Beneficial Effects of 3D BIM for Pre-Empting Waste during the Planning and Design Stage of Building and Waste Reduction Strategies

Abstract

The use of various tools for construction waste management throughout the planning and design (P&D) stage has several advantages. According to some research, building information modelling, or BIM, could be a valuable tool for predicting waste. This paper discusses how BIM could be used for pre-empting waste and reducing the course of the planning and design process of constructing a building. In Malaysia, a questionnaire survey of 340 construction experts was undertaken. Simultaneously, a regression analysis was carried out in order to determine the impact of BIM on the management of construction waste during the planning and design stage. This research could help many stakeholders in the construction industry to recognise various aspects of waste management, beginning with the planning and design stage of a project, which can be represented by designing a model that can be applied to mitigate waste during the construction of a building.

1. Introduction

The global construction industry has recently been struck with the significant task of mitigating the severe environmental implications of its multiple activities. The building industry is an essential contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and a significant consumer of natural and manmade resources [1]. The building sector is thought to have a significant carbon impact. Because the conventional construction system uses a significant amount of energy and resources and generates a large quantity of waste throughout its lifecycle, it often contradicts the Paris-based Sustainable Development Goals [2]. Several megaprojects, such as high-rise buildings and infrastructure, have been started and are still being worked on in Malaysia. The Malaysian government considers the construction industry to be one of the most important sectors for reducing carbon emissions, energy consumption, and natural resource consumption. The construction industry employs around 9.5% of Malaysia’s entire workforce, including professionals, skilled labourers, and non-skilled workers [3]. The construction industry’s gross domestic product (GDP) consistently rises over MYR 17,000 million, or 4.8% of the country’s total GDP. Due to the construction industry’s rapid growth, many government and private-sector development projects are introduced every year, including the construction of housing units, high-rise structures, and various infrastructure projects [4,5]. Due to the increased number of construction projects, construction and demolition waste management has become a significant issue for many supervising authorities [6]. Upgrading or retrofitting works involve much demolition, which generates a lot of waste that needs to be properly dealt with [2]. Few researchers in Malaysia have developed tools or models for reducing or avoiding construction and demolition waste C&D. The Malaysian government is putting some effort into dealing with the issue of C&D waste management in order to mitigate the waste’s severe environmental impacts, as per the literature in 2016 [7].

Experts’ concerns about energy consumption, rapid urbanisation, and high pollution rates push architects, engineers, and construction experts to abandon traditional construction methods for more environmentally friendly ones. BIM can help to achieve the project’s target quality, assist in the estimation of accurate time and quantity take-off schedules, and lower the project’s costs. BIM may adopt efficient design methods that significantly reduce the waste output, reduce the energy usage, and the facilitate passive design approaches [8]. The impact of BIM implementation on sustainable construction practices and the current trends in BIM application during the project design phase have been investigated. One such study aimed to look into the contributing variables and potential barriers to BIM adoption in Egypt’s design and consultation industry. Building performance simulation (BPS) is a concept that aids the design and operation of high-performance buildings. BPS can conduct early-stage tests that are normally achieved using more advanced technology. This method can determine the resource efficiency of materials or products.

Similarly, BPS installation might result in a project being completed on schedule. However, even in the most optimistic scenario, the potential system advantages of this method are insufficient to balance its costs. This type of data is useful for deciding between different design options and it can also help to identify an innovation’s long-term prospects [9].

In Malaysia, studies which assess previous research have demonstrated that BIM can provide improvements through the utilisation of several of the aspects of sustainable design and building certification [10,11]. Despite the claims, many BIM-using professionals in architecture, engineering, and surveying perceive BIM as a panacea in the fight against construction waste, without giving it the scrutiny it deserves. The widely publicised potential benefits of BIM are supposed to improve construction waste management performance automatically. However, BIM’s application to construction waste management will remain a fad unless it is de-mystified. Therefore, normative approaches to BIM have been used for construction waste management [11,12,13]. The effectiveness of construction improvement opportunities can be assessed by including waste identification or reduction methods in flow operations, collaboration with value-adding strategies, new management tools, and appropriate training programmes [8]. According to Salihi [7], various elements and limitations influence the development of waste due to the building’s design, including the material selection, communication complexity, and coordination of the construction [8]. According to the literature, a few methodologies might be utilised in order to assess and aid in construction waste reduction efficacy for on-site decision making during the planning and design and pre-construction phases. Building information modelling (BIM) applications, which are provided by computer-aided design (CAD) software companies, have been widely used as an established method in design and construction for quite some time [4]. However, there are currently no studies focusing on the decision support tools that may be used in order to reduce waste. However, more research is required so as to determine the effectiveness of BIM in visualising and pre-empting building waste. As a result, the overall aim of this study is to see how effective BIM was at visualising and pre-empting construction waste throughout the planning and design stage of a project. The waste that is generated as a result of a lack of coordination among the many disciplines that are involved during construction’s planning and design stage is known as pre-empted construction waste.

