International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET) Volume 10, Issue 05, May 2019, pp. 930-942, Article ID: IJCIET_10_05_093 Available online at http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJCIET?Volume=10&Issue=5 ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316 © IAEME Publication

BIM REVIEW IN AEC INDUSTRY AND LESSONS FOR SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: CASE OF CAMEROON

R. Okpwe Mbarga PhD Researcher, Department of Civil Engineering National Advanced School of Engineering, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon

Mamba Mpele Research Professor, Department of Civil Engineering National Advanced School of Engineering, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon

ABSTRACT All round the world, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is transforming the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. Its various contributions have pushed many countries to adopt it for the realization of construction projects. In this context, this article presents a BIM review in AEC industry in order to draw lessons for Sub-Saharan Africa through the case of Cameroon. It reveals that with a BIM adoption level more than 90% in many countries, North America, Oceania and Europe are very advanced. They are followed by Asia and South America. In Sub- Saharan Africa, BIM is beginning to be known by many engineers but its potential still unexploited for the realization of construction projects. To change this situation in the sub-continent, local institutions dedicated to training and research in civil engineering should be more engaged in order to effectively support all stakeholders in the understanding, spreading and implementation of BIM. Key words: BIM, AEC industry, Sub-Saharan Africa, Cameroon. Cite this Article: R. Okpwe Mbarga and Mamba Mpele, BIM Review in AEC Industry and Lessons for Sub-Saharan Africa: Case of Cameroon, International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology 10(5), 2019, pp. 930-942. http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJCIET?Volume=10&Issue=5

1. INTRODUCTION For several decades, in many developing countries, construction projects face challenges due to a strong fragmentation of activities, stakeholders and associated disciplines. In fact, this fragmentation creates weak exchange of technical information between the construction professionals. In return, the lack of information exchange causes a large multiplication of errors with moreover: extensions of deadlines, budget overruns and many non-qualities during the realization of the project (Eastman et al., 2011).

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Numerous researches aimed at improving the interoperability of software in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry have led to BIM or “Building Information Modeling” (Underwood and Isikdag, 2010). Considered as a major digital innovation, BIM approach relies on standardized and open data formats such as the IFC (“Industry Foundation Classes”). It will become, according to (Celnik and Lebèque, 2015), one of the main standards of the construction sector. Given the deep changes involved by BIM, this article presents a BIM review in AEC industry and draw lessons for Sub-Saharan Africa through the case of Cameroon. Structured in seven (07) sections, it presents: main concepts of BIM (section 2); BIM software (section 3); contributions of BIM in construction projects (section 4); BIM practices in the world (section 5); lessons for Sub-Saharan Africa countries (section 6) and conclusion (section 7).

2. MAIN CONCEPTS OF BIM 2.1. BIM BIM is a process for intelligent generation and management of all data related to a civil engineering structures, by means of an advanced 3D digital model (Eastman et al., 2011). It allows the collaboration of the construction professionals using a digital model named “BIM model” which facilitates the sharing of information (Figure 1).

Geometers Architects

Drawings Acquisition and BIM manager Engineers tools evaluation CAD and PLM simulations

e-catalogues of BIM SDK and products and API systems IT specialists Industry, construction Cost and Statutory products BOQ databases

CAD & follow-up Viewing and of the management construction site of the facility Authorities Economists

Contractors Owners, Facility managers Figure 1. BIM and interaction of construction professionals (Forgues et al., 2016) With BIM, projects are carried out according to a new approach that provides a framework for the collaborative work of major stakeholders, from the early stages to the construction phase. This collaborative framework is defined by IPD or “Integrated Project Delivery” (Celnik and Lebègue, 2015).

2.2. nD BIM models Starting from 3D digital models, BIM models can be progressively filled with additional data to become (Celnik and Lebègue, 2015):  4D BIM models, obtained by adding the “time” dimension to 3D BIM models. These models allow the simulation of different steps during the construction.

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 5D BIM models, corresponding to the addition of the “cost” dimension to 4D BIM models. They allow automatic cost estimation at each intermediate step of the construction.  6D BIM models, obtained by adding the “life cycle analysis” dimension to 5D BIM models. They allow to analyze the overall cost of a structure or infrastructure over its life cycle, and to evaluate related environmental impacts and energy consumptions.  7D BIM models, corresponding to the addition of the “operations management and maintenance” dimension to 6D BIM models. They allow updating BIM models and facilitating operation and maintenance of structures or infrastructures.

