Thermal Performance Visualization Using Object−Oriented Physical and Building Information Modeling

Abstract. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a highly advanced spatial modeling method that is fully incorporated in the building lifecycle. With the support of Information Technologies, the use of BIM has become common in building management such as energy efficiency, indoor navigation and emergency evacuation simulations. This study focuses on emergency evacuation simulations since, integrating BIM and Spatial Information Science, could mitigate casualties in emergencies. Traditional evacuation management methods are generally inadequate since they are based on 2D evacuation plans, they are static and do not consider the characteristics/interactions of the people in the building. This study aims to integrate BIM and Agent-Based Modelling (ABM) for emergency evacuation simulations, where characteristics of the building and the users are incorporated. Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Civil Engineering was selected as study area and the BIM model was created by using the CAD drawings of the floor plans. The users of the Faculty building such as students, academicians, administrative staff and visitors are considered for simulations. The BIM model was transferred to the ABM environment, and the routes used during the fire evacuation were generated. Fire evacuation simulations were performed, where agents having different characteristics evacuate the building according to the rules predefined. Three different scenarios were tested. Major conclusion of this study is that, via integrating BIM and ABM, it is possible to model people’s behavior within a three-dimensional digital environment, where decision-makers could be performing simulations such as fire evacuation supported by dynamic, realistic and accurate information.

Cobb's Paradox (Bourne, 2011) asks: 'We know why projects fail; we know how to prevent their failure-so why do they still fail?' This study immerses itself into a major Australian IT project in order to unearth the drivers of project failure. Several new and novel findings have emerged. Using Multi-Grounded Theory this research has developed models and rich descriptions of new phenomena. The phenomena identified in this research, are drawn from social psychology and economic theory and highlight the issues of project execution as a social undertaking. This paper addresses one of those findings, namely the lack of domain expertise by senior management and vendor representatives. This paper examines the consequences of 'actors-working-in-organisations' (Manning, 2008, p. 678) and in particular looking at individual interactions, decisions and consequences (Goffman, 1959) through the lens of the Kruger-Dunning Effect (1999).

Recently there has been growing recognition of the value of facility management (FM) in the construction field. Nowadays, FM data can be extracted from parameters of BIM (building information modeling) models. Thus, it is increasingly important to manage parameters of BIM model elements in the operation and maintenance (O&M) stage. Currently, parameters in a BIM model are mostly treated as static (i.e. fixed information of a model element). In order to make BIM model more valuable in the O&M stage, variable parameters (operating information of a model element) should be considered in a BIM model to address the data management need in actual environment of a building, such as status of a building element (e.g. movable wall's status), IoT (Internet of things) data, etc. This paper presents an effort in designing a database schema for integrating both static and variable parameters of a BIM model into the database. The design considers the compatibility with COBie (construction operations building information exchange) and supports visual management of BIM model parameters, especially variable parameters. In addition, applications of the database with the proposed design are demonstrated through API implementation in Autodesk Forge. © 2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.

Building information modeling (BIM) aims to facilitate information management and collaboration among stakeholders in different domains over the building life cycle. BIM models are increasingly used as an object-based information hub for storing, integrating and managing building information in different aspects. Over the building life cycle, stakeholders like the owner, designers and subcontractors keep reviewing and commenting on different building components, but these social interactions are often not recorded and managed in a structured manner. This paper presents a distributed cloud-based BIM framework that was designed to support collaboration among project participants and information sharing. The framework, namely BIMCloud, was developed based on Apache Cassandra which can be deployed on public cloud servers like Amazon EC2 or private cloud servers hosted in own infrastructures. A schematic data structure was also developed to capture the building component-based social interactions, which could be used for mining and post-processing to generate knowledge in the future. The BIMCloud framework stores BIM models based on the IFC schema and the developed schema for Social BIM. Therefore, people can make changes to the BIM models in the BIMCloud framework by transferring only a partial BIM model. An example scenario is presented in this paper.

In today’s architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, building information modeling (BIM) technologies and practices are making a significant difference in how building projects are delivered. BIM models and tools let stakeholders visualize, simulate, and analyze how a building might behave, perform, or appear—with more precision than ever before. BIM technology and practices are not only improving design and construction processes by delivering projects faster, more cost effectively, and more sustainably, but are also helping BIM professionals by expanding career possibilities within the field. This paper identifies key personnel in AEC industry who are taking advantage of BIM technologies and practices and explains how BIM has enhanced their career paths. The study found that new processes of BIM enhance the careers of existing professionals and create new career paths for young professionals. Until recently, positions like BIM engineer/BIM manager did not exist, but now they ar...

