Building Information Modeling System Research Articles

BIM Model Management for BIM‐Based Facility Management in Buildings

Building information modeling (BIM) has recently gained popularity in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. Specifically, BIM has been applied in facilities management (FM). However, FM‐integrated BIM and MM‐integrated BIM are likely to fail when BIM‐FM models are not effectively updated or maintained. Thus, it is critical to focus on the management of BIM‐FM models during the operation stage of buildings. While several researchers have examined BIM applications and system developments in the context of FM, there is a dearth of research on BIM management, particularly in the operation stage of sustainable buildings. Thus, an approach for BIM‐FM models management is herein proposed for building projects. A BIM‐FM models management (BFMM) system for owners during the operation stage was developed to ensure effective implementation for the management of BIM‐FM models. Using a building in Taiwan as a case study, this study discussed and evaluated the effectiveness of the proposed BFMM system. The results reveal that the BFMM system significantly increases the efficiency of BIM‐FM model management. The results of this study can provide a useful reference for those interested in adopting BIM to manage building project facilities. This study concludes by presenting the advantages and limitations of BIM‐FM models as well as suggestions for future applications.

The Feasibility of Using UAV Structure from Motion Photogrammetry to Extract HBIM of the Great Ziggurat of UR

Culture heritage reflects nation’s legacy and therefore should be protected from damage in order to pass it to future generations. Recently, such protection can be applied by 3D digitization techniques such as conservation, restoration, documentation, etc. The 3D digitalization of heritage assets has encountered numerous focus in the last two decades due to the development in data capturing techniques and technological advancement in 3D remote sensing (RS) approaches such as photogrammetry and laser scanning. However, the abundance of 3D information resources and spatial data modelling and analysis methods have urged stakeholders to adopt intelligent 3D data management system so called Building Information Modelling (BIM) to facilitate data approaching and management. Historic Building Information Model (HBIM) is a special case of the BIM system, however it reflects the possibility to apply the BIM technology to the historical and heritage buildings. In this research, Structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetric routine based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) images was applied to build HBIM of the Great Ziggurat of Ur in the south of Iraq. Based on the 3D geometric and texturing information extracted through photogrammetry and the historical information provided, virtual reconstruction has been carried out using (HBIM) technology. This was achieved by applying realistic materials and texturing information in order to document the building, which is directed to investigate the feasibility of implementing image-based 3D modelling within HBIM environments. Restoring the missing parts of the Ziggurat temple was also a focus of this research by implementing reverse engineering methodologies based on available information considered within the extracted HBIM. This can successfully represent a complete virtual reality model and a management information system of the Ziggurat building to be passed to future generations. The work also includes data assessment and validation with the as-built model generated from reference measurements within Computer Aided Design (CAD) environment.

The Building Information Modeling (BIM)-Based System Framework to Implement Circular Economy in Construction Waste Management

The tremendous quantity of waste produced from construction and demolition is a major cause of environmental degradation. This quantity tends to increase due to the rapid growth of building development and renovation. Meanwhile, construction waste management is a complex and costly process due to the fact that it requires different kinds of resources such as money, land, and technology. It is often ignored by all project participants even though it is an essential element of construction project management. However, it has been discovered that modern construction waste management is structured based on the concept of circular economy which focuses on eliminating construction waste and maximizing the value of materials. Therefore, this research proposes an innovative framework to implement the circular economy using building information modeling (BIM) in order to improve the construction waste management process. This involved a thorough review of past literature to identify the implementation of the concept of circular economy, waste management, and the application of BIM, also the research gaps observed were used to develop the functionality of the proposed framework. The five functionalities include (1) visualization and data integration, (2) direct construction waste quantity take-off, (3) BIM-based sorting system and selection of appropriate disposal parties, (4) estimating cost and schedule of waste disposal, and (5) simulation and monitoring report. This BIM system was designed to analyze material waste, quantity, disposal time, and waste treatment based on project conditions, material quantities, and schedule. It can also be used to plan and monitor the construction waste process, thereby making it possible to avoid the disruption of productivity and project time usually caused by unplanned waste management activities. Moreover, the proposed on-site sorting system also has the ability to facilitate the adoption of the circular economy concept during the construction phase.

