Classification of Challenges in Achieving BIM-Based Safety-Requirement Checking in Vertical Construction Projects
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 149, Issue 12
Abstract
Due to the one-off nature of projects, which necessitates setting up of unique production sites, the construction industry requires stringent requirements for safety of the workforce and the public around job sites. Although there are various federal (e.g., OSHA) and local safety regulations (e.g., NYC Department of Buildings codes) to keep construction sites safe and incident free, around 20% of work fatalities in the private industry have been from the construction industry in the past years. Within the current practice, the requirements listed in these regulations are kept within document-based safety plans. The challenge is the large number of safety requirements to be checked with more than 1,000 sections and multiple narratives under each. Given this, the manual approach fails in tracking whether these requirements are properly considered in safety plans, hence resulting in omissions and accidents/incidents due to inadequate implementations of safety requirements. Although automated safety compliance-checking coupled with building information modeling (BIM) has been an opportunity to bring efficiency to the process, there are several challenges that stand in the way of the ideal practice. This research provides the results of rigorous research conducted with the guidance of practitioners in the construction safety and insurance domain, and analysis and implementation of OSHA Part 1926 narratives using model-based checking tools. The results have been consolidated and presented as a taxonomy of challenges along with potential solutions to these challenges. Researchers and practitioners (software vendors, construction companies, regulators) can build on the outcomes to generate solutions to address these challenges.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
This material is based upon work supported by the American International Group (AIG) Inc. The views, opinions, and/or findings expressed are those of the author(s) and should not be interpreted as representing the official views or policies of the AIG Inc. The authors thank the students who examined the OSHA narratives, Marjan Vakilinezhad and Emanuele Morbidoni.
References
Behm, M. 2005. “Linking construction fatalities to the design for construction safety concept.” Saf. Sci. 43 (8): 589–611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2005.04.002.
Belsky, M., R. Sacks, and I. Brilakis. 2016. “Semantic enrichment for BIM.” Comput.-Aided Civ. Infrastruct. Eng. 31 (4): 261–274. https://doi.org/10.1111/mice.12128.
Benjaoran, V., and S. Bhokha. 2010. “An integrated safety management with construction management using 4D CAD model.” Saf. Sci. 48 (3): 395–403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2009.09.009.
Bloch, T., and R. Sacks. 2020. “Clustering information types for semantic enrichment of building information models to support automated code compliance checking.” J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 34 (6): 04020040. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000922.
BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics). 2017. “Census of fatal occupational injuries summary, 2017.” Accessed February 15, 2023. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cfoi.nr0.htm.
Daum, S., and A. Borrmann. 2014. “Processing of topological BIM queries using boundary representation based methods.” Adv. Eng. Inf. 28 (4): 272–286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2014.06.001.
Dinis, F. M., J. P. Martins, A. S. Guimarães, and B. Rangel. 2022. “BIM and semantic enrichment methods and applications: A review of recent developments.” Arch. Comput. Methods Eng. 29 (2): 879–895. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11831-021-09595-6.
Eastman, C. 2009. “Automated assessment of early concept designs.” Archit. Des. 79 (2): 52–57. https://doi.org/10.1002/ad.851.
Eastman, C., J. Lee, Y. Jeong, and J. Lee. 2009. “Automatic rule-based checking of building designs.” Autom. Constr. 18 (8): 1011–1033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2009.07.002.
Egan, J. 1998. Rethinking construction: Report of the construction task force. London: Dept. of Trade and Industry.
Hinze, J., and F. Wiegand. 1992. “Role of designers in construction worker safety.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 118 (4): 677–684. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(1992)118:4(677).
Hjelseth, E. 2016. “Classification of BIM-based model checking concepts.” J. Inf. Technol. Constr. 21 (Nov): 354–369.
Hjelseth, E., and N. Nisbet. 2011. “Capturing normative constraints by use of the semantic mark-up rase methodologys.” Accessed October 28, 2022. https://itc.scix.net/pdfs/w78-2011-Paper-45.pdf.
Irizarry, J., K. L. Simonsen, and D. M. Abraham. 2005. “Effect of safety and environmental variables on task durations in steel erection.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 131 (12): 1310–1319. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2005)131:12(1310).
Jiang, S., X. Feng, B. Zhang, and J. Shi. 2023. “Semantic enrichment for BIM: Enabling technologies and applications.” Adv. Eng. Inf. 56 (Apr): 101961. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2023.101961.
Kim, K., Y. Cho, and S. Zhang. 2016. “Integrating work sequences and temporary structures into safety planning: Automated scaffolding-related safety hazard identification and prevention in BIM.” Autom. Constr. 70 (Oct): 128–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2016.06.012.
Kovacs, A. T., and A. Micsik. 2021. “BIM quality control based on requirement linked data.” Int. J. Archit. Comput. 19 (3): 431–448. https://doi.org/10.1177/14780771211012175.
Ku, K., and T. Mills 2010. “Research needs for building information modeling for construction safety.” In Proc., Associated Schools of Construction 46th Annual Int. Conf. Fort Collins, CO: Associated Schools of Construction.