The design of the civil engineering works in High Speed Two (HS2) is a good example of what can be achieved when the Building Information Modelling (BIM) process is embraced. Central to the BIM process is a three-dimensional (3D) model that communicates the civil design to enable construction, asset management, operation and maintenance in a fully collaborative and coordinated multi-disciplinary environment. Software developers of leading BIM packages have responded to the requirements of HS2 and similar projects by delivering feature-rich applications to enable design and BIM to go hand-in-hand. HS2, however, is under a tight programme to deliver a 3D model with a Level of Detail (LOD) beyond what has been required on most projects to date, and this has resulted in exhaustive testing of the software. Such requirements have identified gaps in the BIM software tools for drainage designers. Drainage designers utilise hydraulic modelling software to design and test their designs. This software must be efficient, reliable and, most importantly, have all the design tools necessary to design and test a drainage network to meet the client’s requirements. HS2 Ltd’s requirements under the Asset Data Dictionary Definition Document (AD4) are to provide spatially accurate 3D models along with detailed and relevant asset data. The integrated project team delivering the HS2 Area North works opted to achieve this by delivering fully attributed BIM models. However, software developers of leading drainage design packages do not have the BIM capabilities required to provide a BIM model with the LOD required in HS2 on their own. They must be integrated with a BIM software. This leaves drainage designers using two separate systems with a requirement to integrate two software packages to work seamlessly together in a BIM environment. To overcome this, a suite of tools was developed using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to convert from MicroDrainage (a drainage design tool) to Bentley OpenRoads Designer (a BIM package) and fully attribute the BIM models. The tools have been developed specifically for HS2 feature definitions and requirements, however, with further development, they could be customisable for use on other projects thus improving the level of detail, accuracy and efficiency future deliverables on future projects.

This paper assesses the current situation and ongoing developments with regards to the use of building information modelling (BIM) tools and processes in major projects by the UK Highways Agency. Using the M25 widening scheme as a case study, it explains the benefits of BIM within the sector as well as the current restrictions to its use. The potential for added benefits through the use of embedded information within BIM models is discussed, as well as the use of BIM tools in the handover process. The A556 improvement project is discussed as a possible demonstration project for these added benefits. Current challenges relating to the link between major project BIM tools and highways asset management are identified, and conclusions made as to what more can be done in this area to improve the whole-life management of highways assets.

Building maintenance is the responsibility of its owner which must use, whenever appropriate, a technician to perform the inspection. A good maintenance depends on the analysis of the anomalies detected during the inspection of the site. Building Information Models (BIM) have revealed themselves as a good tool when it comes to supporting maintenance actions, due to their ability to store enough information in one digital model. The aim of the proposed work was to implement the benefits provided by BIM on a software tool used as support to maintenance of buildings. During an inspection activity for maintenance purposes, the implemented application, containing a rigorous database, allows the user to identify each anomaly present in building components, directly onto the BIM model, automatically associating them with probable causes, repair methods and a photograph of the anomaly uploaded at the site. Therefore, gains in productivity and a decrease in the error probability can be achieved. The inspection data is stored in the BIM model, making it suitable for consultation when planning maintenance. Additionally, it was case study the interoperability between BIM modeling and visualizing software, regarding the preservation of information, especially in the standard format Industry Foundation Classes (IFC). This work contributed to demonstrate, not only that there are still problems concerning the interoperability between BIM software, but also the advantages of employing BIM for building maintenance purposes.

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has forced billions of people into lockdown; foregrounding the important relationship between architecture and health. In this context, there is heightened urgency for the construction sector to improve the healthiness of buildings. Accordingly, the research identifies the feasibility of measuring various building health indicators (BHIs) through the use of a building information management (BIM) model. The research seeks to find optimal strategies for integrating the near ubiquitous use of BIM with a range of health indicators related to building design.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review was undertaken to identify potential BHIs for use in BIM models. The research then undertook a Delphi technique in order to test the hypothesis. In total, three rounds of questionnaire-based surveys were undertaken with expert participants.FindingsThe research identifies three different levels of BIM complexity in order to achieve the integration of health indicators. The most simple strategy suggests BHI can be directly measured using existing BIM models; the next level of sophistication requires “plug-in” software to BIM models; the final level would require additional sensors and detectors in a “smart” building.Practical implicationsThe research is significant for users of BIM, building designers, public health advisors, construction professionals, healthcare providers, social prescribers, architects and clients.Originality/valueThe integration of BHI into the architectural design process is an important step towards the construction sector improving health and well-being. The research provides for the first time a rigorous identification of the most viable mechanisms through which BIM may be used to measure the healthiness of a building.

Assessment of energy utilization and leakages in buildings with building information model energy

Building information modeling (BIM) has become an integral part of commercial construction processes in recent years. This article summarizes a research study undertaken to explore the frequency of BIM application, the advantages and effects of using BIM, and various other methods associated with developing and using BIM models in commercial construction. Executive, mid-management, and BIM practitioner-level employees from eighteen leading commercial general contracting firms (with regard to BIM use) were surveyed to determine how their companies utilized BIM. Thirty-two different applications of BIM use were identified for commercial construction, and those most commonly utilized included clash detection, 3-D modeling, team collaboration, constructability issues of design, and sales. Communication, scheduling, coordination, visualization, and clash detection were identified as the top advantages of using BIM. Regarding the effects of using BIM, companies reported a positive impact on profitability, time of construction, and marketing. Finally, this article discusses various processes for using BIM, how models were used internally and with trade partners, and the decisions affecting BIM use by leading commercial contractors.

