BIM-based Approach Research Articles

BIM-based Approach for Green Buildings in Malaysia

The construction industry in Malaysia faces a number of complications in terms of managing project duration and budgeted cost. The recent technology trend has moved the industry towards adoption of Building Information modelling (BIM) as a mean to efficiently plan, design, build, manage and control projects. Since BIM is perceived as a holistic solution for integration of various project attributes, this research has hypothesised that additional objectives such as sustainability and green building design can simultaneously be achieved if appropriate BIM approach is implemented. The main scope of this research is to introduce a framework for integration of Malaysian Green Building Index (GBI) with existing Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools. The proposed GBI-BIM framework is made possible via the introduction of a set of supporting tools such as Revit Green Project Template (RGPT) and GBI Document Assessor that assist designers to automatically analyse and assess 56 out of 100 GBI points during the design stage.

BIM-based approach for the cost-optimization of seismic retrofit strategies on existing buildings

Abstract Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility and is used to manage an entire construction process (design, construction and management across the entire lifecycle). BIM can be regarded as both a digital representation of a building and a store of data with which to facilitate interoperability and the exchange of information throughout the lifecycle of a structure. Buildings sustain economic losses during their lifecycle due to ordinary maintenance operations and unpredictable events. These events reduce the structural performance of a building and highlight the need for financial investment. The costs of maintenance operations are usually accurately defined, but other expenditure is not as easy to evaluate when events are uncertain. A lifecycle cost (LCC) analysis of buildings exposed to seismic risk is a critical issue in structural engineering. Expected losses, including initial and post-earthquake repair costs, are an important parameter in structural design. Herein, a simplified method based on a semi-probabilistic approach is implemented in a BIM model to evaluate the economic performance, and economic losses, of a building exposed to seismic risk. A BIM procedure is implemented in a case study to improve the feasibility of this process and to deal with the large amount of data concerning the damage to and cost analysis of the components that constitute the facility. Furthermore, this specific BIM tool for the economic loss assessment has been embraced in a wider methodology aimed at optimizing the seismic retrofit strategy, taking into account both safety and economic features.

A BIM-based approach to automate the design and coordination process of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems

The design and spatial coordination of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems (MEP) have become a major challenge for successful project delivery. Traditionally, MEP coordina...

IFC Monitor – An IFC schema extension for modeling structural health monitoring systems

The pervasive emergence of sensing technologies for structural health monitoring (SHM) and the digitalization ubiquitous in engineering (“Industry 4.0”) pose increasing demands on information modeling concepts in civil engineering. While in building information modeling (BIM) conventional building information (such as geometry, material, or cost) can precisely be described using current modeling standards, information about SHM systems, referred to as “monitoring-related information”, cannot be fully described on a well-defined, formal basis. In this paper, a BIM-based approach towards describing monitoring-related information is proposed, using the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), an open BIM standard facilitating the interoperability of BIM models, as a formal basis. First, possibilities and constraints of describing monitoring-related information with the IFC schema are discussed. Then, information necessary to describe SHM systems is integrated into a semantic model serving as a technology-independent metamodel. Next, the IFC schema is extended to enable BIM-based descriptions of SHM systems in compliance with IFC modeling capabilities, which is referred to as “IFC Monitor” schema. The IFC Monitor schema is verified with test software used in the official IFC certification program. For validation, a prototype SHM system is formally described using the IFC Monitor schema. The validation aims at checking if the IFC Monitor schema is capable of precisely describing monitoring-related information. As will be shown in this paper, the description of the prototype SHM system meets the requirements of a well-defined IFC model as specified in the official IFC certification program. As a result, the IFC Monitor schema proposed in this study advances BIM-based descriptions of SHM systems in association with structural systems being monitored on a well-defined, formal basis.

BIM-based approach for optimizing life cycle costs of sustainable buildings

Abstract This paper proposes a framework that integrates Building Information Modeling (BIM) with Genetic Algorithm Optimization and Monte-Carlo Simulation. The developed framework helps in implementing a stochastic Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) model for building to select the optimum building materials alternatives and discover the most influential building system in each cost element starting from initial cost to end on life cost. Genetic Algorithms Optimization technique is utilized to select the optimum alternatives of building systems taking in consideration sustainability aspects. The Monte-Carlo Simulation model is used as a fitness function for the optimization model. The environmental aspect of building is achieved by considering the maximum number of points that can be awarded under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. Sensitivity analysis is performed on the optimum solutions that are chosen by optimization a model to examine the effect of different building systems on LCC and its components through computing the rank order of building systems and the target output. A case study is presented to demonstrate the practical features of the proposed framework.

