Comparison of Quantity Take-off for Structural Steel using Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Abstract
Quantity surveying is a crucial and essential part of any construction project, requiring high efficiency to determine the true costs of materials, labor, and machinery. Project owners, construction consultants, designers, and contractors all rely on accurate quantity surveying for construction management. Precise quantity take-offs directly contribute to effective cost management and profit realization, aligning with project objectives. Within warehouse construction projects, structural steel is a high-value component. Accurate quantity take-offs for structural steel are vital for project managers to determine precise material costs. Inaccurate or over-estimated quantities of structural steel can significantly increase project costs. Conversely, incomplete quantity take-offs lead to additional expenses and time delays in material procurement for project managers. Traditionally, structural steel quantity calculations involve manual review of 2D construction drawings, manual counting of materials, and creation of summary tables. The accuracy of these quantities heavily depends on the knowledge, expertise, and techniques of the individual performing the calculations. To mitigate these challenges, Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology offers a solution. BIM allows for the creation of 3D building models where detailed information, specifications, properties, and standards can be embedded into every component, ensuring comprehensiveness across all aspects of the work. This approach leverages computer software for quantity take-offs, replacing manual methods. This research aims to study and demonstrate the differences in structural steel quantity calculations between quantities proposed by contractors and those derived from Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems. The objective is to highlight the advantages and limitations of quantity surveying using BIM and to provide guidance on its appropriate application for interested parties. Keywords - Building Information Modeling (BIM), Schedule Quatity, AUTODESK Revit