3D Building Information Modeling Research Articles

Decision Making in the 4th Dimension—Exploring Use Cases and Technical Options for the Integration of 4D BIM and GIS during Construction

In both the Geospatial (Geo) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) domains, it is widely acknowledged that the integration of geo-data and BIM-data is beneficial and a crucial step towards solving the multi-disciplinary challenges of our built environment. The result of this integration—broadly termed GeoBIM—has the potential to be particularly beneficial in the context of the construction of large infrastructure projects, which could make use of data relating to the larger spatial extents typically handled in geographical information systems (GIS) as well as the detailed models generated by BIM. To date, GeoBIM integration has mainly been explored for buildings, in a 3D context and for small projects. This paper demonstrates the results of the next level of integration, exploring the addition of the fourth dimension by linking project schedule information to create 4D GeoBIM, examining interoperability challenges and benefits in the context of a number of use cases relating to the enabling works for a major commercial infrastructure project. The integrating power of location and time—knowing where and when data relate to—allows us to explore data interoperability challenges relating to linking real world construction data, created using commercial software, with other data sources; we are then able to demonstrate the benefits of 4D GeoBIM in the context of three decision making scenarios: examining the potential for prioritisation of noise mitigation interventions by identifying apartments closest to the noisiest construction process; development of a 4D location-enabled risk register allowing, for example, work to continue underground if a risk is specific to the top of a building; ensuring construction safety by using 3D buffering to ensure that the required distances between moving construction equipment and surrounding infrastructure are not breached. Additionally, once integrated, we are able to ‘democratize’ the data—make it accessible beyond the BIM and GIS expert group—by embedding it into a 3D/4D open source Web GIS tool.

Optimizing Energy Use, Cost and Carbon Emission through Building Information Modelling and a Sustainability Approach: A Case-Study of a Hospital Building

The construction industry (CI) has a significant impact on the environment and on climate change due to the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. Globally accepted Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically SDG 7 (Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy for All), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) stress the responsible utilization of energy in various industries, including construction. The CI uses almost half of the world’s produced energy. Therefore, this research presents insights into the efficient use of energy in the building sector and shows how energy efficiency can be achieved by altering different parameters and components like orientation, materials, glazing, and HVAC systems through a case study of a hospital building in Green Building Studio (GBS). This paper also aims to use the Building Information Modelling (BIM) approach to make environmentally sustainable decisions to reduce energy waste in projects. Initially, beneficial factors of BIM on green buildings were identified in the literature and later ranked, based on expert opinions collected using a set of questionnaires. Average Index was used for data analysis. The identified benefits were validated by conducting energy analyses on a hospital model through 3D BIM. It was concluded that a substantial share of energy cost, carbon dioxide (CO2), and electricity can be saved using this approach. It was determined that a quick and sustainable design process, improved energy efficiency, enhanced building performance, and provision of better design alternatives are the key benefits of the adoption of BIM by such projects. A Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.822 was obtained, which further validates the results. The proposed approach may lead future structures to be sustainable and enriches the culture of energy-efficient green buildings.

Development of formwork automation design software for improving construction productivity

This study developed a formwork automation design software that interprets 3D building information modeling (BIM) data from the 2D CAD data of a target structure. This software aimed to identify the quantity and types of formworks and situations that may occur at construction sites. A prototype that can implement 3D automation design, automatic formwork layout, and statistics function was developed for simple target structures; this confirmed the possibility of developing the software, for which a preliminary study was conducted to convert random vertices in the BIM data of the target structure to forms with certain rules. The meshes were transformed into a constant form using an algorithm that fills a 3D model with identical square meshes. Additionally, an algorithm was developed by setting and prioritizing specific rules for the faces. The software operation result confirmed the possibility of automatic formwork layout of wall and deck members.

3D Variables Requirements for Property Valuation Modeling Based on the Integration of BIM and CIM

The growing rate of urbanization and vertical urban development has aroused the significance of geo-related variables for property units disposed vertically within the same building. Among these, 3D indoor physical and outdoor environmental variables are impacting the property value for each building unit. However, in the literature, the identified 3D variables, by using hedonic pricing models (HPM) for property valuation, are mainly restricted to 3D visualization. Their use in 3D simulation for an accurate evaluation of the property value is still limited. Furthermore, their value is often defined for a specific valuation purpose (e.g., taxation). This paper aims to investigate 3D variables with a significant impact on property value, to combine them with 3D technical requirements and to be integrated in a future valuation model. Moreover, their 3D spatial and non-spatial elements are analyzed to identify which variables can be provided from 3D city models and building scale elements. To accomplish this, the potential of 3D building information modeling (BIM) and city information modeling (CIM) in property valuation is examined. From indoors; BIM/IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) models are the main data sources for structural and living quality variables. While from outdoors, environmental variables and the surrounding building’s information are provided from 3D city models (CityGML).

