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Building Information Modelling Adoption for better cost estimation: Sri Lankan
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Conference Paper · March 2018

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The Tenth International Conference on Construction in the 21st Century (CITC-10)

July 2nd-4th, 2018, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Building Information Modelling Adoption for better cost estimation:

Sri Lankan perspective
Anushka Rathnayake, Sajedeh Mollasalehi, Ahmed Aboumoemen
University of Salford, Manchester, UK
[Link]@[Link], S.mollasalehi1@[Link],
[Link]@[Link]

Udayangani Kulatunga
The University of Moratuwa, Colombo, Sri-Lanka
[Link]@[Link]

Hamed Hyab Samir

Basra university, Basra, Iraq
Hamidtemeemi@[Link]

Abstract
To achieve competitive productivity and performance over the past eras, the growths of innovative
technological concepts are promptly increasing. The waves of Building Information Modelling (BIM)
have made everyone's in the construction industry gushing about BIM in building and construction expos.
BIM has potential to influence everyone's professions in different ways within the construction industry.
Most importantly BIM is capable of improving the accuracy of cost estimates through various BIM
related tools which can be applied in the different stages of the traditional cost estimation process. Most
of the countries both developed and developing have already re-aligned their cost estimation process with
BIM and experiencing the benefits of it. Although the concept of BIM is slightly practiced in Sri Lankan
construction industry yet, the majority of organizations still haven't adopted BIM. Therefore, this paper
aim is to investigate the level of BIM adaptation of Sri Lankan quantity surveying organizations for a
better cost estimation process. The study is interesting because the new knowledge will help to develop
strategies for professional development and update the education curricula to train the Quantity Surveyors
to face future challenges. As a visual database of building components, BIM can provide accurate and
automated quantification, and assist in significantly reducing variability in cost estimates.

Keywords
BIM, Cost estimates, Adoption, Sri Lanka, Quantity surveyor.

1. Introduction
For any construction project cost estimation is an essential task for budgeting and bid preparation and cost
planning (Sheikh, 2013). Cost estimation is, predicting the most realistic figure ensuring that sufficient
construction funds are available at different or any given stage of a project (Avsatthi, 2016). Therefore,
Construction cost estimating involves collecting, analyzing, and summarizing all available data for a
project (Holm et al., 2005). Different types of estimates are available such as preliminary estimates which
becomes the fundamental guideline to determine projects' feasibility and elemental cost estimates which
calculate the total estimated cost of construction project considering the major elements of a building.
Highly accurate estimates reduce the changes of uncertainties and risks (Avsatthi, 2016). Perhaps, most
importantly, an accurate estimation keeps all parties focused on delivering a project on time and under
budget. It holds a developer and construction company accountable for increased costs and overruns.
When planning a project, such as building, costs can overrun seriously if correct estimates are not
considered (Michael, 2017). Therefore, as one of the defining features of successful progress, accurate
project cost estimation must take a front seat when it comes to setting up a project's parameters. It's
impossible to underestimate the importance of cost estimation when it comes to successfully completing a
project. Before even approaching a project, it's important to get a handle on cost estimation to help keep
you on task and in touch with project constraints and limitations.
Sri Lanka is going through a major urbanization and economic development with the end of civil war
2009. As a developing country (IMF, 2012), construction industry plays a major role in development and
achievement of the goals of the society (OBG, 2016). The Construction is one of the largest industries in
Sri Lanka and contributes to about 8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Trading economics, 2016).
The Construction industry has complexity in its nature because it contains a large number of parties as
clients, contractors, consultants, stakeholders, shareholders, and regulators. According to Central Bank
(2015), out of the total workforce of 6.2 million people, therefore, the construction industry is a
measurement tool for Sri Lanka, which indicate the economic situation (Langford et al., 2000).
The demand for the Quantity Surveying profession is growing day by day in Sri Lanka (Withanagamge
and Senevirathne, 2016). Cost estimation is the most performing role among Sri Lankan quantity
surveyors. The success or failure of a project relies on the accuracy of several estimates done throughout
the course of the project (Navon, 2005). Hence, the traditional practice of Sri Lankan quantity surveyors
hinders the accuracy of cost estimates (De Silva et al., 2014; Gunasekara & Jayasena, 2013; Perera et al.,
2010; Weddikkara 2013). Therefore, traditional cost estimation practice is one of the major challenges
within the Sri Lankan quantity surveying organizations.

