Interoperability analysis of IFC-based data exchange between heterogeneous BIM software
Abstract
Traditionally, the one-to-one interaction between heterogeneous software has become the most commonly used method for multi-disciplinary collaboration in building projects, resulting in numerous data interfaces, different data formats, and inefficient collaboration. As the prevalence of Building Information Modeling (BIM) increases in building projects, it is expected that the exchange of Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)-based data can smoothly take place between heterogeneous BIM software. However, interoperability issues frequently occur during bidirectional data exchanges using IFC. Hence, a data interoperability experiment, including architectural, structural and MEP models from a practical project, was conducted to analyze these issues in the process of data import and re-export between heterogeneous software. According to the results, the fundamental causes of interoperability issues can be concluded as follows: (a) software tools cannot well interpret several objects belonging to other disciplines due to the difference in domain knowledge; (b) software tools have diverse methods to represent the same geometry, properties and relations, leading to inconsistent model data. Furthermore, this paper presents a suggested method for improving the existing bidirectional data sharing and exchange: BIM software tools export models using IFC format, and these IFC models are imported into a common IFC-based BIM platform for data interoperability.
Keyword : Building Information Modeling (BIM), Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), data interoperability, interoperability issues, multiple disciplines, BIM software
How to Cite
Lai, H., & Deng, X. (2018). Interoperability analysis of IFC-based data exchange between heterogeneous BIM software. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 24(7), 537-555. https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2018.6132
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
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Lee, G.; Won, J.; Ham, S.; Shin, Y. 2011. Metrics for quantifying the similarities and differences between IFC files, Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering 25(2): 172–181. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000077
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Lipman, R.; Palmer, M.; Palacios, S. 2011. Assessment of conformance and interoperability testing methods used for construction industry product models, Automation in Construction 20(4): 418–428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2010.11.011
Ma, H.; Ha, E.; Chung, J.; Amor, R. 2006. Testing semantic interoperability, in Proceedings of Joint International Conference on Computing and Decision Making in Civil and Building Engineering, 14–16 June 2006, Montreal, Canada, 1216–1225.
Muller, M. F.; Garbers, A.; Esmanioto, F.; Huber, N.; Loures, E. R.; Canciglieri, O. 2017. Data interoperability assessment though IFC for BIM in structural design – a five-year gap analysis, Journal of Civil Engineering and Management 23(7): 943–954. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2017.1341850
National Institute of Standards and Technology. 2011. IFC file analyser [online], [cited 20 May 2018]. Available from Internet: https://www.nist.gov/services-resources/software/ifc-file-analyzer
Nizam, R. S.; Zhang, C. 2015. Current state of information exchange between the two most popular BIM software: Revit and Tekla, in Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Sustainable Buildings and Structures, 29–31 October 2015, Suzhou, China.
Oh, M.; Lee, J.; Hong, S. W.; Jeong, Y. 2015. Integrated system for BIM-based collaborative design, Automation in Construction 58: 196–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2015.07.015
Olawumi, T. O.; Chan, D. W. M.; Wong, J. K. W. 2017. Evolution in the intellectual structure of BIM research: A bibliometric analysis, Journal of Civil Engineering and Management 23(8): 1060–1081. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2017.1374301
Oleary, M. L. 2015. A first course in mathematical logic and set theory. New York: Wiley.
Pazlar, T.; Turk, Z. 2008. Interoperability in practice: Geometric data exchange using the IFC standard, Electronic Journal of Information Technology in Construction 13: 362–380.
