3DIR: exploiting topological relationships in three-dimensional information retrieval from BIM environments

An increasing amount of information is being packed into Building Information Models, with the 3D geometrical model serving as the central index leading to other building information. The Three-Dimensional Information Retrieval (3DIR) project investigates information retrieval from such environments, where information or documents are linked to a 3D artefact. Here, the 3D visualization/geometry can be exploited when formulating information retrieval queries, computing the relevance of information items to the query, or visualizing search results. Following reviews of literature in BIM and information retrieval, a clear gap was identified in the practice of information retrieval from BIM systems. The practical need for such a system was further specified using workshops with construction professionals as end users. A software prototype was developed, built on a commercial BIM platform. The 3DIR prototype creates an index of all text attached to the 3D model. The user can search for information by selecting specific 3D objects, specifying a spherical volume of the model and/or entering search keywords. This paper focuses on the exploitation of model topology. Relationships between 3D objects are used to widen the search, whereby relevant information items linked to a related 3D object (rather than information linked directly to a 3D object selected by the user) are still retrieved but ranked lower. Several such relationships between 3D objects were tested, whether explicitly encoded in the BIM information architecture or inferred from geometrical computations. An evaluation of the software prototype which exploits such topological relationships demonstrates its effectiveness but highlights the challenges to software users of added complexity. The system is subjectively rated comparably favorably. It is concluded that care needs to be taken when exploiting topological relationships, but that a tight coupling between text-based retrieval and the 3D model is generally effective in information retrieval from 3D BIM environments

BIM search engine: Exploiting interrelations between objects when assessing relevance

An increasing amount of information is packed into Building Information Models (BIMs), with the 3D geometry intended to serve as a central index leading to other information. The Three-Dimensional Information Retrieval (3DIR) project investigated information retrieval from such environments, with the aim of developing a search engine for searching and retrieving information from a building model. Here, the 3D model of the building can be exploited to formulate queries, compute the relevance of information items to a given query, and visualize search results. The focus of this paper is the computing of relevance. Literature in BIM/CAD and information retrieval was reviewed as a precursor to developing the search engine. Based on earlier research which identified the needs and aspirations of the users of BIMs, a graph theoretic formulation is proposed here to inform the emerging retrieval mechanisms of a BIM search engine. This formulation distinguishes between 3D and textual information in the model (the vertices in the graph), and between different types of relationships linking model objects (the edges in the graph). The value is tested of exploiting a 3D object’s relations to other 3D objects when assessing that object’s relevance to a query. For example, if a user is searching for “glazing door internal wall”, such a holistic/contextual search would rate the relevance of a “glazing panel” object more highly if it was touching “internal wall” or “door” objects. This notion was tested using an Autodesk Revit model from an architectural industry partner, augmented with the 3DIR search toolset. The model contained just under 7k 3D elements. Relationships between the objects were either hosting, touching or intersecting relationships. A comparison of the retrieval performance for a handful of test queries with and without this holistic/contextual search function does not decisively highlight the benefit but demonstrates the promise of this approach particularly for more complex multiple search term queries, as well as the value of the underlying graph theoretic formulation for studying and developing such systems

Comparative analysis of the applicability of BIM query languages for energy analysis

Paper no. 036A range of query languages have been used or developed to query partial information from Building Information Model (BIM)-based databases and files in recent decades. This paper aims to investigate the applicability of existing BIM query languages to extract necessary information from BIMs for energy analysis. A total of 16 query languages categorized into two groups, namely programming or generic query language, and domain specific query language, are summarized through extensive literature review. The key requirements of BIM data query for energy analysis are also developed, which include MVD based query support, custom query support, and easiness to construct queries. Taking these requirements as the criteria, the applicability of the 16 query languages is compared and analyzed. This paper then proposes some suggestions for developing effective and efficient building information query mechanisms for energy analysis.postprin

Benefits of Building Information Modelling in the Project Lifecycle: Construction Projects in Asia

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a process involving the creation and management of objective data with property, unique identity and relationship. In the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, BIM is adopted a lot in the lifecycle of buildings because of the high integration of information that it enables. Four-dimensional (4D) computer-aided design (CAD) has been adopted for many years to improve the construction planning process. BIM is adopted throughout buildings’ lifecycles, in design, construction and operation. This paper presents five large-scale public and financial projects that adopt BIM in the design, construction and operational phases. Different uses of BIM are compared and contrasted in the context of the separate backgrounds. It is concluded that productivity is improved where BIM is used to enable easy sharing and integration of information and convenient collaboration

