Development of a building information model-guided post-earthquake building inspection framework using 3D synthetic environments

Computer vision-based inspection methods show promise for automating post-earthquake building inspections.These methods survey a building with unmanned aerial vehicles and automatically detect damage in the collected images.Nevertheless,assessing the damage′s impact on structural safety requires localizing damage to specific building components with known design and function.This paper proposes a BIM-based automated inspection framework to provide context for visual surveys.A deep learning-based semantic segmentation algorithm is trained to automatically identify damage in images.The BIM automatically associates any identified damage with specific building components.Then,components are classified into damage states consistent with component fragility models for integration with a structural analysis.To demonstrate the framework,methods are developed to photorealistically simulate severe structural damage in a synthetic computer graphics environment.A graphics model of a real building in Urbana,Illinois,is generated to test the framework;the model is integrated with a structural analysis to apply earthquake damage in a physically realistic manner.A simulated UAV survey is flown of the graphics model and the framework is applied.The method achieves high accuracy in assigning damage states to visible structural components.This assignment enables integration with a performance-based earthquake assessment to classify building safety.

Building Information Modeling-Based Secondary Development System for 3D Modeling of Underground Pipelines

Underground pipeline networks constitute a major component of urban infrastructure,and thus,it is imperative to have an efficient mechanism to manage them.This study introduces a secondary development system to efficiently model underground pipeline networks,using the building information modeling(BIM)-based software Revit.The system comprises separate pipe point and tubulation models.Using a Revit application programming interface(API),the spatial position and attribute data of the pipe points are extracted from a pipeline database,and the corresponding tubulation data are extracted from a tubulation database.Using the Family class in Revit API,the cluster in the self-built library of pipe point is inserted into the spatial location and the attribute data is added;in the same way,all pipeline instances in the pipeline system are created.The extension and localization of the model accelerated the modeling speed.The system was then used in a real construction project.The expansion of the model database and rapid modeling made the application of BIM technology in three-dimensional visualization of underground pipeline networks more convenient.Furthermore,it has applications in pipeline engineering construction and management.

Influence of Building Information Modelling (BIM) on Engineering Contract Management in Nairobi, Kenya

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a technology and a process that has brought changes in the construction’s traditional procurement system. Kenya lacks contractual guidelines on implementation of BIM;this makes the adoption of BIM slow and difficult. Previous research has identified a gap in contractual relationships, roles and resulting risks. The objectives of this study were to investigate BIM adoption in Nairobi and to investigate the influence of BIM on Engineering Contract Management (ECM) in Nairobi Kenya. The survey research was a descriptive study with 175 responsive questionnaires. Respondents comprised of Civil Engineers, Construction Project Managers, Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Contractors and Facility Managers. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaire and in-depth interview. Descriptive analytics, correlation and Exploratory factor analysis methods were used to analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. It emerged that adoption level was at 56.6% and shallow understanding of BIM capabilities remains to be a barrier to its adoption and implementation. It also emerged that BIM improves ECM;when time, cost, quality, collaboration and return on investment improve, ECM becomes easier. Latent factors found in BIM and ECM relationship were Legal Implications, awareness and knowledge, efficiency, versatility, mandate and leadership, and competitiveness. Further, the study found out that BIM influence on ECM demands for establishment of standards, guidelines, policy, legal framework, and regulations, which can be achieved by amending the public procurement act which dictates the operation of all the other standard forms of contract. Further research should be conducted to measure whether the understanding of BIM had positively improved.

The Contributions of Building Information Modelling to Sustainable Construction

Global concerns toward environmental issues have induced growing demand for new approaches in the construction because of its considerable impact on the environment and use of natural resources. Through using construction sustainability tools, methods and techniques, a greener design can be applied during various building phases. In this connection, it is argued that the analytical and integrated models applied by Building Information Modelling (BIM) may also facilitate this process to be performed more efficiently. BIM and construction sustainability are quite different initiatives, but both have received much attention in recent years in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. A rigorous analysis of the interactions between them implies that a synergy exists which, if properly it is understood that can be helpful to reduce the environmental impacts of the AEC industry. A BIM-based design model can contribute to sustainability through its three main dimensions which are environmental, economic and social. In this paper, by reviewing the existing literature on BIM and construction sustainability and using a matrix to analyze construction sustainability dimensions and BIM functionalities a number of interactions have been discussed. It can be concluded that despite there are many improvements in implementation of BIM in environmental and economic aspects of sustainability, its potential impact on social dimension has not been explicitly explored hence further studies need to be undertaken in this area.

