Search Results (467)

Building information modeling (BIM) is undeniably the most important trend in the digitization of the construction sector in recent years. BIM models currently being built are extremely geometrically rich, that is, they are modeled at a high level of detail in terms of geometry. Thanks to object-oriented programming paradigms, BIM models include high-level relationships to ensure interactions between objects, rapid view generation, and documentation. However, these models are not always equally rich in non-graphical data. This is true for parameters at the library object level, with which building object models are saturated, but also at the project, site, building, or floor levels according to the structure of the interoperable industry foundation classes (IFC) format. The current state of knowledge also lacks a clear methodology for inputting such data. For this reason, experimental work was undertaken on semantic enrichment in non-graphical data of a public building (a public kindergarten, Secemin, Poland), which has its BIM model at a high level of geometric detail but is poor in non-graphical data. As a result of the research and development work, all levels of the IFC structure were saturated with non-graphical data and validated, and the possibilities of their use were shown from the perspective of the facility manager. Documentation from the manager was used to achieve this goal, and selected analyses and simulations were performed on the enriched model. This article contributes to the discussion on semantic enrichment from CAD3D to BIM by presenting a detailed process for entering non-graphical data into a BIM model. The presented data entry method can be used by both modelers and facility managers. Thus, this paper fills an important research gap related to semantic enrichment in non-graphical data at different levels of the IFC structure. Full article

Traditional teaching methods in construction management education often face challenges in providing students with practical, real-world experiences crucial for skill development. To address these limitations, this study explores the potential of integrating building information modeling (BIM) and virtual reality (VR) as educational tools for construction management students. Our aim is to assess the effectiveness of a 4D-BIM-based VR simulation in enhancing student’s learning experiences and performance in construction project management. This research employs a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative data and qualitative insights from a comparative experiment involving undergraduate students. Quantitative data were collected through objective error detection measures in construction sequences and processes, while qualitative insights were gathered from participant feedback. The findings highlight that students using VR-based simulations detected more errors in construction sequences and processes than in traditional 2D drawings, showcasing the utility of BIM and VR-enabled approaches in teaching construction management. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on integrating advanced technologies into educational practices, particularly in construction management, where practical hands-on experiences are crucial for skill development and real-world application. Full article

In the context of urban sustainability and the development of resilient cities, the use of 4D geospatial data and the integration and association of building information with geographical information are of considerable interest. Achieving this integration is particularly significant in the scientific field from a technical standpoint but poses significant challenges due to the incompatibility between the two environments. This research proposes various methodologies for the effective integration of BIM/GIS data by analyzing their pros and cons and highlights the innovative aspects of the integration between these systems. Starting with the use of commercial software that has enabled the integration of a building’s 3D model within a GIS environment (this system is particularly useful for its ease of management and the potential for practical applications), this study progresses to an experimental virtual/augmented/mixed reality app developed by the authors that allows for the virtual integration of a building with its territorial context. It concludes with an innovative methodology that, by using the customizable and extensible libraries of the Cesium platform, facilitates the integration of structural data within a 4D geospatial space. This study demonstrates the feasibility of integrating BIM and GIS data despite inherent incompatibilities. The innovative use of Cesium platform libraries further enhances this integration, providing a comprehensive solution for intelligent and sustainable urban planning. By addressing the challenges of incompatibility, the final solution offers critical insights for a deeper understanding of evolving urban landscapes and for monitoring urban expansion and its environmental impacts. Full article

Building information modeling (BIM) is the hottest topic of the last decade in the construction sector. BIM is interacting with other technologies toward the realization of digital twins. The integration of laser scanning technology and BIM is progressing. Increasingly, solid, mesh models are being semantically enriched for BIM. A point cloud can provide an excellent source of data for developing a BIM model. The BIM model will be refined not only geometrically but can also be saturated with non-graphical data. The problem is the lack of a clear methodology for compiling such models based on TLS and images. The research and development work between universities and companies has put modern digital solutions into practice. Thus, the purpose of this work was to develop a universal methodology for the acquisition and extraction of data from disconnected sources. In this paper, three BIM models were made based on point clouds derived from laser scanning. The case studies presented confirm the validity of the “scan to BIM approach, especially in the context of historic buildings (HBIMs). The paper posits that the integration of laser scanning, digital photogrammetry and BIM provides value in the preservation of heritage buildings. In the process of the practical work and an in-depth literature study, the ever-present limitations of BIM were identified as research challenges. The paper contributes to the discussion on the use of BIM in the design, construction and operation of buildings, including historic buildings. The acronym HBIM (heritage building information modeling) will increasingly resonate in the academic and practical work of the discipline of conservation and maintenance of historic buildings and cultural heritage sites. Full article