Building Information Modelling (BIM) standardization

BIM, short for Building Information Modelling, is a digital tool disrupting the construction industry as a platform for central integrated design, modelling, asset planning running and cooperation. It provides all stakeholders with a digital representation of a building's characteristics in its whole life-cycle and thereby holds out the promise of large efficiency gains. One particular area where standardisation on BIM is needed is the exchange of information between software applications used in the construction industry. The leading organisation in this domain is buldingSMART which has developed and maintains Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs) as a neutral and open specification for BIM data model. Other standardisation work include data dictionaries (International Framework for Dictionaries Libraries) and processes (data delivery manuals). ISO/TC 59/SC 13 "Organization of information about construction works", a subcommittee of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) on the worldwide and CEN/TC 442 "Building Information Modelling", a technical committee of European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) on the European level develop and maintain standards in the BIM domain. Liaisons with a plethora of different institutions ensure the completeness and inclusiveness of the process as well as the smooth acceptance of adopted standards. Although BIM was originally devised for buildings the benefits such as less rework, fewer errors, enhanced collaboration, and design data that can ultimately be used to support operations, maintenance, and asset management mad it an attractive option also for infrastructure projects. As geographic information system (GIS) is a key element in any infrastructure project there is the need to integrate BIM and GIS. Both technologies use standard and open data formats, but they are different and presently there is no direct translation.JRC.E.4-Safety and Security of Building

Three-dimensional information retrieval (3DIR): A graph theoretic formulation for exploiting 3D geometry and model topology in information retrieval

The 3DIR project investigated the use of 3D visualization to formulate queries, compute the relevance of information items, and visualize search results. Workshops identified the user needs. Based on these, a graph theoretic formulation was created to inform the emerging system architecture. A prototype was developed. This enabled relationships between 3D objects to be used to widen a search. An evaluation of the prototype demonstrated that a tight coupling between text-based retrieval and 3D models could enhance information retrieval but add an extra layer of complexity

Three-Dimensional Information Retrieval (3DIR): exploiting 3D geometry and model topology in information retrieval from BIM environments

In building modelling environments, more and more information is being crammed into 2D/3D building and product models. This is particularly true given the rise of Building Information Modelling (BIM, Eastman et al., 2011). The Three-Dimensional Information Retrieval (3DIR) project investigates information retrieval from these environments, where information or documents are linked to a 3D building model. In these situations, the 3D visualization or 3D geometry of the building can be exploited when formulating information retrieval queries, computing the relevance of information items to the query, or visualizing search results. Managing such building information repositories in this way would take advantage of human strengths in vision, spatial cognition and visual memory (Lansdale and Edmonds, 1992; Robertson et al., 1998). Information retrieval is associated with documents, and a critic might argue that documents are relics from the pre-BIM age that are no longer relevant in the era of BIM. However, the challenge of information retrieval is pertinent whether we are dealing with documents which are coarse grains of information or building object parameters/attributes as finer grains of information. Demian and Fruchter (2005) demonstrated that traditional retrieval computations can be applied with good results to 3D building models where textual or symbolic data are treated as very short documents. In this sense, it is almost a question of semantics whether the information being retrieved comes from object properties embedded in the BIM, or from external documents linked to the BIM. The challenge remains of retrieving non-geometric or textual information. This paper describes the findings of the 3DIR project whose aim was to improve information retrieval when retrieving information or documents linked to a 3D artefact, or non-geometric information embedded in the model of the artefact. The central objective was to develop an information retrieval toolset for documents/information linked to 3D building models which exploits 3D geometry and model visualisation. Such a toolset is essentially a search engine for retrieving information with a BIM platform. As a further objective, the toolset should leverage topological relationships in the 3D model to enhance information retrieval

E-maintenance platform design for public infrastructure maintenance based on IFC ontology and Semantic Web services

As an important kind of infrastructure, a tunnel's life is estimated to be 100 years or more. During its service life, an effective maintenance strategy plays an essential role in keeping its availability and safety. Maintenance work involves a set of participants, activities, and resources, and in this case, tunnel-related data are distributed to heterogeneous information management systems in varying formats, bringing difficulties to implement effective maintenance. This paper proposes an E-maintenance Framework for Public Infrastructure (EFPI), combining Building Information Modeling (BIM), Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), and Semantic Web technologies to help integrate heterogeneous data and expert knowledge, enable information sharing through the whole life cycle, and support maintenance managers to make effective maintenance decisions. A cost estimation case is provided in this paper to illustrate the implementation mechanism and validate the proposed approach

Building Information Modeling (BIM) for existing buildings - literature review and future needs

Abstract not availableRebekka Volk, Julian Stengel, Frank Schultman