Search Results (130)

Interoperability between Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Facility Management (FM) depends on open, vendor-neutral standards. Yet, operational uptake remains constrained by fragmented workflows, incompatible schemas, and non-standardized delivery. This critical review synthesizes OpenBIM pathways—within the buildingSMART ecosystem (Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), Construction–Operations Building information exchange (COBie), Information Delivery Specification (IDS) v1.0, buildingSMART Data Dictionary (bSDD)) and the Level of Information Need (ISO 7817-1:2024)—across technical, managerial, and strategic dimensions. We searched major databases and used guided snowballing to screen a core corpus. Technically, persistent semantic inconsistencies and limited real-time, bidirectional exchange remain; open standards enable machine-checkable deliverables and API-friendly serializations. Managerially, weak Organizational Information Requirements (OIR) → Asset Information Requirements (AIR) → Exchange Information Requirements (EIR) alignment and unclear acceptance criteria undermine FM readiness. Strategically, procurement and risk management should mitigate vendor lock-in. We highlight gaps in FM ontologies and BIM–IoT synchronization and outline an agenda for Digital Twins, automation, and verifiable FM data quality within OpenBIM ecosystems. Full article

The Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard has been widely implemented as an open data standard in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. IFC enables robust information representation and facilitates cross-disciplinary collaboration, serving as a critical data foundation for future intelligent development in the engineering field. However, current IFC research topics remain relatively fragmented, and there are still several challenges in the practical implementation of IFC. Therefore, this paper provides a comprehensive review of IFC research over the past two decades. The research progress is systematically summarized in three key areas: IFC applications, interoperability, and data processing. Through this review, the limitations in IFC development have been discussed, and future research directions are proposed. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on addressing data-related challenges in the AEC industry and contributes to facilitating the deep integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence within the AEC domain. Full article

The construction of large underground caverns fundamentally differs from building and above ground civil infrastructure projects due to their complex geometries and variable geological conditions. These projects are complex and challenging because a large amount of data is generated from dispersed, independent, and heterogeneous sources. The underground construction industry often uses traditional project management techniques to manage complex interactions between these data sources that are hardly linked, and independent decisions are often made without considering all the relevant aspects. In this context, cavern construction exhibits uncertainties and risks due to unforeseen circumstances, an intricate design, and ineffective information management. Existing research has considered general BIM semantic models at the design stage; however, the digital transformation of cavern construction remains underdeveloped and fails to integrate digital construction throughout the project lifecycle. To address that gap, a novel BIM-based multi-model cavern information modeling framework is presented here to improve project management, construction, and delivery by integrating multiple interlinked data models and project performance data for large underground cavern construction. Data models of cavern construction processes are linked to propose an extension of the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) schema based on the cavern-specific elements, relationships, and property set definitions. To illustrate the potential of the proposed framework, a theoretical application to the powerhouse cavern construction is presented. The results indicate that the framework has significant potential to improve construction efficiency and safety and establish a robust foundation for the digital transformation of underground cavern projects. The theoretical implementation on the Neelum–Jhelum powerhouse cavern showed that the framework enabled a 92 m cavern realignment to avoid fault zones, achieved a 12.4% reduction in rock bolt usage, and a 9.8% reduction in shotcrete volume. These quantitative improvements illustrate its potential to enhance safety, reduce material costs, and optimize construction efficiency compared to conventional workflows. Full article

The construction industry is a major consumer of raw materials and a significant contributor to environmental emissions. Life cycle assessment (LCA) using digital models is a valuable tool for conducting a science-based analysis to reduce these impacts. However, transferring data from environmental product declarations (EPDs) to BIM for the purpose of sustainability assessment requires significant resources for its interpretation and integration. This study is founded on a comprehensive review of the scientific literature and standards, an analysis of published digital EPDs, and a thorough evaluation of IFC (industry foundation classes), identifying twenty gaps for the automated incorporation of LCA data from construction products into BIM. The identified limitations were assessed using the digital model of a building pilot, applying simplifications to incorporate actual EPD data. This paper presents the identified barriers to the automated incorporation of digital EPDs into BIM, and proposes eleven concrete actions to improve IFC 4.3. While prior studies have analyzed the environmental data in IFC, this research is significant in two key areas. Firstly, it focuses on the direct machine interpretation of environmental information without human intervention. Secondly, it is intended to be directly applicable to a revision of the IFC standards. Full article

The integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 3D Geographic Information System (3D GIS) models provides high-precision spatial data for digital twin watersheds. To tackle the challenges of large data volumes and rendering latency in integrated models, this study proposes a three-step framework that uses Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs) as the base model and Open Scene Graph Binary (OSGB) as the target model: (1) geometric optimization through an angular weighting (AW)-controlled Quadric Error Metrics (QEM) algorithm; (2) Level of Detail (LOD) hierarchical mapping to establish associations between the IFC and OSGB models, and redesign scene paging logic; (3) coordinate registration by converting the IFC model’s local coordinate system to the global coordinate system and achieving spatial alignment via the seven-parameter method. Applied to the Santun River Basin digital twin project, experiments with 10 water gate models show that the AW-QEM algorithm reduces average loading time by 15% compared to traditional QEM, while maintaining 97% geometric accuracy, demonstrating the method’s efficiency in balancing precision and rendering performance. Full article

The integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Digital Twin (DT) technologies offers new opportunities for enhancing reinforcement design and on-site constructability. This study addresses a current gap in DT applications by introducing an intelligent framework that simultaneously automates rebar layout generation and reduces rebar cutting waste (RCW), two challenges often overlooked during the construction execution phase. The system employs heuristic algorithms to generate constructability-aware rebar configurations and leverages Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) schema-based data models for interoperability. The framework is implemented using Autodesk Revit and Dynamo for rebar modeling and layout generation, Microsoft Project for schedule integration, and Autodesk Navisworks for clash detection. Real-time scheduling synchronization is achieved through IFC schema-based BIM models linked to construction timelines, while embedded clash detection and constructability feedback loops allow for iterative refinement and improved installation feasibility. A case study on a high-rise commercial building demonstrates substantial material savings, improved constructability, and reduced layout time, validating the practical advantages of BIM–DT integration for RC construction. Full article

Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems account for 40–60% of the energy consumed in commercial buildings, and much of this load originates from sub-optimal piping layouts in chiller-plant rooms. This study presents an automated routing framework that couples Building Information Modeling (BIM) with an enhanced A* search to produce collision-free, low-resistance pipelines while simultaneously guiding component selection. The algorithm embeds protective buffer zones around equipment, reserves maintenance corridors through an attention-based cost term, and prioritizes 135° elbows to cut local losses. Generated paths are exported as Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) objects for validation in a BIM digital twin, where hydraulic feedback drives iterative reselection of high-efficiency devices—including magnetic-bearing chillers, cartridge filters and tilted-disc valves—until global pressure drop and life-cycle cost are minimized. In a full-scale shopping-mall retrofit, the method significantly reduces pipeline resistance and operating costs, confirming its effectiveness and replicability for sustainable chiller-plant design. Full article

The Industry Foundation Class (IFC)-based sensor monitoring information expression mechanism is discussed, and an IFC-based tunnel entity definition and sensor monitoring information expansion method are proposed. Based on the existing IFC standards, by introducing the description dimensions of the tunnel’s spatial and geometric structure, the definition of IFC tunnel entities is creatively supplemented. For the first time, the expansion of IFCs in the field of tunnels is achieved, significantly expanding the boundaries of IFCs in complex underground engineering applications. The IFC-based tunnel monitoring information model is constructed using IfcSensor as the sensor entity and extending the sensor entity attribute set. Aiming at the problems of complicated tunnel monitoring data and difficult storage, this paper studies the tunnel monitoring information integration and visual early warning method based on IFCs. A Building Information Modeling (BIM)-based monitoring information integration system is developed, and the engineering application is carried out with the Jianyuan–Kaiyuan Road tunnel project in Xi‘an as a demonstration case. The advantages of BIM technology in a model visualization application are verified, and the risk perception and visual warning of tunnel construction are realized. Full article

