Customization of on-site assembly services by integrating the internet of things and BIM technologies in modular integrated construction

Abstract

Modular integrated construction (MiC) has attracted considerable attention due to its potential for accelerating the delivery of public housing projects in Hong Kong. Building information modelling (BIM) serves as a powerful tool in facilitating on-site assembly services (OAS). However, challenges still exist in deploying BIM owing to inefficient data capture methods, inadequate progress monitoring, and a lack of automatic decision support. This paper proposes an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart BIM platform (SBIMP) for OAS by integrating IoT, BIM, and computing technologies to address these issues. A trial project located in Hong Kong was deeply investigated and probed to develop the platform. Smart construction objects (SCOs) equipped with STT and GPS sensors were defined and configured to enable an efficient and reliable data collection process. The smart gateway system prompted seamless and timely information sharing and interchange among different stakeholders, thereby supporting the decision-making process. The application scenarios demonstrated the effectiveness of the SBIMP.