High-level implementable methods for automated building code compliance checking

Abstract

This paper presents an approach for defining high-level implementable methods to improve their low-level rule-checking procedures. This is part of an effort to develop challenging building information modeling (BIM)-enabled applications for building permits through automated code compliance checking. The main approach described here aims to alleviate the time-consuming and error-prone tasks of translating natural language into explicitly defined rules. An explicit expression of design requirements is key to building projects involving collaboration between architects, code experts, and developers. To maximize the generalization, neutralization, and reusability of the given rules in natural (written) language, we propose a series of high-level implementable computer programming methods (operators); these can be beneficial for translating verb phrases in building act sentences with minimal ambiguity as well as representing the peculiar properties of building objects without conflicts. Lastly, we demonstrate its application in code compliance checking by employing KBimCode and the developed rule-checking software.