2. Traditional cost estimation process

Accurate cost estimates are essential for a transparent construction process and for the development of the
Sri Lankan construction industry (Fernando, 2015). However, preparation of accurate cost estimates is
crucial due to the traditional practice of Sri Lankan quantity surveyors (Dissanayake, 2015). Traditional
practices can be defined as a particular ethnic group, that has been practicing the same culture since
ancient time (Wikipedia, 2017). Also, a continuing pattern of culture belief or practices ([Link],
2017). Hence, according to researcher's point of view, the traditional practice can be defined as a
particular ethnic group continuing a specific pattern without adopting to modern technologies.

Figure 1: Traditional Cost estimation process

As illustrated in figure 1, traditional cost estimate process starts with series of 2D CAD drawings
provided by the design team. 2D-based drawings or documents, whether they are designed by hand or
with the help of CAD tools, are also error-prone. 2D documents are designed based on other 2D
documents developed by a manual process; wrong inputs and interpretations are therefore very common
since it is very hard to process complex situations, in particular, connections between various building
elements (e.g. a cross-section of the connection of a beam, a column, a wall and a slab) in a 2D frame.
Therefore, it does not cater for the accuracy of the estimate using the available set of drawings and
specifications (Rathnaweera, 2015). Moreover, as illustrated in above figure it takes up to one week of
time to make it 3D using various assumptions.

Based on these drawings QS’s doing taking off quantities of tallying components from printed drawing
sets which is a very time intensive process which takes up to 50-80% of the time needed to create a cost
estimate is spent just on quantification (Wong et al., 2014). Extracted quantities from drawings export
from spreadsheets to costing applications to produce the project cost estimate. This might take up to four
weeks of time to produce cost estimates with manual mapping with cost assemblies. Finally, updates
should be carried out considering the design changes. So, the entire process of preparing cost estimates
takes up to eight weeks of time to get complete. According to a recent survey carried out by Dissanayake
et al. (2015), one of the QS had mentioned: “If we have a reasonable time to prepare estimates with the
use of designs developed by Architecture and Engineering departments of the organization it will result in
better estimates”.

Moreover, in Sri Lanka cost estimates are prepared mainly based on historical cost data. Yet, the
performance of usage of historical cost data in cost forecasting in Sri Lankan consultancy practice is poor
(Jayasinghe et al., 2015). Poor documentation of past records and lack of availability of cost data are the
main causes for poor consultancy practice of QS (Illankoon, 2013). Therefore, most of the cases limited
and less accurate information is available by the time of preparing cost estimates, may mean the quantity
surveyor must make assumptions about the design details of a project (Perera, 2013). According to one of
the respondents “We do predictions up to the maximum level, on the basis of whatever the information we
have” (Diassanayake et al., 2015). If the provided information is not accurate, then the entire cost
estimate is at a risk due to wrong assumptions made by the QS. Therefore, the majority of the Sri Lankan
quantity surveyors are not satisfied with the accuracy level of existing estimating practices (Britto, 2013).

3. BIM-based cost estimation

Most of the developed countries which faced the same problems have successfully improved the accuracy
of cost estimates by adopting BIM, into their estimation process. BIM has changed the way of buildings
are designed, documented, analyzed, procured, constructed and managed by introducing a new culture of
working for all construction disciplines, (Aranda-Mena et al., 2008; Hardin, 2009). Most importantly it
improves the accuracy of cost estimates by removing unwanted time-consuming tasks from entire
estimation process.

