Data retrieval from building information models based on visual programming

Abstract

Background: With the rising adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the AEC sector, computational models supersede traditional ways of information provision based on textual documents and two-dimensional drawings. The use of models enables the streamlining of workflows, and the included virtual construction increases the quality of the final product, the building. To create a comprehensive description of a planned building, information from different sources must be combined, specified and regularly updated by the project's stakeholders. The emerging models are highly structured, and instance files entail large amounts of data. However, in an unprocessed state, these models are of limited suitability for performing engineering tasks as the amount and structure does not match the domain-specific and purpose-oriented views. Methods: Selection and filtering data for the user's needs is a well-understood task in computer science, and various approaches are available. A promising approach is the usage of formal query languages. In this paper, selected common query languages are examined and assessed for processing building model information. Based on the analysis, we come to the conclusion that textual query languages are too complex to be employed by typical end users in the construction industry such as architects and engineers. Results: To overcome this issue, two Visual Programming Languages representing a new, more intuitive mechanism for data retrieval are introduced. The first one, QL4BIM, is designed for general filtering of IFC models, the second one, VCCL, has been developed for Code Compliance Checking. Both languages provide operators based on the Relational Algebra to allow handling of relations -a highly required feature of BIM QLs. Conclusions: The paper concludes with a discussion of the strengths and limitations of visual programming languages in the BIM context.

Hybrid Java: The creation of a Hybrid Programming Environment

“…• The limitation attached to programs that can be created, which prohibits the creation of more complex programs, a fact also discussed by Preidel et. al (2017).…”

Linguagem de Programação Visual dentro do Contexto BIM: Mapeamento Sistemático da Literatura

“…O primeiro passo é aprender o básico do software e entender sua aplicabilidade aos problemas e oportunidades que surgem no design, construção e operação da construção [20]. Partindo disso, foi verificado que o VPL tem um alto grau de facilidade de uso e geralmente reduz o obstáculo para que os usuários que não são da área de tecnologia entrem no campo da programação [21]. O uso do VPL para manipular os dados BIM pode levar o usuário a automatizar tarefas de trabalho, desenvolvendo programas personalizados.…”

“…Com relação às desvantagens, as pesquisas indicam que a escalabilidade (capacidade de lidar com grandes quantidades de informações) dos programas criados com VPL pode ser um problema para essa abordagem [22]. Em particular, fluxos de controle mais complexos, como loops, geralmente não podem ser implementados ou são muito grandes e difíceis de entender [21]. Outro ponto de destaque é que o fluxo de trabalho com BIM-VPL não pode evitar a fase de preparação do modelo BIM onde o modelo precisa ter sido enriquecido com as informações semânticas corretas de modo que os dados necessários para o funcionamento correto dos scripts estejam bem estruturados e definidos [23].…”

Querying 3D Cadastral Information from BIM Models

“…A recent type of BIM-based queries relies on visual programming [46,47]. Preidel et al [48] developed visual languages for querying and compliance checking of BIM models. The argument for using a visual query language is that most textual querying languages are too complex for architects and engineers who typically have limited knowledge of information systems.…”