BIM_Manager_Role_in_the_Integration_and_Coordinati.pdf

Article Not peer-reviewed version
BIM Manager Role in the
Integration and Coordination of
Multidisciplinary Projects
Alcínia Zita Sampaio
*
, Gonçalo Azevedo , Augusto M Gomes
Posted Date: 19 July 2023
doi: 10.20944/preprints202307
.1287
.v1
Keywords: Building Information Modelling (BIM); BIM implementation; BIM manager; responsibility;
coordination; integration; muiltidisciplines
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Article
BIM Manager Role in the Integration and
Coordination of Multidisciplinary Projects
Alcínia Zita Sampaio 1,2,*, Gonçalo Azevedo 1 and Augusto Gomes 1,2
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Higher Technical Institute, University of Lisbon,
goncalofazevedo@tecnico.ulisboa.pt; augusto.gomes@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
2 CERIS – Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability, Lisbon, Portugal
* Correspondence: zita.sampaio@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Abstract: Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodology have been optimizing the construction activity
in all sectors: multidisciplinary designs development; construction planning and monitoring; building
management and maintenance. A BIM environment aggregates several disciplines and different skillsets and
in order to control and improve the quality of a BIM project, a BIM manager is required. The BIM manager has
the responsibility to coordinate all tasks involved in a building design and associated activities usually workout
over the project documents. The professional can access to various discipline models, located in a shared board,
and request for amendments if inconsistencies are detected. The present study issue is illustrated with three
building cases were distinct specific projects, disciplines and tasks were elaborated: collaboration between
disciplines (architecture, structures and construction); structural analyses and reinforcement details; quantity
take-off of materials and cost estimation; construction scheduling and simulation. Although there are
limitations in the implementation of BIM methodology in all sectors and stages, within the construction
industry, BIM have been bringing an important improvement in the quality of a building design, reflected in
the quality of the final product. BIM methodology is a current demand in the construction industry supported
on advanced technology and in an adequate management of projects, were the BIM manager has an important
role.
Keywords: Building Information Modelling (BIM); BIM implementation; BIM manager;
responsibility; coordination; integration; muiltidisciplines
1. Introduction
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a methodology demanded to support the design
process and all building phases. Currently, it has been implemented in a wild range of infrastructures,
making a positive difference in a global construction industry. A BIM platform can be considered as
a useful resource for multidisciplinary coordination, extending the BIM three-dimension (3D)
modelling scope, into the construction planning and after, in the operation and maintenance stages.
The BIM practice is applied as a part of the hand-over of the construction building from the
contractors to the owners. The main boost is the capacity of improving collaboration among all
professionals involved in the project, construction and occupation of a building. During this
interdisciplinary procedure, in order to archive all design data and to support the elaboration of a
large set of tasks, several complementary data must be created and inserted in the centralized BIM
model [1].
A BIM model is a 3D digital representation of a building and it is generated and updated along
the entire life cycle of the infrastructure. In it, a BIM manger is required to guaranty the confidence,
accuracy and completeness of the data of the final project solution. With the integration and the
collaboration of several experts in a building design, the role of a BIM manager has emerged as a
necessary adjunct professional, in the coordination of BIM-enabled projects [2]. Approaches for data
exchanges in BIM collaboration environments, has been of particular interest namely the scope of
incremental version control, the investigations related to object and the production of models.
Capturing and representing structured, highly interconnected design information of built facilities
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Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 19 July 2023 doi:10.20944/preprints202307.1287.v1
© 2023 by the author(s). Distributed under a Creative Commons CC BY license.

