-related issues during construction phase such as constructability,
4.58 0.916 1
rework and wastage.
Assist designers in order to provide an accurate budget of estimation 4.06 0.812 6
Put owner in control of entire collaborative process 4.02 0.804 8
Reduce construction cost and time 4.52 0.904 3
Ensure a better quality of work 4.05 0.810 7

6.0 CONCLUSION

The aim of this research is to explore the adoption of BIM in IBS construction. From the finding of the
study, it can be concluded that:
1. The rate of fragmentation problem in Malaysian construction industry is very high which needs attention
and serious effort to ensure productivity and efficiency of IBS construction.
2. The major impact of fragmentation issue in IBS construction are lack of integration between designers and
contractors, follow by design clashes, omission and errors and changes of design.
3. Majority of the construction industry has low level of awareness and uses towards BIM although Malaysia
government has provided training in using BIM tools to introduce BIM in the construction industry.
4. The ability to reduce design-related issues during construction phase such as constructability, rework and
wastage, enhance communication between parties in the Architecture, Engineer and Construction (AEC)
industry and reduce construction cost and time are the most potential factors that could encourage the
adoption of BIM in IBS construction.

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