This study introduces DAVE (Digital Assistant for Virtual Engineering), a Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT)-powered digital assistant prototype, designed to enable real-time, multimodal interactions within Building Information Modeling (BIM) environments for updating and querying BIM models using text or voice commands. DAVE integrates directly with Autodesk Revit through Python scripts, the Revit API, and the OpenAI API and utilizes Natural Language Processing (NLP). This study presents (1) the development of a practical AI chatbot application that leverages conversational AI and BIM for dynamic actions within BIM models (e.g., updates and queries) at any stage of a construction project and (2) the demonstration of real-time, multimodal BIM model management through voice or text, which aims to reduce the complexity and technical barriers typically associated with BIM processes. The details of DAVE’s development and system architecture are outlined in this paper. Additionally, the comprehensive process of prototype testing and evaluation including the response time analysis and error analysis, which investigated the issues encountered during system validation, are detailed. The prototype demonstrated 94% success in accurately processing and executing single-function user queries. By enabling conversational interactions with BIM models, DAVE represents a significant contribution to the current body of knowledge.

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo propor uma forma de incorporar a verificação de critérios de desempenho em projetos de arquitetura de edificações habitacionais utilizando a Modelagem de Informação da Construção (Building Information Modeling – BIM), como uma alternativa ao método de projeto bidimensional, tradicionalmente utilizado. Foi adotado o método baseado na pesquisa construtiva (constructive research) para o desenvolvimento do trabalho no Programa de Mestrado Profissional em Habitação do Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas, IPT. Requisitos e critérios de desempenho constantes da ABNT NBR 15575:2013 Edificações Habitacionais – Desempenho, foram aplicados ao modelo BIM, no desenvolvimento de projetos de arquitetura, de forma que o projetista possa fazer uma verificação ao longo do desenvolvimento do projeto. O resultado foi promissor, considerando a possibilidade de identificar e detalhar aproximadamente um terço dos critérios constantes da ABNT NBR 15575:2013, usando somente a ferramenta da modelagem. Foram identificadas vantagens em utilizar recursos de softwares de modelagem, como etiquetas e tabelas para aplicações de regras e requisitos, que podem ser facilmente constatadas pelo modelo. Desta forma, nota-se que esse novo processo poderá resultar melhores projetos de arquitetura, com informações sobre desempenho mais completas e confiáveis. Se as ferramentas de simulação forem adotadas e associadas a projetos de arquitetura, poderão ser feitas verificações de outros requisitos e critérios, como por exemplo, simulação do desempenho térmico.

\n It has been decades since the impact of information technology (IT) on structural engineering started to be discussed. The first documentation and analysis software prototypes date from the 1950s and 1960s. In the 90s, a survey indicated that a great number of structural engineers already agreed that IT was accelerating engineering. This close relationship evolved with the increasing power of computation. Nowadays, it is possible that engineers explore an amplified design space before reaching a final solution, mainly through parametric modeling combined with analysis. This culminated in large and complex data being generated during design. At the same time, the popularization of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and its focus on information present an opportunity for engineers to use BIM models as databases for enhancing design and collaboration. To fully leverage this data, it is imperative to condense it into meaningful and actionable visualizations. In this context, this research investigates and tests a workflow for structural design in BIM, named an \\"augmented BIM workflow for structural engineering through data visualization\\". The general objective is the enhancement of collaboration within a design team. A computational tool for enabling this workflow is proposed and implemented at a proof of concept (PoC) level, combining data from FEA (Finite Element Analysis) and BIM models. Extraction, transformation, and load processes from these data sources into a data warehouse in a visualization software solution are executed. The proposal was presented to engineers and BIM specialists. Feedback was collected to base the construction of a set of standard dashboards for data visualization. The final dashboards had their utility validated by the professionals. Technical limitations on the current implementation and underlying barriers to adoption are discussed.\n

Panelized/modular construction is increasingly adopted within the industry as a primary construction method, with in-plant fabrication and on-site assembly as two of the main processes. Each of these two processes involves a different emphasis regarding productivity improvement: for in-plant fabrication, manufacturing process management is the main focus, while, for on-site assembly, scheduling and management of assembly operations are of particular interest. This paper proposes a generic approach by which to generate the on-site schedule automatically based on a building information model (BIM), considering the structural supporting and topological relationships among building elements, as well as knowledge of steel panel construction. The BIM model is developed in an Autodesk Revit environment, based on which precedence relationships of elements are derived automatically, and is utilized to perform the on-site schedule through the Autodesk Revit Application Programming Interface (API). The generated schedule results are exported into Microsoft Project for further analysis, such as resource leveling. A case example is provided to demonstrate and validate the methodology. This paper explores the implementation of BIM, with the scheduling of panelized construction as the focus. This research lays the foundation for further implementation of BIM using Autodesk Revit.