Building Information Modeling (BIM)-based finite element analysis is challenging owing to inefficiencies, such as the manual meshing/remeshing process performed by experts and excessive ...analysis-related information due to different input points and result nodes. To overcome these limitations, we proposed a new analysis framework that integrates the meshfree analysis method into the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)-based bridge model. We added the IFC entities to manage information for the bridge structures and meshfree analysis based on the IFC extension concept. We developed modules for generating the bridge model based on the proposed schema. The data required for meshfree analysis were presented through the extraction and conversion process from the IFC model. Finally, the proposed framework was applied to the stress analysis of the bridge structure to demonstrate the efficiency of the method. As a result, we confirmed the possibility of seamless information exchange and interoperability between the architectural and structural analysis models.
•Proposed method that integrate particle differential method and IFC-based bridge information model.•Developed a module to generate BIM based on the proposed schema.•Proposed method and process were applied to a practical bridge structure.•Seamless information exchange between architectural and structural analysis model was confirmed.•Interoperability between architectural and structural analysis model was confirmed.
In recent years, sensors have been installed in buildings for various purposes to record building conditions. In this research, the objective is to clarify the possibility of linking building ...information with sensor information and future issues. For this purpose, we focused on BIM data, which enables systematic digital description of building information, and conducted prototyping for describing and linking information between the building to be measured and the MEMS accelerometer. The target building was a two-story wooden detached house, and the BIM data was described in IFC format.
•Introducing the conventional design and emerging integrated design process.•The development of Building Information Modelling and Building Energy Modelling.•Analysing prevailing Building Information ...Modelling based Building Energy Modelling methods.•Outlining future development of Building Information Modelling based Building Energy Modelling.
The emerging of building information modelling provides opportunities to break through the limitations of conventional building energy modelling such as tedious model preparation, model inconsistency and costly implementation, and promotes building energy modelling into the digital building design process. The method of using building information modelling for the building energy modelling process, named building information modelling-based building energy modelling has become a prevalent and attractive topic in both the research and the industry society in recent years. This paper presents an overall review on the building design process, and applications of building information modelling and building energy modelling in the design process. It also provides an in-depth review on the development of building information modelling-based building energy modelling methods and the development of prevalent informational infrastructures. Meanwhile, this literature review provides a special consideration on the maturity of building data transformation between building information modelling and building energy modelling for building energy simulation process, from the step 1 identifying the geometry, thermal properties of buildings to the step 6 the information and components for HVAC systems. In general, the current building information modelling-based building energy modelling methods are thoroughly evaluated and the trends for future developments are outlined. It is realised that the Building Information Modelling based Building Energy Modelling is particular appropriate for the early design stage, where the most suitable and cost effective approaches for energy efficient design can be integrated into the overall building design process.
In the domain of Building Information Modeling (BIM), although ifcOWL ontology has already achieved a fundamental conversion from the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) schema to the Web Ontology ...Language (OWL) format, deeper research is still needed to address complex attributes and constraints in the IFC schema. This paper aims to achieve the conversion and validation of WHERE rules used for defining data integrity constraints in the IFC schema. A method is introduced, which entails converting WHERE rules into SPARQL-based Shapes Constraint Language (SHACL) constraints. The application of SHACL constraints for validating the ifcOWL instance graph enables the effective identification and resolution of data errors and inconsistencies related to WHERE rules. The implementation of comprehensive validation and quality control mechanisms guarantees the reliability and accuracy of ifcOWL instance graphs. Furthermore, high-quality data supports subsequent research related to ifcOWL, such as quality control and cross-domain interoperability.
•The ifcOWL with WHERE rules was enhanced via SHACL constraints to improve data integrity and consistency.•Improving ifcOWL data quality facilitates efficient data integration and interoperability between BIM and other domains.•A program tool was developed for the real-world validation of ifcOWL files against WHERE rules.
Research in Quality Control (QC) process digitalisation has principally focused on novel technologies for data acquisition and processing during construction. In contrast, this manuscript focuses on ...the planning phase and proposes a method that analyses the as-planned 4D Building Information Model (‘BIM model’) to obtain: (1) an exhaustive list of all geometric QC instances to be checked during construction; (2) and an initial schedule of when these checks can be conducted. A rule-based approach is employed to identify the geometric QC instances in the BIM model represented as a graph. The method is demonstrated with three real case studies, including building and rail infrastructure projects, with geometric specifications encoded from the EN 13670 and EN 1090–2 standards as well as other relevant industry sources. The list of QC instances outputted by the method can be used as-is by QC surveyors and managers, or can serve as input to automated QC technologies.