2. Literature Review and Hypotheses Development

Usman et al. 2018 estimated the construction waste generation rate as 25.79 kg/m² for new residential constructions in Malaysia, translating into 553,406 t of anticipated waste annually. Zuofa and Ochieng [14] reported a study that involved interviews from 25 senior project managers related to the construction industry in Nigeria and experts in sustainability practices. Some of the causes of the generation of construction waste during new construction are: a lack of coordination among different stakeholders, design errors and modifications by the clients, and overestimation in procuring materials because of the absence of a comprehensive tool for construction and demolition waste [15]. However, it was observed that the recycling rate of C&D waste in the country is still 15%, which is quite low for achieving the objectives. Another study emphasised that industry players should adhere to essential specifications and guidelines for meeting the standard housing and infrastructure demands. The industry has a significant role in increasing construction waste due to poor coordination, design errors, activities planning, and the procurement of materials [16]. Given the government policy, the construction industry and development board, CIDB, Malaysia, have published a roadmap for fully implementing BIM [17], which provides comprehensive guidelines to architects and engineers for designing and managing construction projects using BIM. Therefore, many efforts are being made to implement BIM at the beginning of the planning and designing stage by CIDB. However, almost no emphasis has been given to visualising construction waste at the project planning and designing stage that could be avoided during execution. Pre-emptive construction waste visualisation using BIM would be beneficial because unplanned or uncoordinated designs generate a tremendous amount of waste that can cause environmental pollution and additional financial burdens on the project [15].

2.1. Construction Waste Minimisation

Several studies on decreasing construction waste utilising innovative approaches and procedures have been conducted [18,19,20,21]. Wong and Zhou [22] developed a framework for evaluating construction projects to minimise waste. Several techniques are used to reduce waste in buildings, and the identification and minimisation of critical waste mitigation variables, including BIM-based design validation, have been utilised in some research. In general, waste mitigation approaches comprise a method for preventing, eliminating, or reducing predicted building waste at its source during the planning and design stages [23,24,25]. Adopting the processes required to reduce the quantity of building waste, such as controlling waste production at the source and reducing waste before it enters the waste stream, are examples of prevention activities [1]. A lack of coordination in the constructability and design concept, defining multiple types of materials, and offering customised sizes of various components are all issues that contribute to waste formation. Cutting and moulding components to fit an installation may result in more waste when developing customised parts. Other factors include the designer’s miscommunication of design specifics to other parties, the client’s need for intermediate adjustments, and the quality of design papers [26,27]. The most effective strategies for dealing with construction waste are waste reduction and elimination, which reduce the costs of waste transportation, disposal, and recycling [28,29,30]. It is estimated that design decisions made long before the actual execution of the project can reduce around 30% of waste [7]. Construction waste can be effectively reduced at the planning and design stage, as per the literature, because various design alternatives can be critically examined in terms of material selection, structural sharpness, size, and complicity, all of which significantly impact waste generation [8]. The smart application of the material supply chain at a construction site during the execution phase is another component of waste mitigation. This can be intelligently analysed using BIM; a simulation could be employed for active material transportation and stockpiling based on the just-in-time delivery (JIT) concept [31]. Design changes and modifications have been recognised as one of the major causes of rework during the execution stage. Clients their changing minds, poor communication, and a lack of design coordination amongst various consultants are significant rework causes [32]. Another cause is a lack of design coordination and communication, which the contractor becomes involved in after the conceptual design has been completed. Because of the constructability challenges, adding a contractor to a project raises several issues [33]. As a result, it is recommended that due care be given during the planning and design stage, with good coordination and communication among all project team members; this will eliminate or minimise most of the waste generated during the execution phase [34]. In recent years, advanced technologies have impacted the achievement of high-level objectives in several disciplines, especially where large volumes of data are required [34]. The estimation of pre-emptive construction waste generation during the planning and design stages requires many hypotheses and assumptions. As a result, current methods such as building information modelling (BIM) may be of benefit [34].

2.2. Benefits of BIM during Planning and Design Stage

BIM makes it likely to obtain the whole cycle of construction planning from design plans to computerised models. This is because BIM can present all of the individual elements. Furthermore, Rajendran and Gomez [35] noted that it can incrementally render all the benefits without a different program. Therefore, better BIM collaboration could improve the work submitted and the work of all teams. Moreover, better BIM collaboration reduces construction time and thus eliminates errors and oversights. Mostly, as a result, any efforts to minimise waste at an early stage of construction have become expensive, ineffective, and impractical (Bilal [36]). Additionally, this is the prime reason for the lack of current attempts to tackle construction waste. Current efforts are mainly based on mitigation after waste generation and are planned to be carried out later in the construction process. Nevertheless, with either a view to introducing waste minimisation into the design phase, the Waste and Resource Action Plan (WRAP) established the following five design elements, as shown in Figure 1.

• Plan for reuse and recovery: This design concept promotes the regular reuse of construction components and building materials (reuse) or their use as fresh items (recycling).
• Design for optimising resources: These design aspects are examined, lowering energy consumption during construction.
• Design philosophy perceives the specification of flexible, deconstructive, and durable building materials and structural elements.

Additionally, the term construction waste was reinvented to obtain the entire use of BIM to predict and design construction waste. Building elements are established during this process, information on materials is provided, and the construction strategies used to build such features are described by Rushbrook and Pugh [37]. Figure 2 shows a BIM-based building waste performance.