The Effects of BIM Maturity Level on the 4D Simulation Performance: An Empirical Study

Building information modeling (BIM) has attracted considerable interest in the area of 4D simulation. The performance and benefits of the 4D simulation can be affected by different factors, such as the organizational integration of the teams involved in the project and the models’ content, which is recognized as the maturity level of BIM. Despite the various advantages of implementing 4D BIM and the significance of obtaining the full potential of 4D simulation, there is a scant number of researches that have considered this issue. Thus, this study aims not only to assess the relationship between the performance of 4D simulation and different maturity levels but also to clarify the required Level of Development (LOD) and maturity level in BIM application to synchronize the BIM implementation process with its expected benefits. For this purpose, the differences in gained benefits of implementing 4D BIM in various projects, which had different BIM maturity levels, were examined. The results showed that promoting the integration of the BIM implementation process, considering suitable LOD for modeling, and clarifying the expectation from different parts of a project lead to an enhancement in the performance of BIM 4D simulation.

A Hazard Identification Approach of Integrating 4D BIM and Accident Case Analysis of Spatial–Temporal Exposure

Construction sites are considered as complicated work environments. Various concurrent activities may overlap apropos to time and workspace, predisposing them to spatial–temporal exposure and repetitive accidents. Detecting the characteristics of repetitive accidents before the construction stage contributes to prevent injuries and fatalities caused by spatial—temporal conditions at construction job sites. To resolve this problem, this study proposes a novel hazard identification approach through spatial–temporal exposure analysis called HISTEA, which integrated scenario analysis of accident cases into 4D building information modeling (BIM). The proposed approach consists of three modules: (1) spatial–temporal hazard investigation (SHI) to analyze the accident cases and develop the hazard database of the spatial–temporal overlap condition of pair-wise activities; (2) spatial–temporal condition identification (SCI) to determine the conflict among different activities, considering the workspace and time overlap from the 4D BIM model; and (3) safety information integration (SII) to deliver safety knowledge to the project team through a web-based application. To illustrate and validate this approach, a HISTEA prototype for foundation work has been developed to be used at the pre-construction stage. The developed prototype is based on the analysis of 496 accident reports extracted from the integrated management information system (IMIS) of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for the SHI module database. The proposed approach is expected to proactively aid project teams in detecting hazards that ultimately reduce repetitive accidents caused by overlapping activities.

Extracting BIM Information for Lattice Toolpath Planning in Digital Concrete Printing with Developed Dynamo Script: A Case Study

In this paper, a novel method for printing path design in the three-dimensional (3D) concrete printing process (3DCP) has been developed and applied to a large-scale construction process. Despite the large number of research works in digital concrete printing over the last decade, few studies have explored the method of automatic printing path design, specifically designing the printing path by directly extracting building information modeling (BIM) information from the BIM platform in 3DCP. To obtain BIM information and automatically design the printing path, a script package was developed using a single scripting environment called Dynamo, a Revit plug-in. The proposed method was evaluated using the results of simulation and real-time printing. Compared with the conventional method, the simulation results show that the proposed approach can reduce data loss from a 3D BIM model to printing path generation. The real-time printing test implies that the proposed approach is perfectly suitable for integrating BIM with 3DCP.

Project cost control using five dimensions building information modelling

Correctness level of data is the key of the construction industry success. Today, there is a novel widespread tool in construction sector which is building information modelling (BIM). BIM assists as a collective intelligence supply for data about a service and improves closeness among distinct stakeholder concerned in a project. The usual problems confronted by construction sector are cost increasing and schedule delays. BIM will certainly assist to reduce these circumstances. This article used a case study to show how the applying of BIM systems on a full construction project life cycle cost can decrease project budgets and enhance project time. Moreover, it is going to focus on integrating the traditional 4D BIM (project schedule) and the cost of every project item to form 5D BIM. This will simplify several cost associated actions such as controlling the construction project cost. At the end of this study, it is found out that the variance between planned costs and actual costs decreased from 12% to 5% when 5D BIM is used instead of traditional methods. Therefore, accurate cost estimates and clash finding are the useful outcomes of 5D BIM.