Integrating Universal Design Standards and Building Information Modeling at the Conceptual Design Stage of Buildings

A projection of the Canadian population shows that in 2024 one in five Canadians will be over 65 years old. This shift forces designers to consider the entire lifetime of occupants during the design of new buildings. Universal Design (UD), which is a design that accommodates all people to the greatest extent possible and aging in place design that is deeply rooted in the principles of UD, aim to house people irrespective of their age, ability, and chronic health conditions. Building Information Modeling (BIM) significantly helps advance the development of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry in a more collaborative and automated way. Integrating BIM and UD allows designers to incorporate UD standards easily and efficiently at the conceptual design stage of buildings by using the functionalities and capabilities of BIM tools. Therefore, this study presents the development of an automated computer model to facilitate the adoption of UD standards and processes. The novelty highlighted in this model resides in the creation of an automated method that employs a newly created plug-in and databases to assist designers to incorporate UD standards at the conceptual stage in a timely and cost-effective manner. Furthermore, the study introduces the methodology consisting of collecting, categorizing, and storing data from various universal design and accessible design guidelines in the developed databases and developing new plug-ins in BIM tool to link the developed databases in order to automate the process of retrieving necessary information and components to help designers and owners select optimal design alternatives based on their predefined criteria.

Building Information Modeling for Environmental Impact Assessment in Early Design Phases: A Literature Review

The building sector is the largest consumer of energy in industrial countries. Saving energy in new buildings or building renovations can thus lead to significant global environmental impacts. In this endeavor, building information modeling (BIM) and building energy modeling (BEM) are two important tools to make the transition to net-zero energy buildings (NZEB). So far, little attention has been devoted, in the literature, to discuss the connection between BIM, BEM, and Life-cycle assessment (LCA), which is the main topic of this article. A literature review of 157 journal articles and conference proceedings published between 1990 and 2020 is presented. This review outlines knowledge gaps concerning BIM, BEM, and environmental impact assessment. It suggests that defining the process with the right technology (at the right time) would result in a more integrated design process (IDP) and bridge current gaps. The most efficient way to improve process and technology is related to the competences of the architects, engineers and constructors (AEC). The review also indicates that the IDP in the early design phases (EDP) is in need of improvement for architects and engineers, where a better connection between design phases, specific levels of development (LOD) and BIM tools is needed. Competences, process and technology are the three main themes addressed in the review. Their relation to design phases and LOD is discussed. The aim is to propose possible solutions to the current hinders in BIM-to-BEM (BIM2BEM) and BIM-for-LCA (BIM4LCA) integration.

Analysis of Thermal Behavior of Materials in the Building Envelope Using Building Information Modeling (BIM)—A Case Study Approach

Building envelope is a fence that controls heat exchange between interior and exterior and plays an essential role in providing thermal comfort conditions of residents. In recent years, due to the necessity of conserving energy and also preventing increased environmental pollution, the importance of sustainable construction has been doubled. Checking the problems of thermal behavior of the building envelope materials, and what influences in the heating and cooling loads exerted and energy consumption of buildings, are the questions that this research seeks to answer. In this regard, building information modelling analysis (BIM) has worthy contribution in the completion process of sustainable design;thus using software Design Builder, it is paid attention to simulation of the thermal behavior of two types of defined materials for the building envelope that was designed as a Research Institute of Renewable Energy of Yazd University. For Type 1 materials, two layers of brick have been selected, and for Type 2 a thermal insulation layer also added it. Results of the analysis showed that the use of materials Type 2 in the cooling load %4.8 and in the thermal load %62.5 reduction can be achieved which means reducing the load on active system and thus reducing the initial cost of building. Also reduction in annual energy consumption by almost %2.4 for cooling and %62.9 for heating buildings have been achieved, which makes saving non-renewable energy consumption, and consequently reducing environmental pollution as well as reducing current costs will be established.

