Effects of using BIM on disputes arised from design process

Construction projects are unique, complicated and one-off projects which include depending on project's property, amount, budget and delivery method, needs multilateral contribution of large number of participants such as contractor, subcontractor, employer, designer, consultants, material suppliers. Completion of construction projects with specified budget and time depends on in what way and how quick unfavourable conditions are solved. Construction projects have different participants and participants' common purpose is completion of the project in determinated budget and time, with targeted sources. Relations and responsibilities between the participants are formed with contracts, which are juridical documents. Contracts are the most important written and signed formal documents which states rights and obligations of the parties. Contracts are instructive documents to the parties about encountered problems during the construction period. However, if the complex structure of the construction industry is considered, even though construction period is protected by contracts, disputes are inescapable. Construction projects are inherently complex and the sums of money involved can be astronomical, so it is no surprise that conflicts and disputes are all too common between the participant of the project. Disputes are troubled process that increase projects' owning cost, extend the time of delivery, damage labor relations of the parties. Therefore, with regards to both projects and parties' benefit, disputes and sources of disputes are very substantial. On the other hand, with the purpose of solve the problems before come to the phase of dispute, different systems which suggest more integrated process between the project stakeholders are become widespread. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is one of these systems which is commonly used in world. Moreover, BIM using is gradually increasing in local construction projects. In this context, BIM is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. A BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition of the project. BIM is a technology that allows us not only to create visual simulations of a project, but also to provide a digital prototype of a building prior to construction. BIM allows a building to be built and tested before the construction stage. Initially, BIM was viewed as a tool to design in three dimensions and use components rather than lines. In the time that it has evolved, it has grown tremendously, to a tool that is used for model analysis, clash detection, product selection, and whole project conceptualization. Traditional building design was largely rely on two-dimensional drawings such as plans, elevations, sections. BIM extends this beyond 3D, augmenting the three primary spatial dimensions (width, height and depth) with time as the fourth dimension (4D) and cost as the fifth (5D). BIM therefore contains more than just geometry. It also covers spatial relationships, light analysis, geographic information, and quantities and properties of building components. Use of BIM goes beyond the planning and design phase of the project, extending throughout the building life cycle, supporting processes including cost management, construction management, project management and facility operation. In this context, within the scope of this thesis; literature reviews, researches and interview studies are made to have extensive knowledge about BIM and to show importance of BIM on construction projects. In this study, disputes and dispute sources in construction industry in Turkey and whole world are investigated. As a result of this investigation dispute sources which arise design phase, affect both design and construction phase in construction projects are defined based on traditional project delivery (Design-Bid-Build) system. Design phase, which is mentioned in this study, is investigated as three section which are schematic design, design development, preparing construction and contract documents. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate what is the contribution of BIM on disputes which arise design phase, affect both design and construction phase in construction projects which are conducted traditional project delivery system. With conducting project basis case study, application of BIM effects on disputes which consist design phase, affect both design and construction phase in construction projects are investigated. In the context of this thesis, firstly, conducting questionnaire study in construction projects is planned. However, sufficient number of construction projects couldn't found in Turkey while investigation are conducting. Therefore, case study is implemented in construction projects. Moreover, case study is at first planned to implement two different projects by interviewing with all stakeholder's attendances who are using BIM or who are competent with BIM. However, in related these two projects, any BIM competency attandences couldn't be found neither owner nor contractor side. Therefore, case study could be carried out with merely designer teams (static-architectural-mechanical-electrical) in these two projects. In this context, case study is conducted with all competent participants such as BIM coordinators and BIM Managers within related projects. Projects which are investigated in case study are all conducted with traditional project delivery system. According to the information of these projects, in one of project all designer teams are collaborated within BIM organization. Besides, in other project, electrical and mechanical designer teams were stayed out from BIM organization and executed their own projects by using classic CAD system. As a result of this case study, can be thought that conceptual design are becoming more indispensible for all design teams with differentiating design process in BIM organization. Moreover, it can be estimated that the advantages of BIM can be clearly noticed by collaborating with all designer teams in design process. In this context, it can be estimated that dimmer effect can be provided on considerable amount of disputes which arised in design process with using of BIM organization in construction projects. Accordingly, all attendances take part in case study stated that they clearly perceive the necessity of BIM using and look forward to collaborate within BIM organization. Also, participants are aware of BIM using will be necessary to keep up in developing construction sector. Hence, they demand to be a pioneer position to utilise more in financial issues. On the other hand, especially legal problems are considered, if the contracts between stakeholders are not regulated well, disputes about model sharing and copyrights can consist in construction projects. Also, participants of case study stated that there are some deficient and improvable properties of BIM. In this context, it can be estimated that using of BIM will become more widespread in both Turkey and whole world with especially developing BIM system infrastructure and increasing knowledges and experiences of owners about BIM organization. After all, it can be thought that investigations can be more extended and more concrete detections can be executed with increasing knowledges and experiences of all the stakeholders about BIM organization.