Implementation of Building Information modeling in Vietnamese infrastructure construction: A case study of institutional influences on a bridge project

Abstract

Many of today's building designs are created based on three‐dimensional modeling technology. Architects and engineers use so‐called building information modeling (BIM) systems to create digital representations of buildings. Inspired by the improvements in building construction projects, a Vietnamese construction project team decided to use the system to model a large‐scale bridge crossing the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This paper provides an understanding of how the project team adopted BIM as the first BIM pilot project in Vietnamese infrastructure construction and analyzes the influence of institutional pressures. The findings reveal how the BIM champion of an international engineering consultancy led the project team to overcome challenges posed by local construction requirements and how the local partner adopted BIM technology under strict time and quality constraints. The case study presents an example for other infrastructure projects that involve BIM.