A digital construction framework integrating building information modeling and reverse engineering technologies for renovation projects

Abstract This study proposes a digital construction framework that integrates building information modeling (BIM) and reverse engineering (RE) to improve information utilization in different phases and thus reduce mistakes and reworks in renovation projects during urban renewal. Three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning is used to enable the RE process. This framework also incorporates supporting technologies (virtual reality, 3D printing, and prefabrication) for a better understanding of design and construction as well as tools (work breakdown structure and model breakdown structure) for enhanced organization and management quality. Implementing this proposed framework in a renovated shopping center in Hainan, China optimized efficiency of the renovation process by 15%, eliminated design changes by 30% and reworks by 25%, and finally saved two months and 7.41% of cost regarding the steel structure canopy. Thus, this framework can proactively reduce occurrences of mistakes and reworks during the renovation process, greatly improving the effectiveness of urban renewal.