Literature Review on Digitalization in Facilities Management and Facilities Management Performance Measurement: Contribution of Industry 4.0 in the Global Era

In this study, our aim is to present a comprehensive systematic review on digitalization (DT) in facility management (FM) and FM performance management (PM). Past research on these themes indicated that either research articles on DT in FM or research studies on FM PM are separately dealt with. However, in contrast, in our literature review, we try to present a holistic literature review by integrating both research streams on DT applications for FM and FM PM. A total 130 academic journal articles published on these subjects, between 1990 and 2021, from Web of Science and Google Scholars, were reviewed in this article. Moreover, this article identified a number of possibilities for future research on DT and FM PM, including the interoperability enhancement of building information modeling (BIM) methodology, the test and implementation of BIM concept for smart transportation infrastructure, usage of the integration of 3D analysis algorithms, the perfect cross integration of BIM and geographic information system (GIS) and systematic research efforts with new methodologies and theoretical constructs. We hope that this article will help researchers determine the areas where further research must be conducted and what kind of future directions would be valuable for DT and PM in FM.

BFO-based ontology enhancement to promote interoperability in BIM

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a process for managing construction project information in such a way as to provide a basis for enhanced decision-making and for collaboration in a construction supply chain. One impediment to the uptake of BIM is the limited interoperability of different BIM systems. To overcome this problem, a set of Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) has been proposed as a standard for the construction industry. Building on IFC, the ifcOWL ontology was developed in order to facilitate representation of building data in a consistent fashion across the Web by using the Web Ontology Language (OWL). This study presents a critical analysis of the ifcOWL ontology and of the associated interoperability issues. It shows how these issues can be resolved by using Basic Formal Ontology (ISO/IEC 21838-2) as top-level architecture. A set of competency questions is used as the basis for comparison of the original ifcOWL with the enhanced ontology, and the latter is used to align with a second ontology – the ontology for building intelligent environments (DOGONT) – in order to demonstrate the added value derived from BFO by showing how querying the enhanced ifcOWL yields useful additional information.

Application of Building Information Modeling toward Social Sustainability

Building Information Modeling (BIM) emerges as one of the megatrends that will modernize the Malaysian construction industry due to its vital role in collaboration, coordination and communication in real-time among construction industry stakeholders. In 2019, the government of Malaysia has mandated the use of BIM technology for public projects worths more than 100 million. However, less than half of the construction projects in Malaysia is currently using the BIM system. In order to encourage the implementation of BIM, there is an important need to educate the construction industry players with realistic information on BIM technology. Based on previous literature, disruption of BIM toward the traditional practice of construction activities can be managed through exposure and incremental of BIM knowledge. Therefore, this study explores the current awareness of construction industry players on the application of BIM toward sustainability aspects, particularly on social sustainability. A set of questionnaire survey is used to gather the required data and a total of 133 contractors have responded to the survey. The data were analyzed using the frequency distribution to indicate the highlighted application of BIM foresees by contractors that contribute to social sustainability. The finding indicates that the level of awareness is influenced by their knowledge on BIM. Therefore, providing a better understanding and wider exposure on BIM could improve the implementation of BIM in the construction projects, which align with the government agenda.