Publishing authoritative geospatial data to support interlinking of building information models

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a key enabler to support integration of building data within the buildings life cycle (BLC) and is an important aspect to support a wide range of use cases, related to intelligent automation, navigation, energy efficiency, sustainability and so forth. Open building data faces several challenges related to standardization, data interdependency, data access, and security. In addition to these technical challenges, there remains the barrier among BIM developers who wish to protect their intellectual property, as full 3D BIM development requires expertise and effort. This means that there is often limited availability of building data. However, a Linked Data approach to BIM, combined with a supporting national geospatial identifier infrastructure makes interlinking and controlled sharing of BIM models possible. In Ireland, the Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) maintains a substantial data set, called Prime2, which includes not only building GIS data (polygon footprint, geodetic coordinate), but also additional building specific data (e.g. form, function and status). The data set also includes change information, recording when changes took place and who captured and validated those changes. This paper presents the development of a national geospatial identifier infrastructure based on an OSi building ontology that supports capturing OSi building data using Resource Description Framework (RDF). The paper details the different steps required to generate the ontology and publish the data. First, an initial analysis of the data set to generate the ontology is discussed. This includes identification of mappings to existing standards, e.g. GeoSPARQL to handle geometries and PROV-O to handle provenance, to the development of R2RML mappings to generate the RDF and the method for deploying the ontology and the building graphs. This data is then made available dependent on different licensing agreements handled by an access control approach. Methods are then presented to support the interlinking of the authoritative data with other building data standards and data sets using geolocation, followed finally by discussion and future work.

UTILIZATION OF BIM IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SUBMARINE TUNNEL: A CASE STUDY IN XIAMEN CITY, CHINA

Building information modeling (BIM) is an emerging technology that can effectively solve the problems of information dispersion, complex personnel management, and lack of construction supervision, which often occur during the construction of tunnel engineering. Taking the construction of Haicang Tunnel in Xiamen, China as a case study, the utilization of BIM technology in the design stage, the construction simulation and operation are demonstrated during the full-life cycle of the project. During the construction of Haicang Tunnel, the technologies of BIM 3D, BIM 4D, BIM 5D, and Cloud Platform are used to make the construction process controllable and to facilitate the implementation and deployment of construction plans. BIM 3D is a visualization method to show the detailed model in the construction. The design is optimized by the navigation collision function of BIM 3D. BIM 4D adds the time schedule into BIM 3D model to show the construction schedule. BIM 5D adds the cost into BIM 4D model to show the construction consumption. The methods of BIM 4D and BIM 5D can assist the engineering management in allocating resources and funds in the project. Cloud Platform is used to effectively implement information management.

Increasing production efficiency through the reduction of transportation activities and time using 4D BIM simulations

PurposeThis paper proposes to apply the lean philosophy principle of minimizing or eliminating non-value adding activities combined with 4D building information modeling (BIM) simulations to reduce transportation waste in construction production processes.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts design science research (DSR) because of its prescriptive character to produce innovative constructions (artifacts) to solve real-world problems. The artifact proposed is a set of constructs for evaluating the utility of 4D BIM simulations for transportation waste reduction. The authors performed two learning cycles using empirical studies in projects A, B and C. The construction process of cast-in-place (CIP) reinforcement concrete (RC) was selected to demonstrate and evaluate 4D BIM's utility. The empirical studies focused on understanding the current transportation waste, collecting actual performance data during job site visits and demonstrating the usage of 4D BIM.FindingsIn the first cycle, 4D BIM successfully allowed users to understand the CIP-RC process's transportation activities, which were modeled. In the second cycle, 4D BIM enabled better decision-making processes concerning the definitions of strategies for placing reusable formworks for CIP concrete walls by planning transportation activities.Practical implicationsIn Cycle 2, three different scenarios were simulated to identify the most suitable formwork assembly planning, and the results were compared to the real situations identified during the job site visits. The scenario chosen demonstrated that the 4D BIM simulation yielded an 18.75% cycle time reduction. In addition, the simulation contributed to a decrease in transportation waste that was previously identified.Originality/valueThe original contribution of this paper is the use of 4D BIM simulation for managing non-value adding activities to reduce transportation waste. The utility of 4D BIM for the reduction of those conflicts considered three constructs: (1) the capacity to improve transportation activity efficiency, (2) the capacity to improve construction production efficiency and (3) the capacity to reduce transportation waste consequences.