2.3. BIM maturity level For a given construction project, “maturity level” evaluates BIM level implementation, according to used software and means of information exchanges. One can distinguish four BIM maturity levels (Porwal and Hewage, 2013):  The level 0 or pre-BIM, marked by a complete absence of BIM; it characterizes design practices prior to BIM;  The level 1, corresponding to 3D object-oriented modeling and marked by a one-way communications between software;  The level 2, characterized by collaboration of object-oriented models using BIM software which can perform two-way exchanges;  The level 3, corresponding to object-oriented integration, in which BIM model is stored in a server and accessible by terminals (computers, tablets, smartphones, ...)

3. BIM SOFTWARE Computer systems that allow users to produce, modify, and manage BIM models are called “BIM software”. It is the latest generation of object oriented computer aided design (CAD) systems, in which all intelligent objects associated with the life cycle of a structure or infrastructure coexist in a database (Underwood and Isikdag, 2010). BIM software essentially manipulates data in the IFC format, ISO 16 739 standard, developed by buildingSmart International (Celnik and Lebègue, 2015). There are three types of BIM software (Eastman et al., 2011):  BIM tools (Table 1), computer systems designed to perform specific tasks in a specific area (architectural design, structural analysis, thermal performance analysis, electrical system design, etc.).  BIM platforms (Table 2), a set of BIM tools offered by a particular software editor that can be used to generate data for multiple uses. They have interfaces with several BIM tools and other specialized software of the AEC industry.  BIM servers, online computing applications that have a set of features allowing aggregation, management and coordination of data in a BIM model, regardless of BIM platforms. ArchiCAD BIM server and EDM Model server are some examples.

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Table 1 Some BIM tools (Eastman et al., 2011; Celnik and Lebègue, 2015 buildingSmart, 2019) N° Tools Examples (Software editor) Tools for rebuilding BIM 1 Tripod (Measurix), Viz‟All (All Systems) models from existing FreeCAD, Rhinoceros (Robert McNeel & Associates), SketchUp 2 Tools for preliminary design (Trimble), SolidWorks Premium (Dassault Systemes) Allplan Architecture (Allplan/ ), ArchiCAD (/ 3 Tools for architectural design Nemetschek), Bentley Architecture (Bentley), Revit Architecture (), Architect (Vectorwork/ Nemetschek) Allplan Engineering (Allplan/ Nemetschek), CYPE 3D (Cype), Tools for structural modeling CYPECAD (Cype), Revit Structure (Autodesk), Robot Structural 4 and analysis Analysis (Autodesk), Scia Engineer (Scia/ Nemetschek), STAAD-Pro

(Bentley), structure (Tekla/ Trimble) Tools for mechanical, electrical Bentley Hevacomp Mechanical Designer (Bentley), CYPETHERM 5 and plumbing (MEP) (Cype), Revit MEP (Autodesk), DDS-CAD MEP (Nemetschek) Tools for model review and Bentley view (Bentley), Naviswork (Autodesk), Solibri Model 6 coordination Checker (Nemetschek), Tekla BIMsight (Trimble) WinQUANT Q4 (Attic+), Glodon Takeoff for Architecture and 7 Tools for cost estimation Structure (Glodon Software Company Limited), CostOS Estimating (Nomitech) ArchiWIZARD (Graitec), Bentley Hevacomp Mechanical Designer 8 Tools for thermal analysis (Bentley), ClimaWin (BBS Slama) Tools for environmental impact Elody-eveBIM (CSTB), IDA ICE (EQUA Simulation AB), Energy 9 analysis Plus ACTIVe3D Facility Server (Sopra Steria), Allfa Web (Allplan), 10 Tools for facility management ArchiFM (Graphisoft)

Table 2 Some BIM platforms (Eastman et al., 2011; Celnik and Lebègue, 2015; buildingSmart, 2019) N° Platforms (Editor) Specific tools File collaboration formats ArchiCAD IFC, BCF, OBDC, DWF, NWC, SMC, 1 ArchiCAD (Graphisoft) 3DS, 3DM, SKP, KML, OBJ, STL, …

AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD AutoCAD 2 MEP, AutoCAD Electrical, DGN, DWG, DWF, DXF, IFC, … (Autodesk) AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD P&D et Plant 3D.

