Improving conventional method on precast concrete building maintenance : Towards BIM implementation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the principles for managing precast concrete (PC) building in the context of Malaysian maintenance practice. A large number of clients/contractors in a PC building maintenance project faced many issues due to poor service delivery, less-competent contractor and defect repetition. Meanwhile, conventional method practices tend to be ineffective in Malaysian PC building. Design/methodology/approach Case studies were used to investigate the practice of maintenance management with eight professional engineers working in the Malaysian PC building maintenance departments. Findings Interviews were held with these departments and content analysis was used to identify themes that demonstrate effective PC building maintenance management practice. The frontline approaches (new system development with the integration of BIM) and underlying approach such as decision making in defect diagnosis are presented to address the maintenance management problems on PC building such as defect repetition and less-competent contractor. Originality/value The underlying approaches include sustaining existing maintenance quality and providing decision making in diagnosis support while the frontline approaches include the use of emerging technologies, efficient control of building performance-based design and monitor the defect component operation in maintenance.