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Review

Benefits and Barriers of Implementing Building Information Modeling Techniques for Sustainable Practices in the Construction Industry—A Comprehensive Review

by
Shuvo Dip Datta
1,
Bassam A. Tayeh
2,*,
Ibrahim Y. Hakeem
3 and
Yazan I. Abu Aisheh
4
1
Department of Building Engineering and Construction Management, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna 9203, Bangladesh
2
Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza P.O. Box 108, Palestine
3
Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Najran University, Najran P.O. Box 1988, Saudi Arabia
4
Department of Civil Engineering, Middle East University, Amman 11831, Jordan
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sustainability 2023, 15(16), 12466; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612466
Submission received: 29 June 2023 / Revised: 13 August 2023 / Accepted: 14 August 2023 / Published: 16 August 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Composites and the Environment)
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Abstract

:
The benefits and barriers of implementing building information modeling (BIM) and sustainability have all been the subject of numerous studies that have been performed both separately and in pairs. Despite this, there are presently no studies that include both of these ideas. This paper aims to integrate various technologies, methodologies, and concepts to close this gap specific to the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors by outlining how concepts could coexist and support one another. To that goal, a thorough literature study was conducted to determine how recently academics had investigated the synergies between these fields. Results point to synergies, mostly the benefits and barriers of BIM in the sustainable construction sector. After the literature review, 46 identified factors associated with benefits and 21 factors associated with barriers were obtained. Among the factors, “Promoting carbon emission reduction” and “Enhancing material wastage reduction” are the top environmental benefits of implementing BIM in sustainable construction projects. The popular economic benefits were “Improving design efficiency”, “Reducing the overall project costs”, and “Promoting productivity” and the most important social benefit was “Enhancing project safety and health performance”. On the other hand, the lack of experts was the major barrier to BIM implementation in sustainable construction projects. Thus, the findings assist the BIM and sustainability integration’s benefits and barriers for a better and sustainable construction industry.

1. Introduction

In recent years, the construction industry has undergone significant advancements. However, it is often criticized for its high energy consumption and environmental pollution, which accounts for 40% of global energy consumption, 25% of waste generation, and 25% of water usage [1]. Although the construction industry (CI) has made notable progress in recent times, it remains subject to condemnation due to its elevated energy consumption and environmental contamination. These issues account for a substantial portion of worldwide energy usage, waste production, and water consumption. These difficulties can slow down the development of cutting-edge technologies. Sustainable construction techniques combined with BIM technology have been proposed as a successful solution to address these issues. As one prominent example, consider the Shanghai Centre, a sizable construction project that utilized BIM and sustainability in CI to generate considerable energy savings of around 40% and enable the development of a more effective management system [2]. The Pearl River Tower is another iconic sustainable construction project that achieved its objectives. According to Zhang et al. [3], the usage of BIM enhances management structure and decreases energy expenses by 30%.
The status of BIM’s expertise in sustainable buildings for advancing global sustainability cannot be overstated. The combination of BIM technology and sustainable construction practices can be implemented throughout all phases of a project, including but not limited to the initial briefing and design stages, the construction process, the operation of the completed project, and ongoing maintenance. Several challenges are raised with Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies’ application in sustainable construction and their novel usage and integration into BIM [4]. The use of BIM and GIS in environmentally friendly construction to develop an advanced information management system was studied by Wang et al. [5]. Saieg et al. [6] conducted a literature study on the topic of combining BIM, lean construction, and sustainability in the decision-making process. It is clear from the findings that the interplay between these sectors will lead to future gains in efficiency that will have positive effects on the economy and the environment. However, there is a need to investigate the benefits and barriers of implementing BIM technologies in sustainable construction projects to visualize the impact of updated construction technologies.
Numerous studies have been performed to learn more about each of these ideas and, in some cases, their relationship pairwise, after the growth of these two fields. Although more studies are being performed in these fields, there is still little to no research on how the BIM and sustainability concepts connect to one another or the benefits and barriers of adopting those together in the construction sector. The primary aim of this review is to provide an overview of the existing literature on interactions, with a focus on extensively researched themes and encountered constraints. Subsequently, this review aims to establish a cohesive relationship between these two concepts to enhance the AEC industry’s quality while also proposing possible paths for future research. This is carried out by taking into account any potential combined effect that the mixtures of these principles create pairwise. With the purpose of finding and evaluating the interconnections of BIM and sustainability in the AEC business, this study presents a comprehensive literature review.

1.1. BIM in Construction Projects

BIM is a technology for n-D modeling, virtual models, or virtual prototyping, according to Eastman et al. [7]. The BIM methodology encompasses the entire life cycle of a building or piece of infrastructure. It is based on the digitization process and collaboration among different stakeholders, allowing for the integration and management of data, design, and documentation throughout the entire process [8]. BIM can also be referred to as a computer-aided technology for managing data within the construction industry, with an emphasis on BIM production, analysis, and communication [7]. Meanwhile, Azhar [9] defined BIM as a precise digitally created computer-generated representation of a building that enables stakeholders to visualize the proposed construction.
The swift advancement of the construction sector has led to traditional management and monitoring approaches becoming inadequate, resulting in decreased job efficiency and impaired flow of information across project delivery stages [10]. In order to improve project management, support trade crews, and promote a more productive work environment, the construction industry is adopting digitization. Project information digitization has emerged as a means for the construction industry to achieve greater efficiency and precision in its processes, thus reducing costs and optimizing production [11,12]. BIM is habitually viewed as a catalyst for productivity and innovation in the CI [13,14,15,16]. BIM enables the development of a computer-generated 3D model that encompasses the entire life cycle of a project, from planning to design, construction, and operation. It provides an all-encompassing and holistic view of the building and its components [17].
Professionals in the construction industry have made noteworthy endeavors to enhance the adoption of BIM in construction projects. This is due to the recognition of its potential to enhance project outcomes and augment the overall efficiency of the industry. In recent years, there has been mounting pressure from architects, engineers, and consultants (AEC industry) for construction organizations to adopt BIM technologies. As a result, these organizations are increasingly implementing advanced strategies, such as BIM, to improve their efficiency and effectiveness [13]. BIM not only promotes efficient and effective managing operations in construction projects but also improves collaboration and communication among stakeholders by providing a centralized, digital platform for the sharing and coordination of project-related information [18].
BIM is widely used throughout the life cycle of a project to facilitate the creation, collection, management, manipulation, and dissemination of construction data in an efficient manner. Additionally, BIM supports project visualization, scheduling, communication, and collaboration among stakeholders [19]. In addition to being recognized for its economic and environmental benefits, the implementation of BIM in construction projects provides the ability to advance product quality and promote more sustainable building designs [7,20].
The quality of construction projects has been enhanced due to the successful application of BIM in preventing project delays and controlling construction costs [18]. Most construction problems, like design discrepancies and data loss, are generally attributed to this and are identified and resolved during the pre-construction stage with the use of BIM, leading to a smoother and more successful execution of the project during the construction stage. According to Latiffi, Mohd, and Rakiman [18], BIM deployment in construction projects is critical for achieving improved project outcomes.
BIM adoption signals a paradigm change away from conventional working methods and toward a collaborative and integrated working process [10]. The utilization of BIM offers incentives for various stakeholders involved in a construction project, like owners, facility managers, contractors, and fabricators, as well as architects and engineers, to improve project outcomes, increase efficiency, and enhance collaboration [7].