Bentley Architecture, Bentley IFC, CIS/2, STEP, DWG, DXF, U3D, PowerCivil, RAM Structural System, 3DS, Rhino 3DM, IGES, SAT, STEP 3 Bentley (Bentley) …; GEOPAK Civil Engineering AP203/AP214, STL, OBJ, KML, SKP, Suite, Bentley Building Electrical … Systems, Facility Information Management, …; Bentley view

4 Cype (Cype) CYPECAD, CYPETHERM, IFC, CIS/2, DXF, DWG, … CYPEPROJECT

Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, IFC, gbXML, RVA, DWG, DWF, DGN, 5 Revit (Autodesk) Revit MEP, Naviswork SKP, IES, FBX, ODBC, SAT, ADSK, BIMétré, …

DWG, DXF, CIS/2, STP, XML, IFC, 6 Tekla (Trimble) , Plancal Nova, IGES, DGN, ODBC, SAP, SDNF, SDF, Tekla BIMsight STEP, …

Architect, Designer, Landmark, Vectorworks IFC, DXF/DWG, STL, 3DS, Revit, 7 Spotlight, Machine design, Solibri (Nemetschek) SKP, … Model Viewer, Solibri Model Checker

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4. CONTRIBUTIONS OF BIM IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Regardless of construction project phases, BIM model ensures the consistency of: 2D views, associated domain views and all generated documents (Eastman et al., 2011). In addition, it significantly reduces the manual input of data from one professional to another, which has the effect of guaranteeing flow of shared information (Celnik and Lebègue, 2015). BIM models strongly limit errors associated with geometry, alignment and spatial coordination of objects during various modifications (Eastman et al., 2011). They automatically adjust the digital model to modifications and promote automatic detection of geometric inconsistencies. BIM, associated with IPD, allows us to: have a complete view of project from early stages; have a better understanding of project issues; optimize overall cost and minimize associated risks (Figure 2). It makes possible (CIFE in Eastman et al., 2011; Underwood and Isikdag, 2010; Chone et al., 2016):  A cost estimation with an accuracy of 3%;  A cost reduction of 8 to 18% and a time reduction from 10 to 15% in design phase;  A cost reduction of 8 to 10% and a time reduction up to 7% in construction phase. Finally, BIM is a technology that optimizes design, construction, operation, maintenance and deconstruction of structures and infrastructures, in a context increasingly characterized by high environmental and resource constraints (Celnik and Lebègue, 2015; Min-Seok Oh and Seunguk Na, 2017; Soleen Alhasan et al., 2017).

High Ability to impact project

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Efforts for pre-BIM projects

Efforts for BIM projects (IPD)

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5. BIM PRACTICES IN THE WORLD 5.1. Major initiatives for the adoption of BIM in the world In 2003, the United States of America (USA), through General Services Administration, set up a national 3D-4D BIM program to support the implementation of this technology for the

http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJCIET 934 [email protected] BIM Review in AEC Industry and Lessons for Sub-Saharan Africa: Case of Cameroon realization of public projects (Kalfa, 2018). Since 2014, the BIM Institute in Canada has conducted several initiatives in order to enhance a wide BIM adoption (McAuley et al., 2017). All these initiatives have led many South American countries (including Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Chile) to adopt BIM (McAuley et al., 2017). In Europe, Norway (via Statsbygg), Denmark (through Palaces & Properties Agency, Danish University Property Agency, Defense Construction Service) and Finland (via Senate Properties), have strongly supported BIM implementation since 2007 (Granholm, 2011, McAuley et al., 2017). Two years later, Sweden has been committed to BIM through state- owned enterprises and non-profit organizations (McAuley et al., 2017, Plan Transition Numérique dans le Bâtiment, 2018). In 2011, the United Kingdom (UK) started an ambitious program to transform its construction industry through the use of Level 2 BIM (McAuley et al., 2017). As early as 2014, European Union (EU), with its directive “Public Procurement”, encouraged its state members to support, specify or make mandatory the use of BIM by 2017 for publicly financed construction projects (Celnik et Lebègue, 2015). This directive has accelerated BIM adoption in many countries such as: France, Ireland, Russia, Germany, Austria, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Czech Republic and Poland (Cheng and Lu, 2015; NBS, 2016; McAuley, 2017; Kalfa, 2018). In Asia, as early as 2008, Singapore developed a strategy to extend BIM implementation in construction projects and created a public funding for this purpose (McAuley et al., 2017; Kalfa, 2018). Since 2009, in Japan, Korea and Hong Kong, many guides have been produced in order to enhance a wide adoption of BIM by construction professionals (Cheng and Lu, 2015). All these initiatives have encouraged many other Asian countries (such as China, India, Dubai and Qatar) to start the transformation of their AEC industry by BIM implementation (McAuley et al., 2017).

