Automation of Information Flow between BIM and QR Code

With advent of Building Information Model (BIM) in architecture, engineering and construction three dimensional (3D) model has became an interface tool for accessing building’s information. BIM provides a framework to develop data rich product models and facilitates easy and fast access to the information stored in a database through the 3D model. Accessing the information using BIM is a two-step process. The first step includes the identification and selection of the appropriate 3D element from the digital model and second step includes the retrieval of the information. Currently, the first step is accomplished by navigating the model manually. This step becomes tedious depending upon the size and complexity of the model. This identification and selection process can be automated by integrating Quick Response (QR) code technology with BIM. This integration facilitate easy element selection and improves information retrieval from BIM. This paper discusses about the BIM and QR code framework which facilitates seamless information exchange between real world object and BIM

Integration of construction process documents into building information modeling

The work discusses the integration of construction process documents into the Building Information Modeling (BIM). The different phases of the building lifecycle include planning, design, construction, maintenance, and decommissioning. Existing practices facilitate the implementation of BIM only up to the early stages of the construction phase. This is partially due to absence of three dimensional (3D) as-built model and lack of integration of the construction process documents into model. The objective of this research is to extend implementation of the BIM by creating a 3D as-built model, a four dimensional (4D = 3D + time) as-built model, and attaching the construction process information to the model for use during the maintenance and decommissioning phase of the lifecycle. The accomplishment of the research objective was demonstrated through a real time construction project using commercially available BIM software products of three vendors. They are Autodesk, Bentley, and Graphisoft. The methodology adopted for developing a 3D as-built model included using the objective-driven data acquisition technique. This involved using a custom built robotic laser rangefinder mounted on a pan and tilt unit and a robotic total station for the data acquisition of as-built components. The development of the 4D as-built model, and attaching the construction process information to the 3D as-built model involved programming in C, C++, Visual Basic (VB), JScape object Model (JSM), and Geometrical Descriptive Language (GDL). The results indicated that the three vendors\u27 BIM products are not specifically prepared to accomplish the research objective but are adaptable with some programming. The amount of work required for BIM implementation varies depending on the vendor\u27s product. However, further research investigations and software developments are needed to reduce the amount of work required for BIM implementation

3D Scans—A New Teaching Tool in Construction Education

Use of technological gadgets became an integral part of Construction Management (CM) students’ life. Students have different learning styles and they want their academic learning experience to be engaging and interactive. Engaging these technology savvy students in the learning process with their preferred learning style is a challenging task. The differences in teaching and learning styles result in problems such as disengagement of students and loss of learning aptitude. This active student engagement challenge can be addressed by using 3D scan model learning environment. This learning environment has the potential to make a paradigm shift in teaching and learning process. This learning environment provides a new teaching style and helps the instructor to address some of the needs of the students’ learning styles. This learning environment engages students in active learning processes and helps them to focus on their learning. It also encourages students to take more responsibility for their own learning process. This paper discusses about the frame work of the 3D scan model learning environment. This paper also discusses how this frame work was used for development of a 3D scan model learning environment for a residential house construction process