Building Information Modeling Database Research Articles

A Simplified Framework to Integrate Databases with Building Information Modeling for Building Energy Assessment in Multi-Climate Zones

BIM models are seldom used for the energy certification of buildings. This paper discusses the advantages of linking two important fields: building information modeling (BIM) and building environmental assessment methods (BEAM), presented as a rating system and a proposal for the Chilean context. The state of the art in both fields around the world is discussed, with an in-depth examination of current BIM software and related applications, followed by a discussion about previous research on integrating them. A lack of interoperability and data losses between BIM and BEM were found. A new tool is presented that addresses these challenges to ensure accurate rating system data, and this new framework is based on database exchange and takes crucial information from BIM to BEAM platforms. The development of the method includes BIM programming (API), database links, and spreadsheets for a Chilean building energy certification through a new tool, also applicable to multiclimactic zones. This new semi-automatic tool allows architects to model their design in a BIM platform and use this information as input for the energy certification process. The potential and risks of this method are discussed. Several improvements and enhancements of the energy certification process were found when incorporating this new framework in comparison to current methodologies.

Visualization of structural health monitoring information using Internet-of-Things integrated with building information modeling

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) has become a paramount necessity in civil engineering for improving the operational performance of aging infrastructure. Recent monitoring techniques have utilized emerging technologies in Industry 4.0, such as the Internet of Things, Big Data analytics, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, to automate SHM methodologies. However, they have found challenges in linking these technologies and developing an autonomous, well-established digital framework for applications of SHM. Visualizing processed SHM data in a real-time digital interface generates multiple obstacles, such as witnessing delays in data transfer and resorting to offline tools for manual data processing. This paper, therefore, explores the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the Internet of Things (IoT) through an Arduino micro-processing unit for tracking and visualizing the data from the time and frequency domains. Strategies for enabling data monitoring and processing are developed while continuously acquiring structural responses. The query of data is established in a web-based database instead of storing the data in offline resources that await manual intervention. The proposed real-time SHM methodology is validated experimentally using two practical applications: a dynamically moving vehicle over a simply-supported bridge prototype and a randomly excited three-story model with real-time visualization of both time- and frequency-domain information under undamaged and damaged conditions. The proposed research develops an early-phase Digital Twin (DT) to present static and real-time dynamic data in a rich-fed BIM database.

Logical object structure and system implementation for BIM database in civil infrastructures

ABSTRACT Building Information Modeling (BIM) has attracted much attention as a vital information method in civil engineering. BIM data research has become increasingly important with the continuous understanding of BIM. The database designed especially for storing BIM data (IFC data) is called a BIM database. To realize centralized storage and sharing of complex building information, how to design and develop a BIM database will be a hot topic. However, the BIM database designed using an existing logical model (such as a relational model) is unsuitable for storing and managing a large amount of BIM data. To this end, we propose a database logical model for BIM database development called ‘logical object structure’. Based on the database design methodology, the logical schema of the BIM database is discussed, and five relation forms are established to describe the feature of engineering information. According to the relation forms, the logical object structure is presented, and the corresponding system implementation process is discussed. Finally, four workloads are set to test the logical object structure. The results show that the logical object structure can well support interactive behaviors of BIM data and provide good performance for the BIM database.

SCALABLE AR FOR BIM ON TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK SITES

Abstract. A growing number of research works, experiments and applications is investigating the potential at the intersection of augmented reality (AR) and the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Project management, project communication, collaborative design, maintenance and construction progress documentation, construction site safety, and training are some of the cases that can benefit from blending real and virtual views through mobile devices. In recent years, research also highlighted how mixed reality and building information modeling (BIM) could cooperate to provide effective communication between multiple agents and closer interaction between digital information and the building site. Nevertheless, consolidated applications in these fields are still limited, especially when compared to other areas of AR adoption. This paper presents the development of an AR-based mobile app for exploring telecommunications tower sites and interacting with a related BIM database. The project aims to provide easy-to-use tools to maintain both the physical assets and an up-to-date model. We discuss critical issues in developing a scalable and interoperable application, supporting the feasibility study of similar solutions in the AEC sector.

