BIM and IoT data fusion: The data process model perspective

Abstract

Digitalization in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry has highlighted the process of gathering and combining data from numerous sources. This paper uses data fusion from information science to investigate how data from information systems like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the Internet of Things (IoT) could be coupled to enable a data-driven AEC. However, given the large amount of data, the technological diversity, the heterogeneous data schema, and hierarchical data abstraction, BIM and IoT data fusion are not addressed systematically. This study aims to develop a BIM and IoT data fusion framework to facilitate the appropriate data process flow for various applications. To investigate the research topic, an integrative review was conducted. Specifically, a general and tailored four-step data fusion process model was proposed as the review’s guiding framework. Critical evaluations were incorporated into a road map to provide a comprehensive perspective of BIM and IoT data fusion. In addition, based on the findings, a two-level and interconnected data fusion framework was proposed, which illustrates the data process flow and differentiates the data abstraction level, data processing technologies and purpose of the fusion. Furthermore, the fusion challenges and future trends are also highlighted.