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has been subject to extensive investigations over the past decade [3,4]. The application of affiliated
techniques can range from routing problems in complex networks to data fusion problems, and
dependency representations in load-bearing systems.
What does a BIM manager do? The professional is responsible for the BIM strategy and its
execution, acting as the guardian of the model created, developed, consulted and delivered in a
complete building context, including design, construction and operation [5]. In the interdisciplinary
coordination work, the manager is able to open all project model files, archived in native or Industry
Foundation Classes (IFC) formats, to establish an updated and complete global centralized model.
The role of a manager can be developed in project offices, building enterprises and construction
contractors. It can be seen currently as a challenge start-up activity that is focused on the offsite
production of projects. The BIM environment practice needs to be supported in roles and
responsibilities of BIM specialists that must be well defined across BIM users, following best practice
guidance [6], as frequently there is a lack of definition of client-side roles in BIM process [7]. One of
the commonly recurrent purposes established in BIM guides and standards, concerns to achieve a
higher degree of project collaboration [8]. A BIM manager is required, in particular, in buildings of
an important volume and complexity:
• to incentive the collaboration at work and to control responsibility given to each professional
involved;
• to guaranty the correction of the amount and quality of the information, included in each BIM
model phase, and transferred between tasks, requiring the control of the performance of distinct
data exchange steps;
• to coordinate all designs and the distinct mandatory activities (conflict detection, cost estimation
or energetic simulation);
• to verify the Level of Design / Development / Detail (LOD) of the BIM model in a transfer
operation, concerning the volume and type of data required in each step.
The current LOD classification of BIM models concerns the overall state of type, quantity and
quality of the information inserted in the centralized model, at each particular stage along the
development of the complete project. This concept includes not only graphical objects, but also the
data associated with the objects. LOD was first introduced by the American Institute of Architects
(AIA) in 2008 when it defined five different levels of development to define the detailing levels in a
BIM model. The AIA organization defined all the parameters and details associated with a digital
model accessible for everyone at various stages of the design process.
Various standards and guidelines have been defined on national and international levels to
structure the workflows of collaborative design projects in the construction industry. The available
standards describe mostly the process-related aspects and promote BIM-based collaboration using a
federate discipline model, including multi components and tasks. Each domain work predominantly
in independent way of the distinct disciplines on their respective component of the centralized model.
By employing a Common Data Environment (CDE), interdisciplinary coordination can be performed
by combining the available discipline models into a coordination model. From a technical point of
view, this combination step of all discipline components of the model is realized by merely
superimposing the elements contained in the individual discipline models. The present study
concerns the coordination and integration aspects in a BIM manger perspective:
• Problem statement: Over the complete BIM model, the manager should be able to verify the
existence of conflicts and the detection of eventual inconsistencies, and then proceed to warn the
responsible of the identified problem. The aspect related to the management of the global project
and the applications and functionalities provided for support this work, is not yet widely
disseminated in the scope of the construction business. Knowing BIM does not know
engineering and vise-versa, and as so, a BIM manger is required to connect both knowledge,
improving the quality of the final product.
• Scope of the paper: The main objective is to report distinct cases associated with activities that
the manager must care. The identification of the of type of works and the respective reasonability
were carryed-out along the presentation of the concrete situations. The most relevant
responsibility were identified.

