A Framework of Cloud-Computing-Based BIM Service for Building Lifecycle

Abstract

With the amount increasing, the BIM (Building Information Modeling or Building Information Model) data exchange and sharing face a series of challenges including integration of disparate data models, fast information extraction and data consistency maintenance. Since the existing BIM data storing and transferring method based on neutral files or a centralized database cannot meet the above-mentioned requirements, a framework of distributed BIM service on a private cloud platform was proposed. By this BIM service, multi-stage participants store relevant data on their own servers, which are virtually integrated through a CC (cloud computing) platform to form a logically complete BIM. It supports participants to establish, manage and transfer consistent BIM data efficiently with ensuring of data privacy. To achieve this BIM service, a BIM integration and service platform (BIMISP) based on IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) and CC was developed. Proved by experiments, the research achievements are useful for improving the efficiency and quality of information extraction and delivery, ensuring the safety and legality of data sharing during building lifecycle.

Data Transmission Opportunities for Collaborative Cloud-Based Building Information Modeling

“…First, manual file transfer that is currently a common way of exchanging BIM data across applications. Project data can be exported and shared in the form of vendor specific formats or neutral format using IFC standard (Zhang et al, 2014). Second, BIM server technologies in which server-based BIM solutions known as model collaboration systems (Shafiq et al, 2013) have provided a central BIM service with a single-sourced data server accessible for project partners (Zhang et al, 2014;Beetz et al, 2011).…”

“…Project data can be exported and shared in the form of vendor specific formats or neutral format using IFC standard (Zhang et al, 2014). Second, BIM server technologies in which server-based BIM solutions known as model collaboration systems (Shafiq et al, 2013) have provided a central BIM service with a single-sourced data server accessible for project partners (Zhang et al, 2014;Beetz et al, 2011). These model server technologies utilize information directly from the models and are intended to improve multidisciplinary collaboration (Shafiq et al, 2013).…”

“…Cloud-BIM has caused a new direction in BIM implementation and development to support BIM data generation and consumption among members of the project (Wu & Issa, 2012). By applying Cloud Computing in BIM services, Building Information Modeling can achieve a higher performance with a relatively low cost (Zhang et al, 2014). Therefore, Cloud-BIM technology is believed to lead to higher levels of information interaction and provide an effective cross-disciplinary collaboration (Wong et al, 2014;Juan & Zheng, 2014).…”

“…Collaboration in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry mainly relies on file transfer while BIM data are being stored and exchanged in the form of files with several formats (Zhang et al, 2014;Shafiq et al, 2013). The formats of these files could be either vendor specific or neutral format using Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) (Zhang et al, 2014) as an open BIM standard.…”

“…The formats of these files could be either vendor specific or neutral format using Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) (Zhang et al, 2014) as an open BIM standard.…”