Feasibility of using Building Information Modeling in civil construction project management in Iran

In order to improve the management of civil construction projects in Iran and to explore the potential use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology in civil engineering—particularly in building construction—this study employed a mixed-methods research design using synchronization and convergent models. For an initial evaluation of BIM and a comparison with traditional methods, two case studies were examined using building modeling software: one reinforced concrete structure and one multi-story steel structure.
In the qualitative phase, data were collected through literature review, case study, and phenomenology (interview instrument). The phenomenological component was conducted using structured interviews; the resulting data were coded and categorized in MAXQDA, and a theoretical model was developed to establish logical relationships among the categories. In the quantitative phase, data were gathered using a standardized questionnaire with acceptable reliability and validity. Questionnaire results were analyzed with SPSS. The integrated findings, based on the current state of Iran’s construction industry, indicate that adopting BIM instead of traditional methods can improve management of civil construction projects. Recognizing BIM’s potential benefits leads to reductions in project cost and duration. The study also identified the most important challenges of this technology in technical, legal, and organizational domains, which stem from insufficient infrastructure, the absence of comprehensive legal contracts tailored to BIM, and resistance from project owners and small construction firms.