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• Methodology and contribution: A first research work was made, focused on the relevance and
the current intervention of the BIM manager as a new job in a BIM project environment. The case
studies pointed distinct relevant aspect of interest to be disseminate among BIM professional
and construction enterprises. The study and the principal final remarks contributes positively to
a better knowledge of the BIM manager work.
The present study presents building cases were distinct specific projects and several tasks were
developed, namely, conflict detection, structural analyses, cost estimation and construction
scheduling. All activities were worked-out from BIM models created in construction planning and
structural analyses contexts. The study demonstrates the large domain of BIM applications and the
relevance of the BIM manager professional to improve quality and agility in multidisciplinary
projects.
2. BIM manager requirements
The BIM manager is a professional with a background in engineering construction or
architecture design with experience in collaborative work development, concerning design or
construction coordination, and with knowledge at the forefront of the digital technology field [9].
This activity is an innovative and dynamic business that operates in an industry niche that has grown
substantially lately. The ascent of the BIM application has attracted a new perspective of various
competencies and responsibilities required of the role. Currently the engineer and architectural
companies have been accepting the relevance of the BIM manager role [10]. This professional is
involved in the management and delivery of client’s information requirements on construction
projects, having an important role of a significant relevance to the business:
• Coordinates the BIM design procedure, the technical authoring, the data verification and
validation, the clash detection analyses and the delivery of asset data from project inception to
completion;
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, organizing and chairing all necessary
meetings and information reviews, either remotely or at design team meetings, and define the
digital information requirements of thee all BIM project [11];
• Leads the team involved in the project when working in a multi discipline environment [12];
• Provides the project models and data auditing between steps, and verify the quality control, and
assess adherence to standards of all received deliverables throughout the lifecycle of buildings
[13];
• Works closely with the design manager to support successful delivery of the digital aspects of
the project from conception to completion and supports the management of software packages
including advising on when to upgrade to new versions and the need for software customization
[14];
• Demonstrates current experience with BIM platforms and a great understanding of project
processes, data workflows, contractual obligations and use of BIM software [15].
In a collaborative process, developed in the context of a company that admits multiple specialties
and activities, the project is controlled and shared through Revit's Project Browser functionality. Each
performed component or task is referred to as a view of the global model. The distinct design views
must be properly organized, specifying whether the view refers to imported Computer-Aided Design
(CAD) drawings, or data supported by the model, namely, tables of materials or components, or
drawing sheets properly composed with cuts, views and captions, constituting updatable dynamic
components. The manager shills must englobe an agile handling of this kind of functionalities
available in BIM software.
The BIM manager works on the quality of the project base in the completeness of the model. To
achieve the required design value the professional must align communication between all agents
with regard to the flow of information, dates and delivery files. Previously all accords has to be
contracted between the parties and the priorities that were set out [16]. The expert, in general, does
not model or design, but has an important role in the strategic definition and management of the BIM
implementation plan, a document previously established and associated to each new project [17].

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This plan presents guidelines and criteria for implementing information modeling in a given
enterprise. It determines, for example, the model applications, the responsibilities in all parts of the
project during its development, the milestones and deliveries, the coordination rules and BIM
software, the LOD required in each transfer step and the required plugins or extensions that will be
adopted.
In the last decades, there has been a construction technologic evolution and BIM managers are
in high demand. The main skills necessary for the BIM manger function, involved in innovative and
major schemes across the built environment, can be listed as requirements and desired competencies:
• Knowledge of BIM software - The professional should know the systems available in the
market for different disciplines and uses, but not being necessary an expert or a qualified
programmer. This includes architectural and structural design procedure and software used
(from Autodesk, Graphisoft and Bently houses), knowledge about hydraulic and electrical
installations, software most applied in construction planning and simulation (MSProject and
Navisworks), manage visualization and rendering capacities of the most used software,
familiarity with conflict detection software (Solibry) and with collaborative platforms
(OpenBIM). The manager must have knowledge about what extensions (Reinforcement) or
plugins (Dynamo) were planned to be used in each project delivery step and how to manage the
model to extract quantities of objects or distinct type of material, supporting decisions
concerning deadlines, quality and specific details discussion with the experts of each area. The
manager must have also knowledge about the interoperability level between different
developers' systems and know how to work with IFC formats [18,19];
• Experience in building project and strategic vision – A relevant experience in projects and
technical knowledge is required. BIM manager must have an adequate competence to actively
participate in strategic definitions, and attention to identify errors in the model that can gain
greater proportions in a complex project, later in the construction phase [20]. In the traditional
process, the warning of problems is often done through emails with details evidenced about the
digital drawings and added comments to indicate which problem requires resolution. The
organization BuildingSmart, developed the BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) which allow the
communication of errors in a simpler and effective way [4]. The information that is archived in
this format are the coordinates of the place where this problem was found, the user's display
parameters and the intended comments, related to the error (the inconsistency description, the
deadline for correction, the person responsible for changing it, the type of priority, ...). This is a
type of warning procedure that can be used by the BIM manager when supervising the growing
of a global model of a multidisciplinary project. The manager must be able to lead with BIM
delivery of large complex projects, an adequate experience across a number of sectors at all
design stages and a good understanding of buildings design;
• Modelling and attention to detail - The BIM model is a virtual construction and the quality of
the model must be approved by the manager, and for that he/she must know how a building
must be designed and executed. All information contained in the model must be coherent and
organized, avoiding posterior problems, errors or omissions in the construction-working place.
The BIM model allows teams to see the project virtually before it is built, which can help to
identify mistakes and inconsistences in an early design stage, and support the ability to create
sustainable buildings. The BIM manager get to learn about new software and the most recent
technologic achievements, that can help the companies to improve the way to do better business
[21];
• Communication and integration capability – The work of a BIM manager requires to go across
many disciplines and companies and, as a project coordinator, must easily communicate with
different interlocutors, as the client and all members of the project team, respecting different
views and expertise. Although some professionals have more experience in construction, BIM is
still in a global process of maturity, and so many BIM concepts, practices and patterns are still
being implemented. Therefore, it is required an understand between traditional professionals
and BIM handlers;
• Responsibility in delivery and coordination – The BIM manager must ensure a high-quality
service and provide the best technical solution and digital deliverables for the client, through all
stages of the project, construction and operation. The primary responsibility is to manage and