Li, X., W. Yi, H. Chi, X. Wang, and A. Chan. 2018. “A critical review of virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) applications in construction safety.” Autom. Constr. 86 (Feb): 150–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.11.003.
Luo, H., G. Gao, H. Huang, Z. Ke, C. Peng, and M. Gu. 2023. “A geometric-relational deep learning framework for BIM object classification.” In Proc., European Conf. on Computer Vision. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25082-8_23.
Macher, H., T. Landes, and P. Grussenmeyer. 2017. “From point clouds to building information models: 3D semi-automatic reconstruction of indoors of existing buildings.” Appl. Sci. 7 (10): 1030. https://doi.org/10.3390/app7101030.
Mazairac, W., and J. Beetz. 2013. “BIM–L—An open query language for building information models.” Adv. Eng. Inf. 27 (4): 444–456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2013.06.001.
Mendonça, E., L. Manzione, and E. Hjelseth. 2020. “Converting Brazilian accessibility standard for BIM-based code checking using RASE and SMC.” In Proc., 37th CIB W78 Information Technology for Construction Conf. (CIB W78), 291–307. Toronto: International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction.
NYC DoB (New York City Department of Buildings). 2014. “Building code—Safeguards during construction or demolition (Chapter 33).” Accessed March 10, 2023. http://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/2014-construction-codes.page#bldgs.
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). 1926. “OSHA construction regulations.” Accessed February 26, 2023. https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_group?p_toc_level=1&p_part_number=1926.
Pauwels, P., D. Van Deursen, R. Verstraeten, J. De Roo, R. De Meyer, R. Van De Walle, and J. Van Campenhout. 2011. “A semantic rule checking environment for building performance checking.” Autom. Constr. 20 (5): 506–518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2010.11.017.
Simeone, D., S. Cursi, and M. Acierno. 2019. “BIM semantic-enrichment for built heritage representation.” Autom. Constr. 97 (Jan): 122–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2018.11.004.
Solibri. 2021. “Model checking solution.” Accessed April 14, 2021. http://solibri.com.
Staub-French, S., and A. Khanzode. 2007. “3D and 4D modeling for design and construction coordination: Issues and lessons learned.” J. Inf. Technol. Constr. 12 (26): 381–407.
Sulankivi, K., T. Mäkelä, and M. Kiviniemi. 2009. “BIM-based site layout and safety planning.” In Proc., 1st Int. Conf. on Improving Construction and Use through Integrated Design Solutions, 125–140. Espoo, Finland: Technical Research Centre of Finland.
Theiler, M., and A. Smarsly. 2018. “IFC Monitor—An IFC schema extension for modeling structural health monitoring systems.” Adv. Eng. Inf. 37 (Aug): 54–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2018.04.011.
Vries, B., S. Verhagen, and A. J. Jessurun. 2004. “Building management simulation centre.” Autom. Constr. 13 (5): 679–687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2004.03.003.
Wang, T., V. Gan, D. Hu, and H. Liu. 2022. “Digital twin-enabled built environment sensing and monitoring through semantic enrichment of BIM with SensorML.” Autom. Constr. 144 (Dec): 104625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2022.104625.
Wu, J., and J. Zhang. 2019. “New automated BIM object classification method to support BIM interoperability.” J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 33 (5): 04019033. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000858.
Xue, F., K. Chen, W. Lu, and A. Zetkulic. 2019. “From semantic segmentation to semantic registration: Derivative-free optimization-based approach for automatic generation of semantically rich as-built building information models from 3D point clouds.” J. Comput. Civil Eng. 33 (4): 04019024. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000839.
Xue, F., L. Wu, and W. Lu. 2021. “Semantic enrichment of building and city information models: A ten-year review.” Adv. Eng. Inf. 47 (Jan): 101245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2020.101245.
Zhang, J., and Z. Hu. 2011. “BIM- and 4D-based integrated solution of analysis and management for conflicts and structural safety problems during construction: 1. Principles and methodologies.” Autom. Constr. 20 (2): 155–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2010.09.013.
Zhang, S., K. Sulankivi, M. Kiviniemi, I. Romo, E. Eastman, and J. Teizer. 2015. “BIM-based fall hazard identification and prevention in construction safety planning.” Saf. Sci. 72 (Feb): 31–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2014.08.001.
Zhang, S., J. Teizer, J. Lee, C. Eastman, and M. Venugopal. 2013. “Building information modeling (BIM) and safety: Automatic safety checking of construction models and schedules.” Autom. Constr. 29 (Jan): 183–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2012.05.006.
Zhou, P., and N. El-Gohary. 2021. “Semantic information alignment of BIMs to computer-interpretable regulations using ontologies and deep learning.” Adv. Eng. Inf. 48 (Apr): 101239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2020.101239.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 149 • Issue 12 • December 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 9, 2022
Accepted: Aug 2, 2023
Published online: Oct 3, 2023
Published in print: Dec 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Mar 3, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Architectural engineering
- Building codes
- Building information modeling
- Building management
- Business management
- Construction engineering
- Construction management
- Construction sites
- Employment
- Labor
- Laws and regulations
- Legal affairs
- Occupational safety
- Personnel management
- Practice and Profession
- Project management
- Public administration
- Public health and safety
- Safety
- Standards and codes
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.