Evaluation of using building information modelling in green building in Saudi Arabia construction contracts

Building Information Modelling (BIM) enables, faster development, real-time monitoring of project performance, clash detection, knowledge management, more effective and efficient operation and maintenance, and provide more reliable and timely exchange of information to support the decision-making process. Despite the worldwide adoption of BIM, its implementation is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not mature, especially when it comes to green buildings. The goal of this research is to investigate the use of BIM in green buildings in KSA and provide insights on the factors that need to be considered for optimal attainment of BIM outcomes. First, BIM implementation is analyzed in international contracts such as FIDIC and NEC4. Second, the local implementation of BIM in KSA is investigated through analysing the public works contract and the contract of case study of a mega project. Finally, a survey was conducted to identify and rate the (1) obstacles, and (2) benefits of BIM implementation in green building in KSA. Among the significant results was the fact that the strongest barrier to BIM implementation is the lack of support from the management to accept changing the current practices, and the weakest barrier is actually the costs of BIM implementation. The findings shed the light on significant aspects (such as increasing awareness about BIM and fostering flexibility in managers) that will enable successful implementation of BIM in green buildings in KSA; which in turn will result in cost and schedule savings.