Building Information Modeling for Electrical Systems in Construction: A Critical Analysis

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has emerged as a transformative paradigm in the
construction industry, fundamentally reshaping how electrical systems are designed, coordinated,
and managed throughout the building lifecycle. This comprehensive literature review synthesizes
recent empirical and theoretical evidence on the application of BIM for electrical systems in
construction, drawing exclusively on peer-reviewed academic scholarship. The review critically
examines the evolution of BIM technologies, evaluates frameworks for electrical system
integration, analyzes technical applications across design, construction, and facility management
phases, and assesses the implications for sustainability and energy efficiency. The analysis reveals
that BIM-enabled electrical system design achieves significant improvements in clash detection,
with machine learning-enhanced approaches improving accuracy from 0.62 to 0.92. Path
optimization algorithms applied to MEP systems demonstrate design efficiency improvements of
25–35% and conflict reduction of approximately 40%. The integration of BIM with digital twin
technologies enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and optimized energy
performance, with case studies demonstrating annual energy consumption reductions of 40.68%.
However, the adoption of BIM for electrical systems faces persistent barriers including
interoperability challenges, high implementation costs, skills gaps, and fragmented industry
structures. This review identifies critical gaps in longitudinal performance data, standardized
exchange protocols, and small-scale contractor adoption strategies, providing actionable
recommendations for practitioners, researchers, and policymakers.

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