Green BIM - Eco Friendly Sustainable Design with Building Information Modeling.

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International RILEM Conference on Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering
Conference segment on BIM
22-24 August 2016, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
GREEN BIM – ECO FRIENDLY SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
WITH BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING
Nuthan Dummenahally, Adam Glema
Poznan University of Technology, Poznan, Poland
dummenahally.nuthan@doctorate.put.poznan.pl
adam.glema@put.poznan.pl
Abstract
This paper contains research results on construction of environmentally highly integrated
sustainable green projects by using 3-D Building Information Modeling technology.
The research data includes Green BIM implementation, building performance and energy
modeling, green operations and maintenance and problems in adopting BIM on green
projects. It mainly focuses on how Building Information Modeling is contributing to Green
design and construction utilizing cutting edge technologies to reduce environmental impacts
on water, materials, waste, energy and carbon emissions.
keywords: Building Information Modeling, Green design, energy
1. Introduction
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process of generating and managing three
dimensional (3D) digital representations of the physical and functional characteristics
of a facility. BIM produces highly sustainable designs with the help of energy simulation
and prefabrication. Because of this nowadays industry wide adoption of BIM increased more.
Building Information Modelling when combined with environmental project data to promote
project sustainability, for example in optimizing building energy efficiency or managing
waste. BIM applied in this context is called Green BIM [1]. It makes better approach to
decision making in project that considers both the cost and environmental impacts on water,
materials, waste, equipment and technology. Green BIM usually contributes to construction
of sustainable buildings through the use of integrated design system by incorporating different
areas of expertise from the early design stages to all phases of the projects, as a result it saves
money and time in the design and construction process also ensures reduction in errors
and risks.

International RILEM Conference on Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering
Conference segment on BIM
22-24 August 2016, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
”Paris climate change conference November-2015” [2] concluded that climate change
is the major threat to mankind and whole planet and it is much needed to control the emission
of carbon emission by all the countries. We have to set the world on a sustainable footing
for future generations. In this context AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) industry
can contribute to minimise the carbon emission by effective and more accurate use of Green
BIM in construction projects. More concern about the climate change, energy dependence
and economically driven focus on increasing efficiency and building performance
with respect to cost, have led many practitioners from AEC industry to adopt green building
strategies. This evolution has been encouraged to the development of Green BIM.
2. Green BIM in practice
The use of Green BIM had just started to emerge in the market in 2005, comprising
of only 2% in new construction. Around 2008 that market share had reached to 12%
of commercial construction and 8% of residential construction. Smart market analysts
estimate even greater market share in 2020. In 2009 more than one fifth of the corporate
construction companies in America were dedicated to construct green, 60% of their portfolio.
More companies expect to do the same in 2016 [1]. The depth of adoption of BIM according
to 2013 survey report is shown in fig.1. General services administration (GSA)
an independent agency of the United States government recently made a commitment that all
its new buildings would have a net-zero carbon footprint by 2030 [3]. UK government made
mandatory of using BIM in their public and governmental projects from 2016. Similarly
Senate properties of Finland, The Norwegian Defense Estate Agency, Sweden government
are also demanding the use of BIM in their projects.
Fig. 1 BIM Adoption in 2013 [11] Fig. 2 BIM Implementation levels [12]
< 15 %
15 - 30 %
31 - 50 %
> 50 %
0.0 %
10.0 %
20.0 %
30.0 %
40.0 %
50.0 %
60.0 %
70.0 %
80.0 %
90.0 %
2013 Survey: Depth of BIM Adoption
2012
2013
% of t otal n o of pro je cts u sing BIM
% of f i rm