Smart cities use technological solutions to reduce the drawbacks of urban living. The importance of BIM and GIS integration has increased with the popularity of smart city and 3D city concepts in recent years. In addition to 3D city models, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an essential element of smart cities. The 3D city model web client in this study displays three-dimensional (3D) city models created using photogrammetric techniques, BIM, and campus infrastructure projects. The comparison and integration of the aforementioned systems were evaluated. A web-based 3D client framework and implementation for combined BIM and 3D city models are the goals of the submitted work. The Web is a very challenging platform for 3D data presentation. The Cesium engine based on HTML5 and WebGL is an open-source creation and the virtualcityMAP application using the Cesium infrastructure was used in this study. Full article

This study suggests a pioneering conservation framework that significantly enhances the preservation, renovation, and restoration of heritage architecture through the integration of contemporary digital technologies. Focusing on the endangered drum towers of the Dong ethnic group in Southwestern China, the research employs a meticulous data collection process that combines manual measurements with precise 2D imaging and oblique unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photography, enabling comprehensive documentation of tower interiors and exteriors. Collaboration with local experts in drum tower construction not only enriches the data gathered but also provides profound insights into the architectural nuances of these structures. An accurate building information modeling (BIM) simulation illuminates the internal engineering details, deepening the understanding of their complex design. Furthermore, UAV-obtained point cloud data facilitate a 3D reconstruction of the tower’s exterior. This innovative approach to heritage preservation not only advances the documentation and comprehension of heritage structures but also presents a scalable, replicable model for cultural conservation globally, paving the way for future research in the field. Full article

Three-dimensional indoor models have wide applications in fields such as indoor navigation, civil engineering, virtual reality, and so on. With the development of LiDAR technology, automatic reconstruction of indoor models from point clouds has gained significant attention. We propose a new framework for generating indoor 3D digital models from point clouds. The proposed method first generates a room instance map of an indoor scene. Walls are detected and projected onto a horizontal plane to form line segments. These segments are extended, intersected, and, by solving an integer programming problem, line segments are selected to create room polygons. The polygons are converted into a raster image, and image connectivity detection is used to generate a room instance map. Then the roofs of the point cloud are extracted and used to perform an overlap analysis with the generated room instance map to segment the entire roof point cloud, obtaining the roof for each room. Room boundaries are defined by extracting and regularizing the roof point cloud boundaries. Finally, by detecting doors and windows in the scene in two steps, we generate the floor plans and 3D models separately. Experiments with the Giblayout dataset show that our method is robust to clutter and furniture point clouds, achieving high-accuracy models that match real scenes. The mean precision and recall for the floorplans are both 0.93, and the Point–Surface Distance (PSD) and standard deviation of the PSD for the 3D models are 0.044 m and 0.066 m, respectively. Full article

Three dimensional-printing construction is an emerging technology with significant potential for faster building execution and more precise, controllable designs. This technology utilizes material deposition managed by computer data, enabling additive construction of shapes. This research aims to develop a generative design system for 3D-printed houses in Chile, addressing the country’s growing demand for housing across diverse geographical locations and social groups, also present in other parts of the world. The development process involves synthesizing the external form features of existing Chilean houses and analyzing prototypes of 3D-printed houses worldwide to establish a set of geometric characteristics suitable for 3D-printed homes in Chile. A procedure is then outlined to create design alternatives using parametric programming on a BIM platform, followed by toolpath development for printing the building components. Various models are generated to demonstrate housing shapes’ versatility and adaptability to Chilean contexts and 3D-printed construction methods. Finally, a detailed design is created and printed to construct a housing prototype, testing the entire digital workflow. This experience highlights the variety of 3D-printed housing shapes that can be developed while assessing their feasibility for the Chilean context. This research complements the flexible design capabilities of 3D printing construction, resulting in buildings better suited to various locations and occupancy needs. Full article