1.2. Sustainability in Construction Projects

A growing emphasis has been placed on sustainable development as a response to concerns about the environment and climate change, as well as addressing issues such as poverty, increasing socioeconomic disparities, and social inequalities [21,22]. The perception of sustainable development, which emerged in the 1970s and gained prominence in the 1980s, is considered to encompass responsible actions that ensure an extended period of time without affecting the capacity of the next generations to fulfil their requirements [23]. According to Stoddart et al. [24], sustainability is the notion of managing resources responsibly and equitably over time, creating an economic system that works within the bounds of the environment. It involves making decisions that are conscious of the current and future generations and utilizing natural resources in a way that preserves them for those who come after. Typically, the three dimensions of sustainability including economic, social, and environmental are considered collectively and interdependently [25]. As these three dimensions are often in conflict with each other (for example, achieving social and environmental sustainability at the expense of economic sustainability), achieving a sustainable equilibrium can be challenging [25]. Figure 1 illustrates the main dimensions of sustainability.
As a result of escalating sustainability concerns, such as decreasing carbon dioxide production and reducing dependency on non-renewable energy sources, various construction projects are being required to adopt green and sustainable construction practices. It is crucial to exercise caution in the execution of construction projects to avoid depleting funding and leaving future generations unable to meet their individual needs [26]. The use of sustainability principles in the CI is often referred to as sustainable construction. Sustainability has increasingly come to be understood as a helpful strategy to encourage the growth of the CI [27,28,29].
According to Oke et al. [30], the CI considerably raises human life quality and plays a vital part in protecting the indigenous environment by utilizing resources, assets, and water in a sustainable manner [31]. According to Hill and Bowen [32], sustainable construction is the concept of utilizing resources in a way that is both environmentally conscious and responsible. It was initially used to refer to the obligation of the building sector to create a sustainable future.
The term “sustainable construction” refers to a variety of various things to different people [33]. Agyekum-Mensah et al. [34] introduced a concept of sustainability in the CI that has changed over time. Initially, the focus was on managing scarce resources, particularly energy, but that has since grown to include the use of eco-build and green-build materials, components, technologies, and energy-related designs [1].
The research status and development trends of sustainable development in the construction sector are also observed in the production of sustainable concrete. Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) is a green material for sustainable development that helps ease the pressure on natural resources caused by the increasing demand for infrastructure [35,36]. Moreover, Sobuz et al. [37] concluded that RAC minimized embodied CO2 emissions and saved costs compared to traditional concrete. In addition, the RAC’s structural property can be improved by incorporating waste nano-materials and fiber [38,39]. Therefore, environmental and economic sustainability in concrete can be achieved by replacing traditional raw materials with recycled materials.
Furthermore, according to Ismail et al. [40], sustainable construction methods should be employed throughout the entire project life cycle to bolster the resilience of housing developments in the face of disasters. This includes land use planning, the development of environmentally conscious structures, the utilization of sustainable building materials, optimal resource management, and a decrease in construction waste. Therefore, sustainable building is an approach to construction that recognizes the far-reaching economic, social, and environmental effects of all stages of the process. It ensures that all steps, from the beginning of planning to the completion of the project, are conducted in a way that is mindful of our current and future resources [40].
According to Jamwal et al. [41], most existing research on sustainable construction manufacturing relies on single-model techniques based on fuzzy logic. However, Jamwal et al. [42] reported that lean and environmental management, sustainable machining, decision-making, industry 4.0, and lean production systems are all instances of sustainable construction manufacturing from 1999 to 2020. Moreover, Presley and Meade [43] provided a framework and technique to help construction companies and contractors include sustainability indicators in their benchmarking efforts.
Sustainability in infrastructure can be defined as a strategy for achieving a balance between economic, environmental, and social considerations in relation to building design, construction, use, and maintenance [44]. According to Oke, Aigbavboa, and Semenya [30]; Ismail, Halog, and Smith [40]; and Aghimien et al. [45], sustainable construction places emphasis on reducing building energy use throughout construction and during the buildings’ operational lives [46]. It is vital to utilize sustainable construction methods in order to construct sustainable infrastructure that will support sustainable development [47].
There is a general consensus that sustainable development encompasses at least three dimensions—social, economic, and environmental—despite variations in the definition of the term [29]. Sustainable buildings must effectively integrate environmental goals with social and financial considerations to achieve an excellent quality of living, productivity, and a safe working environment [46]. Many modern authors agree that a healthy and prosperous construction industry is essential for achieving social, environmental, and economic success [34,48]. The sustainable construction process aims to uphold, enhance, and promote economic justice while also preserving the natural environment, which aligns with the principles and objectives of those perspectives [49].

1.3. Scope of the Research

The ideas of BIM and sustainable designs have lately taken center stage in the growth of the construction sector. The following questions were taken into consideration in order to comprehend existing research attempts to relate these fields pairwise and to find obstacles to and benefits of combining the two concepts:
  • Question 1: Barriers to implementing BIM in the sustainable AEC industry is the first research topic.
  • Question 2: How may sustainable concepts and BIM features help building projects address the difficulties of sustainable development?
Additionally, this study makes three distinct contributions. First, we examine how BIM and sustainability interact in the AEC sector while taking sociological, economic, and operational stances to better understand their inter-relationships. Second, we list the benefits and barriers of this integration. Third, a set of interactions was discussed that might be seen as barriers and benefits of a BIM integration to achieve sustainability in the industry, based on the findings from the synergies between BIM and sustainability.
This article’s remaining sections are organized as follows: the research methodology is presented in Section 2, including the keywords utilized, the steps followed to find publications, and the inclusion/exclusion criteria that served as the foundation for the papers examined.
The author’s perspective regarding the way BIM functions and sustainability might interact cohesively for improved building projects is presented in Section 4, along with how pairwise interaction has been examined in recent research. The findings, both quantitative and qualitative, are summarized in Section 3. Lastly, conclusions are offered, tracked with Section 5’s future study goals based on the findings.

