Integration of BIM and Procedural Modeling Tools for Road Design

Salvatore Antonio Biancardo,Andrej Tibaut,Alessandra Capano,Sara Guerra De Oliveira

doi:10.3390/infrastructures5040037

Salvatore Antonio Biancardo, Andrej Tibaut + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures5040037

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Abstract

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a design and management methodology strongly used in the Industry of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC). It allows the creation of a 3D model through parametric modelling in a workflow that updates data, geometry and semantics using the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard. The purpose of this paper is to develop and apply a BIM method for road infrastructures. The creation of the BIM 3D models was carried out using different visual programming software and BIM tools, designing the spatial and parametric representation of the roadway. This way, it has been possible to discover the advantages of using procedural modelling to design road infrastructure through software that are usually used in the mechanical and architectural field. Finally, the interoperability of the software to extract and exchange information between these BIM tools was assessed.

Highlights

A smart city involves urban development aimed at improving the quality of life of citizens by optimizing the operation and management of infrastructure systems [1] due to the integration of information and communication technologies [2].In this context, a smart infrastructure is developed through the combination of physical and digital infrastructures, providing more information to improve management decisions [3].As a result, in the age of the Internet-of-Things and Big Data, Building Information Modeling (BIM) becomes a necessity for the planning and management of smart cities [4]
The OpenSCAD approach provides only geometric information but does not enable further semantic enrichment of the geometrical objects. This software does not go beyond the creation of a 3D model and does not allow the creation of a BIM model
In the use case, road design is further investigated through the combined use of Rhinoceros and Grasshopper, which are combined with the Python code

Summary

Introduction

A smart city involves urban development aimed at improving the quality of life of citizens by optimizing the operation and management of infrastructure systems [1] due to the integration of information and communication technologies [2]. In the age of the Internet-of-Things and Big Data, Building Information Modeling (BIM) becomes a necessity for the planning and management of smart cities [4]. They are starting to be integrated into the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry for infrastructure design [1]. The limited availability of libraries of infrastructure components and the difficulty in assigning parameters to object geometries are considered the main obstacles to the use of BIM for transport infrastructure [7]

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