Abstract
An important function of a water distribution system (WDS) is to supply drinking water to each demand point using a pipe network that has minimal impact on the surroundings. To produce a reliable WDS, planning usually requires a significant amount of geo-spatial information. Current planning practices for pipeline systems, which gather geographic information based on maps, are time-consuming and cumbersome. With the rapid developments in computer and information technology, it is necessary to propose a new WDS planning method that enhances the current planning practices and facilitates the decision-making process. The proposed method allows project information in building information modeling (BIM) to be incorporated into a geographic information system (GIS) model, using semantic mapping to incorporate WDS project data and geo-spatial information to facilitate the WDS planning process. Moreover, a 3D visualization model of the proposed WDS project and its surroundings is provided. In addition, topological rules are set to identify any conflicts between the WDS project and its surroundings. A real WDS project was used to validate the method. The proposed method can help project participants better understand the WDS project and its surroundings and identify any errors in the planning process, thus improving sustainable development.
Highlights
An underground pipe system contains water, electric power, heating, communication, gas lines, and other public services [1,2]
This study provides an integrated building information modeling (BIM) and geographic information system (GIS) method to incorporate water distribution system (WDS) project data into its surroundings for facilitating the WDS planning process
The proposed method enables project information in BIM to be incorporated into the GIS model, in order to investigate the spatial relationships between the proposed WDS project and its surroundings
Summary
An underground pipe system contains water, electric power, heating, communication, gas lines, and other public services [1,2]. Pipe network planning requires consideration of many factors, such as availability of the site area, space obstructions, coordination with surroundings, and topographic settings. Among these factors, space obstructions and pipeline layout present the most significant challenges during the planning process. This study provides an integrated BIM and GIS method to incorporate WDS project data into its surroundings for facilitating the WDS planning process. The proposed method enables project information in BIM to be incorporated into the GIS model, in order to investigate the spatial relationships between the proposed WDS project and its surroundings. Given the complexity of pipe network planning, topological rules are established in GIS to check for any conflicts between the WDS project and its surroundings.
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