According to figure 2, the foremost step in BIM-based cost estimation is to prepare a 3D model of a
building along with a knowledge base, that is, all the vital information available at each stage of the
investment. Tekla BIM Sight allows detecting clashes from the intersection of elements in superimposed
drawings. Therefore, corrections can be done at the early stage of the project as it collects information
about the building structure using a facility BIM model, projections, sections, and guidelines, as well as
cost estimations.
 Figure 2: BIM based cost estimation process

The second step is transferring quantities directly from the model (IFC file) or is extra-added if it is
necessary for cost estimation. This approach associates with software such as, Autodesk QTO, Vico
Office, and CostX which are specialized in Quantity Take-Off (QTO) and enable to transfer the BIM
models and their embedded information from BIM design tools into their system. These tools could be
used for both automated extraction and manual take-off features. Such calculations are more accurate
with fewer errors and omissions. They can generate visual take off diagrams while providing visualization
of models whereby the quantity surveyor can mark off the building components using colors enabling to
cross-check the take-off lists and to see which components have or have not been included in the estimate
(Eastman et al., 2011). During the construction process, it allows quantity surveyors to insert additional
clarifications to the model to clarify the conditions wherever necessary for the inter-linked items and
assemblies. Even if the Quantity surveyors are not having an in-depth understanding of BIM design
platforms, this approach provides an advantage for the quantity surveyors to work using familiar QTO
software.

Once the quantity take-off is completed and both descriptions of the identified items (introduced in the
design process from a library or adopted individually) and their quantities are prepared, the actual cost
estimation may begin. As the unit rates are computed for all items, the items are priced automatically.
Costs of all items are calculated automatically “on the fly” on the basis of adopted or computed prices. A
list of the elements that are estimated is created automatically as records in the cost estimation
application, which makes it ready for valuation.
4. Methodology

As BIM is currently becoming the buzz word among the construction industry, an assumption was made
prior to the research investigations that a few organizations are taking BIM as potential business
marketing, which led to the claims of implementing BIM, although their statuses were arguable. Many
publications recognize as the primary technology for BIM the use of 3D parametric tools (Construction
Project Information, 2009; Eastman et al., 2011; Elvin, 2007; NIBS, 2007; Smith &Tardif, 2009).
Therefore, organizations were selected based on the use of BIM tools such as Revit, Costx.
To identify the company which at least, has started implementing BIM / engaged in a BIM-based process,
a few techniques were engaged:

a) Direct communication with QS organizations in Sri Lanka

b) Attachment and collaboration with ICTAD and IQSSL (Institute of quantity surveyor’s Sri
Lanka)
c) Direct communication with Construction professionals in Sri Lanka

Nine companies were identified through above techniques, contact numbers and email addresses were
obtained. Applications for conducting preliminary interviews were then requested via phone calling and
emails. Out of Nine companies, 5 positively responded to the request. A preliminary interview is a
process where the researcher attempts to get a brief picture regarding the current involvement of BIM
within the company.

Following questions were asked during the preliminary interviews, which are:
a. As part of screening process: To make sure the company has fully/partially incorporated BIM into their
business.
b. As part of refining the interview question: To get a brief picture of the company. This information
helps to identify related questions that suit the company level of BIM usage.
c. As part of research strategy: To develop trust and credibility so that the researcher could gain access to
carry out data collection.

5. Discussion

According to figure 3, out of nine organizations, there were only 3 quantity surveying organizations
which are 33% currently using BIM or engaged with a BIM process. Rest of the organizations (67%) are
not using or in a process of adopting of BIM.