Optimizing the evaluation of building envelope design for thermal performance using a BIM-based overall thermal transfer value calculation

The thermal performance of building envelopes has a profound effect on maintaining indoor environmental conditions and is critical in obtaining an energy-efficient design. Choosing appropriate building envelope materials is one of the most effective ways to manage heat flows, prevent excessive building energy consumption, and maintain a comfortable temperature for occupants. The OTTV standards are popularly used worldwide for assessing the rate of heat transfer through building envelopes. However, manual calculation methods for OTTV are involved functions with various variables and coefficients that need to be considered. Furthermore, computing multiple functions using manual calculation method can be time-consuming and human error can be occurred throughout the completion of the calculation process. Accessing materials' thermal properties from BIM potentially reduce the time required to derive coefficients for the OTTV measurement. Therefore, this research presents a BIM-based approach to provide an automatic assessment of the OTTVs of building envelopes. This study proposes integrating BIM and a developed visual scripting to automatically extract thermal and physical properties from the BIM database for supporting thermal transfer value calculation. The applicability of the proposed system is validated in a BIM model of an office building. The proposed system provides a valuable decision support system for designers to select an appropriate envelope material to achieve an optimum OTTV for optimizing energy-efficient building design. This study proposes integrating BIM and a developed visual scripting to automatically extract thermal and physical properties from the BIM database, and provide a real-time thermal transfer value calculation.

Towards the Building Information Modeling-Based Capital Project Lifecycle Management in the Luxury Yacht Industry

Abstract It will be a new approach that BIM’s capital project lifecycle management (CPLM) applied to the yacht industry. This paper explored the feasibility of applying the principles and rationales of BIM for capital project lifecycle management in luxury yacht design, engineering, fabrication, construction and operation. The paper examined the premises and backbone technology of BIM. It then evaluated leading naval engineering and shipbuilding software applications and their development trends from the functional lens of BIM. To systematically investigate a BIM-based approach for capital project lifecycle management (CPLM) in the luxury yacht industry, the paper proposed and outlined an implementation framework. A case study and a student competition use case were discussed to delineate the core constituents and processes of the proposed framework. The case of BIM was reviewed. Through the domestic custom luxury yacht design and prototyping student competition, the application of this framework in educational research is demonstrated and the initial quantitative assessment of the framework is carried out. Conclusions: a BIM-based CPLM implementation framework can help the luxury yacht industry capitalize on the global transformation to an information-centric and data-driven new business paradigm in shipbuilding with integrated design, manufacturing and production.

Preliminary Evaluation of BIM-based Approaches for Schedule Delay Analysis

The problem of schedule delay commonly occurs in construction projects. The quality of delay analysis depends on the availability of schedule-related information and delay evidence. More information used in delay analysis usually produces more accurate and fair analytical results. How to use innovative techniques to improve the quality of schedule delay analysis results have received much attention recently. As Building Information Modeling (BIM) technique has been quickly developed, using BIM and 4D simulation techniques have been proposed and implemented. Obvious benefits have been achieved especially in identifying and solving construction consequence problems in advance of construction. This study preforms an intensive literature review to discuss the problems encountered in schedule delay analysis and the possibility of using BIM as a tool in developing a BIM-based approach for schedule delay analysis. This study believes that most of the identified problems can be dealt with by BIM technique. Research results could be a fundamental of developing new approaches for resolving schedule delay disputes.