A receptive-responsive tool for customizing occupant's thermal comfort and maximizing energy efficiency by blending BIM data with real-time information

PurposeThe heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are responsible for a significant proportion of the energy consumption of the built environment, on which the occupant's pursuit of thermal comfort has a substantial impact. Regarding this concern, current software can assess and visualize the conditions. However; integration of existing technologies and real-time information could enhance the potential of the solution proposals. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to explore new possibilities of how to upgrade building information modeling (BIM) technology to be interactive; by using existing BIM data during the occupation phase. Moreover, the research discusses the potential of enhancing energy efficiency and comfort maximization together by using the existing BIM database and real-time information concomitantly.Design/methodology/approachThe platform is developed by designing and testing via prototyping method thanks to Internet of things technologies. The algorithm of the prototype uses real-time indoor thermal information and real-time weather information together with user's body temperature. Moreover, the platform processes the thermal values with specific material information from the existing BIM file. The final prototype is tested by a case study model.FindingsThe outcome of the study, “Symbiotic Data Platform” is an occupant-operated tool, that has a hardware, software and unique Revit-Dynamo definition that implies to all BIM files.Originality/valueThe paper explains the development of “Symbiotic Data Platform”, which presents an interactive phase for BIM, as creating a possibility to use the existing BIM database and real-time values during the occupation phase, which is operated by the occupants of the building; without requiring any prior knowledge upon any of the BIM software or IoT technology.

Smart Facility Management: Future Healthcare Organization through Indoor Positioning Systems in the Light of Enterprise BIM

Synthesizing the Internet of Things (IoT) with building information modeling (BIM) can improve the performance of the data collection. In this regard, BIM endeavors to enable real-time monitoring conditions of buildings. This paper is focused on the indoor positioning system (IPS) as a key enabling technology for IoT applications, which uses smart and non-smart mobile devices (object tags and beacons) with the aim of positioning and objects tracking that lead to a smart approach in the field of facility management (FM). Hence, we have surveyed the joint use of IPS and BIM in FM based on the concept of enterprise BIM (EBIM). EBIM forms the basis for the future strategic real estate management using virtual models and open standards. As a result, we gained the ability to collect positioning data continuously, save them in a BIM database, and present them on two-dimensional (2D) maps. This is a part of an ongoing study that aims to use data collection effectively for FM as an organizational function in large and complex buildings. Hence, for this purpose, we have considered St. Olavs Hospital, one of the biggest healthcare centers in Norway, as a case study. The effectiveness of data collection by IoT devices installed in buildings and how the combination of BIM and IoT technology can support a holistic view of the status of the buildings, which subsequently can enhance data usage efficiency and FM development, will be demonstrated.

Developing an IFC‐Based Database for Construction Quality Evaluation

Quality evaluation and control are increasingly important concerns in construction projects. Construction quality evaluation, as a systematic method, must be discussed in light of quality information extraction and storage, while a traditional construction quality control program cannot meet these requirements. In moving beyond quality indicators to evaluate quality performance that is comparable across construction entities, two fundamental factors must be considered: quality information standardization and multiquality data integration. The purpose of this study is to extend the interoperability of a construction quality database in the evaluation process by employing the industry foundation classes (IFC) data model. Taking a cast‐in‐place steel‐concrete structure as an example, this study explores the implementation of building information modeling (BIM) in quality management and proposes integrated solutions to improve current quality management processes with the assistance of an IFC‐based working environment. To better utilize the performance of the BIM model and database on construction quality control, various BIM‐based evaluation frameworks are proposed. Also, this paper discusses how these IFC and neutral network models operate together to facilitate construction quality management. Project participants can better understand quality progress and collaborate more effectively, thanks to a visualized data format. The objective of evaluating the proposed model is to understand the effectiveness of an IFC‐based database when implemented in practice. A questionnaire was developed considering the opinions of construction firms and design institutes regarding identified factors. In designing an IFC‐based quality database, the method proposed in this study reduces the complexity of the database substantially and improves quality evaluation efficiency.

Integrating 4D thermal information with BIM for building envelope thermal performance analysis and thermal comfort evaluation in naturally ventilated environments

Thermal performance of the building envelope exerts considerable influence on maintaining indoor environmental conditions. Acquisition of sensor data of a building is essential to ensure the improvement of the indoor thermal environment for the occupants. The environmental sensor technologies together with Building Information Modeling (BIM) are tools for assessing/analyzing the performance of a building. Although BIM has a potential to verify thermal performance by using a BIM database, integrating the surface-heat of building envelopes and sensing data has not been fully explored in the existing BIM. BIM requires tools to enable building professionals to effectively detect the location of thermal defects and analyze the thermal performance and indoor thermal comfort by accommodating environmental information to be used in the analysis process. Therefore, this research presents a novel method for integrating time-stamped 3D thermal data in the BIM. In the proposed method, the BIM model is integrated with spatio-temporal thermal and air temperature data. Visual scripting is used for extracting and then mapping spatio-temporal thermal data to a 3D BIM model. The proposed system converts the collected thermal images into numeric surface temperatures, integrates collected environmental data in the BIM, calculates thermal comfort variables, such as mean radiant temperature (MRT), and assesses the thermal comfort level for various locations inside the building. The applicability of the proposed method is validated in a real-world case study. The developed prototype system provides valuable visualization information and statistical data for analyzing thermal performance and assessing the thermal comfort level.