The demand for interoperable, lifecycle-oriented data exchange in the port and waterway sector is intensifying amid global digital transformation and infrastructure modernisation. Traditional Building Information Modelling (BIM) practices often fail to capture the domain-specific complexity and multidisciplinary collaboration required in maritime infrastructure. This paper critically evaluates the IFC 4.3 schema as a foundational standard for openBIM-based integration in this sector, offering a semantic alignment framework designed for the planning, design, and operational phases of port projects. Rather than proposing schema extensions, the framework interprets existing IFC constructs to model port-specific assets while supporting environmental and geospatial integration. Two case studies, a master planning project for a shipyard and a design coordination project for a ship lock complex, demonstrate the schema’s capability to facilitate federated modelling, reduce semantic discrepancies, and enable seamless data exchange across disciplines and software platforms. The research delivers actionable implementation strategies for practitioners, identifies technical limitations in current toolchains, and outlines pathways for advancing standardisation efforts. It further contributes to the evolving discourse on digital twins, GIS-BIM convergence, and semantic enrichment in infrastructure modelling. This work provides a scalable, standards-based roadmap to improve interoperability and enhance the digital maturity of port and waterway infrastructure. Full article

Interoperability between digital models in the manufacturing and AEC domains is a critical issue in the building design of complex systems. Despite the adoption of well-established standards such as STEP (STandard for the Exchange of Product data, ISO 10303-21) for the industrial domain and IFC (Industry Foundation Classes, ISO 16739-1) for the construction domain, communication between these domains is still limited due to differences in conceptual models, levels of detail, and application purposes. Existing solutions for conversion between these formats are few, often proprietary, and not always suitable to ensure full semantic integration in BIM (Building Information Modeling) flows. This study proposes a methodological framework for structured conversion from STEP to IFC-SPF (STEP Physical File), based on information and geometric simplification and data enrichment. The process includes the elimination of irrelevant components, simplification of geometries, merging assemblies, and integration of data useful to the building context. The experimental implementation, carried out using the Bonsai extension for Blender, demonstrates a substantial reduction in geometric complexity and computational load, while maintaining data consistency required for integration into BIM processes. This approach emerges as a scalable, affordable, and sustainable solution for interoperability between industrial and civil models, even in professional environments lacking advanced software development skills. Full article

Although HBIM (Historical Building Information Modeling) excels in geometric data acquisition and modeling within Scan-to-BIM (Building Information Modeling) workflows, its application in digital documentation faces persistent challenges, such as balancing precision and efficiency, ambiguous information structures, and the absence of standardized protocols. To address these issues, this study refines key steps from the systematic Scan-to-BIM process and proposes a documentation-oriented HBIM workflow. The workflow is designed to tackle data complexity and semantic alignment challenges through detailed strategic planning, standard data collection, efficient geometric modeling, and ontology-based information integration. Validated in the Valentino Castle’s north wing digital archiving project, the proposed framework emphasizes archival management and standardization, reducing reliance on high-precision point cloud data and complex geometric modeling. Instead, it adopts low-precision geometric models as information storage containers, employing standardized information structures to manage and transfer heterogeneous data. Key contributions include the following: (1) establishing a requirements-driven and model-level-based framework for standardized project management; (2) introducing a component alignment concept to harmonize IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) standards and traditional terminologies; and (3) developing a four-level information structure to enhance HBIM parameter and database management. The workflow significantly reduces data acquisition and modeling time while offering a replicable methodology for heritage documentation, promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration and standardization in digital preservation practices. Full article

In the realm of sustainable construction, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) plays a key role as a tool for quantifying the environmental impacts of building materials and products. The integration of LCA and Building Information Modeling (BIM) makes it possible to evaluate the environmental performance of buildings at the design stage. This integration can help to improve the LCA process for buildings thanks to the potential for automation and interoperability. The goal of this study is to establish a BIM-based LCA workflow using the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) open file format. The interoperability of BIM data exchange is achieved by applying IFC. The steps of the assessment process are described in accordance with the LCA phases outlined in the ISO 14040 standard. The impact assessment and results interpretation phases are automated by means of a program code for IFC file processing. The proposed BIM-based LCA is validated for a case study of a BIM model constructed for a three-story educational building. The GWP of the building materials and products of envelope and load-bearing structures at the A1–A3 life cycle stages are calculated for the purpose of proposed workflow testing. The resulting workflow allows for the calculation of negative environmental impacts to be agile, depending on the goal and scope set. Full article

