Building information modeling-enabled platform approach to design for manufacture and assembly

Abstract

Embracing disruptive thinking toward ecosystem-level integration has become an urgent need for the construction industry and its fragmented building process. The application of Building Information Modelling (BIM) combined with Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) could allow the move from traditional to digital construction. Despite its advantages, however, most existing approaches to DfMA are project-based, i.e. DfMA strategies are conducted in a single project specifically to optimize one-off design. Significant challenges exist for the strategical establishment of a platform approach. To achieve successfully anchoring platforming strategies, a platform for BIM-enabled DfMA is proposed to accelerate platformisation across national and programme levels beyond the scope of single project, i.e. DfMA strategies are generated for an overall consideration of a series of different projects. The concept of product platform from the manufacturing industry is introduced and then a new BIM-enabled DfMA implementation framework and roles are proposed.