The contractors in the Gulf region must adopt the latest construction software to ensure the swift delivery of nearly $3 trillion worth of construction projects, said industry experts ahead of The Big 5 Show in Dubai, UAE.

The largest construction event in the Middle East region, Big 5 kicks off tomorrow (November 23) and will run for the next two days offering ample opportunity for the networking of industry's decision-makers and professionals.

Counting both ongoing and planned construction projects, the GCC’s construction pipeline totals $2.8 trillion, especially in mixed-use mega-developments, airports and seaports, and transportation infrastructure, according to the recent report “GCC Powers of Construction 2015” by Deloitte.

In anticipation of this growth, architects, engineers, contractors, and real estate companies are posting strong demand for Building Information Modeling (BIM) software to create 3D constructable models that can enhance collaboration, visibility, and efficiency across the design, build, and operate stages of projects, the experts stated.

Demonstrating the growing Middle East demand for BIM, Dubai Municipality recently expanded the mandate for using BIM for a wider range of projects, including all government buildings, and smaller projects that are at least 20 stories tall.

"The Middle East is seeing nationwide transformation in construction innovation, with projects for mega-events such as World Expo 2020 in Dubai and 2022 Fifa World Cup Qatar stretching design boundaries. Advancing government BIM mandates further demonstrate the Middle East’s desire to be on par with global innovators in the construction field,” remarked Paul Wallett, the area business director for Tekla Middle East.

One of the best examples of how BIM can deliver complex designs is the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Masjed, which will be one of the UAE’s largest mosques by 2016, holding up to 20,000 worshippers.

The majestic 86-m diameter dome, which will be the UAE’s largest in a mosque, features an exterior steel Arabic calligraphy design, installed by engineering firm Eversendai.

"Building information models used on the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Masjed, allowed us to accurately model complex rib trusses and tension ring trusses, simplify complex design, and resolve clashes with HVAC ( heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) sector," remarked Sreenivasa Rao Vipparla, the head of design and engineering, Eversendai Engineering.

"We are committed to supporting further BIM construction innovation in the UAE and region. Thanks to Tekla software, we were able to win marquee projects using the innovation angle," he added.

Among the most innovative BIM projects in the region are the Abu Dhabi Midfield Terminal Building in the UAE; the Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies and Lusail Multipurpose Sports Hall in Doha; and the King Abdullah Financial District in Saudi Arabia.

On a global level, Tekla’s parent company Trimble recently acquired the Norwegian firm Vianova, which provides BIM software for infrastructure design.

"Further integrating with Trimble in 2016 will help bring us closer to our customers in the Middle East," remarked Wallett.

"From BIM to holographic technology to real estate management software, we will deliver best practices in technology to help the Middle East’s architecture, engineering, and construction firms deliver on innovation agendas," he added.

At The Big 5, the company is showcasing its BIM software - Tekla Structures 21 and Tekla Structural Designer, along with BIMsight, an open BIM viewer, and Tekla Field 3D for viewing BIM models on smartphones and tablets.-TradeArabia News Service