Exploring the Relationships Between BIM Capability Implementation and Green Building Performance During the Construction Phase in China

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is increasingly used to support the delivery of green building projects and optimize their sustainability performance. However, limited research has examined how individual BIM capabilities are associated with different dimensions of green building performance during the construction phase. This study investigates the relationships between BIM capability implementation and green building performance in China’s construction industry through a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 306 professionals with experience in BIM-enabled green building projects. The collected data were analyzed using the Relative Importance Index (RII) and multiple linear regression analysis. The RII results indicate that all twelve identified BIM capabilities were generally perceived as important for improving the five dimensions of green building performance, namely, safety and durability, health and comfort, occupant convenience, resource conservation, and environmental livability. The regression analysis further suggests that different BIM capabilities are associated with different dimensions of green building performance. Visualization, environmental simulation, and safety management capabilities were more strongly associated with safety and comfort-related outcomes, while environmental assessment and impact simulation capabilities showed closer relationships with resource conservation. Data management and construction site layout planning were found to be particularly relevant to environmental livability. These findings indicate that BIM supports green building performance through multiple complementary capabilities rather than through a single function. Overall, the findings provide evidence of the relationships between BIM capability implementation and perceived green building performance during construction. This study provides practical guidance for prioritizing BIM capabilities based on different sustainable development goals and helps to foster a more detailed understanding of BIM-enabled green building construction in China.