Advantages and Challenges of Applying BIM in Urban Technical Infrastructure Projects

: In the current development in Vietnam, more and more new urban areas are planned to serve and develop socioeconomic development. However, the establishment of an overall system of planning, construction, management, and development for urban development is still facing many difficulties. Especially the use of “2D drawings” in urban design, management, and operation, which will cause limitations in optimal urban planning. The application of Building Information Model (BIM) technology in urban planning, management, and operation is the current integration trend that is in line with the national digital transformation plan in the 4.0 revolution. Hence, the application of BIM also faces certain challenges and difficulties. This study analyzes the basis and legal framework for applying BIM while considering the technical infrastructure projects using BIM, thereby assessing the advantages, disadvantages, challenges, and solutions, and assessing the suitability for the application of BIM in infrastructure projects in Vietnam.


Introduction
BIM stands for Building Information Model, a process of creating and using an information model throughout the life cycle of a project, which is expressed from the conception, design, and construction to operating process, maintenance, improvement, and upgraded project [20]. BIM serves as a database system that covers the entire life cycle of building, BIM includes logical relationships in terms of space, size, quantity, material, and properties of parts of the works. This is combined with the ability to merge information on structural elements with information on unit prices, utilization, and maintenance processes [11,17,18].
BIM technology was introduced in 1992 [19]. so far, BIM has become an inevitable trend in the construction industry in the world and in Vietnam to optimize design, construction, and project management [7,11]. Many countries in the world as well as in the region are actively approaching BIM to develop national standards and strategies because they have seen the benefits of BIM and consider BIM technology as an important premise. It is important to increase the competitiveness of the construction industry as well as the efficiency of state management activities in construction, especially public investment.
In  [4] analyzed information sharing in the field of infrastructure engineering and outlined strategies and barriers to data sharing. Ershadi, Mahmoud, et al (2021) [5] evaluated the characteristics of BIM and offered seven strategies for engineering and project management measures when using BIM. Salih Sen (2012) [10] divided the benefits of projects applying BIM, which, considering the evaluation of ROI for BIM projects, has shown the efficiency and economic benefits of using BIM. Le Duc Manh and Dang Thi Thanh Huyen (2021) [6] analyzed projects that apply BIM for urban drainage.
In general, BIM studies for infrastructure projects have been generalized and evaluated in different aspects; each aspect has strengths and weaknesses. This issue needs to be clearly defined when applying BIM to infrastructure projects in Vietnam. Recently, leading construction enterprises in Vietnam, such as Vietnam National Construction Consultants Corporation (VNCC), Hoa Binh Construction Group Joint Stock Company, Coteccons Construction Joint Stock Company (Conteccons), and so on have invested heavily in BIM to improve production and business efficiency and competitiveness.
With the construction industry restructuring project approved in Decision No. 134/QD-TTg (January 26, 2015) in Section 7, Article III on key solutions: "Research and cooperation with developed countries in applying and mastering modern technologies and techniques in construction management science and construction economics" has shown that not only private enterprises but the state also consider BIM as a tool to develop the construction industry in the future. The most recent Decision No. 348/QD-BXD (April 2, 2021) on guidelines for the application of building information modeling (BIM) has marked a leap in bringing BIM into production practice while being the basis for projects applying BIM to be accountable to regulatory authorities.
This study analyzes the theoretical and legal bases of BIM application, and BIM characteristics in technical infrastructure projects, thereby giving advantages, challenges, and measures to promote bringing BIM technology into practice more deeply.

Policy on BIM in Vietnam
Policies on BIM Support for Construction Projects • Currently, the Ministry of Construction has just submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval the roadmap for applying Building Information Modeling (BIM) in construction activities [12], which proposes a roadmap to apply BIM for public investment projects. This proposal has been approved by the Prime Minister and has a legal basis to apply the BIM roadmap. There are two basic phases: Phase 1 from 2023, applying compulsory BIM for grade I works, and Phase 2 from 2025, applying compulsory BIM for works of grade II and above [15]. Policy and legal mechanisms for projects using BIM have been initially completed, helping to create a basis for BIM-applied projects in the process of designing, building, managing, and establishing an infrastructure finance model.