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coordinate BIM standards implementation and enforcement on all related BIM projects, file
documents and digital models. The manager, working alongside with the project director,
follows the production and the control of a BIM project, planning and deliveries, through all
stages, fully supporting the BIM teams assigned to it.
3. Materials and Methods
As a methodology, the upper preliminary text introduces the recognition that the development
of BIM projects and associated tasks requires the intervention of a professional with knowledge in
BIM, with the function of delivering, with correctness and responsibility, the global model within the
various stages in which the transfer of data is required. In the next items, the BIM manager action
was worked out from three study cases, in order to illustrate the type of intervention and the
relevance of this BIM expert, within the elaboration of multidisciplinary projects (Figure 1):
Figure 1. Study cases and type of BIM manager actions.
• Design collaboration: On the first case, an initial architectural project was defined followed by
the elaboration of a reinforced concrete structural solution. In collaboration with the
architectural office, changes to the architectural design were studied, with direct implication in
the structural solution. A BIM manager, established at the beginning of the process, supported
the control of the two-way routing between the architecture and structures. Subsequently,
during the structural analyses, which is processed in the structural software and after the
required transfer of the reinforcement detailing, to the modelling software, the BIM manager
carried out the quality control of the information that is transferred between both software, and
evaluate the degree of interoperability;
• Interoperability in structural design: A preliminary structural solution was generated using
Revit, and a first inconsistency verification was made. The transfer of the structural model
between Revit (Autodesk) and Robot (Autodesk) and after, a more complete model, was
transferred again to Revit (Autodesk), in order to centralize all data, was supported in a BIM
manager work. Supervised by the BIM manager, the conflict detection, construction planning
simulation and the take-off of materials, were performed over the complete structural model.
An exercise, concerning the detection of inconsistency and emission of warnings were also