BIM’s importance in project execution has been proven by its increasing use in various initiatives, especially where sustainable design practices are sought [38]. A variety of studies on BIM related to sustainable design have focused on project performance [39]. Some studies included electrical and mechanical segments in evaluating sustainability using BIM. The authors of [40] discussed the role of BIM in construction and design from two points of view; BIM tools are valuable in assisting stakeholders in developing a predictable model and enabling the dissemination of design information to all relevant parties by ensuring the best utilisation of this accessible information for the achievement of sustainability. The second purpose is to establish a progressive, sustainable design that seeks to increase energy efficiency while reducing its use throughout a building’s lifecycle [41]. A flow diagram for achieving sustainability in building design is shown in Figure 2. To have a sustainable future in building design, [42] suggested a multidisciplinary approach that included numerous elements such as conserving energy, improved material utilisation, waste minimisation, pollution reduction, and emission control. It has been highlighted that the entire lifecycle of buildings sensed that all activities are performed to generate a competitive advantage using environmentally friendly design practices. In the work by Hwang [43], three General objectives were discussed as the framework for sustainable construction toward planning and design. Figure 2 illustrates the waste efficiency based on BIM.

2.2.1. BIM Application for Waste Minimisation during Planning and Design Stage

BIM coordination, rebar waste reduction, fundamental strengthening, material resource efficiency, demolition waste management, and improved waste management on-site [44] are all ways in which construction waste management could be strengthened and improved using BIM, especially during the planning and design phases. A growing body of literature has highlighted the importance of analysing the impact of information correspondence on related processes and devices. BIM, for example, can aid in the mitigation and minimisation of construction waste during the design phase [45]. Several studies have looked into how BIM might help achieve development goals and reduce construction waste. As a result, BIM improves coordination and reduces waste on-site [46]. Morrissey [47] designed guidelines for improving and performing asset skills using BIM, endeavouring to adopt BIM with construction project lifecycle stages, from the knowledge stage to the transfer stage. This shows the need for assessment to explore BIM’s ability to mitigate, minimise, and decrease construction waste in building design for sustainable construction enhancement, which is the crucial attribute of this paper. Acquaye [48] highlighted that the building construction sector alone contributes 40% of the overall carbon dioxide emissions via construction. It has been emphasised that economic, functionality, strength, aesthetics, ecology, health, and socio-cultural elements of a building design generally impact the sustainability of building construction [44].

Many interconnected and interdependent aspects contribute to a building’s sustainability viability, and these elements are influenced by design decisions made by many construction project stakeholders [7]. Therefore, comprehensive and effective building information modelling is required [49]. The work process in a conservative strategy includes the continuous examination of the building design, which is usually carried out after the compositional structure is complete [50]. Figure 3 depicts a waste and resource management action plan with five design principles for resource efficiency and waste minimisation during the design stage. According to the resource optimisation in design principle, certain elements, such as material selection, water and energy usage during building construction and operation, should be thoroughly reviewed and regulated. The off-site design encourages the consideration of the volumetric features of supporting elements and supports modular design [51,52]. According to some studies, resource-efficient procurement should be considered throughout the design stage of construction [44]. Finally, a future design principle specifies flexible, de-constructible, and durable building materials and structural elements.

The existing BIM software products support many design-related activities [53,54] and could be updated to promote the estimation and minimisation of construction waste activities. In principle, the comprehensive data are usually unavailable at the initial design stage, but experts require a critical explanation [7]. The goal of sustainable construction and design is to optimise various building-related variables. Some scholars believe that examining a building’s entire lifecycle is important. It is crucial to remember that there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a construction method, including the building’s location, design assumptions, operation and maintenance options, and the type of construction materials and methods [55]. Because the components that affect sustainability are sporadic, conducting a sustainability analysis early design stage can predict several concerns; sustainable building design entails the optimisation of several elements related to the construction project [55].

Figure 3. BIM in sustainability in building design [56].

Figure 3. BIM in sustainability in building design [56].

Moreover, sustainability experts must transform a client’s requirements and project-specific constraints into an explicit sustainability performance standard. The sustainability professional must first know the various aspects of building sustainability and the links at the system level before interpreting the findings to aid decision making. Resource conservation, cost-effectiveness, and design for human adaptation are the primary objectives of sustainable design. Figure 3 depicts the impact of BIM on waste management during the design phase of a construction project.

2.2.2. Waste Reduction Strategies in BIM Processes

Waste and damaged materials are major issues in the building industry because they are both environmentally and economically unsustainable. BIM can be used at various stages of a construction project to effectively visualise the primary source of waste generation and reduce non-value-adding activities inconsistent with construction processes.

Table 1. BIM processes.

