Automated code compliance checking through building information modelling

Abstract

Design, construction and handing over of the building need to be complaint with the rules set by the local authority. Manual assessment of the drawings and plans against variable and complex set of rules is quite cumbersome, inconsistent, expensive, and prone to human error leading to huge delays in the construction projects. This research therefore develops an automated code compliance checking process using BIM. The drawbacks of the manual code compliance were delivered through the review of the existing system and then confirmed by the interviews (15 numbers) held the officials of Capital Development Authority (CDA) in Pakistan. The feedback from the customers and CDA concerned employees were sought through interviews (30 numbers) on the newly developed automated code compliance system with BIM integration. While the new programme of the code compliance reduced the time involved from one week to six hours, the customers reported that they would require to pay more fee to the architect to develop the complete set of BIM models. The automated code compliance and the BIM integration in local municipality can raise the profile of Pakistan in industry innovations and can pave the road towards several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.