Ramaji, I. J.; Memari, A. M. 2016. Interpreted information exchange: Systematic approach for BIM to engineering analysis information transformations, Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering 30(6): 04016028. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000591
Ramaji, I. J.; Memari, A. M. 2018. Extending the current model view definition standards to support multi-storey modular building projects, Architectural Engineering and Design Management 14: 158–176. https://doi.org/10.1080/17452007.2017.1386083
Sanguinetti, P.; Abdelmohsen, S.; Lee, J.; Lee, J.; Sheward, H.; Eastman, C. 2012. General system architecture for BIM: An integrated approach for design and analysis, Advanced Engineering Informatics 26(2): 317–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2011.12.001
Shi, X.; Liu, Y. S.; Gao, G.; Gu, M.; Li, H. J. 2018. IFCdiff: A content-based automatic comparison approach for IFC files, Automation in Construction 86: 53–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.10.013
Sibenik, G. 2016. Building information modelling based interdisciplinary data exchange: A case study, in The 1st International UK BIM Academic Forum Conference, 13–15 September 2016, Glasgow, Scotland.
Smith, D. K.; Tardiff, M. 2009. Building information modeling: A strategic implementation guide for architects, engineers, constructors and real estate asset managers. New York: Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470432846
Taher, A. A. 2016. BIM software capability and interoperability analysis: An analytical approach toward structural usage of BIM software (S-BIM): Ms thesis. Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
Tolman, F. 1999. Product modeling standards for the building and construction industry: Past, present, and future, Automation in Construction 8(3): 227–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0926-5805(98)00073-9
BuildingSMART. 2013. List of software claiming IFC support [online], [cited 20 May 2018]. Available from Internet: http://www.buildingsmart-tech.org/implementation/implementations
BuildingSMART. 2018. List of software participating in IFC certification [online], [cited 20 May 2018]. Available from Internet: http://www.buildingsmart-tech.org/certification/ifc-certification-2.0/ifc2x3-cv-v2.0-certification/participants
Chen, D.; Doumeingts, G.; Vernadat, F. 2008. Architectures for enterprise integration and interoperability: Past, present and future, Computers in Industry 59(7): 647–659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2007.12.016
Choi, J. S.; Kim, I. H. 2011. Interoperability tests between IFC certified software for open BIM based quality assurance, in Proceedings of the 28th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction, 29 June – 2 July 2011, Seoul, Korea. https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2011/0240
Eastman, C.; Teicholz, P.; Sacks, R.; Liston, K. 2011. BIM handbook: A guide to building information modeling for owners, managers, designers, engineers and contractors. 2nd ed. New York: Wiley.
Golabchi, A.; Kamat, V. R. 2013. Evaluation of industry foundation classes for practical building information modeling interoperability, in Proceedings of the 30th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction and Mining, 11–15 August 2013, Montreal, Canada. https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2013/0003
Hu, Z. Z.; Tian, P. L.; Li, S. W.; Zhang, J. P. 2017. BIM-based integrated delivery technologies for intelligent MEP management in the operation and maintenance phase, Advances in Engineering Software 115: 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advengsoft.2017.08.007
Jeong, Y. S.; Eastman, C. M.; Sacks, R.; Kaner, I. 2009. Benchmark tests for BIM data exchanges of precast concrete, Automation in Construction 18(4): 469–484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2008.11.001
Kam, C.; Fischer, M.; Hanninen, R.; Lehto, S.; Laitinen, J. 2002. Implementation challenges and research needs of the IFC interoperability standard: Experiences from HUT-600 construction pilot, in Proceedings of the International Workshop on Information Technology in Civil Engineering: Computing in Civil Engineering, 2–3 November 2002, Washington, DC, USA, 211–220. https://doi.org/10.1061/40652(2003)18
Karan, E. P.; Irizarry, J. 2015. Extending BIM interoperability to preconstruction operations using geospatial analyses and semantic web services, Automation in Construction 53: 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2015.02.012
Kim, K.; Yu, J. 2016. A process to divide curved walls in IFC-BIM into segmented straight walls for building energy analysis, Journal of Civil Engineering and Management 22(3): 333–345. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2014.897975
Kiviniemi, A. 2008. IFC certification process and data exchange problems, in Proceedings of the 7th European Conference on Product and Process Modelling, 10–12 September 2008, Nice, France.
Kiviniemi, A.; Tarandi, V.; Karlshøj, J.; Bell, H.; Karud, O. J. 2008. Review of the development and implementation of IFC compatible BIM. Erabuild project report.
