Dr Mohamad Kassem from Teesside University’s Technology Futures Institute was invited to Brazil to showcase how Building Information Modelling (BIM) is being implemented in different European countries.
The invitation followed Dr Kassem’s appointment as the EU BIM consultant to the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade (MDIC) and the Ministry of Planning, Budget and Management (MPOG).
It is hoped Dr Kassem’s advice will form the basis of policy which will help the Brazilian government revolutionise its approach to major building projects.
Brazil has one of the fastest growing economies in the world and its building projects account for 2% of the entire global construction industry.
BIM is a concept that uses a combination of collaborative processes and technologies to develop a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a building project from its design to operation.
BIM approaches, if implemented properly, can improve the predictability of building projects and contribute to saving time, money and safety records.
Dr Kassem, who is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Science & Engineering, said: 'Brazil is a massive economy and the country is undergoing a huge amount of construction work.
'Changes which result in efficiency savings, even small ones, have the potential to save the Brazilian economy billions of pounds.'
Dr Kassem travelled to Brazil as the guest of MDIC and MPOG. During his visit, he spent time in the country’s capital, Brasilia, and its largest city, Sao Paulo, and met with senior figures in both the Brazilian government and army.
He also presented his interim findings on BIM implementation in three EU countries that are currently active in developing BIM policies – the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and France.
Dr Kassem’s research was carried out alongside a Brazilian consultant, Professor Sergio Leusin, who looked at how BIM is currently being implemented in Brazil. The two academics are now working on a joint report to present to Brazilian policy makers with conclusions and recommendations for BIM implementation in Brazil.
Dr Kassem added: 'This is a very exciting project and there are massive opportunities in Brazil.
'BIM can bring real benefits to the construction industry and there is a real momentum towards innovation in the industry and I hope my work can help improve BIM diffusion in Brazil.'
Teesside University’s Technology Futures Institute has an international reputation for its excellence in BIM technologies. Academics, including Professor Nashwan Dawood and Dr Kassem, are also carrying out research on BIM implementation in Qatar.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Business Engagement) Professor Cliff Hardcastle said: 'This is an excellent example of how Teesside University’s research can be closely aligned with the needs of business and industry.
'BIM can have a major impact on efficiency in the construction industry and I’m sure that Dr Kassem’s work will bring real benefits in Brazil.'