TRANSFORMING CONSTRUCTION DELIVERY IN SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING: A REVIEW ACROSS THE PROJECT LIFECYCLE
The construction industry is increasingly adopting digital technologies to improve project planning, coordination, productivity and information management. Among these technologies, Building Information Modelling (BIM) has emerged as an important approach for integrating project information throughout the construction lifecycle. BIM extends beyond three-dimensional modelling and incorporates a range of technologies and applications, including four-dimensional scheduling, five-dimensional cost management, clash detection, common data environments, reality capture, augmented and virtual reality, mobile applications and digital twins. In South Africa, BIM adoption has increased as construction organisations seek to respond to growing demands for improved project coordination and digital transformation. However, the application of BIM technologies differs according to project stage, organisational capability and project requirements. This paper presents a critical narrative review of BIM technologies used within the South African construction sector, with particular attention to their application by construction contractors across different project stages. The review discusses BIM applications during planning and design, procurement and pre-construction, construction, handover and operation. The paper argues that BIM adoption should be understood as a lifecycle process rather than as the use of a single software platform. While conventional 3D BIM, design coordination and visualisation have become relatively established applications, advanced applications involving 4D and 5D BIM, reality capture, digital twins and integrated asset management remain less consistently implemented. The paper concludes that greater value can be obtained when contractors integrate BIM technologies with construction planning, cost management, site operations and asset information management. The review provides a conceptual basis for understanding BIM technology application within the South African construction lifecycle and identifies opportunities for deeper digital integration.
Building Information Modelling; Construction Contractors; South Africa; BIM Technologies; Construction Lifecycle; Digital Construction; 4D BIM; 5D BIM.