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considered, as well a reference to the Virtual Reality technology that have been improving BIM
performance in construction design;
• Multi-disciplinary project: Beginning with the generation of the architect and structure projects,
represented in a 3D BIM model, other disciplines were developed. The BIM manager controlled
the transfer of the first model (architecture) to experts of water supply and electrical installation.
After, a conflict detection analyses was realized, forcing to do some adjustments to the initial
solutions of those disciplines. In addition, other necessary discipline projects were also
performed, related with the excavation and frameworks.
The parametric BIM model supports a great level of integration, communication and
collaboration. The BIM manager must establish, at the beginning of all process, a BIM Execution Plan
(BEP) a document that define how a BIM project must be developed and delivered among all experts
involved. The manager uses the Google Drive platform to store the files and to aggregate the team of
experts. The platform allows supporting to handle the type of access permitted by each discipline
responsible. These aspects are also reported in the text, after the presentation of the study cases.
In summary, the main contributions to be presented in this paper are:
• Pointing the main requirements, function and activity related with the performance of a BIM
manager in multidisciplinary projects;
• Evidencing the type of collaboration and coordination required in several mandatory steps
identified along the elaboration of academic cases projects;
• The 3 study cases were selected to illustrate 3 distinct aspects: the communication
architecture/structure; the transfer Revit/Robot/Revit and the interoperability degree analyses; a
building project including several disciplines requiring overlapping and integration;
• The manager importance is identified in each model transfer and combination of disciplines,
reveling important remarks useful for a global BIM community.
4. Case studies
The selected illustrative examples of building-cases demonstrate clearly the complexity in
organizing and coordinating multidisciplinary projects. Several situations of collaboration between
disciplines were made, the interoperability capacity was evaluated and some corrective solutions
were performed, the clash detection analyses was verified followed by adequate adjustments and,
after, drawings and tables of quantities were obtained over the centralized BIM model. The BIM
manager controls all the processes where data transfer is necessary, contributing to the correctness of
the model that is created, handled and increased with new disciplines or phases, resulting in a better
final project. The BIM manager action is pointed in each case.
4.1 Collaboration between architecture and structures
Following the progress of the dynamic process established between architectural and structural
offices, a single-family house, located in the archipelago of Azores, Portugal, was selected [22,23]. The
process of creating the architecture design admitted several alternative options, providing an
interesting illustration of how BIM model constitutes an adequate work-base and understanding of
coordination between the activities of the architect and the structural engineer. The BIM manager
coordinates all delivery processes, made in both transfer directions, following all steps of the model
growing and admitting several changes along its progression. The experts involved, using BIM
software, and controlled by the manager, easily follow the adaptation studies applied over both
disciplines.
An architectural initial BIM model was first created. After a first suited structural component
was defined confined to the architectural constrains. To initialize the architectural model, a set of
technical drawing were inserted in the modeling software Revit (Autodesk) serving as the base of
working (Figure 2).

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Figure 2. Architectural technical drawings.
Then, using the same software, a first structural solution was modeled (Figure 3). Both models
were defined one over the other, helping the structural engineered to choose an adequate solution.
Figure 3. The initial BIM structural model.
Along the process, distinct adjustments to the architecture was made followed by a new suited
structural model (Figure 4). In all adjustments, the BIM manger coordinated the delivery of the
architectural and structural models between the respective professionals. The collaboration establish
between the experts, in architecture and structure, was greatly improved, when compared to a paper-
based design, as the communication was supported in a BIM model.
Figure 4. BIM structural model with changes applied.
4.1.1. Structural analyses
To performed the structural analyses, the geometry consistence of the analytical connections was
first verified in Revit and after in Robot (Autodesk). BIM manager control the options for transferring
the correct material and proprieties and updating elements like foundations. The first selected
options were Send model and Update model, and later to transfer the results obtained in the structural
analysis to Revit, the option Update model and results, was selected. In Robot the loads and combination
of loads were applied and the structural analyses was realized (Figure 5). For the determination of
the seismic action, using the analysis mode parameter, the modal value was first changed to seismic,
allowing the selection of the most relevant vibration modes for the seismic analysis, that are
associated to a higher percentage of mass participation.

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Figure 5. Results of the structural analyses worked out in Robot.
Also supervised by the BIM manger, other transfer process was realized. The calculated
reinforcements for each structural component were transferred to the initial software, the Revit, in
order to complete the initial structural model. In this step, the interoperability capacity in the way
Robot/Revit was evaluated. The interoperability capacity between both software was analyzed.
Several inconsistencies were detect and the required adjustments were performed [23]. The
interoperability level in a structural design is currently still a limitation. So, it was found that the
information transferred in Robot/Revit direction still presents several flaws. All the problems were
corrected in order to obtain an accurate and complete structural model. In it, the BIM manager
coordinates all process. For that, knowledge about the structural software available and the
interoperability level capacity of the systems used, is required as BIM manager skills.
4.1.2. Technical drawings
After, and conducted by the BIM manager, distinct complementary task were extracted from the
final structural BIM model. The required drawings and the tables of quantities of concrete and
reinforcements bars were obtain automatically. The technical drawings are generated as cuts applied
over the 3D model presenting an elementary aspect. Then, some annotative adjustments were made
(Figure 6).
a b
Figure 6. Technical drawing before (a) and after (b) the application of annotative changes.
Although the modeling process was relatively simple, the generation of structural drawings,
which effectively correspond to cuts applied over the 3D model, is more complex and time-
consuming, in order to achieve an aspect similar to that is normally required in a paper-based project.
However, the great advantage in relation to the paper drawings is that they can are dynamic, and as
so when the 3D model admits design adjustments, all drawing became automatically updated.
The development of traditional drawings requires some work and mastery of handling the
distinct functionalities of the systems. Revit allows the recourse to advanced functionalities, that can
be developed as Dynamo script, concerning the insertion of annotation associated to drawings.
Creating specific features, using the Revit plugin Dynamo, requires a high experience in graphical
programming.

