IEDW: A BIM-based indoor electric distribution wiring algorithm using graph theory and capacity-limited multiple traveling salesman problem solver

Abstract

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has emerged as a new paradigm for the construction industry. The combination of electric distribution systems design and BIM is the future development trend of architectural design. The traditional electric distribution wiring design based on BIM is mainly carried out manually, which is laborious and error-prone. To cope with this challenge, some studies have proposed explorations of automated BIM wiring design based on graphs in building structures, HAVC, and AEC fields, but few efforts were made on automatic electric distribution wiring. In view of its complicated nature, actual construction factors such as design specifications, wiring costs, etc. should be considered with electric distribution wiring simultaneously. To address this issue, this study proposes a BIM-based automatic indoor electric distribution wiring (IEDW) scheme using graph theory and capacity-limited multiple traveling salesman problem (CMTSP). Firstly, the IEDW sets up the model for design specifications and actual wiring costs with four constraints of specification, cost, installation, and load. Then, a electric distribution wiring heterogeneous graph model is designed to solve both specification and installation constraints. Thirdly, a CMTSP-based algorithm is designed to solve the problem of automatic electric distribution wiring under cost and load constraints. Finally, the performance of IEDW is evaluated on three types of buildings. The experimental results proved that the IEDW can provide a more reasonable wiring solution than manual wiring in terms of circuit balance and total wiring length. Moreover, the IEDW can reduce the wiring cost by 8.8% on average. The proposed IEDW will enhance the efficiency of BIM-based electric systems design and delivery.