2003 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2014 2015 2016 2018

2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

USA Denmark Korea China Russia Italia

Norway Finland Japan Ireland Poland

Singapore Netherland France Brazil

Hong Kong UK Canada South Africa

Australia Spain Egypt

Sweden Germany Africa Belgium America Asia Austria

Europe Switzerland Oceania Czech Republic

Figure 3. Beginning of major initiatives for BIM adoption all round the world In Oceania, since 2009, Australia has mobilized the stakeholders of its AEC industry on potential and massive use of BIM (Kalfa, 2018). A similar movement has been followed in New Zealand (McAuley et al., 2017). In Africa, serious initiatives for a wide adoption of BIM have begun in 2018. More precisely, in South Africa a BIM Institute has been created to support BIM implementation by professionals of construction projects (Akintola et al., 2017; BIM Institute, 2019). In Egypt,

http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJCIET 935 [email protected] R. Okpwe Mbarga and Mamba Mpele the stakeholders of AEC industry are mobilized in periodic activities centered on BIM (Gerges et al., 2017; El-Chazly, 2018). Major initiatives aiming at BIM adoption all round the world can be summarized by Figures 3 and 4.

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Figure 4. Major initiatives for BIM adoption all round the world (McAuley et al., 2017)

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5.2. Level of BIM adoption in AEC industry round the world Figures 5, 6 and 7 summarize the information on level of BIM adoption in AEC industry from 2007 to 2018 given by (McGraw Hill Construction 2010, 2012; NBS, 2014, 2016; RICS School of Built Environment and Amity University, 2014; Conject, 2015). Such statistics are not yet available for African countries; however there are low levels of BIM adoption in Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt, which are the main economies of the continent (Akintola et al., 2017; Gerges et al., 2017; El-Chazly, 2018 ; Ibem et al., 2018; World Bank, 2019).

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Figure 5. Levels of BIM adoption in America and Oceania

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p 40 UK do A Finland 20 Netherland y = -0.2426x2 + 985.12x - 1E+06 Denmark 0 2005 2010 2015 2020 Russia Years

Figure 6. Levels of BIM adoption in Europe

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Figure 7. Levels of BIM adoption in Asia Linear regression methods of Excel 2010 software (Barbary, 2011) allows us to obtain the curves plotted on Figures 5, 6 and 7. With these elements, we can estimate levels of BIM adoption in 2018 for some advanced BIM countries (Table 3).

Table 3 Levels of BIM adoption in 2018 for some advanced countries

N° Countries Adoption Level 1 USA 100 2 New Zealand 100 3 Canada 96 4 UK 95 5 Finland 92 6 France 82 7 Denmark 78 a 8 Singapore 76 a 9 Germany 70 a Minimum values Table 3 shows very high levels in North America, Western Europe and Oceania. The previous group is followed by Asia (led by Singapore) and South America (led by Brazil).

6. LESSONS FOR SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA COUNTRIES: CASE OF CAMEROON 6.1. General framework of the AEC industry in Cameroon Cameroon is a Central African country, which occupies an area of 475 000 km2, with 24 million inhabitants and a gross domestic product (GDP) of 36.4 billion (constant 2010) US $ in 2017 (World Bank, 2019). Of the fifty economies in sub-Saharan Africa, Cameroon is ranked 10th and 17 th respectively in terms of GDP and GDP/ capita in 2017 (World Bank, 2019). With a share of 5.3% of GDP in 2016 (Deffonsou and N'kodia, 2018), AEC industry is a major sector of Cameroonian economy. There are at least 422 construction companies and 81