BIM-Based Approach to Simulate Building Adaptive Performance and Life Cycle Costs for an Open Building Design

In the long-term use of buildings, renovations are sometimes required as usage behaviors have changed and residents’ demands for space are adjusted. However, the public in general are deficient in renovation knowledge and information regarding building use and its maintenance phases; thus, the initial stage of planning and design often lacks flexibility, leading to waste materials in the subsequent renovation project. Theoretically, Building Information Modeling (BIM) can be used as a building unit resume and renovation benefit prediction tool; moreover, it plays an important role in the usage and maintenance phases. This study develops three design proposals that target different service lives (30 years, 50 years, 100 years), as based on the building’s expected life, and uses BIM technology to simulate the life cycle cost and design performance, as based on the renovation scenario analysis of the building’s life cycle. The findings show that under the service condition target of 100 years, when the open flexible technique is used for the design, space utilization flexibility is enhanced, pipeline maintenance is convenient, waste is reduced, and performance in life cycle cost is better. BIM can predict performance simply and rapidly according to future usage demand adjustments after the initial design.

Identifying potential opportunities of building information modeling for construction and demolition waste management and minimization

Abstract The amount of waste generated in construction and demolition (C&D) processes is enormous. Therefore, many studies on efficient C&D waste minimization and management have been conducted. However, 21 process-related and 8 technology-related limitations in C&D waste management and minimization have not yet been resolved. Building information modeling (BIM) helps project participants improve the processes and technologies in the planning, design, construction, and demolition phases, thereby managing and minimizing C&D waste efficiently. Therefore, this paper identifies the potential opportunities of BIM for efficient C&D waste management and minimization, such as design review, 3D coordination, quantity take-off, phase planning, site utilization planning, construction system design, digital fabrication, and 3D control and planning. The BIM-based approaches can support C&D waste management and minimization processes and technologies by addressing existing limitations through in-depth literature review. The roles of project participants and information required for each BIM-based approach in C&D waste management and minimization are discussed with illustrative process maps.

BIM-based deconstruction tool: Towards essential functionalities

This study discusses the future directions of effective Design for Deconstruction (DfD) using BIM-based approach to design coordination. After a review of extant literatures on existing DfD practices and tools, it became evident that none of the tools is BIM compliant and that BIM implementation has been ignored for end-of-life activities. To understand how BIM could be employed for DfD and to identify essential functionalities for a BIM-based deconstruction tool, Focus Group Interviews (FGIs) were conducted with professionals who have utilised BIM on their projects. The interview transcripts of the FGIs were analysed using descriptive interpretive analysis to identify common themes based on the experiences of the participants. The themes highlight functionalities of BIM in driving effective DfD process, which include improved collaboration among stakeholders, visualisation of deconstruction process, identification of recoverable materials, deconstruction plan development, performance analysis and simulation of end-of-life alternatives, improved building lifecycle management, and interoperability with existing BIM software. The results provide the needed technological support for developing tools for BIM compliant DfD tools.

Enhancing Facility Management through BIM 6D

BIM has been widely adopted by the construction sector, though Facility Management (FM) is still based on a variety of disparate FM systems. The operational phase requires comprehensive set of well-structured information regarding the building asset. Therefore, a BIM model filled with the multifarious information from the pre-use phase ought to be exploited through its integration with existing FM systems. This paper aims to appreciate the contribution of BIM in optimizing the processes conducted conventionally within the FM practice. The importance of sustained information flow for the efficient operational stage is a pre-requisite of the further discussion. The exploration of FM application areas for BIM-enabled processes is aimed to depict the potential of the BIM for FM concept. By elaborating on the existing challenges concerning the shift from traditional FM processes to new BIM-based approach the outstanding problems are realized. On these grounds advice is provided. The study focuses mainly on new investments, where information management must be sustained from the project inception until the current operational stage. The paper proves the potential of BIM for the optimization of FM practices, presenting a wide range of application areas followed by tangible benefits for the building performance across its life-cycle. Identified barriers are assumed to be mitigated by diligent implementation of provided recommendations. It is concluded that BIM-based FM processes have the potential to shed a new light not only on the FM sector itself but on the perception of the whole industry being based on the collaborative approach towards delivery of the intelligent facilities. Nevertheless, such results demand profound cultural changes within the construction sector, with the FM appreciation as a starting point.

A BIM-based approach to reusing construction firm’s management information

Nowadays most construction firms have begun to use information management systems in their business to work more efficiently. At the same time, a lot of management information is being accumulated and some of the information can be reused to support the decision-making. Up to now, the information has not been reused so effectively in construction firms as expected. This paper introduces a new approach to reusing construction firm’s management information, which is based on BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology. In the paper, the current approaches are reviewed at first, and then the framework of the new approach is described. Next, the key issues of the new approach are clarified. Finally, a use case of the new approach is demonstrated. It is concluded that the new approach can be used in construction firms to better reuse the accumulated management information.