Construction Process Simulation and Safety Analysis Based on Building Information Model and 4D Technology

Time-dependent structure analysis theory has been proved to be more accurate and reliable compared to commonly used methods during construction. However, so far applications are limited to partial period and part of the structure because of immeasurable artificial intervention. Based on the building informa-tion model (BIM) and four-dimensional (4D) technology, this paper proposes an improves structure analysis method, which can generate structural geometry, resistance model, and loading conditions automatically by a close interlink of the schedule information, architectural model, and material properties. The method was applied to a safety analysis during a continuous and dynamic simulation of the entire construction process. The results show that the organic combination of the BIM, 4D technology, construction simulation, and safety analysis of time-dependent structures is feasible and practical. This research also lays a foundation for further researches on building lifecycle management by combining architectural design, structure analysis, and construction management.

Impacts of building information modeling(BIM) implementation on design and construction performance: a resource dependence theory perspective

Drawing on resource dependence theory, this paper develops and empirically tests a model for understanding how the implementation of building information modeling(BIM) in construction projects impacts the performance of different project participating organizations through improving their interorganizational collaboration capabilities. Based on two sets of survey data collected from designers and general contractors in BIMbased construction projects in China, the results from partial least squares analysis and bootstrapping mediation test provide clear evidence that BIM-enabled capabilities of information sharing and collaborative decision-making as a whole play a significant role in determining BIMenabled efficiency and effectiveness benefits for both designers and general contractors. The results further reveal that designers and general contractors benefit from project BIM implementation activities significantly nonequivalently, and that this non-equivalence closely relates to the different roles played by designers and general contractors in BIM-enabled interorganizational resource exchange processes. The findings validate the resource dependence theory perspective of BIM as a boundary spanning tool to manage interorganizational resource dependence in construction projects, and contribute todeepened understandings of how and why project participating organizations benefit differently from the implementation of interorganizational information technologies like BIM.

Simulation Research on Fire Evacuation of Large Public Buildings Based on Building Information Modeling

Reasonable evacuation strategies are important in reducing casualties in the event of a fire.In this work,we conduct a simulation of a fire evacuation of a large public building based on the building information modeling technology to find the best evacuation strategy.We identify the tolerance limit of evacuees in case of a fire as the basis of the simulation using the fire dynamics simulator software.The following four evacuation strategies are proposed and simulated:stratified evacuation only by stairs,stratified evacuation mainly by stairs and supplemented by fire elevators,holistic evacuation only by stairs,and holistic evacuation mainly by stairs and supplemented by fire elevators.The case study of a college canteen shows that if 10%of evacuees(mainly elderly people who walk slowly and children who take up less space)are instructed to evacuate via fire elevators and the other 90%of evacuees(young men and women who move fast)use the stairs,the evacuation time can be reduced to a minimum.Some improvements in the design drawing result in the enhanced efficiency of the proposed strategy.The findings of this work are of great significance for the optimization of the structural design of large public buildings and provide some references for emergency evacuation.

Proposed Methodology for Generation of Building Information Model with Laserscanning

For refurbishment and state review of an existing old building, a new model reflecting the current state is often required especially when the original plans are no longer accessible. Laser scanners are used more and more as surveying instruments for various applications because of their high-precision scanning abilities. For buildings, the most notable and widely accepted product data model is the IFC product data model. It is designed to cover the whole lifecycle and supported by various software vendors and enables applications to efficiently share and exchange project information. The models obtained with the laser scanner, normally sets of points ('point cloud'), have to be transferred to an IFC compatible building information model to serve the needs of different planning states. This paper presents an approach designed by the German Research Center in Karlsruhe (Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe) to create an IFC compatible building information model from laser range images. The methodology through the entire process from data acquisition to the IFC compatible product model was proposed in this paper. In addition, IFC-Models with different level of detail (LoDs) were introduced and discussed within the work.

Immersive virtual reality for extending the potential of building information modeling in architecture,engineering,and construction sector:systematic review

The field of architecture,engineering,and construction(AEC)is continually striving to use resources efficiently and manage complex processes.Now more than ever,there is a strong need for digital transformation in AEC.The improvement in the accessibility of consumer-based head-mounted displays(HMD)is attracting different entertainment and research fields to immersive virtual reality(VR)applications.Building Information Modeling(BIM)is known as a promising technology in AEC.The full potential of BIM is not yet employed to empower this field,however,and this could be a result of some barriers still to be surmounted by BIM in both technological and management perspectives.One of these barriers is the communication and collaboration between design,construction,operation,and maintenance phases.VR can fill this gap by providing additional capabilities for BIM which either were not available before or were not possible to employ in practical ways.In this paper,we systematically review recent research around the application of VR in BIM and discuss the results using the PRISMA flowchart.We discuss the most commonly used technologies,software,and evaluation methods and the various applications of VR in the reviewed papers.Finally,we extend the discussion by summarizing the potential future work in this area.