2. Materials and Methods

The three steps that made up the methodology for this study were as follows:
Numerous papers were reviewed for this study, concentrating on the research’s scope and restricting the sample to choosing, analyzing, and interpreting only pertinent and adherent works for the particular issue, as Viegas et al. [50] highlighted. By outlining the research plan, the reader is able to evaluate the method’s rigor, completeness, and reproducibility. In order to make the process visible and to inform the reader of what was not addressed with the review, it is essential that primary studies be chosen using clear inclusion and exclusion criteria.
From Figure 2, it is observed that stage 1 was completed in two rounds, the first of which was a study of the literature that covered topics such as the identification, categorization, and methods for enhancing BIM implementation in the sustainable construction sector. Two stages are taken to complete the literature search. In the initial phase of the literature search, manual searches in databases and search engines are used to look for titles, abstracts, and keywords. Google Scholar, the Scopus database, and the Web of Science were some of the databases and search engines mentioned. There is no one database that considers all publications on a certain issue; thus, even while the usage of various databases produced a significant quantity of duplicates, it also ensured that nearly every study that should be taken into consideration was located. Mendeley, a reference manager that enables annotations and searches inside documents, and simple duplication elimination, were used to centralize, organize, and regulate the data collected.
To categorize related earlier sources, the examined keywords were designated to be “BIM benefits”, “Environmental benefits”, “Economical benefits”, “Social benefits”, “Sustainable construction”, “Construction management”, and “AEC industry”. The initial research string was defined using the boolean operators “AND” and “OR” of the selected keywords. The total number of benefit sources found after searching through databases and search engines was 104. The sources’ titles and abstracts were then examined, and those found to be pertinent to the review were chosen to be retrieved and given a thorough examination. The sources were selected using the following inclusion criteria: (a) those with indicated benefits of BIM for the sustainable construction sector; (b) those published between 2010 and 2021, as presented in Figure 3; (c) those available online; and (d) those written in English. Therefore, the authors reached out to 46 different benefits from 36 related sources to the benefits of BIM implementation after a heavy analysis of sources, as presented in Figure 4 and designated in Table 1. Among the 46 factors, some factors are present in several studies. The authors extracted the factors based on 3 criteria. Those that are environmental, economical, and social benefits were sorted from the studies. After that, the 46 benefit factors were subdivided into 16 environmental benefits, 15 economic benefits, and 15 social benefits.
In order to identify barriers to BIM implementation in the sustainable AEC industry, 95 sources in total were looked into during stage 1. The search criteria, study selection, and extraction of the factor process are similar to the benefit factor finding criteria. The keywords, titles, and abstracts were manually searched in the databases and search engines during the second round of literature review. To categorize related earlier sources, the examined keywords were designated to be “BIM barriers”, “Sustainable construction”, “Construction management”, “Barriers of sustainability”, and “AEC industry”. Similar to the previous phase, the sources’ titles and abstracts were examined, and those found to be pertinent to the review were chosen. In the second round of analysis, the authors reached out to 21 different benefits from 34 related sources to the barriers of BIM implementation after heavy-analysis sources, as presented in Figure 5 and designated in Table 1.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Potential Benefits of Utilizing BIM Techniques on Sustainability Practices in the Construction Industry

Utilizing BIM in constructing projects can produce numerous advantages for sustainable development [51]. Sustainable construction is gaining global recognition as a leading building type, requiring the development and implementation of long-term strategies and incorporating modern, cutting-edge technology [52]. As mentioned previously, sustainable construction strives to promote environmental protection as well as enhance the economic and social condition of the community through construction projects [47]. Utilizing BIM techniques can significantly improve sustainability practices in three distinct ways—environmental, economic, and social—as presented in Table 2. This can range from reducing carbon footprints to reducing costs and improving social outcomes.
Figure 6 displays the network diagram prepared from the recent studies of Table 2. According to the figure, a total of 24 keywords were obtained, and they are clustered into three separate groups according to their interconnectivity. The total link strength between all these words is 932, and the most used words in these studies are “Construction industry”, “Building Information Modelling”, and “Sustainability”. These investigations also show that the words “sustainable construction”, “Building”, “industry”, and “construction projects” are strongly correlated. All these have a combined link strength of 520.

3.1.1. Environmental Aspect

BIM technology is an excellent fit for applications that require data related to sustainability and energy efficiency, making it especially beneficial for sustainable construction projects [53]. Figure 7 presents the scenario of the BIM implementation benefits with respect to the environmental aspect of the sustainable construction industry. This intelligent BIM model allows for a comprehensive analysis of the building’s performance, the ability to observe its effects, a simulation of its appearance, and the capacity to visualize it [53].
BIM analytics tools can be utilized to analyze the multiple capabilities of green buildings, like energy consumption, carbon release, and air quality evaluations, to support their durability [26]. BIM technology makes it possible to analyze the water requirements of a building and implement strategies to reduce them [56].
BIM applications can help lessen waste and minimize carbon emissions by optimizing the design of the site and managing logistics efficiently [56]. Figure 4 also shows that, in most cases, the BIM model helps control low CO2 emissions. BIM also enhances material waste reduction in the construction sector [64,88].
During the pre-design and planning phases, the most important determinations about sustainable design solutions will be made by leveraging the capabilities of BIM [58]. The use of BIM technology can enable the project team to conduct a life-cycle analysis of building systems, including thermal and lighting systems, to generate results that closely resemble real-world scenarios [61].
The potential of using BIM software and accompanying simulation tools to reduce a building’s carbon footprint and enhance its energy efficiency, as well as to create sustainable and green neighborhoods, is remarkable [57]. Construction projects can be analyzed using BIM to identify their pros, cons, and potential. This evaluation should take into account the financial, technical, and environmental impacts of the project [62]. In order to reduce the environmental impact and streamline construction processes, the construction industry must embrace the use of more advanced technologies, be creative, and apply them to regulations focused on energy conservation. This approach has been proven to provide a better balance and reap numerous benefits [89]. BIM encourages the utilization of sustainable technology that reduces energy use [63]. Moreover, “promoting sustainable design” is needed starting with project delivery to meet CO2 goals, and BIM delivers the required technology [54].