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4.2 Structural interoperability
The 2nd study case in a building with several elevated levels, situated in Lisbon, Portugal [24,25].
Initially, a first Revit model of the established structural solution was created (Figure 7).
Figure 7. Sequence of the modelling process of the structural model made in Revit.
4.2.1. Structural analyses
In Revit, the analytical structural model is checked, in order to guaranty the correct consistencies
of the finite elements nodes connection. After it was transferred to Robot and the structural analyses
was performed (Figure 8). Again, a BIM manager was the responsible to control the efficiency of the
BIM model transfer. After, the complete structural model, that includes the reinforcements of each
structural elements (slabs, columns, beams and walls), was transferred to Revit.
Figure 8. Structural analyses (slabs deflection, a), performed in Robot, and the reinforcement
(foundation, b, and beam, c), detailed in Revit.
The BIM model is composed of a set of parametric objects, the most important concept of the
methodology. This fact allows the user to extract several type of information from the model. In
addition, it allows the professionals to enhance a high level of communication and collaboration
within the project team, including the BIM manager.
4.2.2 Construction planning and budget estimation
The generated complete structural BIM model presents an organized and centralized database
covering all concrete components and the reinforcements bars calculated for each structural element.
From the structural model, some task were carried out (Figure 9): Conflict detection (Navisworks);

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preparation of technical drawings (Revit); definition of construction planning (Microsoft Project) and
generation of animated simulation (Navisworks); obtaining take-off of several materials (Revit) base
of the budget estimation.
Figure 9. Conflict detection results (a), technical drawing (b), construction simulation (c) and table of
concrete volume and costs (d)
4.3 Multidisciplinary project
The 3rd selected building case is composed by two elevated floors and two semi-basements. The
house is located in a tourist bathing area near a lake, in Santarem district, Portugal [26,27]. In this
case, the final model is formed by several disciplines (Figure 10): architecture, structures, water net
supply and electrical installation. All components of the centralized BIM model were defined using
Revit software and the parametric objects available in the libraries concerning each discipline.
Figure 10. Components of the 3D BIM model: architecture (a), structures (b), water supply net (c) and
electrical installation (d).

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4.3.1 Overlapping disciplines
All disciplines were created using an overlapped strategy where the architectural and structural
components of the model can be visualized, along with conception of the water and electrical projects.
A conflict analyses detection was performed, using the Navisworks (Autodesk) system, looking for
errors or inconsistencies not previously identified.
The Revit model was transferred to the Navisworks software, using the native Revit format. In
the detection analysis, some inconsistencies were found. Namely, between the water supply net and
the architecture and the structural components of the BIM model (Figure 11a). This type of analyses,
made in an early stage of the BIM model generation, constitutes a positive improvement in the quality
of the final product. In this case, the excavation work was also modelled (Figure 11a) as well the
framework component, used to form the structural elements (Figure 11c).
Figure 11. Collision detection (a), excavation work (b) and framework made in wood (c).
4.3.1 Construction simulation
The construction planning of the structural component was defined using the Microsoft Project
software. After, the BIM model and the planning file were transferred to the Navisworks system. In
it the construction activity schedule was linked, in a time liner, to the construction sets of elements
(Figure 12). This system allows also programming a virtual presentation in an animated simulation
presentation (Figure 13).
Figure 12. Schedule of the construction activity linked to component sets in a time liner.