The era of openBIM is ongoing, and the open standards IDS (Information Delivery Specification) and bSDD (BuildingSMART Data Dictionary) are significantly impacting the automation of information exchange and verification in projects, using predefined data, enabling quick updates and combining it with other data. IDS and bSDD complement the widely used open IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) format, which solves the issue of purchasing both the appropriate hardware and software to work with native files from different sources. As a result, external assignments or internal tasks have the potential to precisely define the desired product, speeding up the entire process carried out according to the BIM (Building Information Modeling) methodology, reducing the number of questions about ambiguous requirements, and eliminating the need for continuous feedback on the model. Both files can be used on the developer’s side as an attachment to BIM documents, as well as on the construction site or during the bidding process. Digital IDS and bSDD files can be interpreted not only by humans but also by machines, bringing added value and usability. An identified research gap is the lack of a clear procedure for applying the mentioned standards, and thus, the common problem of purchasing software to check the quality of the model for information content. This article demonstrates the possibility of creating IDS and bSDD files in tools based on filling in specific fields and their interrelation, as well as their practical use in the process of verifying the information content of BIM models. By adopting open standards, teams can improve communication, increase productivity, and ensure continuity in data exchanges. Full article

Building information modeling (BIM) has proven to be a valuable technology in the fields of architecture, construction management, and maintenance management. However, its full implementation in structural engineering remains unfulfilled due to the persistent use of outdated design methods. Insufficient automation in the design process could lead to structural defects, construction rework, and structural clashes, each of which can have significant financial implications. Given the inherent complexity of large-scale construction projects, manual structural design and detailing are challenging tasks and are prone to human errors. This paper presents a novel BIM framework that leverages BIM, Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), Python scripting, the IfcOpenShell library, and Octave programming to automate the design of reinforced concrete (RC) slabs, benefiting design professionals and contractors by integrating automated processes into project workflows. The framework achieved a 40% reduction in design time and a 25% decrease in human errors, as demonstrated through case studies. In this study, a 3D structural model in BIM software is firstly created, extracting slab geometrical data that are linked to Microsoft (MS) Excel/.csv and Octave spreadsheets via Python and IfcOpenShell. Midspan and end span moment coefficients and floor perimeter data following Indian standards are then gathered in Octave, and this information is further processed with Python scripts. Octave programming is used to determine the most accurate, reliable, and economical design for the slab and its detailing. This design information is then pushed back to BIM software via FreeCAD using Python coding, which can be used to develop bar bending scheduling and 2D drawings of the reinforcement details. The proposed framework is validated through case studies, demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing design time, minimizing human errors, and improving overall project efficiency. The core finding of this research is an automated approach that offers a cost-effective and accurate solution to the limitations of traditional RC slab design, addressing structural errors and reducing rework through seamless BIM integration. This research presents a novel contribution to the integration of structural design, construction processes, and operational aspects within BIM. The findings highlight the potential for further advancements in BIM adoption, particularly in addressing the lag in structural engineering applications compared to architecture. Full article

(1) The presented paper proposes an approach to the BIM-based generation of FE models of different complexity and FE dimensionality. This is particularly important as different FE models are needed to assess various structural or material limit states for the same structure, affecting the accuracy and efficiency of simulations. (2) The basis of the BIM model is an IFC file that is enriched with FEM- and, if desired, SHM-relevant information. The geometry of the objects is described by SweptSolid representation with a parameterized profile definition. Moreover, material properties, supports, and structural connections are specified within the BIM model. Afterwards, the data are extracted from the IFC file. Additionally, the geometry of the structure is modified depending on the desired FE dimensionality. Subsequently, ANSYS MAPDL commands are generated and written to the macro file. (3) The approach is illustrated by an example of a laboratory test structure. Four FE models of different complexity and FE dimensionality are successfully generated based on the IFC file and used for numerical simulations. (4) This study demonstrates the efficiency, practicality, and functionality of the proposed approach, offering a robust solution for generating FE models that can be used across multiple structural analysis scenarios. Full article