Building Operation and Maintenance: A Framework for Simplified Building Information Modeling (BIM) Digital Mobile Application

Managing maintenance cost data is one of the issues due to difficulties in identifying the accurate cost for maintenance and repair of specific components. This is because of the accounting systems used by majority of building managers. The introduction of Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a tool for facilitating information and knowledge sharing through digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility has seen wide application in the construction industry, spanning over the entire life cycle of a facility, i.e., planning, design, pre-construction, construction and post-construction. In post-construction stage, BIM is used for transferring the data of building (spaces, systems and components) into maintenance management operations, keeping track of building assets, and enable scheduled maintenance and provides information of building maintenance history. However, the current BIM rather complex and requires a huge amount of data to develop, which make the system is difficult to adopt for the existing buildings. This study therefore aims to investigate the implementation of BIM for Operation and Maintenance Management (O&M) in Malaysia by identifying the information that should be prioritized to enable BIM mobile application at O&M phase. The study makes used of qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. Three (3) rounds of expert discussion using Delphi techniques were carried out with 10 to 15 selected respondents (experts in O&M and BIM). The framework validated by a case study via on-site data collection, which used site measurement, building modelling using appropriate software i.e., Revit and AutoCAD. Most of the experts agreed that technology could improve the efficiency of service delivery and interested in implementing BIM in O&M practices. Simplified BIM for O&M that consists of the critical information includes location, dimension asset information, asset capacity, specification, manufacturer, statutory, condition and cost was developed. For the O&M element and items, information varies and can be modified according to the needs. All this information was systematically organized in a data matrix. A simplified BIM model has been developed to demonstrate how the information is stored, shared, and utilised. Majority of the stakeholders agreed that the Simplified BIM system is useful, flexible, least complex, and effective in managing and monitoring maintenance operations of their building.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING TECHNOLOGY ON BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

The development of the digital technology is sophisticated so that in construction field undergoes technology needs change resulting good quality to improve time and cost efficiency in organizing construction. Planning and actuating the construction uses AutoCad, Ms.Project, previously, but these applications have not been integrated to the other application. It makes time consuming in using them. Nowadays, technology in construction scope has resulted in a system called Building Information Modeling or BIM. It is a system or technology involving some important information in construction project and is used in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC). Construction employer in Indonesia has not much used BIM system, in fact that BIM make the construction process is easy and fast especially in building construction compared to the conventional construction. It, therefore, needs further research to investigate the superiority of BIM in building skyscraper. The type of the study was qualitative by comparing the skyscraper building using conventional system and BIM system. This present case study expects to insist the construction employer that the use of BIM technology promises time and cost efficiency although it requires high investment compared to the conventional method. The result of the study inferred that using Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology results in time and cost efficiency and effectiveness in constructing building compared to the conventional method, which needs long time to complete the work and high cost.

IT-Architecture Study Literature Research Collaboration: Malay Architecture Context

Talking about architecture culture means talking about buildings and architecture. Architecture is a field of research that is always related to space and form. One of the exciting research topics on architecture is research on Malay architecture. Preserving Malay architecture is an important thing that must be done physically and meaningfully, positively impacting the community's development. The rapid development of information technology (IT) should be part of conservation efforts. IT supports various activities that significantly help conservation efforts. The role of IT in architecture is a significant research opportunity because of still little research on this topic. Thus, we conduct a study and analysis using a systematic literature review methodology to review IT-Architecture research, especially Malay architecture. The systematic literature review methodology consists of six stages, namely: (1) research question definition; (2) literature searching by keywords on literature sources; (3) literature assessment; (4) literature quality measurement; (5) data extraction and synthesis; and (6) research recommendation and suggestion. After going through the quality assessment process, only 37 papers were obtained that were relevant to the topic of IT-Architecture. The most discussed research themes in this literature review search were: (1) building information modeling (BIM) and augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR); (2) BIM and geographic information system (GIS); and (3) BIM application and technology. However, based on literature searches, IT, and Malay architecture are still insufficient. Therefore, the topic of IT and Malay architecture still needs to be studied further in the future.

