Tse, T-c (2009) The interoperability of building information models and document models in the Hong Kong construction industry. PhD thesis, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
Abstract
Graphics and written documents are two major categorises of information in the construction industry. Although computer software packages have been widely adopted, the interoperability of geometrical and written information between different software packages is restricted by inconsistence of proprietary information standards. This problem exists even if the same software packages are used by one or more organisations owing to the non-standardised information structures. However, the advent of Building Information Modelling (BIM) is making a revolutionary change to the creation, storage, exchange and reuse of geometrical and written information. The Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs) and eXtensible Markup Language (XML) further add the opportunity to facilitate the interoperability of BIM and document models over the internet. The main objectives of this PhD study are (i) to identify the enabling technologies for the interoperability of geometrical and written building information, (ii) to formulate a web-enabled Integrated BIM-Document Model (IBDM), (iii) to validate IBDM and (iv) to investigate the ways to increase the uptake of BIM and hence IBDM. The realisation of IBDM is based on a Constructive Interface approach, taking into account the process and workflow context of BIM implementation. IBDM was tested in a small scale project. The validation shows that the successful integration of BIM and document models is bounded by the capability of existing internet browsers in handling XML documents. Real project dynamics such as design changes and acceleration of works are other factors affecting the use of BIM and IBDM. In addition to IFC, BIM software vendors are recommended to enable direct export of ifcXML to facilitate further research. Data integrity during the conversion processes should also be enhanced. To speed up the move from 2D CAD to BIM, the Government could take a lead in adopting BIM and establishing the necessary BIM standards, work procedures and contract clauses. Priority should be given to equipping the practitioners and students with BIM skills. It is also recommended that the fee structures and services provided by different consultants need to be reviewed to suit the upfront resources requirements of the use of BIM and IBDM.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Wong, A K D |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | skills; standards; building information model; building information modelling; export; government; integration; interoperability; reuse; consultant; industry foundation classes; information modelling; workflow |
| Index terms: | integration, documents, practitioner, validation, workflow, design change, software package, export, dynamics, industry foundation classes, small scale, internet, implementation, construction industry, acceleration, interoperability, conversion, Hong Kong, building information modelling, integrity, information modelling |
| Subjects: | project controls, organizational analysis, systems engineering, information systems, systems and processes, industry analysis, software systems, manufacturing engineering, management, digital design, professional development, Geography, health safety and environment, production management, economic analysis, contractual arrangements, computational design, computing systems, practitioner |
| Topics: | Procurement, Health and Safety, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Geographical Context, Time Control, Organizational Design, Digital Applications, Roles and Professions, Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here