Koo, Hyun Jeong (2021) Building design quality: Design complexity and BIM applications. Doctor thesis, University of Texas at Austin, USA.
Abstract
Design deliverable quality is one of the most critical factors to the overall performance of a construction project, but achieving it has become difficult due to the ever increasing complexity of the construction environment. Consequently, various technologies are continuously developed and implemented on projects to enhance the efficiency and quality of design and construction processes. The objective of this dissertation is to examine how these emergent complexities—and the technological remedies for these complexities—affect building design quality. To achieve this objective, this dissertation presents three studies in Chapter 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Chapter 2 provides a deep exploration of the types of complexity embedded in design problems. By conducting statistical analyses of leading indicators of design defects, the author determined that problematic deliverables involve technical complexity more than organizational complexity, and that different types of causal factors contribute to different types of complexity. In Chapter 3, the author focused on the current status of technologies aimed at improving design quality. First, after extracting key design quality themes through viii qualitative analysis, the author connected them with applicable BIM functions. Based on this result, a framework of five BIM-based key design processes was developed to show how BIM can be effectively utilized during the design phase. Lastly, the limitations of BIM in terms of design quality are examined in Chapter 4. In the course of a statistical analysis of whether leading indicators are or are not supported by BIM, the author determined that BIM is currently not capable of incorporating constructability, commissioning, and maintenance information during the design phase. This analysis also generated a table presenting the leading indicators not supported by BIM, along with their associated potential defects. These findings also helped the author formulate recommendations for future research to advance BIM use in design quality management. This dissertation fills a gap in the academic body of knowledge by providing a deeper understanding of design quality management on building construction projects. Specifically, through its investigation of the complexity involved in design problems and through its determination of the current capability of BIM to mitigate such design problems, this study has contributed valuable new knowledge on BIM use and design management. Further, by identifying the relationship between design quality and complexity, and by developing a framework and a table of valuable information on design defect leading indicators, this dissertation helps industry practitioners develop proactive strategies for effective defect prevention and design quality management on building projects.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | O'Connor, James Thomas |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building information modeling; design management; complexity; construction management; design quality |
| Index terms: | efficiency, building design, building information modelling, design defect, statistical analysis, critical factor, design phase, design and construction, investigation, prevention, constructability, dissertation, design process, design quality, building construction, strategy, exploration, design management, construction project, practitioner, commissioning, qualitative analysis, body of knowledge, complexity |
| Subjects: | research dissemination and communication, practitioner, environmental resource management, professional practice, knowledge management, contractual arrangements, architectural design, production management, financial risk, design process, building construction, completion, data collection methods, risk assessment, research design and methodology, design methods, data science, management, construction integration, performance management, information systems, systems engineering |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Information Management, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Construction Technology, Roles and Professions, Design Practice, Digital Applications, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Procurement, Sustainability, Risk Management, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here