Key Success Factors for Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) and 4D Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Improving Time Performance in Basement Work on 5 Layers of High-rise Residential Buildings in Indonesia

Key Success Factors for Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) and 4D Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Improving Time Performance in Basement Work on 5 Layers of High-rise Residential Buildings in Indonesia

The Experiences with utilization of BIM in railway infrastructure in Slovak Republic and Czech Republic

The process of projects creating and reporting is known as BIM (Building Information Modelling). It is defined as a current trend in the field of building industry and architecture. The development of this process has its beginnings in the 21st century. Since 2008 there has been a meaningful progress especially thanks to academic writings discussing this theme in more details. Knowledgeability has rapidly increased since then. BIM started to be implemented in the railway infrastructure constructions primarily in highly-developed countries such as Great Britain, France or Sweden approximately since 2013. In the Slovak Republic this process is not that well-known for most people working in this field. The aim of the article is to analyse knowledge about BIM and its usage in the Slovak Republic. The research method used is the questionnaire distributed among professionals working in the Civil Service companies, in the projective and building field of the railway infrastructure. The results of questionnaires show that only 29% of respondents were able to answer the question correctly, what is BIM. The research results enabled to identify the fields in which support is needed. This support can be done using various construction models and processes for formalization and coalescence of informational modelling of the railway infrastructure buildings. Within the introductory steps of a research solving that deals with a multi-dimensional model of the railway lifecycle, a 5D BIM sample model of the railway is created. Using this model the needed preliminary parameters of the project proposal and report are defined. Finally, requested outputs and their effective usage are defined, as well.

A Preliminary Study on Green Building 3D Modelling Energy-saving Design Combined with Traditional Ecological Concepts

By combining the green ecological wisdom on traditional Chinese residential buildings, this paper summarized the ideas that can be used for references and applications in modern green energy-saving design. In addition, in view of the inherent shortcomings of traditional residential buildings, this paper proposed a green energy-saving design method for traditional residential buildings based on 3D modelling technology, which is complementary to the traditional ecological construction concept. Based on the establishment of a 3D building information model of traditional residential buildings, the optimal solution for the energy-saving design of green buildings is found through energy-saving adjustments to the building space structure and building spacing parameters.

Improving Tolerance Control on Modular Construction Project with 3D Laser Scanning and BIM: A Case Study of Removable Floodwall Project

Quality control is essential to a successful modular construction project and should be enhanced throughout the project from design to construction and installation. The current methods for analyzing the assembly quality of a removable floodwall heavily rely on manual inspection and contact-type measurements, which are time-consuming and costly. This study presents a systematic and practical approach to improve quality control of the prefabricated modular construction projects by integrating building information modeling (BIM) with three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning technology. The study starts with a thorough literature review of current quality control methods in modular construction. Firstly, the critical quality control procedure for the modular construction structure and components should be identified. Secondly, the dimensions of the structure and components in a BIM model is considered as quality tolerance control benchmarking. Thirdly, the point cloud data is captured with 3D laser scanning, which is used to create the as-built model for the constructed structure. Fourthly, data analysis and field validation are carried out by matching the point cloud data with the as-built model and the BIM model. Finally, the study employs the data of a removable floodwall project to validate the level of technical feasibility and accuracy of the presented methods. This method improved the efficiency and accuracy of modular construction quality control. It established a preliminary foundation for using BIM and laser scanning to conduct quality control in removable floodwall installation. The results indicated that the proposed integration of BIM and 3D laser scanning has great potential to improve the quality control of a modular construction project.

Time and Cost Planning of a Housing Construction Project Using Building Information Modelling

Conventional ways of building construction process lack proper task scheduling and planning of the project work at the site resulting in poor monitoring of the whole process. Building information modelling (BIM) creates a platform where all the information of every single element of the construction process can be virtually integrated. The integration of 3D elements of a building model with its scheduled time and cost parameters results in 5D BIM. This feature enables the visualization, scheduling, planning, and monitoring and clash detection of all pre- construction, construction and post-construction processes of a building. The present study used the information of a live project of a traditionally built residential building which was remodelled using 5D BIM technique. The purpose of this study was to compare and analyse the impact of 5D BIM on time and cost parameters of the live project.