Figure 3: Current BIM adoption rate by Sri Lankan quantity surveying organizations
Organization A is the first Sri Lankan Organization who started using BIM four years ago. The
organization has acquired few licenses for Revit Structure, Revit architecture, Costx-5D estimating, MS
Project and AutoCAD. Most importantly, they are the first Sri Lankan organization who’s dealing with
the First Sri Lankan BIM project going on in Havelock town, Colombo. Other two organizations also
using above-mentioned BIM related tools, apart from that one organization using CATO as well.
Moreover, they do operate in international markets such as Oman, Quarter, United Arab Emirates.
These organizations offer following services in terms of BIM,
A) Author the 3D model (Revit)
B) Extract drawings from the 3D model
C) Determine associated information such as the Material Taking Off, Weight, Surface Area and Centre
of Gravity (Costx)
D) Prepare cost estimates using Costx
E) Conduct Automated Clash Check
F) Deliver Walkthrough Review

Moreover, more than 88% of quantity surveyors agreed that BIM enabled cost estimation process in more
effective than the traditional cost estimation process. As BIM tools capable of improving rich three-
dimensional (3D) context by aiding QS to identify significant cost-sensitive design features (by
overcoming significant limitations of 2D drawings. 3D models created by using BIM technology is
capable of providing more transparency on the design for the quantity surveyors. Moreover, BIM has
further helped estimators to visualize real-world conditions through a virtual 3D construction, which is a
particular benefit in complex designs that are not easily represented in floor plans. Therefore,
visualization is one of the basic application of BIM through 3D models, which gives a clear picture of the
project scope and characteristics, for quantity surveyors to take accurate measurements from the
drawings. Therefore, it has eliminated time-consuming tasks such as double counting, re-measurements,
and missing elements. Therefore, quantity surveyors have more time to consider other aspects of the
estimate rather counting on elements.

Moreover, many quantity surveyors mentioned that it is very beneficial for them where the QS can carry
out a 3D virtual walk-through and make sure everything in the model is factored in the QTO. Any
changes made to the model such as editing of plans, sections, elevations or 3D view within the model
automatically made to all other documentation, drawings, and outputs, by saving time for the manual
revisions. Consequently, design errors caused by inconsistent 2D drawings are eliminated. From the QS
perspective, if clashes can be addressed in the design stage, there is a better chance a variation will not
occur on site. Also, BIM allows them to identify these conflicts from the federated model before they
materialize in the field and this can exclude costly variations during construction. Due to earlier clash
detection, it has increased the cost efficiency of the project and reduces the risk of running behind
schedule. Moreover, it has reduced errors and omissions in the design drawings by helping quantity
surveyors to make correct assumptions and decisions to prepare accurate cost estimates.
Apart from that, due to the rich nature of data within BIM objects, QSs allowed to extract and distinguish
information from the 3D model beyond traditional measurements, such as the number of columns within
a particular material characteristic. Quantity surveyors can upload or download any information at any
stage of the project from these models. Moreover, information can be easily picked from the model to
perform an order of magnitude and elemental estimates, even if the geometry from BIM at early stages of
design comprises in few quantities. Most importantly the most useful tasks that can be automated through
BIM use is quantity takeoff (QTO). A BIM-based model is an assembly of objects defined by specific
properties, some of which are the element's geometric attributes. Most BIM tools contain routines to
perform calculations using the element's geometric properties and provide spatial quantities like area and
volume in text form. BIM-based QTO is reported to provide simpler and yet more detailed and accurate
cost estimates of the project, reducing time and expenses.
6. Conclusion

The accuracy of cost estimates is essential to the overall success of the construction project. However, the
traditional practice of Sri Lankan quantity surveyors hinders the accuracy of the cost estimates due to
challenges such as 2D drawings, manual quantity take-off, lack of information, poor visualization, etc. As
a new technology, BIM assist in cost estimating will not obsolete estimators; rather, it promises to free
them to focus on higher value task than counting, returning increased value to project processes. It
improves the accuracy of cost estimate process through automate quantity take-off, 3D models, improving
the information flow, improving visualization etc. as discussed in the literature. Hence, BIM adoption rate
for the Sri Lankan construction industry still in infant level, as only a few organizations using BIM tools
but the majority of them are not. With the current demand for construction projects in Sri Lanka, BIM is
likely to become the project delivery standard in near future. Therefore, it is high time for the Sri Lankan
construction industry stakeholders to re-align their organizations with BIM in order to gain more benefits
for the overall project life- cycle by increasing total productivity.

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