Data interoperability assessment though IFC for BIM in structural design – a five-year gap analysis

Abstract

In the last years the AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) industry has been influenced by the development of Building Information Modelling (BIM). With the creation of complex systems, the need for efficient interoperability arises. Based on a study of BIM interoperability dimensions and its levels, this research presents an interoperability assessment of BIM system in the structural domain, especially considering cast-in-place concrete structures, since they present some special challenges for system interoperability. This assessment was conducted by experiments that imported and exported structural models and structural elements through a non-proprietarz standard for BIM models (IFC- Industry Foundation Classes). The experiments were conducted twice, with a five year gap from each other, so the evolution of the interoperability could be assessed as well. The results showed that some special characteristics must be considered in order to achieve efficient interoperability for cast-in-place concrete structures – these structures are monolithic and they have reinforcement steel bars that need detailing. Also, the research showed that in the five-year gap there were evolutions in interoperability, like in object identifiers, which had a considerable improvement. However, some of the major problems remain, such as overlapping of structural parts.

Keywords:

• interoperability assessment
• building information modelling
• BIM
• industry foundation classes
• IFC
• AEC industry

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marina Figueiredo Muller

Marina Figueiredo MULLER. Is the coordinator of the group of BIM studies at Pontifical Catholic University of Parana (PUCPR), where she currently works as an assistant professor for the civil engineering course, teaching concrete structures and Building Information Modelling. Also, she coordinates a program for disciplines (including BIM) in English for foreign and Brazilian students. She is a PhD candidate at the Industrial and Systems Engineering Graduate Program, developing researches on BIM interoperability. Marina Muller graduated at Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) as a Civil as an Engineer in 2008 and as a Master of Science in 2011, focusing her studies in BIM interoperability for cast-in-place concrete structures.

Amanda Garbers

Amanda GARBERS. Graduated as a Civil Engineer in 2016 at Pontifical Catholic University of Parana (PUCPR) and is currently specializing in Management and Execution for Construction at the Engineering Institute (IDD).

Filipe Esmanioto

Filipe ESMANIOTO. Filipe graduated as a Real Estate Business Technician in 2013 and as a Civil Engineer in 2014 at Pontifical Catholic University of Parana (PUCPR). Currently he is a master’s student at Industrial and Systems Engineering Graduate Program (PPGEPS) and participant in the BIM research group at the Pontifical Catholic University of Parana (PUCPR). Currently he works as an Engineer in Citta Construções e Empreendimentos in the south of Brazil. He develops research in the area of BIM and Sustainability.

Natan Huber

Natan Henrique Mannrich HUBER. Graduated as a computer technician graduated at Opet Educational Group (OPET) and civil engineer at Pontifical Catholic University of Parana (PUCPR) in 2014. Currently he is a Master student in the Industrial and Systems Engineering Graduate Program (PPGEPS) and a participant at the BIM research group at Pontifical Catholic University of Parana (PUCPR). He is also and an Engineer at Oriente Construções in the south of Brazil. He develops research in the area of BIM and Sustainability.

Eduardo Rocha Loures

Eduardo Rocha LOURES. Is a Full Professor (Systems Integration, Evaluation and Automation) at the Industrial and Systems Engineering Graduate Program at the Pontifical Catholic University of Parana (PUCPR), and an associate professor at the Federal University of Technology – Parana (UTFPR), both in Brazil. He is from 2010 the Education Chair of the International Society of Automation (ISA, District South America, Section Curitiba, Brazil). On 2012, he spent one year as a Visiting Academic at the Research Center for Automatic Control (CRAN), University of Lorraine, France. He holds a BSc Degree in Industrial Electrical Engineering (UTFPRBrazil), a MSc Degree in Applied Computer – Automation (PUCPR – Brazil) and a PhD in Industrial Systems (LAAS/CNRS – France). His research and teaching is in business process management, process aware information systems, performance management system, systems integration and interoperability.

Osiris Canciglieri

Osiris CANCIGLIERI Junior. Is a Full Professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Parana (PUCPR). He has experience in Product Development and Industrial Engineering with emphasis on Production. Professor Canciglieri research’s main areas of interest are: Computational tools to support engineering decision making, Manufacturing Processes, Planning and Production Control, QFD, CAD/CAM, DFM, DFA, DFX, Design for Dental Implant, Prosthesis Design, Product Development in a Concurrent Engineering Environment and others. He graduated in Industrial Mechanic Engineering at School of Industrial Engineering of São José dos Campos- SP - Brazil (1991); Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at State University of Campinas (DEF/ FEM/UNICAMP) – SP - Brazil (1994) and PhD. in Manufacturing Automation at Loughborough University – Loughborough – UK (1999). Invited professor at Loughborough University in 2008.