3.1.2. Economic Aspect

The integration of expertise from design and project participants enabled with BIM can greatly improve design efficiency, decrease construction costs, promote sustainability, and connect project workers to speed up project activities and maximize performance. Sustainable practices and BIM advances can not only help to reduce CO2 emissions and increase energy efficiency but also result in increased profits and an eco-friendlier environment [67].
The proper implementation of BIM can lead to improved performance and greater efficiency throughout the life cycle of a project, as presented in Figure 8 [9]. BIM has revolutionized the way sustainable construction projects are managed throughout their life cycles. By digitally managing all aspects of a project, from the design to its operation and maintenance, BIM has improved project productivity, controlled costs, and reduced the risk of failure [72].
The AEC sector has endeavored to mitigate project expenses, augment efficiency and excellence, and speed up project completion. BIM offers the possibility of attaining these goals [68]. According to Rosen and Kishawy [56], BIM applications can assist in the selection of an energy-efficient direction, which can lead to diminished energy consumption. BIM provides an invaluable service to the design process, allowing for the formulation of solutions that can both benefit the environment and increase efficiency [53,90]. Besides that, BIM is a powerful tool that can be utilized to plan, coordinate, and manage the ordering, fabricating, and delivering of all the necessary components for a building [9].
BIM models enable project stakeholders to forecast construction needs, such as materials, equipment, and budget, as well as to plan and schedule sustainable projects [91]. The implementation of BIM has been proven to provide countless advantages for all of the stakeholders involved in sustainable building projects. This technology enhances collaboration, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness while also improving the overall sustainability of the project [92]. It allows for the creation and management of project data related to energy utilization, as well as providing precise workflow data in the project’s operational process [3]. By implementing BIM, the cost of creating as-built drawings can be significantly reduced. BIM allows for an efficient and accurate representation of a building’s physical and functional characteristics, which can help reduce the amount of time and money spent on creating as-built drawings [70]. BIM applications allow for energy performance modeling to identify ways of reducing energy demands while analyzing renewable energy sources to help decrease energy costs [56].
The utilization of BIM analysis tools can provide the design team with the ability to swiftly compare various design possibilities to choose the most environmentally friendly design and make informed decisions [75]. BIM technology can play a major role in finding the most efficient ways to decrease energy and resource usage. It can provide insight into the best strategies to optimize performance and save resources [58]. It is clear that making precise, knowledgeable decisions about sustainability, energy usage, and the environment during the planning and design stages is of utmost importance. Doing so as soon as possible will result in a more economical and effective sustainable design [58,74].
The contractor’s pledge to keep the model up-to-date with the actual building’s conditions affords the owner a 3D digital model of the building and its components, which would be beneficial for future maintenance and operational processes [9]. Subcontractors can take advantage of these BIM models for various installations during the construction process. Utilizing BIM-based energy simulation tools during the design phase of low-energy buildings allows for the prediction of energy savings [75,76,77].

3.1.3. Social Aspect

Figure 9 presents the benefit factors sourced from the social aspect of the implementation of BIM in the sustainable construction sector. The use of BIM is acknowledged as enhancing resource management and safeguarding the safety of workers during construction, leading to decreased waste and reduced exposure to hazards [60]. This is one of the major benefits of a sustainable project, as presented in Figure 8. By providing an online platform for collaboration, BIM improves the building life-cycle process, allowing for smooth transitions between design, implementation, post-design, and maintenance phases, compared to traditional methods [83,84]. BIM applies Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to facilitate collaboration between stakeholders associated with sustainable projects, enabling the input, retrieval, exchange, and processing of information within the BIM system [3].
CI has a positive impact on society beyond economic gain by improving health and well-being, as well as providing benefits such as community services and enhancing the safety and well-being of individuals [81,82]. BIM can help green-building designers, constructors, and administrators to improve the design, building, and maintenance of eco-friendly buildings [57]. BIM is an effective method for the smooth operation of sustainability systems and the realization of the potential of sustainable buildings through its set of applications and processes [3]. BIM technology has gained significant attention in the construction industry due to its capacity for model visualization and the efficient management of building information [3]. BIM can be utilized for the real-time monitoring of work progress, cost estimation, detection of construction deviations, evaluation of construction quality, recording of product issues, and ensuring the timely completion of projects [26].
BIM is a centralized platform that provides participants with digital representations of the structural and functional elements of sustainable construction projects, assisting in the management of the full building life cycle from beginning to end [26]. BIM technology is a highly beneficial tool for creating models, enabling the smooth integration of visualization and performance simulations. This allows for the gathering of the required data for decision making. BIM models are able to be developed quickly by a variety of stakeholders enabled with the BIM platform [86].
BIM can offer a major advantage in sustainable and optimized design through an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) approach and by providing the necessary information for improved building design and performance [86]. BIM is a platform that uses ICT to promote collaboration between different stakeholders throughout the life span of sustainable projects. By using this platform, it is easier to input, extract, exchange, and transform information [85].
According to Azhar [9], BIM can assist management departments in the facilitation of renovation, space planning, and maintenance operations. BIM is essential for enabling stakeholders involved in a project to gain the advantages of sustainable development [66]. The implementation of BIM can provide a competitive edge for construction firms, allowing them to gain a greater share of projects in the marketplace by improving the company’s brand image and overall competitive advantage [87], which involves a promotion toward sustainability performance.