Lee, G. 2011. What information can or cannot be exchanged?, Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering 25(1): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000062
Lee, G.; Won, J.; Ham, S.; Shin, Y. 2011. Metrics for quantifying the similarities and differences between IFC files, Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering 25(2): 172–181. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000077
Liao, L.; Teo, E. A. L. 2017. Critical success factors for enhancing the building information modelling implementation in building projects in Singapore, Journal of Civil Engineering and Management 23(8): 1029–1044. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2017.1374300
Lipman, R.; Palmer, M.; Palacios, S. 2011. Assessment of conformance and interoperability testing methods used for construction industry product models, Automation in Construction 20(4): 418–428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2010.11.011
Ma, H.; Ha, E.; Chung, J.; Amor, R. 2006. Testing semantic interoperability, in Proceedings of Joint International Conference on Computing and Decision Making in Civil and Building Engineering, 14–16 June 2006, Montreal, Canada, 1216–1225.
Muller, M. F.; Garbers, A.; Esmanioto, F.; Huber, N.; Loures, E. R.; Canciglieri, O. 2017. Data interoperability assessment though IFC for BIM in structural design – a five-year gap analysis, Journal of Civil Engineering and Management 23(7): 943–954. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2017.1341850
National Institute of Standards and Technology. 2011. IFC file analyser [online], [cited 20 May 2018]. Available from Internet: https://www.nist.gov/services-resources/software/ifc-file-analyzer
Nizam, R. S.; Zhang, C. 2015. Current state of information exchange between the two most popular BIM software: Revit and Tekla, in Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Sustainable Buildings and Structures, 29–31 October 2015, Suzhou, China.
Oh, M.; Lee, J.; Hong, S. W.; Jeong, Y. 2015. Integrated system for BIM-based collaborative design, Automation in Construction 58: 196–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2015.07.015
Olawumi, T. O.; Chan, D. W. M.; Wong, J. K. W. 2017. Evolution in the intellectual structure of BIM research: A bibliometric analysis, Journal of Civil Engineering and Management 23(8): 1060–1081. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2017.1374301
Oleary, M. L. 2015. A first course in mathematical logic and set theory. New York: Wiley.
Pazlar, T.; Turk, Z. 2008. Interoperability in practice: Geometric data exchange using the IFC standard, Electronic Journal of Information Technology in Construction 13: 362–380.
Ramaji, I. J.; Memari, A. M. 2016. Interpreted information exchange: Systematic approach for BIM to engineering analysis information transformations, Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering 30(6): 04016028. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000591
Ramaji, I. J.; Memari, A. M. 2018. Extending the current model view definition standards to support multi-storey modular building projects, Architectural Engineering and Design Management 14: 158–176. https://doi.org/10.1080/17452007.2017.1386083
Sanguinetti, P.; Abdelmohsen, S.; Lee, J.; Lee, J.; Sheward, H.; Eastman, C. 2012. General system architecture for BIM: An integrated approach for design and analysis, Advanced Engineering Informatics 26(2): 317–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2011.12.001
Shi, X.; Liu, Y. S.; Gao, G.; Gu, M.; Li, H. J. 2018. IFCdiff: A content-based automatic comparison approach for IFC files, Automation in Construction 86: 53–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.10.013
Sibenik, G. 2016. Building information modelling based interdisciplinary data exchange: A case study, in The 1st International UK BIM Academic Forum Conference, 13–15 September 2016, Glasgow, Scotland.
Smith, D. K.; Tardiff, M. 2009. Building information modeling: A strategic implementation guide for architects, engineers, constructors and real estate asset managers. New York: Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470432846
Taher, A. A. 2016. BIM software capability and interoperability analysis: An analytical approach toward structural usage of BIM software (S-BIM): Ms thesis. Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
Tolman, F. 1999. Product modeling standards for the building and construction industry: Past, present, and future, Automation in Construction 8(3): 227–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0926-5805(98)00073-9