International RILEM Conference on Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering
Conference segment on BIM
22-24 August 2016, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
2.1 Implementation of Green BIM
Many leading countries in the world today are considering a comman requirement
of BIM mandate because it's adoption is now necessary to minimize carbon emissions and life
cycle costs. The use of green BIM is growing rapidly in all the developed countries.
According to [1], in United States of America, adoption of BIM in industries was 28%
in the year 2007. The level of adoption reached to 71% in the year 2012 and now it's growing
even faster rate. Many of construction industries from world wide found potentail growth
with adoption of BIM in coming years. United Kingdom government made adoption of BIM
in public projects from 2016. It is widely acknowledged as a good initiation and forward
thinking policy towards the sustainable environment. Acoording to this policy all centrally
funded constructions and infrastructre projects in UK should deliver BIM data for the entire
project life cycle by 2016, which is called as BIM level 2. The mandatory action is one
which support the UK's broader goals for its AEC industry to contribute in minimizing carbon
consumption by 20% and also life cycle costs of projects. The McGraw Hill smart market
report [1] is based on a survey states, 77% of users perceived a positive return of investment
(ROI) on their investment, 87% were experiencing a positive ROI and 93% believed
there is more value to be realized in the future. The fig.2 shows contractors present and future
expected BIM implemetation levels according to 2012 survey [12].
2.2 Building performance and energy modelling
To create more sustainable model understanding a building's energy needs is essential.
BIM integrate the building models with energy analysis for accurate, routine evaluation based
on geometrically suitable thermal models and local building code requirements. Model
designed by BIM produces a cohesive view of features and function in a format that everone
can understand and manipulate at any stage. As the project evolves, the project model
can be refined with new type of analysis and new design alternatives. The construction team
can quantify the most effective solutions before construction starts. Visualization capabilities
of the model enhances the option of more sustainable design choice [4]. The energy models
in the BIM combines all the relevant factors to predict the buildings energy demands to help
proper design of HVAC, daylighting and all other enregy related design components.
Green BIM ensures energy model updated with the prominent changes made,
with this it is easy to understand how building massing, building envelope, window locations,
building orientation, and other parameters which affect energy demands.
2.3 Green operations and maintenance
The use of Green BIM to model a project's energy performance helps to identify
sustainable design choices that optimize the building's life cycle energy during the design
phase, when changes can be made. By allowing for changes during the early design phase,
projects teams can ensure that suitable building codes are technically and cost effectively
added. The models can also be used during the operation and maintenance of the building
to substantiate its energy consumption. The green BIM makes life cycle cost analysis easier
and more reliable, allowing decision making which considers cost and environmental impacts
together. It can also be used to calculate overall risks of life cycle operation and maintenance,
with the regular upkeep of components and the periodical replacement of larger equipments.

International RILEM Conference on Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering
Conference segment on BIM
22-24 August 2016, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
2.4 Problems in adopting BIM in green projects
According to the smart market reports most of the construction industries are not
currently using Green BIM and they do not wish to do it. There are many factors to influence
not to adopt BIM in construction sector, including lack of competence, data ownership
and management, resistance to change, lack of expertise and knowledge, failure
in management of information, software interoperability, lack of skilled data analysts
and engineers, choosing the right IT infrastructure and supply chain readiness [5].
The concept is completely new. Leaving their old conventional practices digital process
is difficult to adopt by companies. One of the basic reason not to adopt BIM is the cost
of the software and its incompatibility with the other softwares. And moreover companies
which implementing BIM have to change the work process, and they have to ensure
that the suppliers and subcontractors follow suit, as well as it needs data expertise.
For making all these necessary changes in the process, cost will be incurred. For that reason,
companies are more worried about the costs that follow after the implementation of BIM [6].
3. Environmental impacts of Green BIM
The construction sector consumes 40% of global energy, 72% of electricity, 13.6%
of potable water that is 1 billion ton, 11.5 billion ton of concrete, 1.5 billion ton of cement
and it generates 35% of global carbon emissions. BREEM (Building Research Establishment
Environmental Assessment Methodology), world's first sustainability and environmental
assesment method for buildings, assess and rates and certifies the sustainability of buildings
[4]. It is very essential to use the Green BIM to get the environmental certification
for buildings. Green BIM facilitates the BREEM process in the design and construction
phase. The environmental impacts of Green BIM are discuseed below.
3.1 Water
Water consumption by all industries and thermoelectric power plants around the world
increase day by day. Geological surveys estimates some parts of the planet are expected
to experience fresh water shortages by 2050. Building construction cosumes 1 billion ton
of potable water annually all over the world. So water is the very important natural resource
we have to secure for the future. Green BIM helps in design of rain water harvesting system
in buildings more accurately and efficiently. The amount of water available for harvesting
can be calculated using green BIM, based on the site, harvesting system and size
of the building. It also helps to evaluate the amount of water used in a building by calculating
the number of sinks and toilets and thier relative water usage. It helps in measuring
the potential of greywater recycling which is helpful in reducing the local water supplies
demand [7].
3.2 Materials
The construction sector consumes about 40% of the overall material flow in the global
economy annually. Building materials extarction, shipping, use and disposal has become vital

