Towards the implementation of building information models in geospatial context

Isikdag, U

Abstract

The construction industry is very much fragmented and the concept of
interoperability and integrated model based engineering is now becoming an
industrial need, to address the difficulties of information exchange at all stages
and between all parties involved in the construction life cycle. The lAI's IFC
(common building information model standard) is now maturing in supporting
the various phases of the construction life cycle. In addition, the industry is
beginning to use geographic information systems (GISs) in various stages of the
construction life cycle. Geospatial representations of building information models
can be required when working with geographic information systems in the
construction life cycle. On the other hand, geographic information systems are
commonly used information systems to plan and manage the urban built
environment. Some urban management tasks such as disaster management,
delivery of goods and services, detailed cityscape visualisation require a high
amount of geometrical and non-geometrical information about buildings. In fact,
the lack of integration between Building Information Models and the Geospatial
Information Domain, creates a technological barrier to, automation of some
industrial processes in construction life cycle and urban management domains. In
order to find a solution to this integration problem, this study aimed to assess
the applicability and benefits of an implementation of a building information
model in geospatial context. In light of the aim, the research assesses how a
technological innovation (an implementation of a building information model in a
geospatial context) can improve the process in related areas of the construction
life cycle and urban management domains.
The research started with a background literature review that is concerned with
the trends and visions of construction information technology, in order to
determine the main research directions. Major industrial trends and visions of,
computer integrated construction were investigated and, building and geospatial
information modelling are selected as two main research directions. The next
phase of the background study aimed to investigate the building information
modelling knowledge domain. In this context Standard for the Exchange of
Product Model Data (STEP), STEP based methods for information exchange, file
and database implementations of STEP, STEP based building information
modelling efforts, the structure of industry standard building information model-
Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)-, several industrial projects that implement
IFC model are investigated. The final stage of the background study investigated
the modelling and management of geospatial information. This stage of the
research started with investigating the role of geospatial information in
construction and urban management knowledge domains. The research
continued with investigating the geospatial data modelling efforts in two and
three dimensions, and also looked at the use of three dimensional geospatial

Citation

Isikdag, U. Towards the implementation of building information models in geospatial context. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2006