No	Variables	BIM Processes	Author
1	Feasibility Analysis	Depending on the nature of the construction projects, the uncertainty is at an all-time high, presenting hazards during the building and operational stages. From the design stage through the decommissioning of a building, BIM technology covers the whole lifecycle of a construction project.	Politi [57] Bryde [58]
2	3D Modelling	There is improved communication and understanding with 3D visualisation. BIM provides great precision, but only when information is inserted into the model with the required level of precision. As a result, the three-dimensional (3D) model’s level of detail is improved.	Irizarry [59]
3	Clash Detection	Before the project construction stage, a clash detection process can be carried out. Because the 3D model may be used automatically, BIM saves a significant amount of time. Conflicts are detected before they occur on-site, allowing designers and contractors to work more closely together. Construction is sped up, costs are cut, legal problems are reduced, and the project cycle is improved.	Rajendran [60] and Karlsen [61].
4	Construction Sequencing	BIM might develop an effective schedule for purchasing, assembling, and delivering project items during construction planning.	Osello and Lahijani [62]
5	BIM-based Scheduling	Scheduling is directly related to activities integrated in time. Firms use different scheduling methods during the construction or monitoring stages and during the planning stage. Some types of BIM software that can manage construction simulation (for example, Navisworks) give a critical visualisation of the 3D model during the construction process. The visualisation can be improved by altering the colour to indicate a change in inactivity.	Santos [63], Hardin and McCool [64] and Cuberos and Adrián [65]
6	Sustainability Analysis	If the sustainability analysis is not carried out in the early design stages, meeting performance requirements becomes difficult and costly. A sustainability and project performance analysis can be carried out using an appropriate BIM tool throughout the design phases. Stakeholders from multiple disciplines, such as architects, engineers, and project managers, can conduct sustainability analyses and coordinate simultaneously. Energy and carbon targets can be incorporated in the design phases thanks to the integration of the BIM model with energy analysis tools. Water conservation, renewable products, reduced resource consumption, and recycled materials are all part of a sustainability study.	Faulkner and Badurdeen [66].

lists the processes that can be performed in a BIM sphere:

In the work of Yuan [28], prefabrication and precast construction processes were examined as planning and design concepts for identifying the options for reducing construction waste. As a result, BIM could be a valuable tool for gathering information and serving as a platform for information management throughout a project’s lifecycle. The key benefits of using BIM include time and cost savings, the prevention of delays, and the achievement of the desired quality [57].

3. Methodology

The data for this study were acquired using a questionnaire and a quantitative research approach [67]. The respondents for this survey were selected at random from a population of professionals from several professions in Malaysia’s construction industry. The sample size was retained at 340, which follows Krejci and Morgan’s simplified table for the sample size rule of thumb [68]. The study sample was selected using a standard random sampling method [69,70]. Exploratory research is useful for exploring relatively undiscovered areas [71]. Therefore, descriptive statistics such as the mean ranking (CFA) test, correlation, regression analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression were employed to evaluate and evaluate the relationship between variables.

Table 2. Demographic character and the sample size of the respondents.

S/N	Population	Sample Frame	Sample Size
1	Quantity surveyors	212	88
2	Architect	310	77
3	Contractors	115	88
4	Civil engineers	313	96
	Total	950	340

provides the demographic characteristics of the sample frame for this study, based on contacts in multiple Malaysian construction industry papers. There were 950 in total, with 212 quantity surveyors, 310 architects, 115 contractors, and 313 civil engineers. The questionnaires were distributed to 340 respondents as a sample for this study.

The internationally recognised questionnaire BUS Methodology Questionnaire was adapted. A total of 300 (three hundred) questionnaires were administered as recommended by [72] against the sample size of about 1000 respondents. Two hundred and forty-six were retrieved (82%), and thirty-two were discarded due to incomplete responses and missing data. Some (5) questionnaires had to be excluded due to issues concerning outliers. Therefore, 214 responses were used for the analysis, representing about 71%. The high percentage response was achieved due to the involvement of both the management and junior staff of CIDB and JKR in the questionnaire administration processes.

Framework and Hypothesis of Conceptual Research

Considering the interrelationship between the influencing factors, design and planning, the framework and hypotheses were framed for the exogenous (independent) variables and the endogenous (dependent) variable (planning). Exogenous latent constructs, such as the effects of BIM on waste prevention, and endogenous latent constructs, such as the planning and design stage, were used in this study. The framework’s objective was to improve for the ways of reducing waste that could have been prevented. Given the conceptual background, the following hypotheses were empirically evaluated based on Malaysia’s construction industry data. The framework and hypothesis of the conceptual research employed in this study are illustrated in Figure 4.

4. Results

The reliability test for all the constructs was carried out using Cronbach’s alpha, as suggested by [73]. Statistical analysis was used in the study to test the relationship between the parameter and was also used to test the instrument’s reliability. The questionnaire was pretested by giving copies for correction to 10 professionals. The study’s constructs were all tests. They were all found to be reliable, as shown in

Table 3. Cronbach’s alpha results.

Variable	N	Items	Alpha
BIM for pre-empting waste during the planning stage of a building	340	17	0.85
BIM for pre-empting waste during the design stage of a building	340	24	0.96

below, excluding a few variables that were removed to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. As a result, the inter-item correlation matrix study indicated a relationship between variables with a correlation r greater than 0.30, as recommended. The Cronbach’s alpha result is shown in Table 3. Despite the increasing adoption of BIM in building design, most existing waste management tools are not compliant with BIM. This is because these tools are external to the BIM software used by designers, thereby limiting their usability. Ge [74] noted the tools out of those existing that were compliant with BIM. This fact reveals a huge gap in knowledge, since evidence in the literature suggests that effective waste minimisation must start from the design stage, and this can only be achieved if waste management functionalities are incorporated into design tools. The above-listed factors have impeded the exploitation of the capabilities of BIM software for the analysis of CDW at the planning and design stage.