Evaluation of 4D BIM tools applicability in construction planning efficiency

Worldwide the construction industry presents a significant demand for new technologies ensuring certainty, cost-effectiveness and time efficiency. Modern construction relies on digital resources, and one of the most prominent novelties is Building Information Modelling (BIM). Construction planning effectiveness is based on clear communication and integration between project planners and other participants, such as engineers, architects, suppliers, and workforce. The possible connection between 3 D models and time or scheduling potentially reduces misconception risks and lack of information to avoid re-scheduling and project delivery delays. This study aims to investigate the integration of Revit, Navisworks, Tally and Green Building Studio for identifying the challenges in applying 4 D BIM technology using a case study in a developing country (Brazil). The research method used comprised these steps: objectives definition, literature review, development of the 4 D analysis and evaluation, case study for validation with comparison to other comparable and contrasting studies, and discussion of the results. This paper demonstrates the feasibility and challenges to adopt BIM technology to thrive better communication for teams and stakeholders through the various construction stages via visual representation. Additionally, despite the obstacles and difficulties to integrate different software, it is beneficial to the decision-makers, not only focus on the constructability perspective but project’s environmental impacts, such as energy efficiency and global warming effect.

Improvement estimating of project cost and design for a hospital project by using (3D&5D) simulation

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an approach of managing and generating building data during its life cycle, dimensional (2D) drawings and later developed to (3D). The scope of BIM 3D, 4D, 5D, in this research 3D model to understand the process project special for beginner's engineers and give idea about all steps the project. 5D the cost component helps create estimates. Estimator is consuming 70% of a cost estimator’s time which required to a project. BIM can provide the capability to create takeoffs the materials, measurements and counts immediately from a model. Building Information models are also more and more used by Owners, Designers, Contractors and Engineer during the project lifecycle. Planning and cost estimation used in design phases for huge project to detect errors before start in the work , through account the time required to set up a hospital and reduce the time needed to build the project through overlapping relationships and getting shorter period to build the project utilizing MS Project software and to detect estimated 5D costing of total construction project, BIM can support cost estimating, the period spent by the estimator on quantification differ by project, using BIM for takeoff or cost estimating, the removal of manual takeoffs saves cost ,time and minimize potential for human error. ,

BIM-Based Combination of Takt Time and Discrete Event Simulation for Implementing Just in Time in Construction Scheduling under Constraints

Because of the complexity of construction projects, the use of building information modeling (BIM) has become a more efficient solution. The main problems with conventional methods, such as the critical path method and program evaluation and review technique, are the lack of precision in predicting time due to the dynamics of the construction process. One solution is to combine planning models with discrete event simulation (DES) and BIM to simulate the dynamic environment to reduce uncertainties. Likewise, DES is used to implement just in time (JIT). A problem with JIT implementation using DES in the construction industry is a lack of accurate measurement of the optimum time for each process. Meanwhile, takt time, one of the main techniques in JIT, was used in this research to achieve the optimal time of each process and was combined with DES to solve this problem. First, a 4D BIM model was developed to extract data. Then, takt time was used to achieve optimal time for each activity, and eventually, a DES was performed. The results of this study indicate that the proposed framework using takt time and its combination with DES to integrate BIM with JIT will lead to realistic and optimal planning.

Evaluation of practicality of virtual design and construction (VDC) with 5D building information modelling (BIM) through a case study

Virtual design and construction (VDC) is defined as the use of multi-disciplinary performance models for the purposes of design-construction projects. The use of VDC in construction projects enables the stakeholders to communicate and visualize the buildability and construction sequence which will impact on a project’s success in terms of delivery time and cost. This case study investigated the process of integrating different dimensions of information such as time scheduling (4D) and cost estimation (5D) with a 3D model to simulate a 5D Building Information Modelling (BIM) process. The study explored the application of VDC with 5D BIM for a commercial building, namely Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Sungai Long City Campus. Through this case study, it enables comparisons of a virtual model and an actual construction in order to evaluate the advantages, practicality, and limitations of the VDC applications. The 5D model provided comprehensive information to manage the complex design-construction process by considering its timeline and cost. Six modelling stages were undertaken, namely inputting and modelling, clash detection test, time scheduling, quantification and cost estimation, virtualization, and walkthrough of the model. The results revealed that the practicability of the 5D BIM was influenced by the modelling effort, inter-operability, information output and limitations. The study also showed that VDC with 5D BIM significantly reduced the technical barrier for clients to participate in construction project, thus increasing the clients’ satisfaction of the works by bridging the gap of perception and actual outcomes from the construction.