The construction sector is known for exposing workers to numerous potential hazards, with falls from heights being the leading cause. These fatal fall accidents not only result in human loss but also impose significant financial costs on construction projects. However, current safety planning and management is typically carried out manually using safety documents and 2D models, which are time-consuming and labor-intensive. There is also a lack of visualization for the placement of temporary safety facilities (TSFs) during construction. Meanwhile, Building Information Modeling (BIM) has the potential to be used as a comprehensive workspace planning for TSFs in a scheduling manner. Therefore, this study proposes the development of a construction safety dashboard to inform workers about fall hazards using spatial–temporal data stored in 4D BIM. The proposed approach includes four modules: (1) identification and assessment of risk from identified work activities, (2) development of 4D BIM model, (3) creation of a dashboard to share safety knowledge, and (4) validation of the dashboard through interviews with safety managers and site workers. This approach is tested on a stadium project, particularly focusing on roof work activities, where workers are most prone to fall hazards. The proposed method aims to provide ease for site workers to access safety knowledge, including risk identification (including risk, fatality, location, and time), visualization of TSFs, personal protective equipment, and safety work instructions. This interactive dashboard also enables safety managers to plan safety measures, allocate TSFs efficiently, and make well-informed decisions to effectively mitigate risks. Full article

The UK Government’s Building Information Modelling (BIM) mandate has encouraged the utilisation of BIM within the Transportation Sector (TS), with research demonstrating positive effects of BIM. However, BIM processes are incipient to TS project implementation across the UK. This paper is carried out to understand the current BIM usage within the UK’s TS and how BIM practises and workflows contribute towards the government’s NZC approach. We used research questions derived from the population, intervention, comparison and outcome (PICO) system and inclusion and exclusion criteria to screen irrelevant information from a Systematic Literature review with 18 pieces of literature. We identified six key drivers: carbon reduction and BIM, BIM in transportation design, BIM uptake and usage in transportation, BIM in transportation construction and Digital Twins and BIM. It was identified that, with the integration of the Carbon Calculator Tool into Civil 3D, structural and material data can be obtained and areas of Embodied Carbon hotspots can be identified to contribute to reduce overall carbon across a project, which requires further collaboration between software providers and industry leaders for further streamlining the process. A limitation of this research is the requirement for wider study of differing disciplines within the TS, more qualitative research and a lack of information regarding other Carbon Calculator Tools and how compatible they are with Civil 3D. Full article

This study investigates the integration of Building Information Models (BIMs) and Virtual Tour (VT) environments in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, focusing on Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM), Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMSs), and data Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA). The interconnected nature of tasks throughout a building’s life cycle increasingly demands a seamless integration of real-time monitoring, 3D models, and building data technologies. While there are numerous examples of effective links between IoT and BIMs, as well as IoT and VTs, a research gap exists concerning VT-BIM integration. This article presents a technical solution that connects BIMs and IoT data using VTs to enhance workflow efficiency and information transfer. The VT is developed upon a pilot based on the Controlled Environments for Living Lab Studies (CELLS), a unique facility designed for flexible monitoring and remote-control processes that incorporate BIMs and IoT technologies. The findings offer valuable insights into the potential of VTs to complement and connect to BIMs from a life-cycle perspective, improving the usability of digital twins for beginner users and contributing to the advancement of the AEC and CAFM industries. Our technical solution helps complete the connectivity of BIMs-VT-IoT, providing an intuitive interface (VT) for rapid data visualisation and access to dashboards, models and building databases. The practical field of application is facility management, enhancing monitoring and asset management tasks. This includes (a) sensor data monitoring, (b) remote control of connected equipment, and (c) centralised access to asset-space information bridging BIM and visual (photographic/video) data. Full article