However, professionals and workers in the Malaysian construction industry engaged in a questionnaire study. The questions were designed to determine the benefits of implementing BIM at the planning and design stage of a building. The 340 questionnaires were given to various actors in the Malaysian construction industry for this purpose, with an 89% response rate. A total of 302 questionnaires were used in the study after the quality of responses was evaluated. Missing data and incorrect postings were identified using frequency analysis. Before completing CFA, the dysfunction factors were identified using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In the study of the answers to the questions asked in the questionnaire, a descriptive analysis was carried out to investigate the normality of the data, as recommended by Zahoor et al. 2017 [75]. The results indicated that in the planning and design phase, a Cronbach alpha value of 0.889 was obtained for planning and design, with 0.900 indicating the beneficial effects of BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation. Therefore, according to [50], the measurement model met the reliability and validity criteria for the latent and observed variables. Table 3 shows the ranks and statistical parameters for 19 design-influencing elements (P1 to 19).

4.1. Ranking of Factors for Pre-Emptive Waste during the Planning

The first factor among ranking 19 variables of pre-emptive waste during planning is Feasibility Analysis, which was among the construct (P1) that BIM can pre-emptively minimise waste during the planning stage. Feasibility Analysis was ranked as the first factor that can benefit BIM in reducing waste during the planning stage by the respondents, with a score of 4.36. As a result, the conclusion from this study is the same as the conclusion of the previous study by Al Hattab and Hamzeh [76]. As illustrated in

Table 4. Ranking of factors for pre-emptive waste reduction during planning.

CD	Constructs	Mean	S.D	Ranking
P1	Feasibility Analysis	4.36	1.42	1st
P2	Better Collaboration and Communication	4.23	1.32	2nd
P3	Model-Based Cost Estimation	4.19	1.22	3rd
P4	Improve Coordination Clash Detection	4.19	1.12	4th
P5	Scheduling/Sequencing	4.16	1.02	5th
P6	Sustainability	4.14	0.98	6th
P7	BIM-based Cost Estimation (5D)	4.13	0.95	7th
P8	Stronger Facility Management and Building Handover	4.11	0.67	8th
P9	BIM Execution Plan (BEP)	4.04	0.15	9th
P10	Reduced Cost and Mitigated Risk	4.00	1.31	10th
P11	Increased Productivity and Prefabrication	3.91	0.88	11th
P12	Site Utilisation Planning	3.81	1.35	12th
P13	Designer Behaviour and Attitude	3.72	1.33	13th
P14	Waste Management Plan Designated	3.68	1.30	14th
P15	Stakeholders’ Coordination of Waste Management during Planning and Design Phases	3.43	0.88	15th
P16	Site Utilisation Planning	3.21	0.56	16th
P17	Quantities of Waste Generated are Estimated for the Phase of Work	3.01	0.741	17th

and

Table 5. Ranking of factors for BIM waste minimisation during the design stage.

CD	Constructs	Mean	S.D	Ranking
D1	Prefabricated components	4.58	1.55	1st
D2	Fewer design modifications	4.54	1.46	2nd
D3	Waste reduction investment	4.40	1.35	3rd
D4	Modular design	4.38	1.22	4th
D5	Economic incentive	4.36	1.02	5th
D6	Large-panel metal formworks	4.34	0.98	6th
D7	Work experience	4.29	0.95	7th
D8	Educational background	4.26	0.67	8th
P9	Metal hoarding	4.22	0.15	9th
D10	Large-panel metal formworks	4.00	0.88	10th
D11	Steel scaffolding	3.91	0.88	11th
D12	Faster and more effective processes	3.81	0.56	12th
D13	Better design	3.72	0.74	13th
D14	Reducing rework	3.61	0.52	14th
D15	Better collaboration	3.48	0.61	15th
D16	Reducing conflicts and change	3.44	1.01	16th
D17	Use of BIM in waste minimisation	3.44	0.78	17th
D18	Architectural design	3.42	0.68	18th
D19	Design for recycled metals such as recycled aggregates	3.37	0.46	19th

, the BIM 360 environment allows users to collaborate on project templates and coordinate planning, ensuring that all design stakeholders know the project’s progress and outcome.

Better Collaboration and Communication (P2) had a 4.23 mean as the factor having ranked second among the factors that have a beneficial effect on BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during the planning stage. Better Collaboration and Communication (P2) BIM models allow paper drawing sets to be shared, collaborated on, and versioned to minimise waste during the planning and design stage. This consequence is the same as [77,78]. The BIM 360 platform enables teams to share project templates and plan ahead of time, ensuring that all design stakeholders are fully prepared. Estimation of Cost Using a Model (P3) is one of the factors in the study that can benefit BIM in pre-emptive waste reduction during the building planning stage in the study area, with an average mean of 4.19. It was rated as the third best factor that can benefit BIM in pre-emptive waste reduction during the building planning stage in the study area. The result is aligned with the prediction [57]. Three-dimensional Modelling BIM provides outstanding precision, but only when data are incorporated in the pre-emptive effective waste management model with the required level of detail.

