Building Information Modeling in Steel Building Projects Following BIM-DFE Methodology: A Case Study

Construction is a key industry that significantly contributes to the global gross domestic product and generates substantial revenues. However, it faces challenges such as errors and high costs. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the methodology of applying building information modeling integration for the design, fabrication, and erection of steel buildings, called BIM-DFE, in a real-world scenario. This is the first study in which this methodology is applied in an actual case. Two steel building projects with similar design typologies were selected. The first project was executed using computer-aided design and traditional BIM techniques during the planning, design, and fabrication phases. The BIM-DFE methodology was applied to the same phases in the second project. The results of the two projects were compared quantitatively. The experiments suggest that the application of the BIM-DFE methodology reduced the development time in the planning phase, incorporated manufacturing constraints in the design phase, and significantly reduced assembly times in the fabrication phase. This study confirmed the feasibility of applying BIM-DFE methodology in an actual case scenario, which is the result of collaboration between the scientific community and the industry in steel building projects.