Jiang, S; Zhang, J; Shi, J and Wu, Y (2026) Adaptive information retrieval for enhanced building safety management leveraging BIM. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 33(1), pp. 336-360. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose – This paper introduces a novel method to improve building safety management by leveraging building information modeling (BIM) and adaptive information retrieval techniques. The integration aims to overcome the limitations of traditional safety management methods in connecting construction processes with risk management efficiently. Design/methodology/approach – The proposed method involves developing industry foundation classes (IFC) ontologies and integrating them with a safety document ontology to form a comprehensive BIM-based safety context framework. Custom reasoning rules and an inference engine are constructed to enable automatic context-aware safety information retrieval. The methodology is demonstrated through an adaptive information retrieval system using job hazard analysis (JHA) documents. Findings – The implementation of the BIM-based adaptive information retrieval system shows significant improvements in identifying and managing construction risks. By mapping job-specific risks to corresponding safety measures, the system enhances risk detection and management tailored to particular construction tasks. The results indicate a marked improvement in the precision and accuracy of safety assessments and recommendations, aligning them closely with planned construction activities and conditions. Originality/value – This paper offers an innovative approach to construction safety management through the development of a BIM-facilitated context-aware information retrieval system. This approach provides a more intelligent and automated framework for identifying and managing risks in construction projects. By focusing on specific job steps and related risks, the system enhances the effectiveness and accuracy of safety measures, contributing to better overall building safety management.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building information modeling; job hazard analysis; safety management |
| Index terms: | accuracy, ontology, reasoning, construction safety, safety management, documents, methodology, mapping, construction process, integration, construction project, construction activity, safety measures, building information modelling, information retrieval, implementation, effectiveness, risk management, industry foundation classes |
| Subjects: | contractual arrangements, construction operations, computational design, cognitive psychology, building construction, health safety and environment, production management, research methods, spatial and geospatial analysis, risk assessment, information systems, environmental health, data management, occupational health and safety management, organizational analysis, professional development, performance management, education and knowledge transfer |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Procurement, Risk Management, Project Management, Health and Safety, Quality Management, Information Management, Research Practice, Site Management, Organizational Design, Digital Applications |
| 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