Owner-dominated building information modeling and lean construction in a megaproject

The integration of building information modeling(BIM)and lean construction(LC)provides a solution for the management of megaprojects.Previous studies have generally focused on the theoretical or empirical adoption of BIM and LC.Moreover,only a few studies have examined the approach of simultaneously using BIM and LC in megaprojects.Therefore,an intensive study on the application of BIM and LC in megaprojects,particularly to explore considerably effective integrated application modes of BIM and LC in megaprojects,will substantially promote the management efficiency of megaprojects.The current study describes a method that integrates owner-dominated BIM and LC that was developed in a case study.The proposed method provides a framework for all stakeholders to use BIM and LC in a megaproject dominated by the owner.The interactional relations among the owner,BIM,and LC were analyzed and positive interactions were identified.These positive interactions served as a basis for the implementation of this integrated approach in a case study and could be applied to other megaprojects.The megaproject(i.e.,airport construction project)was examined to verify the performance of the developed method.Results showed that the integration of BIM and LC dominated by the owner can improve management performance and achieve high quality standard.

Indoor Space Modeling and Parametric Component Construction Based on 3D Laser Point Cloud Data

In order to enhance modeling efficiency and accuracy,we utilized 3D laser point cloud data for indoor space modeling.Point cloud data was obtained with a 3D laser scanner and optimized with Autodesk Recap and Revit software to extract geometric information about the indoor environment.Furthermore,we proposed a method for constructing indoor elements based on parametric components.The research outcomes of this paper will offer new methods and tools for indoor space modeling and design.The approach of indoor space modeling based on 3D laser point cloud data and parametric component construction can enhance modeling efficiency and accuracy,providing architects,interior designers,and decorators with a better working platform and design reference.

基于Revit平台的隔震支座快速建模模块开发与应用

随着隔震技术的推广应用以及建筑业信息化水平的持续提升,在隔震工程中对隔震层建筑信息模型(building information modeling, BIM)建模的需求逐渐增长,然而针对性的研究工作相对较少。为此,围绕隔震支座BIM模型的高效建模方法和应用模块开展了研究。首先,综合隔震支座应用情况和力学特性,可将其分为橡胶隔震支座、滑移摩擦隔震支座和其他类型隔震支座,据此提出了隔震支座BIM快速建模模块基本架构;随后,基于Revit和Visual Studio平台开发了三类隔震支座BIM模型的快速建模功能,并实现了连接节点参数化建模和支座批量/手动布置的操作功能;最后,开展了某化工公司的库房隔震加固项目的隔震层BIM模型建模实践,结果表明:利用快速建模模块可将隔震层BIM建模操作从7个步骤降低至2个步骤,且使用过程中对隔震支座构造细节的认知要求相对较低。同时,建成后的BIM模型与实际工程在建筑信息的多个方面具有较好的一致性。相关研究可为建筑和桥梁隔震工程的BIM建模提供参考和借鉴。

Transference of the“Albergo Diffuso”Model to Spain:Regeneration of Uninhabited Rural Areas

In recent years,human health and user wellbeing have become more important in contemporary society and urban quality.This has been highlighted by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world.Generating open-air urban spaces constitutes an opportunity to design walkable areas and paths that can produce direct positive effects on environmental health and indirect consequences on“lifestyles”.This design vision can be implemented within small localities where there are still important continuities and long-term relationships between the human scale of public spaces and the sense of place related to historic/traditional infrastructural pathways.The interest of various international research and of the WHO(World Health Organization)itself extends the subject of public health to the relationship of the individual with the environment,and with the rest of the social interactions,considering the latter a factor that can affect the reduction of illnesses.In order to act in the direction of improving people’s health,to determine the conditions for a life free of diseases and disabilities,and to generate cities and common spaces of use capable of encouraging the adoption of healthy and active lifestyles by people of all ages,the research makes a comparison between possible interventions in Italy and Spain.

