Impact of BIM on Field Pipeline Installation Productivity Based on System Dynamics Modeling

It is well documented that Building Information Modeling (BIM) can significantly improve project performance and productivity. Although the construction phase typically involves in the largest part of financial cost during the project life, insufficient attention has been paid in academia to quantitatively address the impact of BIM on labor productivity. This paper studies the effects of BIM on field pipeline installation productivity using system dynamics modeling. The critical impact factors of BIM on pipeline installation productivity are identified and a system dynamics model is established to map the impact mechanism and quantify the BIM impact on labor productivity. The model is applied to evaluate the pipeline installation productivity of three large scale buildings and their productivity indices are compared. The comparison shows a positive impact of BIM on pipeline installation productivity, resulting in 13~38% of increase in labor productivity dependent on different trades and project phase of BIM application.