Improve Coordination Clash Detection (P4) was the next factor among the BIM during the planning stage of construction, ranked fourth, which had a 4.19 mean. Improve Coordination Clash Detection (P4) is used to look for conflicts before construction. Improved Coordination Clash Detection (P4) based on BIM enables problems to be fixed before construction, saving time and money. This result is the same as [79]. More efficient collision detection, once again, requires a higher level of control. Scheduling/Sequencing (P5) was ranked fifth in a study for pre-emptively reducing waste during the planning stage, with a mean score of 4.16. Companies utilise particular scheduling strategies in the design stage based on Scheduling/Sequencing (P5) in the planning stage. The most prevalent methods include bar charts, Gantt charts, and the Critical Path Method (CPM). Scheduling/Sequencing (P5) enables construction components to be linked in 3D models and activities in the schedule, forming a 4D model for reducing waste during the building design stage. This result is the same as the result of Politi [57], who showed that schedules can be planned more accurately and communicated precisely. Improved coordination helps projects to become more likely to be completed on time or early by minimising the time wasted. Table 4 shows the 17 planning influencing factors (P1 to P17). These factors were used in the study. Meanwhile, the planning and design principles go beyond building element selection. Other studies have shown that building design methodology and design documentation [80] are all part of planning and design principles. This study, however, is limited to key planning and design principles required in building elements’ selection, as presented in Table 4.

BIM-based Cost Estimation (5D) (P7) for pre-emptive waste minimisation had a mean of 4.11 in the research findings among the factors that can minimise waste in a building’s planning and design phase. If sustainability analysis is not performed in the early planning stages, it becomes difficult and costly to meet performance requirements. Moreover, using BIM technology, sustainability and performance analysis can be conducted during a building’s planning and design stage. The model’s fundamental goal is to reduce carbon footprints and eliminate waste during planning and design. This result aligns with [81,82]. The main factor is the consistent collection and analysis of the data and updating of the BIM model. Likewise, the Sustainability (P7) had a mean of 4.04 as a factor ranked seventh in the study area during a building’s planning and design process under waste minimisation. During the planning and design phase, the BIM execution plan (BEP) covers executing, monitoring, and controlling BIM technology steps and reducing wastage. Each strategy is unique to each project, but it is critical for planning and coordinating project deliverables to decrease waste during the planning and design process. It also provides crucial success indicators that may be used to track development [57,83]. This outcome is consistent with having a likelihood of success and optimising efficiency throughout the project lifecycle and beyond.

4.2. Ranking of Factors for Pre-Emptive BIM for Waste Minimisation during the Design Stage

The factor of Prefabricated components (D1) with a mean of 4.56 was stated to have been ranked first in the beneficial effects of BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during the design stage of a building. The respondents can effectively pre-emptively reduce waste during the planning and design stage of construction. By integrating Prefabricated components (D1) into the design, the survey results on Prefabricated components (D1) could enhance productivity. This result confirmed the findings of a survey conducted by [23,84,85]. BIM data could be used to efficiently develop design drawings or databases, allowing prefabrication and modular building methods to be used more widely. D2 had the second-highest mean rating of 4.36 for fewer design revisions. As a result, it is vital to enhance incentive schemes to motivate designers and predict their performance in environmental design by adopting them. The factor of less design modification (D2) can effectively imprint BIM for depreciation and waste prevention during the planning and design process of a building for a better design. These issues are undoubtedly the most significant obstacles in project design that prevent sustainable solutions from being appropriately implemented [86,87]. This finding is consistent with the results in [88].

Waste reduction investment (D3) received the third-highest rating of 4.33. Investment in construction waste management can help this factor effectively imprint BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during the planning and design stage of a building’s promote waste management practices in construction. This is the same as the outcome of Sibanda [89], because economic benefit is the primary goal of different participants in the building process. The surveys suggested the government should encourage the environmental efficiency of a construction company through a more focused certificate that can comprehensively analyse the capacity by enhancing BIM design for pre-emptive waste minimisation during a building’s planning and design process. Modular design (D4) had the fourth-highest importance of 4.38. Modular construction speeds up building, increases efficiency, and reduces waste and energy. For instance, shear walls pose disincentives due to the high cost and a large amount of cutting waste. Modular design is an approach designed to assist designers in identifying areas for improvement. Modular design BIM reduces pre-emptive waste during a building’s planning and design phase. This result is in line with that discussed in the literature [90,91]. It is stated that modular construction and modular design could reduce waste generation from the construction, as manufacturing is carried out in factories and is highly applicable in densely populated Malaysian buildings. The fifth-highest mean importance rating of 4.36 was economic incentive (D5). Different motivational and compensation systems are successful, and in the construction industry, a performance-dependent monetary reward system is used.

Nonetheless, enhanced incentive mechanisms are therefore required to inspire design organisations to improve their performance in environmental design. This finding is in line with the report by [18,92]. Rewarding and penalising methods concerning on-site material handling have been used effectively in construction sites through special motivational and financial incentive programs to enhance BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during the planning and design stage. Table 5 presents the ranking of factors of BIM for waste minimisation during the design stage.

As a factor that can improve BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during the planning and design stage, large-panel metal formworks (D6) received the sixth-highest mean rating of 4.34. Wood formwork is extensively utilised to manufacture cast concrete structures due to its flexibility and ease of handling. The respondent stated that building methods for formworks, such as their scale, handling, and reuse or recycling possibilities, should be considered early in the design stage for formwork waste reduction.

Designers can make it possible for other projects to use metal formworks, such as steel aluminium, which is durable, recyclable as scrap, and reusable on-site and at other sites to mitigate waste, and would use BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during the design stage of a building. This result was supported by Fang [93]. However, line graphs were used to show the significance between quantitative variables with nine significant factors when the independent variables were under waste minimisation during the planning and design stage. Each point in a line graph represents the mean score of the dependent variable based on the highest value of the independent variable in this study. With an average mean of 3.37 and a standard deviation of 0.46, the design for recycled metals such as recycled aggregates (D19) is placed 19th. Therefore, the lowest of the nineteen characteristics that benefits BIM in pre-emptive waste minimisation during the design stage is design for recycled metals such as recycled aggregates (D19). The link between standard deviation and the statistical parameters is shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6.