Timeliness, budget consciousness, and quality are critical to the success of a project, and become increasingly challenging with increased project complexity. Five-dimensional building information modeling (BIM) integrates cost and schedule data with a 3D model, and enhances project management by addressing budgeting, timelines, and visualization simultaneously. However, a comprehensive assessment of 5D BIM’s impact on key performance indicators is currently lacking. This research aims to identify the critical factors influencing the adoption of 5D BIM and its impact on key project performance indicators. A thorough systematic literature review and qualitative analysis were conducted to achieve this goal. Relevant articles from the past decade (2014–2023) were examined from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, of which 222 were selected and screened using PRISMA procedures. This research found consistent and rapid updating of keywords, highlighting the dynamic evolution of 5D BIM and its expanding applications in the construction industry. Thirty critical factors affecting the adoption of 5D BIM were identified and categorized into the following six groups based on the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework: technology, organization, environment, operator, project, and government policy. The 15 factors driving construction project performance in integrated 5D BIM were divided into cost, time, and quality performance based on key performance indicators. This review offers innovative insights into 5D BIM adoption, and can aid stakeholders in developing effective 5D BIM implementations. Full article

This paper presents a systematic approach to perform spatial analysis with detailed indoor building models for emergency service decision supports. To achieve a more realistic spatial application, this research integrates three-dimensional (3D) indoor building models and their attributes to simulate an emergency evacuation scenario. Indoor building models of a complicated train station with different levels of detail are generated from two-dimensional (2D) floor plans and Building Information Model (BIM) datasets. In addition to the 3D building models, spatial and non-spatial attributes are also associated with the created building models and the objects within them. The ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm is modified to analyze the indoor building models for emergency service decision support applications. The detailed indoor models and the proposed spatial analysis algorithms are tested in simulated emergency evacuation scenarios to select the best routes during emergency services. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system is helpful for selecting the optimal route with the least cost at varying time stamps. Together with the developed spatial analysis framework, they have a great potential for effective decision support during emergency situations. Full article

Over the past decade, numerous countries and researchers have been investigating the potential of 3D cadastre based on the Building Information Model (BIM). In Türkiye, the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (GDLRC) has been engaged in the “Production of 3D City Models and Creation of 3D Cadastral Bases Project” since 2018. One of the objectives is to develop 3D (physical) digital building models (and databases) through the digitization of floor plans of architectural drawings. In order to ensure the long-term viability of this project, a new regulation was issued in 2021. This regulation mandates the submission of 3D digital building models to the land registry in order to register condominiums. The future goals of the GDLRC include utilizing the 3D digital building models produced to create legal spaces in condominium buildings for the 3D cadastre. However, no research has yet been carried out for this goal. The objective of this research is to identify the legal and BIM data requirements for deriving legal spaces in condominium buildings, in light of the legislative analysis, and to develop a web-based 3D cadastre visualization prototype (showing both legal spaces and physical objects) based on the requirements obtained from the scientific literature. The result of this research demonstrates that well-structured and annotated BIM data can be used to develop a 3D cadastre prototype that meets the legal requirements in the case of Türkiye. Moreover, it is evident that, although the GDLRC has initiated the construction of a robust foundation for a 3D cadastre based on BIM, further enhancements and resolutions must be implemented from a legal and technical standpoint. It is postulated that the identified requirements and the proposed methodology in this research may assist decision-makers in Türkiye and globally in formulating their strategic plans for a 3D cadastre. Full article

This study investigates the utilization of 3D laser scanning, GPS, BIM and GIS technologies for safeguarding historical wooden structures. As a case study, it focuses on two historic Chinese wooden buildings, the Guanyin Pavilion and Tangwang Palace, renowned for their exceptional historical significance and intricate timber architecture. The Guanyin Pavilion was subjected to high-precision modeling and tilt monitoring, which found that certain columns had a maximum tilt angle of 0.7892°. Additionally, a general tilt tendency was seen across various structural elements. The measurements from the point cloud data exhibited an error range of ±10 mm. However, the relative errors in smaller components approached 2.5%, which necessitated regular verification through human measurements. Using GIS and BIM technology in Tangwang Palace facilitated the meticulous documentation and dynamic supervision of architectural components, encompassing historical development and present state. The maintenance records revealed persistent problems with the roof tiles and wooden beams, exposing structural vulnerabilities. During various maintenance intervals, it was observed that the roof tiles were frequently loose and separated, indicating potential flaws in the design or materials used. The application of these modern technologies enhances the effectiveness and precision of conservation efforts and provides a robust scientific foundation for the continuous monitoring and study of cultural heritage. Full article