•Method to automatically generate an exhaustive list of geometric QC instances from a BIM model•Geometric specifications are digitised into a dictionary of geometric QC rules•Each instance of the geometric QC rules is detected using a graph matching approach•Method can also produce an initial QC schedule, if 4D BIM model is provided•Validation is performed using a realistic building and two real rail infrastructure projects
Effective asset management plays a significant role in delivering the functionality and serviceability of buildings. However, there is a lack of efficient strategies and comprehensive approaches for ...managing assets and their associated data that can help to monitor, detect, record, and communicate operation and maintenance (O&M) issues. With the importance of Digital Twin (DT) concepts being proven in the architecture, engineering, construction and facility management (AEC/FM) sectors, a DT-enabled anomaly detection system for asset monitoring and its data integration method based on extended industry foundation classes (IFC) in daily O&M management are provided in this study. This paper presents a novel IFC-based data structure, using which a set of monitoring data that carries diagnostic information on the operational condition of assets is extracted from building DTs. Considering that assets run under changing loads determined by human demands, a Bayesian change point detection methodology that handles the contextual features of operational data is adopted to identify and filter contextual anomalies through cross-referencing with external operation information. Using the centrifugal pumps in the heating, ventilation and air-cooling (HVAC) system as a case study, the results indicate and prove that the novel DT-based anomaly detection process flow realizes a continuous anomaly detection of pumps, which contributes to efficient and automated asset monitoring in O&M.
•Research on daily O&M management and anomaly detection for asset were summarised•A new DT-based automated anomaly detection process flow is proposed•The data integration based on IFC and extension of O&M activities was developed•Bayesian change point detection was adopted to contextually indicate anomalies
As the Architecture, Engineering and Construction sector is embracing the digital age, the processes involved in the design, construction and operation of built assets are more and more influenced by ...technologies dealing with value-added monitoring of data from sensor networks, management of this data in secure and resilient storage systems underpinned by semantic models, as well as the simulation and optimisation of engineering systems. Aside from enhancing the efficiency of the value chain, such information-intensive models and associated technologies play a decisive role in minimising the lifecycle impacts of our buildings. While Building Information Modelling provides procedures, technologies and data schemas enabling a standardised semantic representation of building components and systems, the concept of a Digital Twin conveys a more holistic socio-technical and process-oriented characterisation of the complex artefacts involved by leveraging the synchronicity of the cyber-physical bi-directional data flows. Moreover, BIM lacks semantic completeness in areas such as control systems, including sensor networks, social systems, and urban artefacts beyond the scope of buildings, thus requiring a holistic, scalable semantic approach that factors in dynamic data at different levels. The paper reviews the multi-faceted applications of BIM during the construction stage and highlights limits and requirements, paving the way to the concept of a Construction Digital Twin. A definition of such a concept is then given, described in terms of underpinning research themes, while elaborating on areas for future research.
Display omitted
•The construction sector can greatly benefit from adopting a Digital Twin paradigm.•196 academic publications were reviewed on the status of BIM and Digital Twin.•The nD BIM uses during construction are analysed, along with the latest technologies.•The Digital Twin uses are discussed from several nearby engineering fields.•A conceptual framework for a Construction Digital Twin is proposed.
The benefits of BIM such as effective decision making, improved analysis, easier access to information and simpler green building certification provide an optimised solution for sustainable design ...and construction. This study proposes an IFC-based framework within an integrated BIM and sustainable data model for the design stage of the building project life cycle. We present the green building assessment tool (GBAT), which implements the proposed model and aids the design team in the generation of documentation necessary for obtaining green building certification. It extracts the necessary data from BIM models for calculating the green rating and provides feedback for further evaluation. A sample project is run and a green rating score table for the BREEAM materials category is obtained for validation of the model. This tool serves as a proof of concept that green data relevant for BREEAM certification can be automatically processed and used to inform the design.
•An IFC-based framework for BIM and sustainability integration is proposed.•The framework facilitates documentation generation for green building certification.•The Green Building Assessment Tool (GBAT) is developed to automatically generate the documentation.•GBAT output is verified for the BREEAM materials category of a sample project.•The GBAT aids in effective sustainability decision making in the early design stage.
The Building Information Modeling (BIM) domain and the Geographic Information System (GIS) domain share a mutual need for information from each other. Information from GIS can facilitate BIM ...applications such as site selection and onsite material layout, while BIM models could help generate detailed models in GIS and achieve better utility management. The mapping between the key schemas in the BIM domain and the GIS domain is the most critical step towards interoperability between the two domains. In this study, Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and City Geography Markup Language (CityGML) were chosen as the key schemas due to their wide applications in the BIM domain and the GIS domain, respectively. We used an instance-based method to generate the mapping rules between IFC and CityGML based on the inspection of entities representing the same component in the same model. It ensures accurate mapping between the two schemas. The transformation of coordinate systems and geometry are two major issues addressed in the instance-based method. Considering the difference in schema structure and information richness between the two schemas, a reference ontology called Semantic City Model was developed and an instance-based method was adopted. The Semantic City Model captures all the relevant information from BIM models and GIS models during the mapping process. Since CityGML is defined in five levels of detail (LoD), the harmonization among LoDs in CityGML was also developed in order to complete the mapping. The test results show that the developed framework can achieve automatic data mapping between IFC and CityGML in different LoDs. Furthermore, the developed Semantic City Model is extensible and can be the basis for other schema mappings between the BIM domain and the GIS domain.
•Developed and validated bidirectional mapping between IFC and CityGML.•Generated mapping rules on entities and representations using instance-based method.•Developed a reference ontology for seamless data integration between BIM and GIS.•Developed level of detail harmonization in CityGML.