Table 6. Relationship between BIM and waste minimisation during the planning and design stage of a building (n = 261).

		Pre-Emptive Waste Minimisation
EFFECT OF BIM	Pearson Correlation	0.596 **
	Sig. (2-tailed)	0.000
	N	101

**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).

shows the results of the relationship between BIM and waste minimisation predicted during the planning and design stages of a building. The most important factors in reducing waste throughout the construction planning and design stage based on the respondents’ findings showed that normal distribution with skew and kurtosis had acceptable values between 1.49 and 0.12. The scope of ±2 was used as recommended by George and Mallery [94]. Furthermore, the reliability test was carried out to measure the reliability of the constructs.

The result in this case indicated the value was R² = 0.163, f (1, 99) = 19.220, p < 0.001. The independent variables, the beneficial effects of BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation, explained 16.3% medium significance (p < 0.001). The R² level just represented the predictive accuracy of the model. Consequently, small R-squared values are not always a problem [95]. However, R², even when small, can be significantly different from 0, which would indicate that a regression model has statistically significant explanatory power [96]. Therefore, hierarchical multiple regressions were used to evaluate BIM and waste minimisation during the planning and design stage. The analyses were performed to guarantee that normality, linearity, multicollinearity, and homoscedasticity assumptions were not violated. The results are presented in

Table 7. Relationship between BIM for mitigating waste on building construction and design (n = 261).

Model	R	R Square	Adjusted R Square	Std. Error of the Estimate	df	df2	Sig.
1	0.403	0.163	0.154	1.044	1	99	0.000

.

However, regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the connection variables in the study area. The table below,

Table 8. Pre-emptive waste minimisation during the planning and design stage (n = 261).

Model	R	R Square	Adjusted R Square	Std. Error of the Estimate	Change Statistics
					R Square Change	F Change	df1	df2	Sig. F Change
1	0.596	0.355	0.348	0.916	0.355	54.464	1	99	0.000
2	0.597	0.356	0.343	0.920	0.002	0.238	1	98	0.627

, contains the results of the analysis of the variable that drives the effect of BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during the planning and design stage of a building. The outcome proves a substantial and positive correlation between BIM and waste minimisation variables during the planning and design stage; R = 0.596.

Minimisation during the planning and design stage of a building was entered at step 1, explaining 0.355, f (1, 99) = 54.464, p < 0.001 of the beneficial effects of BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during the planning and design stage of a building. The model’s complete variance was described as 0.356, f (2, 98) = 27.141, p < 0.001. The r-squared value r² = 0.356, f (2, 98) = 27.141, p < 0.001 shows that the independent variables explained 35.6% large significance (p < 0.001) minimisation during the planning and design stage of a building, and in terms of reduction strategies, an additional 2% was insignificant; R-squared change = 0.002, f change (1, 98) = 0.238, p = 0.627. However,

Table 9. Contribution of BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during planning and design stage of a building (n = 261).

Model		Unstandardised Coefficients		Standardised Coefficients	T	Sig.	Correlations			Collinearity Statistics
		B	Std. Error	Beta			Zero-order	Partial	Part	Tolerance	VIF
1	(Constant)	0.904	0.357		2.530	0.013
	BIM Effects of BIM	0.795	0.108	0.596	7.380	0.000	0.596	0.596	0.596	1.000	1.000
2	(Constant)	1.255	0.803		1.563	0.121
	Minimisation during Planning and Design Stage of a Building	0.752	0.138	0.564	5.434	0.000	0.596	0.481	0.440	0.609	1.641
		−0.076	0.155	−0.051	−0.488	0.627	−0.403	−0.049	−0.040	0.609	1.641

further assesses the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

The result shows that the variable with the most considerable beta value in the standardised coefficients was 0.564 for waste minimisation during the planning and design stage. In contrast, the variance explained by the waste in the BIM effect variable in the model was controlled. The results show that waste minimisation during the planning and design stage variable made a significant (p < 0.001), unique contribution to pre-empting waste during the planning and design stage and reduction strategies. In contrast, the BIM effect variable had the lowest negative beta value of −0.051 and insignificant (p = 0.627) contribution in explaining the dependent variable waste minimisation during the planning and design stage for better results.

In summary, this research found that BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during the planning and design stage and reduction strategies is a significant determinant for improving efficiency. D1 was ranked first and D9 was ranked last under the variables on waste minimisation during the design stage. P1 in the first research region and P9 were ranked last under the factors of waste minimisation during the planning stage. There was a significant and positive correlation between the two factors of the effects of BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during the planning and design stage of a building, which explained 16.3% medium significance (p < 0.001). The planning and design stage with a neighbourhood explained 35.6% great significance (p < 0.001), which was effective in BIM. Additionally, the waste minimisation during the planning and design stage explained an additional 2% insignificant and negligible effectiveness construction. The BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during the planning and design stage of a building variable made a statistically significant (p < 0.001), unique contribution, with the most considerable beta value in the standardised coefficients (0.564) in BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during planning and design stage and in reduction strategies in the Malaysian construction industry.

