From Fragmented Site Information to Closed-Loop Coordination: Development of an Evidence-Traceable BIM Framework for Super High-Rise Construction in Xi’an, China
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63808/aepm.v2i4.562Keywords:
Building information modelling, Smart construction site, Super high-rise construction, Requirements engineering, Closed-loop managementAbstract
Digitalisation has increased the volume of information available on construction sites, yet specialised models, monitoring systems, quality records, equipment platforms, and safety workflows frequently remain disconnected. This study develops an evidence-traceable Building Information Modelling (BIM)-driven smart construction-site management framework for super high-rise projects in Xi’an, China. A design-science-oriented procedure transformed the empirical outputs of 15 semi-structured interviews into a candidate management artefact. The antecedent dataset comprised approximately 87,000 Chinese characters of transcript material, a refined 118-code codebook, 15 role-domain stakeholder needs, and 28 functional requirements (22 Core and 6 Supporting). These inputs were triangulated with international and Chinese information-management standards, recent BIM-IoT and digital-twin literature, and contextual constraints of super high-rise construction. A nine-step development process established the design-input repository, mapped requirements to candidate elements, formed modules, compared layer arrangements, specified BIM-site data associations, designed process and state rules, defined interfaces and permissions, prepared representations, and completed internal checks. The resulting Framework V1.0 contains four technical layers and four configurable management modules connected by a BIM spatial/object index and a unified event-responsibility loop. Structural mapping located all 28 requirements within the framework. Walkthroughs of four representative scenarios produced continuous conceptual paths from data acquisition and spatial association to judgement, task assignment, action, reinspection, closure, and archiving. The contribution is not a new collection of isolated digital functions, but a requirements-driven coordination architecture that distinguishes authoritative data sources from the BIM index and makes responsibility and closure explicit. The reported 28/28 result demonstrates design coverage only; it does not establish software implementation, user acceptance, or field-performance improvement. Expert evaluation and subsequent field testing remain necessary.
References
[1] Ahuja, V., Yang, J., & Shankar, R. (2009). Benefits of collaborative ICT adoption for building project management. Automation in Construction, 18(4), 531-545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2008.11.005
[2] AlBalkhy, W., Karmaoui, D., Ducoulombier, L., Lafhaj, Z., & Linner, T. (2024). Digital twins in the built environment: Definition, applications, and challenges. Automation in Construction, 162, 105368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2024.105368
[3] Azhar, S. (2011). Building information modeling (BIM): Trends, benefits, risks, and challenges for the AEC industry. Leadership and Management in Engineering, 11(3), 241-252. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)LM.1943-5630.0000127
[4] Dave, B., Kubler, S., Främling, K., & Koskela, L. (2016). Opportunities for enhanced lean construction management using Internet of Things standards. Automation in Construction, 61, 86-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2015.10.009
[5] Deng, M., Menassa, C. C., & Kamat, V. R. (2021). From BIM to digital twins: A systematic review of the evolution of intelligent building representations in the AEC-FM industry. Journal of Information Technology in Construction, 26, 58-83. https://doi.org/10.36680/j.itcon.2021.005
[6] Eastman, C., Teicholz, P., Sacks, R., & Liston, K. (2011). BIM handbook: A guide to building information modeling for owners, managers, designers, engineers and contractors (2nd ed.). Wiley.
[7] Gregor, S., & Hevner, A. R. (2013). Positioning and presenting design science research for maximum impact. MIS Quarterly, 37(2), 337-355. https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2013/37.2.01
[8] Hevner, A. R., March, S. T., Park, J., & Ram, S. (2004). Design science in information systems research. MIS Quarterly, 28(1), 75-105. https://doi.org/10.2307/25148625
[9] Huang, X., Liu, Y., Huang, L., Onstein, E., & Merschbrock, C. (2023). BIM and IoT data fusion: The data process model perspective. Automation in Construction, 149, 104792. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2023.104792
[10] International Organization for Standardization. (2018a). ISO 19650-1:2018: Organization and digitization of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling (BIM)-Information management using building information modelling-Part 1: Concepts and principles. ISO.
[11] International Organization for Standardization. (2018b). ISO 19650-2:2018: Organization and digitization of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling (BIM)-Information management using building information modelling-Part 2: Delivery phase of the assets. ISO.
[12] International Organization for Standardization. (2022). ISO 19650-4:2022: Organization and digitization of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling (BIM)-Information management using building information modelling-Part 4: Information exchange. ISO.
