Al-Saeed, Y; Edwards, D J and Scaysbrook, S (2020) Automating construction manufacturing procedures using BIM digital objects (BDOs): Case study of knowledge transfer partnership project in UK. Construction Innovation, 20(3), pp. 345-377. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose: This paper aims to present a novel proof-of-concept framework for implementing building information modeling (BIM) Digital Objects (BDO) to automate construction product manufacturers’ processes and augment lean manufacturing. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed interpretivist and post-positivist epistemological lens is adopted to pursue the proof-of-concept’s development. From an operational perspective, a synthesis of literature using interpretivism provides the foundation for deductive research inquiry implemented within a case study approach. Within the case study, participatory action research (PAR) is implemented to test the proof of concept via three “waterfall” research phases, namely, literature diagnosis and BIM package selection, BDO development and validation and evaluation. Findings: The findings illustrate that a BDO (which represents the digital twin of manufacturing products) can augment and drive automation processes and workflows for construction product manufacturers within a contractor’s supply chain. The developed framework illustrates the benefits of a BDO, by reducing the number of manufacturing processes to effectively eliminate early errors in the model, generates financial savings and reduces material wastage. Originality/value: This research provides a seminal case study that implements BDO to automate construction product manufacturing processes and demonstrates the utilisation of BDO at an operational (vis-à-vis theoretical) level. Future research is proposed to implement a longitudinal approach to measure and report upon the success (or otherwise) of the proof of concept when implemented on fabrications and shop floor procedures.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | BIM digital objects; case study; construction supply chain; industry 4.0; IoT; manufacturer |
| Index terms: | building information modelling, industry 4.0, case study, package, partnership, manufacturing process, savings, construction supply chain, automation, fabrication, manufacturer, action research, interpretivism, methodology, validation, lean manufacturing, knowledge transfer, digital twin, workflow, construction product |
| Subjects: | information systems, partnership management, automation and robotics, professional development, management, manufacturing engineering, theoretical framing, research methods, technology adoption, contractual arrangements, economic analysis, construction logistics, practitioner, data collection methods, research dissemination and communication, digital engineering |
| Topics: | Supply Chain Management, Digital Applications, Procurement, Stakeholder Management, Roles and Professions, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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