A Method for the Application of Numerical Simulations during Firefighting Operations Using Pre-Simulated, Model-Based Fire Scenarios

The spread of fire and smoke during a fire incident plays a crucial role in rescuing people from the burning building. So it is important for the decision makers (the head of rescue staff) to get a prediction about the spread of fire inside the building through computational techniques like numerical fire simulations. But these techniques require advanced mathematical knowledge and are very time consuming. This paper presents a new method which employs a set of pre-simulated and model-based scenarios to find the closest one to the real fire and present its results to the decision makers. For this purpose, we shift the performance consuming numerical fire simulations into a former phase by integration of these simulations into the planning process of the building. This is realized by enhancing the methods of Building Information Modeling (BIM). To provide the fire simulation results during a real case, our new concept includes a scenario database where all simulated fire scenarios will be collected. In a real case, a special search algorithm will go through this database to find the closest pre-simulated fire scenario to the real fire on the basis of reported information from the burning building.

Dynamically loading IFC models on a web browser based on spatial semantic partitioning

Industry foundation classes(IFC)is an open and neutral data format specification for building information modeling(BIM)that plays a crucial role in facilitating interoperability.With increases in web-based BIM applications,there is an urgent need for fast loading large IFC models on a web browser.However,the task of fully loading large IFC models typically consumes a large amount of memory of a web browser or even crashes the browser,and this significantly limits further BIM applications.In order to address the issue,a method is proposed for dynamically loading IFC models based on spatial semantic partitioning(SSP).First,the spatial semantic structure of an input IFC model is partitioned via the extraction of story information and establishing a component space index table on the server.Subsequently,based on user interaction,only the model data that a user is interested in is transmitted,loaded,and displayed on the client.The presented method is implemented via Web Graphics Library,and this enables large IFC models to be fast loaded on the web browser without requiring any plug-ins.When compared with conventional methods that load all IFC model data for display purposes,the proposed method significantly reduces memory consumption in a web browser,thereby allowing the loading of large IFC models.When compared with the existing method of spatial partitioning for 3D data,the proposed SSP entirely uses semantic information in the IFC file itself,and thereby provides a better interactive experience for users.

Research on Construction of Bill of Quantities of Prefabricated Buildings Based on BIM

Building Information Model(BIM)Technology can be widely used in various construction fields.The construction quality and project cost of the prefabricated construction industry based on BIM can be effectively controlled.Based on BIM Technology,the integration of bill of quantities can effectively control the cost of prefabricated construction and improve competitiveness in the bidding process.Based on this,the characteristics and advantages of bill of quantities pricing based on BIM were expounded in this paper.Besides,the structure and content construction of bill of quantities were analyzed,followed by an analysis of pricing control strategy based on BIM were analyzed for assembly building quantities for reference.

基于ADE的IFC到CityGML层次转换模型

新型城市化建设和管理过程中,借助建筑信息模型(building information modeling,BIM)与地理信息系统(geographic information system,GIS)的数据集成,不但能实现建筑物的精细化表达,而且室外信息得以兼顾,实现空间分析及室内外一体化表达。但BIM与GIS两种不同的数据格式无法直接实现数据的互通。为此,首先分析了模型IFC和CityGML在文档形式等方面的差异,并实现了多个简单建筑物IFC模型到CityGML3.0 LOD2、LOD3的转换。其次,针对上述数据集成实验中语义丢失问题,扩展GIS的CityGML3.0数据格式,提出CityGML B-Con扩展模型,完善IFC到CityGML3.0的一对一映射关系。最后,实现多个不同复杂程度建筑物IFC模型到CityGML B-Con扩展模型的转换。实验结果表明,利用CityGML B-Con模型能实现BIM与GIS的数据集成。宏观层面来说,能够增强转换后建筑物外观的细节程度,微观层面而言,BuildingConstructiveElement和BuildingInstallation的子类得以区分,IfcStair、IfcRamp和IfcBeam等建筑构件都能通过一对一映射的方式转换至CityGML中,克服了CityGML原有标准在建筑物构件表达方面的缺陷,有效减少了BIM源数据语义信息的丢失。