3.2. Barriers to Integration of BIM Techniques into Sustainable Practices in the Construction Industry

This section will focus on organizing and assessing the identified impediments in the literature so that project stakeholders can focus on the most important issues encountered when combining BIM and sustainable practices in CI. The implementation of BIM in sustainable building projects is strongly encouraged due to its ability to foster cooperation and coordination among all parties involved in the construction process and to guarantee the excellence of the results [93]. Despite the advantages of integrating BIM and sustainability in construction projects, the construction industry still faces challenges in implementing both concepts simultaneously in their projects [94].
Despite attempts to combine BIM and sustainability in building projects, the CI still encounters issues of collaboration and coordination between stakeholders, as presented in Table 3. This lack of collaboration and coordination is an impediment to the industry’s successful integration of BIM and sustainability, as highlighted in [92,95]. Therefore, Aksamija [55] and Olatunji, Olawumi, and Ogunsemi [95] emphasized the need for a collaborative work environment and a repetitive process of decision making within the CI to optimize the use of BIM in promoting sustainability in the built environment. Liu et al. [96] highlighted a variety of hindrances to the successful adoption of BIM in sustainable practices, including a dearth of a national standard, the high cost of implementation, a scarcity of personnel with the right skills, organizational complications, and legal problems.
Additionally, the lack of standardization and regulations for BIM use can also pose a barrier to its implementation in sustainable practices, as organizations may struggle to navigate the varying guidelines and regulations in different regions or countries. Furthermore, the lack of skilled personnel, both in terms of technical expertise and knowledge of sustainable practices, can also be a hindrance to successful BIM integration in sustainable construction projects [97]. Additionally, the cost of hiring highly skilled BIM professionals can also pose as a significant barrier in terms of implementing BIM in an organization [97].
While the construction industry recognizes the potential of BIM, it has yet to fully adopt the technology. Much of this has to do with questions about the immediate advantages it offers, especially during the planning phase. Additionally, some people feel BIM does not significantly reduce the time required for drawing, leading to less demand for its usage [97]. However, Gu and London [94] highlighted that the level of adoption and implementation of BIM technology in the AEC industry varies among different countries. This indicates that while some organizations may have a high level of expertise in BIM and sustainability, others may lack the necessary knowledge and experience to effectively implement these concepts in their projects [57]. In addition, there is a reluctance to adopt new methods and practices among some individuals in the industry due to their adherence to traditional ways of working [98]. Resistance from stakeholders who adhere to traditional working practices has inhibited a complete adoption of BIM and sustainability in construction projects.
Traditional practices that were well-known among constructors made them hesitant to use new technology such as BIM. The workers found it difficult to adjust to the changes, as they were not able to see the advantages of BIM beyond the theories. Thus, they stuck to what they knew best and remained in their comfort zones, refusing to move forward [97]. Ghaffarianhoseini et al. [99] found that the shortage of experts within the industry has led to a lack of discipline-specific applications of BIM, preventing its full potential for energy conservation and the promotion of energy efficiency in buildings from being realized. To ensure that BIM and sustainability can be successfully integrated in the construction industry, it is essential to invest in educational and training opportunities for professionals in the field. Without this investment, the advancement of the BIM system in sustainable building design and development will be hindered with the lack of qualified experts [100].
Aranda-Mena et al. [101] reported that the adoption of BIM would increase resource necessities for carrying out a program, including costs incurred to deliver essential resources and specialized software with specific characteristics. Despite the significant advancements in BIM technology and its widespread adoption in the construction industry, research on its impact on sustainable construction practices remains limited. This is likely due to the additional resources and high economic expenses required for implementing BIM, which may hinder its adoption in sustainable construction projects [102].
The lack of professionals who are knowledgeable and experienced in both BIM and sustainability is a major roadblock to the successful implementation of BIM technology in sustainable building projects. The literature review has highlighted that these types of buildings are a relatively new concept, and the use of BIM technology is still in its early stages globally. This has created a situation where there is a lack of experts who can effectively combine the two together and apply them to sustainable buildings [103,104]. Zahrizan et al. [105] revealed that the lack of a developed framework or standards supported using BIM to achieve sustainability, the absence of well-defined guidelines for utilizing BIM in sustainable construction projects, and the limited participation of individuals utilizing BIM in sustainable building projects are constraining factors for the successful adoption of BIM in sustainable practices.
The lack of data exchange for operational management between BIM models and energy analysis tools is a significant issue. Without a proper definition, the process and workflow required for integrating BIM and sustainability into projects will be difficult to achieve. Moreover, obtaining data from various stages of a building’s life cycle is essential for the successful operation and maintenance of the energy systems used by its occupants [54].
Utilizing BIM for an energy analysis is not without its challenges, such as the need to use approximations for loads, air flows, and heat transfer. Consequently, the results of simulations may be uncertain and unreliable [54,76]. A study of a university building certified as LEED Gold in the U.S. found that the thermal loads in all tested field measurements were underestimated with Autodesk Ecotect, and 98% of the field measurements showed overestimated illuminance levels [106]. Therefore, this issue can be addressed by utilizing actual data obtained from buildings.
Adamus [107] suggests that the BIM data schemas currently available are insufficient in semantically encapsulating knowledge related to sustainability. According to Bradley et al. [108], methods like ontologies and linked data strategies are being used to incorporate ideas like sustainability. Nevertheless, the implementation of such techniques requires a significant level of expertise in computer programming.
The creation of a comprehensive plan is crucial to not only fully leverage the potential of BIM but also to address longstanding deficiencies in understanding and practice. The absence of a wide-ranging outline and implementation strategy for BIM will hinder the success of utilizing BIM technology in sustainable practices [109].
Over the past decade, the utilization of BIM has expanded significantly as the construction industry moves towards more advanced technologies to increase productivity. Despite this, the potential to use BIM to advance safety on construction sites, particularly with regard to temporary structures, remains insufficiently explored [110]. Kivits and Furneaux [111] found that incorporating BIM technology in sustainable building projects may present certain unmitigated risks, which could lead to increased legal responsibility.
The extent to which top-level management emphasizes BIM technology in sustainable structure developments is a major factor in integrating BIM knowledge and sustainability schemes. Conversely, if management perceives BIM technology in a negative light, its implementation may be unsuccessful [3]. It has been discovered that the backing of senior managers within the organization, personal motivations, and technical requirements impact the decision of designers to adopt BIM [112]. Abubakar, Ibrahim, Kado, and Bala [98] also emphasize that the neglect of senior management in combining BIM and sustainability practices will impede the implementation of these two concepts.
The difficulty of getting practitioners to accept and adopt new technologies in application management is an issue that cannot be readily overcome on a psychological level. [98]. Technicians often exhibit a reluctance to the implementation of new technologies and ideas, and this can present a challenge to the efficient utilization of BIM technology in the construction of green buildings [3].
In order to create a successful sustainable design, a building’s performance must be evaluated according to the various criteria set forth with BIM (environmental, social, and economic). This information must then be incorporated into the design framework so that it is possible to compare different alternatives [87]. The combination of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and BIM offers a wide range of advantages and possibilities to sustainability practices. By consolidating these two disciplines, handling a vast amount of data becomes more efficient and comprehensive. Antón and Díaz [87] highlighted that the lack of consistent sustainability and BIM criteria and measures might impede the successful combination of these two fields. Table 3 summarizes the challenging constraints for the integration of BIM techniques into sustainable practices in the CI.
Table 3. Challenging constraints for integration of BIM techniques into sustainable practices in the construction industry.
Table 3. Challenging constraints for integration of BIM techniques into sustainable practices in the construction industry.
BarriersReferences
1.Lack of collaborative working environment[55,95]
2.High cost of application[96]
3.Lack of skilled personnel[96]
4.High cost of training staff[97]
5.High cost of BIM experts[97]
6.Market readiness for innovation[94,97]
7.The industry’s reluctance to move away from traditional methods of working[3,97,98]
8.Lack of experts[99,100,103,104]
9.Recurring need for additional and associated resources and high economic expenses[101]
10.Limited studies on the application of BIM in eco-friendly building construction[102]
11.Absence of well-defined guidelines for utilizing BIM in sustainable construction projects[105]
12.Limited participation of individuals utilizing BIM in sustainable building projects[105]
13.Absence of a well-defined method for exchanging operational management data[54]
14.A lack of comprehension of the steps and activities needed for BIM and ecological sustainability[54]
15.Inaccurate energy analysis predictions using BIM in eco-friendly buildings[54,76,106]
16.Insufficient BIM data structures to accurately capture sustainability-related information[107,113]
17.Lack of a comprehensive framework and implementation plan[109]
18.Uncontrolled application risk of BIM technology in sustainable buildings[111]
19.Increased liability[111]
20.Lack of senior management support and attention toward integration of BIM and sustainability practices[3,98,112]
21.Non-uniformity of sustainability and BIM evaluation criteria and measures[87]