WBS-based dynamic multi-dimensional BIM database for total construction as-built documentation

Abstract As-built documentation is valuable to assist decision-making in project control, and building operation and maintenance applications. Given the importance of as-built documentation, the quickly maturing technology of building information modeling (BIM), an object-oriented information-integration platform, has led to the emergence of concurrent as-built documentation during the construction phase. However, in the current practice, integrating construction records into BIM remains a challenge due to their heterogeneous and unstructured data formats. This paper presents a work breakdown structure (WBS)-based database design to enable the creation of a dynamic multi-dimensional BIM database to incorporate construction records in a timely manner. In this study, the construction records were defined as additional dimension, and a WBS code-based automated linking mechanism between construction project tasks and BIM objects was created to generate the multi-dimensional BIM database. The automatic linking mechanism and the WBS-based dynamic multi-dimensional BIM database were tested and verified through the implementation of a real construction project schedule and a BIM model. The test results illustrate that the newly created method is successful in incorporating construction records collected during the construction phase to generate a dynamic BIM database for generating complete as-built documentation.

Tracking Users’ Behaviors through Real-time Information in BIMs: Workflow for Interconnection in the Brescia Smart Campus Demonstrator

An intelligent building supports the needs of its occupants by data analytics. Nowadays, buildings are evolving from being products to become effective service providers for end-users: thus, occupancy topics become crucial. The paper focuses on building operations, pointing out how advantages in supporting the needs of users could be derived through the implementation of Building Management Systems (BMS) into a Building Information Modeling (BIM) environment, connecting real-time information collected by sensors to a BIM database. The connection and the integration of information between BIM and BMS have been established based on the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) neutral data format; moreover, web-interfaces and apps have been tested for enhancing information to be visualized by different end-users. The ongoing research has a twofold scope: 1) to point-out how buildings should evolve, managing knowledge coming from sensors in order to anticipate the needs of users, and 2) to analyze whether and how the centrality of users should change the building process. The proposed workflow has been tested on the Brescia Smart Campus Demonstrator, a building equipped with 94 off-the-shelf sensors.

Extending IFC to incorporate information of RFID tags attached to building elements

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is emerging as a method of creating, sharing, exchanging and managing the building information throughout the lifecycle between all stakeholders. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), on the other hand, has emerged as an automatic data collection and information storage technology, and has been used in different applications in the AEC/FM (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Facilities Management) industry. RFID tags are attached to building assets throughout their lifecycle and used to store lifecycle and context aware information taken from a BIM. Consequently, there is a need for a standard and formal definition of RFID technology components in BIM. The goal of this paper is to add the definitions for RFID components to the BIM standard and to map the data to be stored in RFID memory to the associated entries in a BIM database. The paper defines new entities, data types, and properties to be added to the BIM. Furthermore, the paper identifies the relationships between RFID tags and building elements. These predefined relationships facilitate the linkage between BIM data and RFID data. Eventually, the data that are required to be saved on RFID tags can be automatically selected using the defined relationships in a BIM. A real-world case study has been implemented to validate the proposed method using available BIM software.

A case study of time/cost analysis for aged-housing renovation using a pre-made BIM database structure

To successfully execute the construction project, many efforts have been made to apply 3D-based Building Information Modeling (BIM). In practice, however, a data storage and retrieval system has yet to be developed because an extensive database structure is required in time/cost analysis for a particular project. This study is aimed to develop a generic BIM database structure and customize it for an aged-housing remodeling project. Throughout the Vicosoft's Constructor software, the pre-made BIM database structure has been developed. The case study has shown the efficacy and usability of BIM-based project management practice. The complete set of 378 pre-made recipe types have been defined with 55 methods and 47 resource items. The proposed BIM application process has been proven to be a useful tool for efficient project management by identifying work items and recognizing the relationships among activities. The advantages of using the pre-made BIM database to the time/cost analysis hare twofold: human error reduction and work efficiency. The limitations in and barriers against using the BIM database have also been discussed.

Economic and environmental assessment of deconstruction strategies using building information modeling

Deconstruction significantly increases sustainability of the construction industry by shifting the traditional linear material usage model to a cyclical model in which building components are designed to be demountable, reusable and recyclable. A successful deconstruction strategy requires an elaborate planning at the design stage as well as clear strategies during demolition stage, describing the way each section of a building should be treated. However, a typical building comprises thousands of components with different unique properties. This leads to a huge amount of information that needs to be preserved and processed to achieve a successful deconstruction strategy. The development of various building information modeling (BIM) software as well as the international data exchange schemes such as IFC have recently facilitated the storage and processing of such information. The present study looks into the possible applications of BIM in recycling and re-use of construction materials and building components. A framework is developed for choosing the best deconstruction strategy by analyzing the information stored in BIM database. The results of a case study are presented to validate the procedures developed.