http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJCIET 938 [email protected] BIM Review in AEC Industry and Lessons for Sub-Saharan Africa: Case of Cameroon design firms in the country (Ministry of Public Works, 2015). The construction projects carried out by these professionals are characterized by numerous dysfunctions which have the effects of: lengthening deadlines, increasing costs and decreasing quality of structures or infrastructures (Ministry of Public Works, 2015; Public Contracts Regulatory Agency, 2016). All this is very detrimental to socio-economic development of Cameroon given the magnitude of its needs in terms of structures and infrastructures. In facts, statistics reports show (Ministry of Public Works, 2015; World Bank, 2019): a housing deficit of 100 000 units per year in urban areas since 2013; a road network of 113 000 km in which 58% is in poor condition; a railway network of 1 104 km.

6.2. Current status of BIM in Cameroon In Cameroon, construction projects essentially rely on: paper documentation for various information exchanges, 2D and 3D geometric models for carrying out various analyzes. The most used software within design offices are essentially AutoCAD, Covadis, ArchiCAD and Robot (Abanda et al., 2014; Doumtsop, 2017). Collaborations of NASE/ UYI (National Advanced School of Engineering of University of Yaounde I) with main design firms (Le Competing, INTEGC Sarl, ECTA BTP, CGV Engineering, …) and Ministry of Public Works, shows that BIM is beginning to be known by architects and engineers (Abanda et al., 2014; Doumtsop, 2017). However, the potential of BIM technologies is not mobilized in the realization of construction projects. In universities and schools, training of civil engineers is still based on pre-BIM engineering practices (Doumtsop, 2017; Mbassally, 2018). Some courses on BIM software (Revit, Staad Pro) are offered by “Computer Aided Design (CAD) Center” located at NASE/ UYI. However, in addition of being costly, these offers are essentially focused on CAD aspects, and not on BIM and collaborative work (Mbassally, 2018). Currently, initiatives related to BIM are carried out by Department of Civil Engineering of NASE/ UYI. More precisely, since 2016, framework for the understanding, spreading and use of BIM in Cameroon is being structured by means of: scientific communications, scientific publications, Engineering and Master Thesis and research studies. The Department plans to introduce BIM-related modules into the curriculum of civil engineers during the academic year 2019/2020.

6.3. Recommendations for BIM implementation in Cameroon BIM implementation in Cameroon would provide structures and infrastructures of high quality under better conditions of cost and time. Well thought, it would improve the country socio-economic environment while ensuring a short- and medium-term return on investment for companies engaged in a BIM transformation. BIM should be supported by a larger number of institutions devoted to training and research in civil engineering in Cameroon. Specifically, it would be appropriate to:  Integrate BIM into training programs for civil engineers in order to prepare a generation of engineers linked to BIM and who will impulse the implementation and the spreading of BIM among the construction professionals;  Build the capacity of engineers already working in the construction sector through BIM-focused and financially accessible training opportunities;  Increase researches on BIM, specific to Cameroonian environment in order to improve the performance of construction projects, raise awareness and support companies in their transition to BIM;

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 Support the public authorities in the understanding of BIM issues, definition and implementation of a national BIM strategy.

7. CONCLUSION Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a global initiative that deeply impacts practices of architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. It involves the use of systems based mainly on the IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) format and requires the reorganization of construction professionals according to IPD (Integrated Project Delivery). BIM provides structures and infrastructures of better quality at reduced cost and time. With a BIM adoption level over 90% in several countries, North America, Oceania and Europe are the most advanced parts of the world. This dynamic is spreading in Asia (where Singapore, Korea, Japan and Hong Kong are the leaders) and in South America (led by Brazil). In Africa, major initiatives for a wide BIM adoption are more recent (2018). Except South Africa, the potential of BIM remains unexploited by engineers in Sub-Saharan Africa. These observations and the case of Cameroon show that it is urgent for Sub-Saharan Africa to engage the transformation of its AEC industry with BIM. For this, local institutions dedicated to training and research in civil engineering should be more engaged in order to effectively support all stakeholders in the understanding, spreading and implementation of BIM in construction projects. The effective deployment of BIM can solve many challenges faced by AEC industry in this subcontinent.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank the African Center of Excellence in Information and Communication Technologies of University of Yaounde I for their collaboration and support.

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