4. Integration between BIM and Sustainability

According to Eleftheriadis et al. [114], integrating BIM with sustainability during the construction process has many benefits and could lead to more efficient and less expensive work processes in the fields of engineering and sustainable energy. For this section, a literature review of previous studies on the correlation between BIM and sustainability within the construction industry was conducted. We also sought to identify potential advantages of applying BIM principles to sustainability practices in the CI as well as problematic integration barriers. Finally, this section focuses on the important success elements for effective BIM and sustainability integration.
The use of BIM applications has become more viable in recent years because of technological advancements and an increase in usage [86]. BIM is a widely accepted technology that is widely used in sustainable buildings, particularly for energy efficiency, thermal flows, lighting patterns, and other sustainability measures [54]. In addition, BIM is a powerful tool for project life-cycle management. It creates an information-sharing platform using application software, enabling stakeholders to easily visualize the construction project and make more effective decisions [115]. Previous research has demonstrated the positive impact of utilizing BIM technology on waste reduction in sustainable construction projects, as it facilitates the more efficient management of materials and resources. A BIM-based algorithm was developed by Akinade et al. [116] to quantify the de-constructability of building designs.
It is possible to optimize the energy performance of a building using BIM; therefore, BIM and sustainability goal integration can contribute to reducing its environmental, economic, and societal adverse impact, as presented in Figure 10. Dofaigh et al. [114] could decrease the environmental load and cost burden by 40% in comparison to a traditional building shape and orientation. In addition, Wang et al. [117] established parameters to assess environmental impact, utilizing a BIM-based energy analysis simulation program to review the environmental effects of multiple building materials.
According to Barlish and Sullivan [118], BIM can improve the quality of design data, reduce costs associated with a construction process, coordinate information among players involved in a project, help with sustainable engineering, and speed up the completion of a building project. Huang et al. [119] emphasized the capabilities of BIM in managing industrial parks in Taiwan throughout their life cycles. BIM was complemented with additional related tools such as GIS, visualization, and navigation solutions to manage these parks, enabling efficient real-time monitoring, feedback, and communication.
Adamus [107] concluded that the potential advantages of full compatibility between BIM design and analysis utilities are evident in the assessment of some BIM-based sustainability analysis tools. Using BIM to identify possible problems with building design, construction, and operation is one of its main advantages [9]. Nevertheless, Akadiri et al. [120] view BIM as a useful tool for selecting environmentally friendly materials for construction projects.
Zhang et al. [121] employed BIM to simplify workflow procedures. There are countless opportunities to integrate into several domain areas, including sustainability, project management, procurement, cost management, and safety, before delving into the viewpoints associated with putting BIM into practice, specifically as part of environmentally responsible construction. An investigation of the potential for introducing sustainable design in diverse scenarios, like those of architects and builders, was carried out by Bynum, Issa, and Olbina [71]. Also, Kota et al. [122] examined the utilization of BIM to measure the levels of daylighting in green buildings.
Alwan et al. [123] investigated how LEED assessment could be incorporated into the BIM process, providing a solution to environmental design problems. The fused LEED key credits and BIM technology make it easier to review building components and sustainability criteria, resulting in a swifter assessment process than the standard one. Liu et al. [124] have shown that employing BIM-based building design optimization to enhance sustainability is much more effective than traditional design techniques.
Khaddaj and Srour [125] suggested that BIM technology can be used to simulate the upkeep and renovation of buildings, and when combined with sustainable practices through the use of relevant plugins or APIs, it can enhance the implementation of sustainability measures in facility management.
According to Ghaffarianhoseini, Tookey, Ghaffarianhoseini, Naismith, Azhar, Efimova, and Raahemifar [99], employing BIM could result in a decreased energy expenditure in comparison to the traditional CAD approach during the post-construction phase. Third-generation BIM models enable the efficient integration of data-rich details, which indicate a focus on visualization, information standards, and collaboration to promote sustainability in construction. Additionally, Gourlis and Kovacic [126] investigated how BIM could be used to model, analyze, and optimize energy-efficient industrial structures. By leveraging the BIM-to-BEM approach, they discovered that the combination of the two modeling techniques could identify BEM requirements earlier, allowing for an uncertainty analysis to be conducted at the start of the planning and development of a building in order to maximize the building’s performance.
According to Ghaffarianhoseini, Tookey, Ghaffarianhoseini, Naismith, Azhar, Efimova, and Raahemifar [99], BIM has been instrumental in helping project stakeholders increase the efficiency of their design plans and achieve the Green Star rating in Australia. Gourlis and Kovacic [126] suggest that the literature is becoming more captivating regarding the capacities of BIM in sustainability in fields such as building performance. To maximize benefits, the study suggests a more skillful deployment of BIM to more sustainability-related areas.
According to Gourlis and Kovacic [126], BIM can help industrial building types reduce their high energy consumption by simulating and modeling their energy requirements. Additionally, the BIM systems’ capacity to include additional knowledge databases may be useful when analyzing various qualitative metrics, such as certain social sustainability factors. Gourlis and Kovacic [126] explored the capabilities of BIM in the modeling, investigation, and improvement of energy-efficient industrial buildings. Utilizing the BIM-to-BEM method, they found that coordinating the two modeling processes would uncover BEM requirements sooner, enabling a greater analysis of uncertainty from the first stages of building design in order to maximize building performance.
The adoption of BIM can improve construction projects in a number of areas, according to research by Abanda et al. [127]. These categories include cost, time, quality, productivity, process, and others. In comparison, Olawumi et al. [128] noted that BIM could be used to encourage sustainable strategies in construction projects, such as tracking and analyzing energy consumption in structures.
According to Röck, Hollberg, Habert, and Passer [85], BIM technology has the capability to generate and translate details regarding energy consumption, as well as provide helpful work process information during the execution period of a project. BIM technology offers an effective framework for exchanging information among all stakeholders throughout the life cycle of a sustainable building, providing an ideal platform for data input, output, and transformation within the BIM system [129]. According to Olawumi and Chan [57], green buildings can be designed, constructed, and managed more effectively with BIM, creating advantages for those involved in the process, including designers, constructors, and operators.
According to Ismail, Ramli, Ismail, Rooshdi, Sahamir, and Idris [61], BIM technology could be used to create a comprehensive life-cycle assessment of a building, taking into account factors such as thermal and lighting systems and how they interact to generate simulations of real-world scenarios. The implementation of BIM-based processes can minimize mistakes and reworks, facilitating a faster and more straightforward path to the ideal design. According to Manzoor, Othman, Gardezi, and Harirchian [26], BIM modeling is beneficial for long-term environmental sustainability.
Sustainability 15 12466 g010
Figure 10. BIM and sustainability integration of a construction project [130].
Figure 10. BIM and sustainability integration of a construction project [130].
Sustainability 15 12466 g010

Practical Implications

The findings of this study have some applications for professionals who aim to enhance their organizations’ sustainability over time. The findings of the comprehensive review provide practitioners in this field with a valuable knowledge base and may be useful in establishing different strategies to further increase their productivity and sustainability. This study also offers an integrative matrix that can serve as a general rule for the AEC sector in various situations. As a result, business professionals may see where BIM–lean–green integration offers strong potential for pursuing more ethical business practices as well as for enhancing excellence.
From a managerial perspective, it is anticipated that there will be an increased emphasis on investing in information technologies, enhancing the development and training of employees within multidisciplinary teams, fostering leadership skills, aligning resources, and implementing systematic supply chain management. These measures aim to enhance the value of construction projects and organizations. In addition, it is imperative to prioritize efforts towards the implementation of proactive solutions and innovative methodologies and tools, as well as real-time systems, for the purpose of gathering precise data, with the aim of calculating dependable sustainability metrics.

