Virtual Building Models in Built Environments

Abstract

The global building sector plays a pivotal role in addressing sustainability, climate change, and carbon neutrality. This study introduces the original concept of virtual building models (VBMs) throughout the lifecycle of the building industry, considering the unique characteristics of this industry. VBMs are defined as mathematical models that represent the physical behavior of buildings throughout their lifecycle. These models consist of subvirtual models that represent the physical operational environments of the target building, encompassing physical variables, equipment, systems, indoor environments, and structural and material behaviors. This concept can contribute to achieving the existing concepts of building information modeling, digital twins, and cyber-physical systems within building operations, communities, and environments. In this study, building models are categorized into five aspects: virtual model environments, types, interactions, integrations, and levels of detail (LODs). The LODs are classified into five levels (LOD100, LOD200, LOD300, LOD350, and LOD400) depending on the primary environments of the virtual models and their coverage across the entire building. Virtual modeling methodologies are proposed considering the virtual model aspects to achieve higher or intended LOD states from both academic and industrial perspectives. Finally, future research directions are discussed to drive the concept of virtual buildings to shape the future of the building industry through digital transformations.