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Analysis Application of BIM in Planning and Designing Infrastructure Works

Analysis and Application of BIM in Urban Infrastructure Projects
There are many software in BIM (Autodesk Civil 3D, Autodesk Infrawork, NavisWorks, Autodesk BIM 360, etc) technologies applied to urban infrastructure projects. Each type of software has its characteristics, besides many other types of BIM technology are capable of integrating into NavisWorks so that BIM technology synchronizes the components of a building into a general plan. BIM applied in infrastructure has opened many benefits for investors, design professionals, and managers. Project design data is integrated and simulated in 3D, making it easy to observe and adjust the project. Project Build Process a. Input data processing: Processing current topographic data, usually the terrain is provided according to AutoCAD's 2D data, which is the basis for accurately linking the map of each type of construction. Enter the information of each type of construction into NavisWorks software according to the exact coordinates.
On the 2D drawing system, it is difficult to give orientations to determine the planning, such as slopes, suitable leveling heights, and directions and angles of suitable infrastructure systems. Meanwhile, in the form of 3D according to BIM technology, you can get a visual perspective and build a project planning method that is suitable for actual conditions. a. 2D data according to AutoCAD b. 3D data according to BIM technology in InfraWorks software   For slope analysis, we will set the highest and lowest values and choose the dominant color range. The software gives us the results of the analysis in the form of 3D models and the colors that are visually represented for the gradient, accounting for different altitudes.
d. Build and control plans based on the status quo Transportation system: Processing data from Cad drawings: For traffic drawings, two important parameters that need to be included in InfraWorks are the position of the center line and the size of the road section. The data is integrated into NavisWorks to build a system of infrastructure works in a project. From the database, it is possible to conduct a preliminary inspection and adjust and correct issues such as: For intersections, allowing to adjust for sidewalk radius, vertical, horizontal, and volume analysis excavation. The intersection positions are the most difficult to control the design and collision if done with old 2D software, manipulating in the 3D environment helps to immediately check the feasibility of the plan and give parameters about coordinates, pipe length, slope, etc.
Evaluation of infrastructure systems to ensure accuracy in elevation, arrangement of pipes, manholes, and other works. NavisWorks software assists in identifying conflicts between different works and listing these conflicts.

Some Evaluations of Infrastructure Projects Applying BIM
From the implementation of the planning project, technical infrastructure according to the traditional process and the process of applying BIM, the analysis shows that the application of the new process has overcome the existing problems from the old process: • Ability to optimize the work content, the same details will not need to be repeated, and at the same time, the detailed parameters of the equipment can be added.
• Established a common database, allowing extraction and determination of the exact quantity and type of each material, which minimizes data discrepancies between technical infrastructure design and field construction • Considering all conflicts between infrastructure systems, complex details are clearly displayed and there is data inheritance between project components.
• For infrastructure projects, the expected volume (a dug-up and banked-up soil volume) can be forecasted, complex areas can be analyzed, and plans are optimized according to topographical characteristics.
• Working together in a common environment, the parties can discuss an issue online, and at the same time consider different aspects of a project and reach a consensus as quickly as possible between team members.