5. Conclusions

This study conducts a literature review to examine the relationship between sustainability and BIM. Each combination of the two concepts is analyzed, and the findings are reported. The study highlights the potential benefits and barriers of BIM for sustainable project construction, demonstrating the strong connection between these fields and their impact on construction-related activities. The study successfully achieved its objective by selecting 36 articles associated with benefits and 34 articles associated with barriers. These articles collectively identified 46 factors associated with benefits and 21 factors associated with barriers. In addition, the integration of BIM and sustainability presents a novel avenue for inquiry in the realm of sustainable construction endeavors and the following conclusions can be drawn:
  • Regarding the environmental benefits, 16 benefits from 46 general benefits that enhance the implementation of BIM in the sustainable CI were obtained. Among the factors, “Promoting carbon emission reduction”, and “Enhancing material wastage reduction” are the top environmental benefits of implementing BIM in sustainable construction projects. BIM applications can help lessen waste and minimize carbon emissions by optimizing the design of the site and managing logistics efficiently.
  • Surrounding economic benefits, 15 economic benefits from 46 general benefits were obtained for sustainable construction projects. The popular benefits of the application of BIM to achieve sustainable construction were “Improving design efficiency” and “Reducing the overall project costs”. The inferior benefits were “Encourage the implementation of clean technologies that require less energy consumption”.
  • Concerning social benefits, it was observed that among 15 benefits, “Enhancing project safety and health performance” was the most important factor, which can be achieved by implementing BIM in sustainable construction projects.
  • The 21 barriers to BIM implementation also exhibited that the lack of experts was the major barrier to BIM implementation in sustainable construction projects. Moreover, “The industry’s reluctance to move away from traditional methods of working” was also the major barrier that hindered the sustainable development of projects through BIM implementation.
  • From the BIM and sustainability integration perspective, it was observed that BIM has a strong implementation in life-cycle management, waste reduction, decreased energy expenditure, and the planning and development of buildings. It also leads to more efficient and less expensive work processes in the fields of building engineering and sustainable construction projects.

Limitations and Recommendations for Further Research

In this study, the databases that were selected are subject to a constant update restriction. The study has a temporal limitation as the data were collected on a specific date. Additionally, there were restrictions on the choice of keywords that guided the searches. This study specifically concentrated on peer-reviewed articles and conference proceedings written in English. Other sources of publication, such as books and documents in languages other than English, were not considered. Finally, the review was conducted using a comprehensive and systematic research methodology. However, the assessment of the articles’ conformity and relevance to the themes, as well as the subsequent selection of articles and their interpretation, were also influenced by the researchers’ evaluation.
Based on the results, stakeholders should take into account the following recommendations for the future research of BIM for sustainable practices in the construction sector: subsequent research efforts should concentrate on enhancing and investigating the interconnections in order to identify tangible evidence and gradually validate the framework. Further investigation is needed to determine the proper implementation of the integration of BIM and green principles for the sustainable development of the AEC industry. It is also essential to conduct research regarding industry standards and certifications that are associated with sustainable construction, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method). In order to ensure compliance and streamline the certification process, it is recommended to align BIM practices with the relevant standards.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, S.D.D. and B.A.T.; methodology, S.D.D., B.A.T., I.Y.H. and Y.I.A.A.; validation, B.A.T.; formal analysis and data curation, S.D.D. and B.A.T.; writing—original draft preparation, S.D.D., B.A.T., I.Y.H. and Y.I.A.A.; writing—review and editing, S.D.D., B.A.T., I.Y.H. and Y.I.A.A.; visualization, B.A.T., I.Y.H. and Y.I.A.A.; resources and supervision, B.A.T.; project administration, B.A.T., I.Y.H. and Y.I.A.A. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the Deanship of Scientific Research at Najran University for funding this work, under the Research Groups Funding program grant code (NU/RG/SERC/12/11).