International RILEM Conference on Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering
Conference segment on BIM
22-24 August 2016, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
to enhancing the overall health of countries economy. Green BIM minimizes the construction
waste through the accurate procurement of construction materials. With the help of BIM
more accurately estimate the quantities and qualities required for the project, thus use of raw
materials can be controlled throughout the construction process [7].
3.3 Waste
As said above Green BIM minimizes the construction waste through the accurate
procurement of construction materials. Traditional estimation methods tend to be less accurate
and they produces significant construction wastes throughout all the stages of the project
and as a result unnecessary delivery and pick up costs to disposal of the waste if they are not
carefully managed. The combination of Green BIM and Lean construction helps in clash
detection, which prevents inconsistencies between designs from different disciplines
proceeding to the construction. This results in big reduction in waste and improve profits
and capacity. It can also be achieve 30% construction strategy cost saving
by this combination [8]. Lean construction is a conceptual operational research oriented
approach to project design and construction management. Survey conducted by Skanska
in Finland states that the use of Green BIM enabled processes that led to a 49 % reduction
of waste. The survey included 9 Green BIM residential projects and 25 non-Green BIM
residential projects [7].
3.4 Energy
By taking the global energy use consideration buildings sector is the major energy
consumption than any other. 45% of energy is consumed by buildings and it has the major
impact on the environment (fig. 3). It is estimated that this sector has the potential to increase
upto 60% in 2030. Building construction also has the 5% global energy consumption.
The Green BIM gives the better energy simulation model for all type of buildings. It ensures
cost effectively integrated design, construction and maintenance of low energy buildings
and positive energy buildings by using energy modelling techniques [9] . Use of Green BIM
during design processes helps to evaluate energy efficiency and make recommendations
for design alternatives that will enhance the building performance. The figure 4 shows
the energy consumption by end use in buildings. By using Green BIM with specialized energy
modeling software like Ground loop design, Dial+cooling, DesignBuilder, e-Bench etc.,
each and every part of the building, from mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems
to interior climate daylighting can be simulated and optimized for energy efficiency.

International RILEM Conference on Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering
Conference segment on BIM
22-24 August 2016, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
Fig. 3 Global energy use Fig. 4 End energy use in buildings
3.5 Carbon emissions
The building sector contributes 35% of global annual carbon emissions. CO 2 emissions
from buildings growing 2.5% per year and over the next 20 years, these emissions
are projected to grow faster than any other sector. Production of construction materials like
cement, bricks, steel, glass, paints, clay products etc also contributes to 4% of CO2 emissions.
Green BIM gives best solutions for the building designs with the least carbon emission.
Green BIM can reduce embodied carbon emissions in its supply chain, by identifying carbon
intensive construction materials and sharing this information with suppliers, it ensure
that its supply chain understands its requirements and is challenged to develop lower-carbon
products [10]. It also allows to identify the low carbon models that have the potential
to minimize the carbon emissions during the design and construction phases and also results
to carbon savings during the operation and maintenance of buildings.
4. Conclusion
There has been considerable progress in creating better sustainable design using Green
BIM. The construction industry still facing issues like software interoperability,
fragmentation, lack of awareness, lack of competence, software cost and management
and associated risks. It needs a simple, effective tools and common policies across the globe.
Research results also illustrate that there is considerable potential in Green BIM technology.
If all the countries mandate the use of Green BIM then the construction industries look
for ways to use Green BIM.
Buil di ngs; 45%
Indus try; 20%
Tra nsport; 20%
Other; 10%
Buil di ng Construcon; 5%
HVAC; 32%
Lighng; 25%
Electronics; 12%
Water heang; 6%
Refrigeraon; 4%
Cooking; 2%
Other; 19%

International RILEM Conference on Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering
Conference segment on BIM
22-24 August 2016, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
5. References
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conference-November 2015, FCCC/CP/2015/10/Add.1, December 2015.
[3] Mojtaba V S, Masoud V S, Ashutosh B, Azin S B, "Reducing the operational energy
demand in buildings using building information modeling tools and sustainability
approaches." Ain shams engineering Journal, volume 6, March 2015, 41-55
[4] R.M. Dowsett and C.F. Harty. "Evaluating the benefits of bim for sustainable design – a
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[5] Michelle mason, ”6 Challenges of BIM Adoption.” Conject blog, Nov 2014.
[6] Darius M, Vladimir P, Virgaudas J, Leonas U. ”The Benefits, Obstacles and Problems of
Practical BIM Implementation.” Procedia Engineering Journal, Volume 57,2013.
[7] Green BIM innovation at Skanska, official website of Skanska AB,
one.skanska/greentoolbox.
[8] Liz Schofield, ”Lean BIM: Six reasons why construction needs to embrace BIM alongside
Lean thinking”, Leeds Beckett University, Technical report, November 2014.
[9] E. Krygiel, B. Nies, ”Green BIM: Successful Sustainable Design with Building
Information Modeling”, Wiley Publishing, Indianapolis, 2008, 75-86
[10] Usman Aminu Umar, Hassan Tukur, M.F. Khamidi, Adam U. Alkali. ”Impacts of
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[11] H.M. Bernstein, John Mandyck,”World Green Building Trends”, Smart Market Report,
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[12] Geoff Zeiss , ” Singapore mandates BIM e-submissions for building projects greater than
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