Digital construction tools and methods are gaining ground in the Republic of Ireland as the phased rollout of the BIM mandate continues, but training remains an issue.
According to the latest survey from government agency Build Digital, more than 80% of respondents are engaged in their digital journey.
Their top five expected benefits of digital transformation are:
- improved accuracy (86.4%);
- improved operational efficiency (86.4%);
- improved quality (83.1%);
- cost reduction (81.4%); and
- faster resolution of design clashes (81.4%).
The top five benefits achieved by those same respondents are:
- faster resolution of design clashes (58.1%);
- improved collaboration between project stakeholders (53.8%);
- improved accuracy (49.5%);
- better access to asset information (38.5%); and
- risk reduction (31.9%).
The BIM mandate
The BIM mandate is being phased in over four years in the Republic of Ireland. From January 2024, it applied to the design team on projects worth more than €100m.
A year later, it was extended to contractors and the supply chain on projects worth more than €100m and to the design team on projects worth more than €20m.
This summer, it was extended again to contractors and the supply chain on projects worth more than €20m and to the design team on projects worth more than €10m. And in six months, it will be extended to contractors and the supply chain on projects worth more than €10m.
There is widespread use of digital tools for capture and representation (79.8%), and planning and design (83%), followed by simulations and model-based estimating (61.7%). A third or fewer of respondents reported the use of digital tools for operating and maintaining facilities, and monitoring and controlling facilities and spaces.
Nearly three-quarters said they are using CDEs, while nearly half are using openBIM principles. That said, CDEs are used more intensely than openBIM.
Formal education in digital tools and methods remains uncommon in the sector, with less than half the respondents reporting such training. Build Digital has issued fresh guidance for construction companies
The small number of respondents who said they are not yet on their digital journey highlighted two key barriers: the benefits are not clear for projects; and a lack of necessary expertise.