[13] International Organization for Standardization. (2023). ISO 12911:2023: Organization and digitization of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling (BIM)-Framework for specification of BIM implementation. ISO.
[14] International Organization for Standardization. (2024). ISO 16739-1:2024: Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) for data sharing in the construction and facility management industries-Part 1: Data schema. ISO.
[15] Jiang, Y., Su, S., Zhao, S., Zhong, R. Y., Qiu, W., Skibniewski, M. J., Brilakis, I., & Huang, G. Q. (2024). Digital twin-enabled synchronized construction management: A roadmap from Construction 4.0 towards future prospect. Developments in the Built Environment, 19, 100512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dibe.2024.100512
[16] Li, C., Chen, Y., Xiang, K., Dai, G., Gong, W., Yang, S., Satyanaga, A., Chua, Y. S., Gao, P., & Zhai, Q. (2024). Estimation of the wetting induced settlement of loess soils from the wetting soil-water characteristic curve. Scientific Reports, 14, 31533. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83258-x
[17] Liu, H., Song, J., & Wang, G. (2021). A scientometric review of smart construction site in construction engineering and management: Analysis and visualization. Sustainability, 13(16), 8860. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168860
[18] Love, P. E. D., Matthews, J., Simpson, I., Hill, A., & Olatunji, O. A. (2014). A benefits realization management building information modeling framework for asset owners. Automation in Construction, 37, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.09.007
[19] Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People’s Republic of China. (2016). GB/T 51212-2016: Unified standard for building information modeling [National standard]. China Architecture & Building Press.
[20] Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People’s Republic of China. (2017). GB/T 51235-2017: Standard for building information modeling in construction [National standard]. China Architecture & Building Press.
[21] Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People’s Republic of China. (2018). JGJ/T 434-2018: Technical standard for information system of construction site supervision and management [Industry standard]. China Architecture & Building Press.
[22] Opoku, D. G. J., Perera, S., Osei-Kyei, R., & Rashidi, M. (2021). Digital twin application in the construction industry: A literature review. Journal of Building Engineering, 40, 102726. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102726
[23] Pan, Y., & Zhang, L. (2021). Roles of artificial intelligence in construction engineering and management: A critical review and future trends. Automation in Construction, 122, 103517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103517
[24] Peffers, K., Tuunanen, T., Rothenberger, M. A., & Chatterjee, S. (2007). A design science research methodology for information systems research. Journal of Management Information Systems, 24(3), 45-77. https://doi.org/10.2753/MIS0742-1222240302
[25] Sacks, R., Brilakis, I., Pikas, E., Xie, H. S., & Girolami, M. (2020a). Construction with digital twin information systems. Data-Centric Engineering, 1, e14. https://doi.org/10.1017/dce.2020.16
[26] Sacks, R., Girolami, M., & Brilakis, I. (2020b). Building information modelling, artificial intelligence and construction tech. Developments in the Built Environment, 4, 100011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dibe.2020.100011
[27] Succar, B. (2009). Building information modelling framework: A research and delivery foundation for industry stakeholders. Automation in Construction, 18(3), 357-375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2008.10.003
[28] Tang, S., Shelden, D. R., Eastman, C. M., Pishdad-Bozorgi, P., & Gao, X. (2019). A review of building information modeling (BIM) and the Internet of Things (IoT) devices integration: Present status and future trends. Automation in Construction, 101, 127-139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2019.01.020
[29] Tuhaise, V. V., Tah, J. H. M., & Abanda, F. H. (2023). Technologies for digital twin applications in construction. Automation in Construction, 152, 104931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2023.104931
[30] Turk, Ž. (2020). Interoperability in construction-Mission impossible? Developments in the Built Environment, 4, 100018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dibe.2020.100018
[31] Volk, R., Stengel, J., & Schultmann, F. (2014). Building Information Modeling (BIM) for existing buildings-Literature review and future needs. Automation in Construction, 38, 109-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.10.023
[32] Xiahou, X., Wu, Y., Duan, T., Lin, P., Li, F., Qu, X., Liu, L., Li, Q., & Liu, J. (2022). Analyzing critical factors for the smart construction site development: A DEMATEL-ISM based approach. Buildings, 12(2), 116. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12020116
[33] Xue, X., Shen, Q., & Ren, Z. (2010). Critical review of collaborative working in construction projects: Business environment and human behaviors. Journal of Management in Engineering, 26(4), 196-208. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000025
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Fang Li, Nurazim Ibrahim
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.