Abstract:
Construction Projects go through many changes during, but not limited to, their designing and execution phases. These changes may occur due to the involvement of multiple uncertainties. These uncertainties lead to different kinds of claims. Almost in every claim, one of both the additional time and the cost or both are pursued. Handling claims is a complex procedure requiring multiple scrutiny layers of documents and negotiations between contract parties. There are many inefficiencies in the conventional method of handling claims. These inefficiencies were found from literature review and verified by the construction industry through an initial survey. Building information modeling (BIM) and Information communication technologies (ICT) provide innovative solutions to reduce inefficiencies in claims management. This study aims to develop a BIM-based knowledge Management System for Cost Claims (BIM-CCMS) in a BIM environment to handle cost claims in the construction industry. Some of the key features of the BIM-CCMS prototype are i) breakdown of different kinds of direct and indirect costs; ii) involvement of internationally used standard contracts like FIDIC and NEC3, iii) Visualization of variations in design and its impacts on costs; and iv) summarizing and formatting cost results to provide bases for cost claims. The prototype was then presented to industry experts using a case study project. Industry experts later evaluated this Prototype through semi-structured interviews. Experts were selected based on their vast knowledge and experience of contracts, Planning and BIM. Some barriers in its implementation and future recommendations were also recorded and discussed.