A cost evaluation model for IoT-enabled prefabricated construction supply chain management

PurposeThis paper proposes an evaluation model for prefabricated construction to guide a supply chain with controllable costs. Prefabricated construction is prevalent due to area limitations. Nevertheless, the development is limited by budget control and identifying the factors affecting cost. The degree of close collaboration in the supply chain is closely interconnected with cost performance that includes direct and indirect factors. This paper not only quantizes these factors but also distinguishes the degree of influence of various factors.Design/methodology/approachSystem dynamics is applied to simulate and analyze the construction cost factors through Vensim software. It can also clarify the relationship between cost and other influencing factors. The input data are collected from an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled system under a Building Information Modeling (BIM) system and Hong Kong government reports.FindingsSimulation results indicate that prefabricated construction cost is mainly influenced by government promotion degree (GPD), working pressure from on-site construction (WPOSC), prefab quality (PQ), load-bearing capacity per vehicle (LBPV) and mold quality (MQ). However, it is more sensitive toward GPD, which indicates that the government should take measures to promote this construction technology. On-site worker management is also essential for the assembly process and indirectly influences the construction cost.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper quantifies indirect influential factors to clarify the specific features for prefabricated construction. The investigated factors are limited.Practical implicationsThe contractor can identify all factors and classify the levels of influence to make decisions under the supply chain system boundary.Social implicationsThe input data are collected from an IoT-enabled system under a BIM system and Hong Kong government reports. Thus, the relationship between construction cost influential factors can be investigated.Originality/valueThis paper quantifies indirect influencing factors and clarifies the specific features in prefabricated construction. The contractor could identify these factors to make decisions and classify the levels of influence under the supply chain system boundary.

SEGMENTATION OF BUILDINGS BASED ON HIGH RESOLUTION PERSISTENT SCATTERER POINT CLOUDS

Abstract. Integrating differential synthetic aperture radar measurements into building information modeling systems requires a mapping of these measurement points onto structural parts of the building. We use a reverse geocoding approach to project building footprints into slant-range geometry, which helps to accurately assign PS points to single building identities. By treating the deformation time series as points in a high dimensional feature space, we can use dimensional reduction and clustering techniques to extract clusters of points that show a similar movement behavior. We visualize these clusters by mapping them onto ground truth, using laser scanning point clouds. Our approach segments buildings into plausible parts.

Green BIM potential in assessing the sustainable design quality of low-income housing: A review

This paper intended to investigate the potential use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) as an assessment tool that can evaluate and support optimization of sustainable design quality, especially for low-income housing or “Masyarakat Berpenghasilan Rendah” (MBR) in Indonesia. The consideration of sustainability aspects in the preliminary design phase is no longer a choice but a need for every stakeholder involved in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. BIM here was developed to be the effective technology that supports all stakeholders in integrating the needs of sustainable building design through sustainable workflow which is also known as “Green BIM”. The first phase of this study is conducting a critical review of integration between BIM and Green Building Rating System for Home, including LEED, BREEAM, GBI, Green Mark, and GREENSHIP. Then it is followed by reviewing BIM implementation in the housing sector based on case studies in several countries. The findings revealed that there is a potential use of BIM for small-scale project especially to support the sustainability of MBR in Indonesia. Even so, there are also challenges to be considered, including financial support and incentives from the government in the effort of implementing this Green BIM approach.

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.

BIM Methodology Applied in Structural Design: Analysis of Interoperability in ArchiCAD/ETABS Process

The Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology considers the representation of the building as a virtual BIM model and its main concept is to centralize all the information generated throughout the development of the project. Structural design involves a set of tasks, namely, structure definition, structural analyses, and after the generation of drawings and technical documentation. In all processes, it is required confidence in data transferred between the BIM systems used, and to support this, a high level of interoperability is claimed. The present study aims to evaluate the degree of interoperability between the BIM-based platforms, ArchiCAD (Graphisoft), Revit (Autodesk), and ETABS (CSI). Two-way data flows between these systems were explored using distinct transfer strategies: add-in applications; Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard data format. The research made allows identifying the most appropriate procedure to be adopted by structural engineers, given the interoperability limitations verified, enabling the establishment of a practical guide of sequential procedures on the development of structural designs using BIM tools.

