Ontology of BIM in a Construction Project Life Cycle

Abstract

The paper deals with Building Information Modeling (BIM) on a general level. Upon literature and practice research, we discovered that BIM ontology has not been properly defined during project life cycle on the whole. There are various existing interpretations of BIM and related acronyms, but these interpretations only describe BIM from a specific perspective regardless to general relationships. This can result in problems and misunderstandings during communication, coordination and contracting. Research shows, that it is possible to understand BIM in three different ways: 1) BIM as a product, 2) BIM as a method and 3) BIM as a methodology. This paper also explores broader understanding of BIM as a methodology and proposes the correct BIM ontology - we use schematics, and explain the role of BIM in traditional project life cycle phases. We propose strict differentiation between model and modeling, and we describe relationships between BIM and other IM (i.e. PIM, PLIM, CIM, DIM and AIM). Proposed ontology ought to be useful in both research and practice. In BIM standardization process, BIM implementation, and development of BIM related tools, it is necessary that all parties understand common ontology in the same way. In the end, the paper also summarizes the impact of research results and their possible use in practice.