BIM for Electrical Construction: Benefits and Current Trends

The electrical construction industry traditionally relies on 2D and 3D drawings to layout, design, estimate, and install power and communication systems in buildings. With the advent If building information modeling (BIM), electrical contractors have begun to experience its potential benefits. The scale of BIM adoptability in the U.S. electrical construction industry, however, and its impact on electrical design and construction, are still unknown.Keeping these objectives in mind, this research study was carried out with the support of National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). The necessary data was collected via two questionnaires sent to NECA members from January to April 2009. The purpose of the first questionnaire was to gather data about the current status of BIM adoptability in the U.S. electrical construction industry while the second questionnaire collected information about BIM benefits and opportunities for electrical contractors.