Investigating BIM adoption for seismic response prediction in geotechnical structures: An empirical framework

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has transformed engineering and construction practices by enabling digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of structures. However, its specific role in enhancing seismic response prediction of geotechnical structures remains underexplored, with limited understanding of the key factors that enable or hinder its integration in this domain. This study investigates the integration of BIM for predicting seismic responses in geotechnical structures through a data-driven approach. The findings indicate that BIM contributes significantly to advanced simulation capabilities, improved data integration, compliance with seismic standards, and proactive risk mitigation resulting in enhanced accuracy, lifecycle management, and resilience of geotechnical structures. The key pathway from BIM integration to seismic prediction yielded a strong path coefficient (β = 0.669, p < 0.001). This study does not involve computational seismic modeling, but instead develops a perception-based framework through expert input and structural equation modeling to guide BIM integration for seismic response prediction. These insights offer a foundational framework for engineers and decision-makers to adopt BIM in geotechnical seismic design, providing a pathway toward safer, more resilient, and sustainable infrastructure development.