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Figure 13. Sequence of the construction process elaborated using the Navisworks software.
5. Coordination and collaboration
The BIM model enhances a high level of communication and collaboration, as it can support the
overlapping of distinct disciplines and an easy access to the database of each component. A BIM
model that encompasses all the required disciplines (architecture, structures and service networks),
presents an organized and centralized database. The model database represents an adequate working
base support to the BIM manager work.
The created structural BIM model, required in each building case, is composed of the physical
and analytical structural solution and of all the 3D reinforcements inserted in each structural element.
In addition, Revit enables the attachment of labels, images and tables obtained from the model, or
transferred from the Robot. These project elements were aggregated, as independent directories, to
the BIM project, in order to allow its consult when required in a later stage. The different structural
analysis diagrams, performed in the Robot, were placed in a view named “Analysis”. This
organization should be first included in the project BEP guidelines. Therefore, the experts know
where to place each view and what kind of data consult can do. In the process, the role of the manager
is again essential.
The ability to centralize information is very useful in a project revision process, as the model
database can be easily consulted, giving a sustained knowledge for an eventual optimization decision
concerning architectural, structural or construction requirements.
5.1. BIM Execution Plan
A BIM Execution Plan (BEP) is a document that outlines how a BIM project should be executed,
managed and delivered, conducted partially by the project manager. It is an essential tool for
ensuring that all stakeholders are on the same direction work, from the start of the project and that
every experts understands their roles and responsibilities. The BIM manager must coordinate the
responsibilities and type of contribution.
If the information archived in a Revit model is outdated, the system issues a warning stating
after each transfer, identifying the errors or omissions. After the overlapping of all disciplines and
the elaboration of the required tasks, the global centralized model is composed of all components and
all specific views that were considered. The manager shall ask each partner for a responsible
verification of its component. The final model should not present any kind of inconsistency, errors,
inaccuracies or omissions.
5.2. Dynamic extension files
A collaborative platform, organized by folders, allocate the results of each expert work in specific
places or views of the global model, that can be achieved using common shared document. The

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CADKEY Dynamic Extension file (CDE) is a common shared document. In it, the online Google Drive
platform can store the CDE files, allowing to add the team member responsible to each discipline or
task. The folders in the BIM model, should be organized as shown in the Figure 14:
• In the place working on it (WIP) folder, each team member stores the files concerning the project
in a progress stage. The files archived in WIP folder has not yet been verified and authorized to
be moved to the next stage;
• As soon as the model is approved by the expert in charge, it is transferred to the shared folder,
which will have all the shared files of the various disciplines to be coordinated;
• The published folder, is used to support the review and coordination stages that must be first
carried out, before it is ready to be worked in a final step;
• The archive folder, follow the history of the various editable models created along the project
development, avoiding that no information is lost.
Figure 14. Organization of a CDE file.
5.3. BIM collaboration format
The BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) file stores the model in progress, in a virtual platform, and
allows the interaction between several stakeholders. When a problem is detect, by the BIM manager
and after fixed by the discipline responsible, the communication between experts can be based in the
generation and delivering of a BCF file.
When the file is opening it a BIM software, it is possible to read the text information about the
inconsistency found, and display the parameters and the position were the problem was detected.
This functionality allows to better understanding the issue situation, and the possibility to make
immediately the necessary change in the model. As an example, an error caused by the transfer of
reinforcement bars, was detected in the second study case. Figure 15 presents the type of
communication established between the manager and the structural engineer. The detected problem
can be automatically synchronized with the virtual platform in use.
Figure 15. Generation of a BCF file and communication to the expert responsible.

