Model server enabled management of collaborative changes in building information models

Abstract

The issues and challenges involved in controlling the collaborative changes in a Building Information Modeling (BIM) data repository, in a multi-model collaboration environment, are discussed. It is suggested that managing iterative changes in BIMs is a database problem, exacerbated by the long transaction times needed to support collaborative design progression. This is yet to be resolved in the construction industry and better solutions are needed to support the underlying workflows and computing operations for seamless collaboration on BIMs. With this in mind, this paper proposes the use of the structural and semantic characteristics of BIM objects as a mechanism for tracking changes across co-developed solutions. The creation of object signatures, using hash codes derived from their characteristics, provides a potential mechanism for object comparison and effective change recognition and management.

Keywords

building information models / collaboration / IFC / change management / model-servers

References

[1] Adachi Y (2001). Introduction of IFC model server.

[2] Adachi Y (2002). Overview of IFC model server framework. ECPPM, 2002: 367–372

[3] Beetz J, De Laat R, Van Berlo L, Van Den Helm P (2010). Towards an open building information model server. In: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Design & Decision Support Systems in Architecture and Urban Planning. The Netherlands

[4] Counsell J (2012). Beyond level 2 BIM, web portals and collaboration tools. In: Proceedings of 16th International Conference on Information Visualisation. 510–515

[5] Hietanen J (2002). BLIS review: IMSvr.

[6] Hjelseth E, Nisbet N (2010). Overview of concepts for model checking.

[7] Holt G D, Love P E, Jawahar Nesan L (2000). Employee empowerment in construction: An implementation model for process improvement. Team Performance Management: An International Journal, 6(3/4): 47–51

[8] Isikdag U, Aouad G, Underwood J, Wu S (2007). Building information models: A review on storage and exchange mechanisms, bringing ITC Knowledge to Work. In: Proceedings of CIB 24th W78 Conference Maribor 2007

[9] Jørgensen K A, Skauge J, Christiansson P, Svidt K, Sørensen K B, Mitchell J (2008). Use of IFC Model Servers—Modelling Collaboration Possibilities in Practice. Aalborg: Aalborg University

[10] Kiviniemi A, Fischer M, Bazjanac V (2005a). Integration of multiple product models: IFC model servers as a potential solution. In: Proceedings of the 22nd CIB-W78 Conference on Information Technology in Construction. 1–4

[11] Kiviniemi A, Fischer M, Bazjanac V (2005b). Multi-model Environment: Links between Objects in Different Building Models. In: Proceedings of the 22nd Conference on Information Technology in Construction CIB W78. Dresden: 277–284

[12] Kiviniemi A (2006). Ten years of IFC development why are we not yet there? International alliance for interoperability. In: Proceedings of 2006 Joint International Conference on Computing and Decision Making in Civil and Building Engineering. Montreal

[13] Koch C, Firmenich B (2011). An approach to distributed building modeling on the basis of versions and changes. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 25(2): 297–310

[14] Liebich T, Weise M, Laine T, Jokela M (2010). InPro building information model.

[15] Lloyd-Walker B, Walker D (2015). Collaborative project procurement arrangements. Newtown Square: Project Management Institute

[16] Lockley S, Greenwood D, Matthews J, Benghi C (2013). Constraints in authoring BIM components for optimal data reuse and interoperability: Results of some initial tests. International Journal of 3-D Information Modeling, 2(1): 29–44

[17] Lockley S, Rombouts W, Plokker W (1994). The Combine data exchange system. In: First ECPPM Conference, Dresden

[18] Love P E, Gunasekaran A (1997a). Process reengineering: A review of enablers. International Journal of Production Economics, 50(2–3): 183–197

[19] Love P E, Gunasekaran A (1997b). Concurrent engineering in the construction industry. Concurrent Engineering, 5(2): 155–162

[20] Lowe R H, Muncey J M (2009). Consensus DOCS 301 BIM Addendum. Construction Lawyer, 29(1): 17

[21] Ma H, Ha K, Chung C, Amor R (2006). Testing semantic interope-rability. In: Proceedings of the Joint International Conference on Computing and Decision Making in Civil and Building Engineering. 1216–1225

[22] Nour M (2007). Manipulating IFC sub-models in collaborative teamwork environments. In: Proceedings of the 24th CIB W-78 Conference on Information Technology in Construction. 1–12

[23] Nour M, Beucke K (2008). An open platform for processing IFC model versions. Tsinghua Science and Technology, 13: 126–131

[24] Nour M, Beucke K (2010). Object versioning as a basis for design change management within a BIM context. In: Proceedings of the 13th international conference on computing in civil and building engineering (ICCCBE-XIII). Nottingham.

[25] Plume J, Mitchell J (2007). Collaborative design using a shared IFC building model—Learning from experience. Automation in Construction, 16(1): 28–36

[26] Reddy R, France R (2005). Model composition—a signature-based Approach. AOM Workshop

[27] Shafiq M T, Matthews J, Lockley S R (2012). Requirements for model server enabled collaborating on building information models. International Journal of 3-D Information Modelling, 1(4): 8–17

[28] Shafiq M T, Matthews J, Lockley S R (2013). A study of BIM collaboration requirements and available features in existing model collaboration systems. Journal of Information Technology in Construction, 18: 148–161

[29] Singh V, Gu N, Wang X (2011). A theoretical framework of a BIM-based multi-disciplinary collaboration platform. Automation in Construction, 20(2): 134–144

[30] Sun M, Lockley S R (1997). Data exchange system for an integrated building design system. Automation in Construction, 6(2): 147–155

[31] Van Berlo L A H M, Beetz J, Bos P, Hendriks H, Van Tongeren R C J (2012). Collaborative engineering with IFC: New insights and technology. In: Proceedings of 9th European Conference on Product and Process Modelling. Iceland

[32] Weise M, Katranuschkov P (2004). Generic services for the support of evolving building model data. In: Proceedings of the 10th international conference on computing in civil and building engineering (ICCCBE-XIII). 1–12

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Author(s) 2018. Published by Higher Education Press. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)