International Journal of BIM and Engineering Science

This study concludes that integrating sustainable practices into the design and modeling of medical centers significantly contributes to enhancing resource efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of healthcare facilities. The sustainability of these facilities can be further improved using advanced technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), which simultaneously enhances the well-being of patients and staff. The study also highlights the importance of adopting globally recognized sustainability assessment systems and adapting them to suit the local context to ensure effective sustainability in future medical centers.

This study focuses on the management of concrete waste from demolished buildings. It is a crucial issue globally and particularly in Syria due to the significant amounts of concrete waste resulting from the long war and the February 6, 2023 earthquake. The research aims to promote sustainability and resource conservation in the Syrian construction sector by introducing a method for managing demolition waste using Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology. A case study was conducted on a residential building in the old city of Homs that was demolished due to the war. The building was modeled using the Revit software, and mathematical modeling was applied to calculate and manage the demolition waste related to the building's structural frame. The study revealed potential economic savings of up to 4.2% of the total cost of the building's concrete framework through recycling the structural frame waste (coarse aggregate + fine aggregate only). Furthermore, the study estimated the financial returns that could be realized from managing demolished concrete waste across the entire Homs Governorate.

Amid rapid technological advancements and escalating environmental and urban challenges, the need to leverage advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to enhance construction process management and urban planning becomes evident. The transformative potential of these technologies in the construction industry is evident, particularly in complex urban settings. This study presents the development of a smart system for managing building permits in the Syrian Arab Republic, utilizing the Python programming language and the Flask web framework, built upon BIM principles. The integration of AI with BIM is well-documented for its effectiveness in improving process management within the construction sector. The system aims to enhance the efficiency of the traditional permit issuance process by increasing transparency, reducing time and costs, and improving accuracy and organization. Implementation of this system in a Syrian city, as a case study, led to significant improvements in processing speed, accuracy, and overall user satisfaction. This paper discusses the system’s design, implementation, and impact on the efficiency of building permit transactions, showcasing how digital solutions can significantly contribute to urban planning and development processes. The methodology aligns with the guidelines outlined in the governmental directive for building permits in Marota City (2023), ensuring compliance with local regulatory frameworks.

  This study examines the impact of building material modeling on enhancing building sustainability through a case study of a residential building in the city of Basilia. The focus is on using Revit 2023 to model the building and analyze how building materials affect its sustainability. The modeling process includes analyzing the shadows cast by architectural elements and studying their impact on the performance of the building materials. Shadow reflections on energy and material efficiency are measured to determine how building sustainability can be improved through material design and distribution adjustments. Additionally, Revit Insight 2025 is used to evaluate the extent to which natural lighting is achieved through the building envelope and to study the impact of materials on lighting quality and energy efficiency. The research addresses how the building benefits from natural lighting and how this can be optimized with appropriate materials to achieve maximum energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The study aims to provide a comprehensive model demonstrating how building sustainability can be enhanced through improved modeling of building materials and analysis of their environmental performance. Through these analyses, the research seeks to offer strategies and recommendations for designing more sustainable and energy-efficient buildings.

This study addresses the impact of modeling building materials on improving building sustainability by analyzing a case study of a residential building in the Baselia area of Damascus, which has experienced the removal of orchards, leading to negative environmental impacts. The research focuses on evaluating the carbon footprint of the building materials used in the structure and cladding, utilizing Autodesk Forma to analyze life cycle and energy efficiency. The study includes an analysis of the impact of five different building materials on carbon emissions during the stages of production, transportation, installation, use, and disposal. Results show that composite steel has the highest carbon emissions compared to other materials, while wood materials, such as timber frame and mass timber, have the lowest emissions. For internal cladding, the differences between materials were relatively minor. The study recommends selecting building materials with lower environmental impact and enhancing energy efficiency, which contributes to reducing carbon emissions in the construction sector and supports achieving sustainability goals.

This research aims to study the impact of building materials modeling on enhancing building sustainability through a case study of a residential building within the Basilia City planning scheme in Damascus, which is being transformed into a sustainable area using sustainable design techniques. The study is based on analyzing plot EA-189 in the Kfar Sousseh area by evaluating the thermal efficiency of the proposed building materials and comparing them with other materials using the Insight Solar tool in Autodesk Revit.The study involves analyzing three scenarios using different building materials: (1) Concrete blocks with air insulation and a bituminous insulated roof, (2) Brick with fiberglass insulation and a green roof, (3) A mix of brick and concrete blocks on different facades and a green roof. The results show that the second scenario provides the highest energy efficiency and best indoor air quality, despite its higher cost. The third scenario, which combines brick and concrete blocks, offers a balance between energy efficiency and cost, making it the optimal choice for future construction projects. The study demonstrates that building information modeling (BIM) enhances the effectiveness of sustainable design strategies and contributes to improved energy performance and environmental comfort of buildings.

This study investigates the challenges hindering the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) into architectural curricula in Syria, particularly at Tartus University. Despite growing industry recognition of BIM's benefits, academic institutions have exhibited initial resistance. The study analyzes existing BIM curricula, compares them to global benchmarks, and identifies key obstacles such as weak industry-academia links, insufficient resources, traditional teaching methods, and a lack of BIM expertise among faculty. To address these challenges, the study proposes a framework that includes strengthening industry-academia partnerships, enhancing financial and technical support, updating curricula and pedagogy, investing in faculty development, and establishing BIM centers of excellence. By implementing these strategies, Syrian universities can effectively integrate BIM into their curricula, bridging the gap between academia and the professional architectural community.

This research addresses the challenge of creating accurate 3D BIM models for existing buildings using laser scanning and point cloud technologies, enabling effective documentation, management, and use in mechanical system maintenance. The study also aims to assess the integration effectiveness of these technologies with BIM software in facility management, shedding light on challenges related to workforce and resource shortages for their implementation. It emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the benefits of using point clouds and their applications to enhance maintenance operations and building sustainability, thereby enhancing the ability to make informed technical and economic decisions to achieve comprehensive maintenance goals.

The application of the Building Information Modelling (BIM) concept has become an indispensable necessity in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) sector. This has been evident in the experiences of numerous Arab and foreign countries that have changed their policies and issued new standards, guidelines, and codes for implementation. In Syria, we must also embark on the reconstruction phase, with its massive investment projects, using BIM technology. The primary driver of this change will undoubtedly be the government sector by imposing new policies at all levels across all institutions. Therefore, this study aims to highlight the mechanism of the Syrian Engineers Syndicate as a political authority capable of making structural modifications to the policies followed in carrying out engineering works and, from its position, able to mandate the use of BIM. Accordingly, the researcher analyzed the internal system of the Syrian Engineers Syndicate to examine the required modifications and proposed a framework for adopting BIM in engineering syndicates. The study focuses on establishing a "Building Information Modelling and Management Committee" within the Engineers Syndicate in Homs Governorate as a case study, suggesting its structure, job titles for its members, and their roles. This study aims to develop current policies and create the first-of-its-kind guide for engineering syndicates in Syria. The researcher relied on the content analysis method of previous studies to benefit from international experiences related to the importance of activating the government’s role in adopting the BIM concept. Additionally, the researcher adopted the strategic plan methodology for the adoption of BIM in Syria, considering it the general guide and leader in the digital transformation process in Syria