Automatic generation of BIM-based construction schedule: combining an ontology constraint rule and a genetic algorithm

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to automatically generate a construction schedule by extracting data from the BIM (Building Information Modeling) model and combining an ontology constraint rule and a genetic algorithm (GA).Design/methodology/approachThis study developed a feasible multi-phase framework to generate the construction schedule automatically through extracting information from the BIM, utilizing the ontology constraint rule to demonstrate the relationships between all the components and finally using the GA to generate the construction schedule.FindingsTo present the functionality of the framework, a prototype case is adopted to show the whole procedure, and the results show that the scheme designed in this study can quickly generate the schedule and ensure that it can satisfy the requirements of logical constraints and time parameter constraints.Practical implicationsA proper utilization of conceptual framework can contribute to the automatic generation of construction schedules and significantly reduce manual errors in the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Moreover, a scheme of BIM-based ontology and GA for construction schedule generation may reduce additional manual work and improve schedule management performance.Social implicationsThe hybrid approach combines the ontology constraint rule and GA proposed in this study, and it is an effective attempt to generate the construction schedule, which provides a direct indicator for the schedule control of the project.Originality/valueIn this study, the data application process of the BIM model is divided into four modules: extraction, processing, optimization, and output. The key technologies including secondary development, ontology theory, and GA are introduced to develop a multi-phase framework for the automatic generation of the construction schedule and to realize the schedule prediction under logical constraints and duration interference.

Evaluation of Construction Project’s Cost Using BIM Technology

“…The results of this work are consistent with the research findings of [1][2][3][4], who stated that BIM technology and the REVIT software tool could minimize much of human errors and achieve a higher degree of precision. Also, these results are consistent with the findings of [5][6][7], who reported that the REVIT program could save considerable effort and time that would be significantly consumed by engineers to estimate the construction project cost. Also, the results of this study are compatible with [8][9][10], who analyzed the critical role of the BIM technology and REVIT software in estimating project costs and found that using the REVIT program can significantly cut effort, time, and cost required to calculate the construction projects costs that have higher complexity.…”

“…The construction projects' activities and parameters associated with each building task have been growing in the last decades, leading to higher challenges and difficulties for quantity surveyors to calculate the cost of each project as the complexity of these projects is remarkable. Additionally, if the calculation process relies on human efforts, the cost assessment will contribute to various errors and less precision, and it will consume much time [5][6][7]. In this context, designers, planners, and scholars have been working through decades of Research and Development (R&D) to develop BIM technology and REVIT software package that can be capable of providing state-of-the-art cost-evaluation techniques by which these problems can be alleviated and resolved.…”

Soft computing in business: exploring current research and outlining future research directions

“…Topic 16- “Construction Project Management” concerns the research applying soft computing approaches in optimal planning of construction projects (Alotaibi et al ., 2022; Mahdavian and Shojaei, 2020), risk assessment (Elbashbishy et al ., 2022), optimizing the bidding decisions in projects (Mohamed et al ., 2022), construction process optimization (Shen et al ., 2022), cost prediction and optimization (Alsharqawi et al ., 2021; Sharma et al ., 2022a, b), construction schedule optimization (Wu and Ma, 2022), material procurement schedule optimization (Kar et al ., 2021).…”

“…Construction Project Management • Analysing the implemented strategies by construction project decision-makers taken to establish the most costeffective renovation schedules that balance contractor profits and project expenses (AlOtaibi et al, 2022). • Explore the methods for optimizing the algorithm to better align with the needs of multi-objective equalization (Wu and Ma, 2022). Table 12.…”

Generation of Construction Scheduling through Machine Learning and BIM: A Blueprint

“…Several studies have used AI in coordination with 3D and 4D BIM to generate construction schedules [2,[13][14][15][16][17][18]. Kim et al [2] proposed a framework for automating schedule generation from BIM, where the sequencing rules are predefined.…”