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5.4. VR technology and QR code
In BIM, the virtual reality (VR) technology has been enhancing the benefits of the methodology,
with a great applicability in architecture, construction planning and maintenance. The VR software
allows immersive experiences when the user navigates through the interior and the exterior of the
models. The main advantage in linking BIM/VR is being inside a realistic environment. This
functionally transmits an adequate understanding of the project, being possible to make a virtual
inspection, and observing the eventual inconsistencies in a real scale. Inside the structural model,
BIM/VR allows the engineer to better communicate with other collaborates and to the owner (Figure
9a).The EnscapeTM is VR Revit extension that can be used to performed VR experiences. It easily
supports the detection of eventual physical collisions between elements, and allows a direct
adjustment made in Revit.
Figure 9. Immersive route inside the BIM model (a) and the created QR code (b)
A quick response (QR) code is a type of two dimensional (2D) bar code that is used to provide
easy access to online information, through the digital camera on a smartphone or tablet. In this case,
it was attached to the global model allowing user to access to a selected information, concerning the
project (Figure 9b).
6. Discussion
Productivity in the construction industry is currently a hotly debated topic. Companies in this
sector are constantly adapting their workflow in order to reduce time and costs in the development
of their activity. The technological advances associated with the BIM methodology have been
presenting benefits in the productivity and quality of the construction. The present study aimed to
analyze the benefits and limitation of applying the BIM methodology in the execution of structural
designs and construction plans, as well as the action of the BIM manager along the development of
in each project.
The benefits are essentially focused on aspects related to the correct operation, speed and
simplicity in the execution of some processes:
• The ability to effectuate a bidirectional transfer information between software, finding that the
model transfer from Revit to Robot is quite reliable and in the inverse direction the efficiency is
reduced;
• In Robot, the structural analyses and reinforcements detailing have shown very satisfactory
results and after transposing the model in the direction Robot/Revit the completeness of the final
structural model is easily achieved using the Revit extension, Reinforcement;
• The 3D BIM modeling process, when compared to the traditional paper-base method, allows to
easily performing eventual changes to the distinct components, supporting an adequate
collaboration among the team involved.

15
In addition, a reflection about the BIM manager function is presented and its important need is
illustrated over real cases:
• The multidisciplinary design developed around a building, requires be following, controlling
and supervising by a professional with knowledge in BIM strategy and in complex projects;
• The structural design requires collaboration between the architect and the engineer and the
transfer of BIM model in both ways, Revit/Robot/Revit. Over the structural model several tasks
can be elaborated: inserting of all reinforcement inside the structural elements, obtaining tables
of the materials quantities (volume of concrete and length of bars by diameter type) and the
simulation of the construction process;
• In the construction context, the selected case, involved the generation of four disciplines, the
clash detection analyses, the materials quantity take-off elaborated over the final model and the
definition of the construction simulation. In all cases, the relevance of the BIM manger was
evidenced;
6. Conclusions
The described study cases presents some complexity of the projects composed of several
disciplines and requiring the development of several task, using frequently distinct software. The
role of the BIM manger is mainly the coordination of steps and the control in the authorization of the
collaboration of each expert:
• The distinct cases illustrated the relevance and the necessity of a BIM manger professional;
• Its function is associated to the coordinator of the project, but some knowledge inherent to BIM
concept and software use, should be detailed attended by the manager in all BIM process;
• It is a new job that should be incorporated within the technical team of the construction
enterprises, in an interdisciplinary BIM users context;
• As currently, the projects are developed in a global way, connection distinct companies, and
several countries, the BIM manager professional is highly recommended;
• The BIM manager can work on line using Google Drive platform and several sharing files and
places, supporting the coordination of a global project.
When follow-up each case study, it was demonstrated that a BIM manager is useful to coordinate
each task and to give responsibility to distinct experts. However, there is a strong consume of time in
coordinating the various models. The centralized model has a high capacity for integration,
supporting collaboration, communication between experts and, therefore, projects with a higher
quality can be achieved.
Author Contributions: Conceptualization, A.S. and A.G.; methodology, A.S. and A.G.; software, G.A.;
validation, A.S.; formal analysis, A.G.; investigation, A.S. and G.A.; resources, G.A.; data curation, A.S. and A.G.;
writing—original draft preparation, A.S.; writing—review and editing, A.S.; visualization, A.G.; supervision,
A.G.; project administration, A.S. and A,G,; funding acquisition, A.S. and A.G.. All authors have read and agreed
to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: The authors are grateful for the Foundation for Science and Technology's support through funding
UIDB/04625/2020 from the research unit CERIS, Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability,
University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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