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Figure 1. Sustainability dimensions [25].
Figure 1. Sustainability dimensions [25].
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Figure 2. Research flowchart of this study.
Figure 2. Research flowchart of this study.
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Figure 3. The number of sources of benefits of BIM in sustainable construction projects from the year 2010 to 2021.
Figure 3. The number of sources of benefits of BIM in sustainable construction projects from the year 2010 to 2021.
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Figure 4. Benefit factors of BIM in sustainable construction projects and their corresponding number of sources.
Figure 4. Benefit factors of BIM in sustainable construction projects and their corresponding number of sources.
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Figure 5. Barrier factors of BIM in sustainable construction projects and their corresponding number of sources.
Figure 5. Barrier factors of BIM in sustainable construction projects and their corresponding number of sources.
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Figure 6. Connectivity map of keywords from the literature on the benefits of BIM implementation in a sustainable project.
Figure 6. Connectivity map of keywords from the literature on the benefits of BIM implementation in a sustainable project.
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Figure 7. Benefit factors sourced from the environmental aspect of sustainable construction.
Figure 7. Benefit factors sourced from the environmental aspect of sustainable construction.
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Figure 8. Benefit factors sourced from the economic aspect of sustainable construction.
Figure 8. Benefit factors sourced from the economic aspect of sustainable construction.
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Figure 9. Benefit factors sourced from the social aspect of sustainable construction.
Figure 9. Benefit factors sourced from the social aspect of sustainable construction.
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Table 1. Selected benefit and barrier factor designations.
Table 1. Selected benefit and barrier factor designations.
FactorsDesignation
Benefits
Providing predictive performance analysis (energy analysis, code analysis)EN1
Monitoring performance effectsEN2
Controlling energy usageEN3
Promoting carbon emission reductionEN4
Improving ventilation performanceEN5
Assessing water harvestingEN6
Promoting sustainable design alternatives’ creationEN7
Promoting efficient resource managementEN8
Providing thermal building life-cycle analysisEN9
Providing lighting building life-cycle analysisEN10
Evaluating optimal opportunitiesEN11
Encourage the implementation of clean technologies that require less energy consumptionEN12
Enhancing material wastage reductionEN13
Promoting design, construction, and management of green buildingsEN14
Promoting stakeholders to realize benefits of sustainable developmentEN15
Necessary technology to achieve CO2 goalsEN16
Improving design efficiencyEC1
Reducing the cost of as-built drawingsEC2
Reducing the overall project costsEC3
Enhancing construction performanceEC4
Promoting productivityEC5
Improving the management procedure throughout the entire life span of buildings (design, construction, operation, maintenance, and management)EC6
Promote cost controlEC7
Reducing project delivery timeEC8
Coordinating necessary procurement requirements in advance (supplies, equipment, and capital requirements)EC9
Promoting data workflow in the project operation processEC10
Examining renewable energy sources that reduce the cost of energyEC11
Determining the optimal options to decrease energy and resource utilizationEC12
Developing cost-effective sustainable designEC13
Predicting energy savingsEC14
Promoting financial and investment opportunitiesEC15
Supporting workers’ connection and collaboration toward accelerating projectsSA1
Enhancing project safety and health performanceSA2
Increasing building lifeSA3
Smoothing the transition from design to implementation, to post-design, and finally to maintenanceSA4
Prompting stakeholders toward the adoption of sustainable projectsSA5
Facilitating input, extraction, exchange, or transform information in projectsSA6
Enhancing individuals’ quality of lifeSA7
Facilitating operating sustainability systems smoothlySA8
Monotiling construction qualitySA9
Recording project problemsSA10
Offering a centralized database that supports the management of the entire building life-cycle processSA11
Enhancing sharing of physical and functional information of sustainable projects between all stakeholdersSA12
Supporting the decision-making processSA13
Facilitating management departments for renovations, space planning, and maintenance operationsSA14
Enhancing construction industry brand image and competitive advantageSA15
Barriers
Lack of collaborative working environmentBR1
High cost of applicationBR2
Lack of skilled personnelBR3
High cost of training staffBR4
High cost of BIM expertsBR5
Market readiness for innovationBR6
The industry’s reluctance to move away from traditional methods of workingBR7
Lack of expertsBR8
Recurring need for additional and associated resources and high economic expensesBR9
Limited studies on the application of BIM in eco-friendly building constructionBR10
Absence of well-defined guidelines for utilizing BIM in sustainable construction projectsBR11
Limited participation of individuals utilizing BIM in sustainable building projectsBR12
Absence of a well-defined method for exchanging operational management dataBR13
A lack of comprehension of the steps and activities needed for BIM and ecological sustainabilityBR14
Inaccurate energy analysis predictions using BIM in eco-friendly buildingsBR15
Insufficient BIM data structures to accurately capture sustainability-related informationBR16
Lack of a comprehensive framework and implementation planBR17
Uncontrolled application risk of BIM technology in sustainable buildingsBR18
Increased liabilityBR19
Lack of senior management support and attention toward integration of BIM and sustainability practicesBR20
Non-uniformity of sustainability and BIM evaluation criteria and measuresBR21
Table 2. Benefits of implementing BIM for a sustainable construction project from the environmental, economic, and social aspects.
Table 2. Benefits of implementing BIM for a sustainable construction project from the environmental, economic, and social aspects.
BenefitsReferences
Environmental Aspect
1.Providing predictive performance analysis (energy analysis, code analysis)[53,54]
2.Monitoring performance effects[53]
3.Controlling energy usage[26,55]
4.Promoting carbon emission reduction[26,56,57]
5.Improving ventilation performance[26]
6.Assessing water harvesting[56]
7.Promoting sustainable design alternatives’ creation[58,59]
8.Promoting efficient resource management[60]
9.Providing thermal building life-cycle analysis[61]
10.Providing lighting building life-cycle analysis[61]
11.Evaluating optimal opportunities[62]
12.Encourage the implementation of clean technologies that require less energy consumption[63]
13.Enhancing material wastage reduction[56,64,65]
14.Promoting design, construction, and management of green buildings[57]
15.Promoting stakeholders to realize benefits of sustainable development[66]
16.Necessary technology to achieve CO2 goals[54]
Economic Aspect
1.Improving design efficiency[67,68,69]
2.Reducing the cost of as-built drawings[70]
3.Reducing the overall project costs[67,68,71]
4.Enhancing construction performance[9]
5.Promoting productivity[9,57,68]
6.Improving the management procedure throughout the entire life span of buildings (design, construction, operation, maintenance, and management)[9,72,73]
7.Promote cost control[72]
8.Reducing project delivery time[68]
9.Coordinating necessary procurement requirements in advance (supplies, equipment, and capital requirements)[9,72]
10.Promoting data workflow in the project operation process[3]
11.Examining renewable energy sources that reduce the cost of energy[56]
12.Determining the optimal options to decrease energy and resource utilization[9,72]
13.Developing cost-effective sustainable design[58,74]
14.Predicting energy savings[75,76,77]
15.Promoting financial and investment opportunities[59,78]
Social Aspect
1.Supporting workers’ connection and collaboration toward accelerating projects[67,79]
2.Enhancing project safety and health performance[60,72,80,81,82]
3.Increasing building life[83,84]
4.Smoothing the transition from design to implementation, to post-design, and finally to maintenance[83,84]
5.Prompting stakeholders toward the adoption of sustainable projects[3]
6.Facilitating input, extraction, exchange, or transform information in projects[3,85]
7.Enhancing individuals’ quality of life[81,82]
8.Facilitating operating sustainability systems smoothly[3]
9.Monotiling construction quality[26]
10.Recording project problems[26]
11.Offering a centralized database that supports the management of the entire building life-cycle process[82,85]
12.Enhancing sharing of physical and functional information of sustainable projects between all stakeholders[26]
13.Supporting the decision-making process[57,86]
14.Facilitating management departments for renovations, space planning, and maintenance operations[9]
15.Enhancing construction industry brand image and competitive advantage[87]
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Datta, S.D.; Tayeh, B.A.; Hakeem, I.Y.; Abu Aisheh, Y.I. Benefits and Barriers of Implementing Building Information Modeling Techniques for Sustainable Practices in the Construction Industry—A Comprehensive Review. Sustainability 2023, 15, 12466. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612466

AMA Style

Datta SD, Tayeh BA, Hakeem IY, Abu Aisheh YI. Benefits and Barriers of Implementing Building Information Modeling Techniques for Sustainable Practices in the Construction Industry—A Comprehensive Review. Sustainability. 2023; 15(16):12466. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612466

Chicago/Turabian Style

Datta, Shuvo Dip, Bassam A. Tayeh, Ibrahim Y. Hakeem, and Yazan I. Abu Aisheh. 2023. "Benefits and Barriers of Implementing Building Information Modeling Techniques for Sustainable Practices in the Construction Industry—A Comprehensive Review" Sustainability 15, no. 16: 12466. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612466

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