Intelligent Early Warning System for Construction Safety of Excavations Adjacent to Existing Metro Tunnels

With the increasing exploitation and utilization of underground spaces, the excavation of deep foundation pits adjacent to existing metro tunnels is becoming increasingly common. These excavations have the potential to cause safety problems for the operation of the nearby metro. Therefore, to prevent metro tunnel accidents from occurring during the construction process and to ensure the safety of lives and property, it is necessary to establish a risk‐based early warning system. During the excavation process, the main methods for preventing accidents in excavations adjacent to existing metro tunnels are manual analyses based on on‐site monitoring data. However, these methods make it difficult to enact effective control measures in a timely manner owing to the lag of information processing. However, the trial application of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and building information modelling (BIM) for engineering projects provides a new method for solving such problems. This study uses a backpropagation neural network to predict the real‐time deformation of the tunnel based on monitoring data from the adjacent construction site. A safety risk assessment model is then established based on the relevant specifications. Through the establishment of an intelligent warning system, the safety risk to the metro tunnel during the construction process can be displayed in a three‐dimensional (3D) form using the BIM. The operation results of the ANN–BIM system show that it can effectively present the safety risk to existing metro tunnels in a 3D manner, which can provide managers with rapid and convenient visual information to inform their decision‐making.

A Unified Database Solution to Process BIM and GIS Data

For many years, the objective of spatial databases created using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology was to provide information about large spaces and areas outside of buildings. Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology focused mainly on small spaces, indoor and outdoor, targeted at other users and slightly different applications, was developed simultaneously for several dozen years. The significant development of GIS technology and new tools for quick data acquisition (e.g., laser scanning) and growing user needs resulted in the geoinformation modeling of the space inside buildings as well. BIM, on the other hand, began to be used for increasingly larger spaces outside buildings. Technology developers, users, and scientists started to notice that works turned out to be repetitive and that combining two different technologies is necessary; however, it is not simple. The research presented in the article is another attempt at connecting the world of BIM and GIS. The proposed integrated database environment of BIM/GIS spatial data makes it possible to store GIS and BIM data, enabling the use of the same data by both types of systems simultaneously and in a consistent manner. This allows BIM systems to to obtain simultaneous access to BIM and GIS data, which may be needed in, for example, the process of analyzing a building and its immediate surroundings. At the same time, GIS can obtain up-to-date building data necessary for spatial analyses, building management, or route mapping in navigation applications. The concept proposed in this article assumes a pragmatic approach, which is based on sharing Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and CityGML schemas from a single database for BIM and GIS applications in their practically original form using an additional integrated BIM-GIS schema, called BIGI-S. The research joins some other works in this field, complementing them and adding a new perspective. This paper describes the concept of this solution, including specific data structures, data conversion algorithms, and a prototype solution. The tests carried out by the authors prove the robustness of the adopted concept and its technical feasibility.

BIM-Based Human Machine Interface (HMI) Framework for Energy Management

This study proposes a Building Information Modeling (BIM)-based Human Machine Interface (HMI) framework for intuitive space-based energy management. The BIM-based HMI supports building managers with a method of linking data between BIM and Building Energy Management System (BEMS), which are heterogeneous systems, and provides space-based real-time energy monitoring. This study also proposes a BIM and BEMS data linking framework for systematic BIM-based HMI development. Towards this end, the BIM-based HMI framework was defined after deriving the considerations and requirements necessary for linking the energy control point and BIM through a questionnaire designed by practitioners. Through case analysis, the authors implemented BIM-based HMI and analyzed its effects. The results of the analysis confirmed the positive effects (3.9/5.0) on the connectivity of BIM-based HMI, the benefits (4.3/5.0) for real-time data monitoring, the system function expandability, and the BIM-based spatial intuitiveness.

