Use of As-Built Building Information Modeling

Abstract

With the proliferation of building information modeling (BIM) in architectural design, there will be a rapidly increasing need to create accurate as-built BIM data for existing buildings. Having an accurate as-built model of the existing structure allows owners to visualize and analyze proposed retrofit solutions and ensures that the retrofit meets the owner's requirements and provides the best value. The increased awareness of building energy consumption, green gas emissions, and LEEDTM (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) also calls for new as-built documents based on BIM. This paper describes a approach for developing as-built BIM coupled with various data acquisition tools. Existing as-built technologies, such as 3D laser scanning, are reviewed and future uses for as-built BIM are suggested. The two case studies presented in this paper are part of an ongoing research project involving a local governmental agency building with significant renovation needs. The first describes a new method of acquiring building energy-related data: BIM paired with a sensor network. The second describes a method of creating as-built BIM using imported 2D plans. Finally, current challenges of as-built BIM technology are addressed to improve the future deployment of the proposed approach for as-built BIM.