Augmenting performance of prefabricated MEP modular systems via BIM integration

Abstract

Within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sectors, prefabrication is an emerging technology which concerned with the construction production process and serves as a manufacturing platform to improve productivity and safety management. Whether they are located off-site or on-site, the coordination and fabrication of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems have consistently presented challenges. MEP designers lack the necessary expertise to create detailed models for prefabrication, but designers proposed enhancing collaboration with fabricators to develop installation-level BIM models for design coordination, construction planning, on-site delivery planning, clash detection, and fabrication planning in Modular MEP construction. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the integration of BIM in enhancing the performance for time, cost, and quality aspects of prefabricated MEP modular systems in buildings. Accordingly, a qualitative research strategy was chosen to achieve the aim, data were collected through twelve (12) semi-structured expert interviews. Experts were selected through purposive sampling followed by snowball sampling. The data analysis was conducted through manual content analysis. Findings revealed how efficiently BIM addresses the time, cost, and quality of prefabricated MEP modular systems. Finally, as a contribution to knowledge, the study revealed the importance of BIM and how it enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the prefabricated MEP modular system.