A BIM-based approach for automated tower crane layout planning

Abstract Tower crane layout design and planning within construction site is a common construction technical issue, and is regarded as a complex combinatorial problem. Previous research focused on utilising either mathematical methods or visualisation tools to find an optimal tower crane layout plan. Both these two approaches require large amounts of manual data input by the layout planners, which is time-consuming and not very practical in industry. The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated approach which combines Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Firefly Algorithm (FA) to automatically generate an optimal tower crane layout plan. Firstly, BIM is utilised to provide inputs for the mathematical model. Then the FA is used to determine the optimal locations of tower cranes and supply points. Finally, the optimal tower crane layout scheme will be visualised and evaluated through BIM-based simulation. A practical case is selected to demonstrate the proposed approach. The final result is promising and demonstrates the practical value of this approach.

Graph-based retrieval of building information models for supporting the early design stages

Building information modeling (BIM) principles are transforming today’s communication and working processes in the field of construction, however the early design phases are only rarely supported and information technology is therefore not exploited to its full potential. The early design phases are characterized by an iterative process of searching for plausible solutions. A common approach is to refer to similar examples, which are conventionally found using keyword-based search strategies.To this end we propose a method for indexing spatial configurations along with a sketch-based input method for search strategies that uses so-called semantic fingerprints of buildings. The topology of spatial configurations is extracted from building information models and represented as graphs. For both building information models and the user sketches, the extracted graphs are used as the basis for a subgraph-matching algorithm facilitating an intuitive novel query method for researching similar reference examples. The system is able to present corresponding existing solutions to even rudimentary sketches or fragments of a design idea. In addition to graph matching and sketch-based interaction, more recent BIM-based approaches are also taken into account.

Construction collaborative networks: the case study of a building information modelling-based office building project

This paper proposes a model that captures the factors for the deployment of building information modelling (BIM) that are responsible for business interoperability in the context of collaborative business processes' construction networks. To validate the theoretical model, a case study is presented regarding a construction collaborative network, where a BIM-based office building project will be developed. The Business Interoperability Quotient Measurement Model (BIQMM) uses an interdisciplinary approach to capture the key elements responsible for collaboration performance and BIM platform configuration. Through the quantification of the relevance of each element to the particular collaboration scenario, and with the combination of the BIQMM with a multi-criteria decision-making tool, the analytical network process (ANP) approach, this model enables a quantitative analysis of business interoperability for BIM-based projects, so that an overall interoperability score can be calculated for enhanced performance measurements. The case study presents the application of the BIQMM and ANP and provides a comprehensive framework for interoperability measurement in BIM solution selection. This paper concludes by recognising that relationships between business interoperability and true architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) performance improvements and subsequent economic benefits derived from BIM-based approaches need to be further developed.

Two design patterns for facilitating Building Information Model-based synchronous collaboration

The traditional fragmented nature of the construction industry along with the ad hoc matter in which investments in ICT have been made has resulted in a key cause of the poor performance and inefficiencies of the industry being attributed to the communication and exchange of information. The concept of Building Information Modelling (BIM) emerged to address the seamless exchange of information throughout the life of a facility following early modelling efforts focused on providing a solution to data exchange problems between several CAD and analysis systems. On the other hand, ICT supported collaborative teamwork has been an important aspect of building lifecycle management over the years in order to address the problems related to the fragmented nature of the industry. In parallel, recent studies in the field have demonstrated that BIMs will play an important role in facilitating collaboration. Most of the studies related to collaborative computing in construction have focused on facilitating the coordination and communication aspects of collaboration. In contrast, this paper proposes a system level and BIM-based approach for facilitating collaboration through the entire lifecycle of the building. In this context, the paper presents two design patterns that can be used as a foundation in formulating the design of information systems for BIM-based synchronous collaboration. The proposed patterns will help the system analysts/designers to focus on a system level picture when tackling recurring problems in the design of collaborative environments. Following a brief summary on the history of information modelling in the construction industry, this paper reviews the storage and exchange mechanisms of BIMs and then proposes two design patterns as a means to facilitating model-based synchronous collaboration.