Advantages of Applying BIM in Vietnam
Considering the Vietnamese context, some favorable factors for the application of BIM in infrastructure projects are as follows: + The national digital transformation has been carried out extensively in all fields. 2022 is the first year of digital transformation [15], so the application of information technology is widely popularized and the process of access to BIM is also more convenient. + Legal policies for projects applying BIM have been issued and there are specific guidelines on technology (QD 348/QD-BXD). Cost for projects using BIM (Circular 12/2021/TT-BXD). + The demand for BIM human resources in the construction industry is becoming more and more demanding. Most of the recruitment criteria of companies have the priority requirement of "Knowing how to use Revit, Teckla, etc". + Construction companies have a clear understanding of the benefits of BIM in construction projects (transparency in design and construction, smooth project operation process, economical management costs, model clear project simulations about project phases, etc)8. + BIM helps simulate a clear and detailed project demonstration for partners; meanwhile, it ensures the stability of the project, reduces the fragmentation of the project, and unifies the information of the project, minimizing conflicts between the design and construction stages. It helps get the most out of the cloud and automate modeling and drive total innovation in the construction industry. + The active support of developed countries (such as the United Kingdom), and companies (such as Autodesk Inc.) for BIM development in Vietnam + In the areas of training, BIM has also been taught at universities (Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, University of Danang, etc.). Students are aware that BIM technology is the technology of the future in the construction industry, so self-study and self-training on BIM have garnered more attention. Competitions on BIM application in construction for students (ARCHICAD BIM 2019; B.I.M -Next generation 1st -2020, ARCHICAD BIM COMPETITION 2022, etc) have also encouraged students to approach and study BIM.
-In Vietnam, a National BIM Committee has been established (2017)14 and all BIM activities are evaluated according to specific periods (the period 2017-2022, 2022-2025, and after 2025), thereby, making reasonable adjustments to the application of BIM in the project.

Basic Challenges When Applying BIM in Vietnam
Challenges in applying BIM to projects, which the investors, the consulting units, and the state management must face up to change, may include the following: + The digital transformation process has just started in Vietnam, changing the workflow in project management using BIM is still quite complicated and the standardization regulations for using software in BIM technology are still in the initial stage. + State management of the project is still based on the system of paper records, and 2D drawings, but there is no specific process for BIM project documents. Sometimes, there are record bottlenecks when BIM technology is not presented in the same way as traditional records.
+ The components of a project are still fragmented. The unity and cooperation between the parties are not tight, especially concerning mutual trust when communicating information directly without having to go through documents. + Most of the projects using BIM are still in demonstration form, not really going into all the stages of the project. This shows that the universalization of BIM in construction projects and infrastructure projects still has many obstacles and challenges. + Data management in BIM is still difficult because the data sources for BIM are very diverse, e.g., from 2D drawings, Autocad data files, images, etc. Synchronization and classification take a lot of time and effort. + Technological equipment and human resources for the BIM field still face many challenges8, in which the cost of the technology sector is still high, and the database in BIM software is still limited. At the same time, the training of resources for BIM technology has received more attention, but it is still not enough to popularize BIM technology. + The awareness of BIM has not been synchronized, so the application of BIM has not been drastic from state management agencies to businesses. + At the first onset of the project, the manager demanded complete information about the project applying BIM, considering BIM as a perfect product from the very beginning. + The teamwork in BIM still faces many difficulties. Sometimes, there are conflicts between BIM groups. At the same time, the information requirements from BIM are also very diverse, making it difficult for BIM management to synchronize the system in the project, causing lower-than-desired BIM performance and assuming that using traditional methods is faster and more convenient. + Experts in BIM have not been trained according to the system. Just consider BIM as a tool or consider BIM as a specialized subject. + Need to understand the nature and role of BIM in each type of project, a successful BIM application project is a project that is completed in a consistent process with less time and cost compared to traditional methods.

Conclusion
BIM is an optimal orientation in the construction of planning projects, projects on design, and management of urban technical infrastructure. Policy mechanisms on BIM have been gradually completed, and through different stages, there will be more appropriate BIM adjustments.
The results of the overview study have shown the existing problems that need to be focused on solving in the application of BIM technology to perform the tasks of the detailed planning project.
The construction and completion of the scientific basis of BIM technology to perform the tasks of the detailed planning map are built on relevant scientific bases.
The top challenges in applying BIM are resources and equipment, which need to be addressed from the training process at the university level to the management processes in state agencies.
The adoption of BIM technologies is expected to grow exponentially around the world and in Vietnam. The benefits of BIM will become more and more obvious and bring about clear and transparent project management.