5. Discussion

In this study, line graphs were used to present the most significant and highest factors that have a beneficial effect on BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during the planning and design stage of a building in the Malaysian construction industry. Each point in the line graphs represented the mean score on the dependent variable basis on the highest value of the independent variable. The findings show that Feasibility Analysis (P1), in the BIM 360 environment, allows teams to exchange project templates and organise planning, ensuring that all design stakeholders know the project and the results. Better Collaboration and Communication (P2) BIM models allow paper drawing sets to be shared. This consequence is the same as [77,78]. The BIM 360 platform allows teams to exchange project templates and organise planning, providing transparency for all design stakeholders. Model-Based Cost Estimation (P3) is one of the factors in the study that can beneficially affect BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during the planning stage of a building.

The result is in line with the prediction of [57] that 3D Modelling BIM offers high precision, but only when data are entered in this study with the requisite high level of detail in the pre-emptive waste minimisation model. Improve Coordination Clash Detection (P4) ranked fourth and had a 4.19 mean, which is the next factor among the BIM during a building’s planning stage. This result is the same as the result of [79], that, again, more efficient collision detection requires a higher degree of control. Scheduling/Sequencing (P5) was ranked the fifth factor for pre-emptive waste minimisation during a building’s planning stage, which allows the building components in 3D models and tasks in the schedule to be linked, and this creates a 4D model to pre-emptively reduce waste minimisation during the planning stage of a building. This result is the same as the result of Politi [57]. The findings display the same results of [76].

The BIM 360 environment allows teams to exchange project templates and organise planning, ensuring all design stakeholders are involved. The survey result on Prefabricated components (D1) could improve productivity by integrating Prefabricated components (D1) into the design. This finding confirmed the result of a survey conducted by [23,84,85]. BIM data can be used to quickly produce design drawings or databases, allowing for the expanded use of prefabrication and modular construction technologies. Fewer design modifications (D2), can effectively imprint BIM for the depreciation and pre-emption of waste during the planning and design process of a building for a better design. These problems are undoubtedly the fundamental obstacles in project design to successfully implementing waste minimisation [86]. This finding is consistent with the results of [88]. This result is in line with that discussed in the literature [90,91]. It is stated that modular construction and modular design could reduce waste generation from construction as manufacturing is carried out in factories and is highly applicable in densely populated Malaysian buildings. With regard to economic incentive (D5), different motivational and compensation systems are successful, and in the construction industry, a performance-dependent monetary reward system is used. Nonetheless, this finding is in line with the report by [18,92], which stated that rewarding and penalising methods concerning on-site material handling have been used effectively in construction sites through the use of particular motivation for enhancing BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during the planning and design stage of a building. With regard to BIM-based Cost Estimation (5D) (P7), if sustainability analysis is not performed in the early planning stages it becomes difficult and costly to meet performance requirements. This result is in line with [81,82]. The main factor is the consistent collection and analysis of the data and updating of the BIM model. The BIM execution plan (BEP) includes executing, monitoring, and controlling BIM technology steps and minimising waste during the planning and design phase. It also defines critical indicators of success to monitor progress [57,83]. This result is consistent with having a chance of success and maximising effectiveness for every stage of the project lifecycle and beyond.

6. Conclusions

This study recounts the results of a survey undertaken on the beneficial effects of BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during the planning and design stage of a building in the Malaysian construction industry.

• This method allows project teams to use BIM models to architecturally simulate and pre-empt waste minimisation during the planning and design stage. They quickly compare the outcomes to make necessary design modifications during the design stage. The BIM rebar optimisation and reduction strategy also promotes cost-effective decision making [97,98].
• Despite BIM’s benefits in pre-emptive waste minimisation, the variables recognised from the evaluation of the literature remained organised to test the larger perspective of the most significant factors among those presented during the planning and design stage of a building. Feasibility BIM promotes the planning design and implementation and provides a platform for collaboration [99].
• The findings demonstrate BIM’s pre-emptive waste minimisation planning and design-out-waste processes. This study could be helpful for various stakeholders in the construction industry to recognise various features of waste management from the planning and designing stage of a building project, which can be represented by constructing a model that can be used for mitigating waste while constructing a building.
• The outcome of this study can thus provide grounds for a comparative survey with other nations. Moreover, due to the sample size used, the findings of this study should be viewed with caution.
• A study limitation is insufficient data on the amount of C&D waste reuse and recycling in Malaysia. However, the results revealed numerous concerns and problems contributing to the low percentage of reuse and recycling waste. Contamination, waste quality, collection and transportation challenges, and difficulty sorting, converting, and disposing waste are the most pressing concerns. The BIM predicts waste generation and waste assessment for residential buildings, and these elements of BIM management might guide us in how to handle construction waste more sustainably. Future researchers need to address the international standards in the construction industry, waste management, and construction demolition waste. In particular, IBM can provide researchers, decision makers, and policy makers with a better understanding of the BIM adoption process and guide the development of BIM strategies and plans for BIM adoption and diffusion during the planning and design stage.
• Therefore, future studies should use larger sample sizes to reduce this broader methodology limitation. Furthermore, the main output of this article is the implementation of new beneficial effects of BIM for pre-emptive waste minimisation during the planning and design stage of a building for better communication and compression algorithms; the cutting losses of reinforcement bars can be significantly reduced.