GEOMATICS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF BUILT HERITAGE THROUGH BIM SYSTEMS. THE TRAINING OF NEW EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL FIGURES

Abstract. Geomatics is trying to redefine its role in the Italian higher-level educational system according to the new technological developments. The recent thematic thread of Building Information Modelling (BIM) systems contributes to the new role of Geomatics inside universities and, more generally, in the training process. BIM systems propose new ways of managing the construction process throughout building life cycle, from design to construction and management. They allow managing large flows of information, organized and shared among the different operators in the construction chain, through databases linked to three-dimensional objects. The BIM approach is based on two principles: interoperability and digitization.BIM was born as an application dedicated to new buildings, to promote the optimization of the entire life cycle of the building, from design to management. Many countries have been active in this sector for years, while others are now joining the digitization approach. In this complex scenario, the proposal to adopt the BIM process not only for the management of new constructions but also for the intervention on the existing one, is relevant in a country, like Italy, with a very rich history and a high presence of built historical heritage. Maurice Murphy coined the term HBIM (Historic Building Information Modelling), referring to BIM systems applied to historical buildings that need intervention and subsequent management.Geomatics plays a crucial role in HBIM as it is the primary tool for the digitization of built heritage and to obtain a model of the existing, an "as-built" model. In order to achieve this result, laser scanner and photogrammetry are the main tools, and they are involved in the so-called Scan2Bim process. The other important role is connected with the modeling stage to arrive at a three-dimensional representation suitable for common BIM authoring software while maintaining the rigor and accuracy that characterize the geomatic approach.The fundamental role of Geomatics in this context requires the training of personnel specialized in surveying and managing the acquired data through HBIM systems. There are new training courses and masters in the field of BIM systems, hosted by Politecnico di Milano at the Mantua Campus, aimed at training new figures with a specific curriculum, including Geomatics.The elements that characterize the training course are the knowledge of the principles and methods of data and the evaluation of achievable accuracy and admissible errors. It is also important to address issues that are still not completely solved in HBIM community, such as the type of modeling the best levels of detail of geometric and information content and the most practical aspects of commercial BIM authoring software.The article describes the experience carried out by Politecnico di Milano and tries to define, afterward, the training curriculum for HBIM experts, in which Geomatics plays an essential role, not only in the data acquisition phase but also in geometric and informative modeling.

3D Point Cloud to BIM: Semi-Automated Framework to Define IFC Alignment Entities from MLS-Acquired LiDAR Data of Highway Roads

Building information modeling (BIM) is a process that has shown great potential in the building industry, but it has not reached the same level of maturity for transportation infrastructure. There is a standardization need for information exchange and management processes in the infrastructure that integrates BIM and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Currently, the Industry Foundation Classes standard has harmonized different infrastructures under the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) 4.3 release. Furthermore, the usage of remote sensing technologies such as laser scanning for infrastructure monitoring is becoming more common. This paper presents a semi-automated framework that takes as input a raw point cloud from a mobile mapping system, and outputs an IFC-compliant file that models the alignment and the centreline of each road lane in a highway road. The point cloud processing methodology is validated for two of its key steps, namely road marking processing and alignment and road line extraction, and a UML diagram is designed for the definition of the alignment entity from the point cloud data.

A semantic differential transaction approach to minimizing information redundancy for BIM and blockchain integration

Those attempting to integrate building information modeling (BIM) and blockchain soon encounter the enormous challenge of information redundancy. Storage of duplicated building information in decentralized ledgers already creates redundancy, and this is exacerbated as the BIM model develops and is utilized. This paper presents a novel semantic differential transaction (SDT) approach to minimizing information redundancy in the nascent field of BIM and blockchain integration. Whereas the conventional thinking is to store an entire BIM model or its signature code in blockchain, SDT captures local model changes as SDT records and assembles them into a BIM change contract (BCC). In this way, the version history of a BIM project becomes a chain of timestamped BCCs, and stakeholders can promptly synchronize BIM changes in blockchain. We test our approach in two pilot cases. The results show that SDT captures, in near real time, sequential and simultaneous BIM changes at <0.02% of the Industry Foundation Classes file size. We also prove model restoration from the lightweight BCCs in a small-scale BIM project. In addressing the fundamental issue of information redundancy in BIM and blockchain integration, this research can help the industry advance beyond the rhetoric to develop operable blockchain BIM systems.