Donato, V (2017) Towards design process validation integrating graph theory into BIM. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 13(1), pp. 22-38. ISSN 1745-2007
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to show the results of research that investigates the limitations and potential for using Building Information Modelling (BIM) as a tool for the assessment of alternative design solutions during the architectural concept design phase. BIM can be used to analyse the circulation aspects within a building, comparing several design solutions and highlighting the optimal one, considering several parameters. The layout of a building can be parameterized, abstractly rendered in a conceptual graph and then mathematically analysed. Although there has been substantial research in the field of space analysis, few attempts have been made to integrate this knowledge into BIM software. The main idea of this study is to show how mathematical values, derived from "graph theory", can be used by the designer as an indicator to drive the decision-making process. The designer, especially in the early stage of design, needs access to more detailed information for developing better solutions. The method proposed integrates graph theory with the design process, with particular reference to circulation within a layout. Through a custom tool, spatial relationships are extracted from a BIM model and used to assemble a topology graph, then imported into MatLAB to calculate numerical values. In addition, the analysis of several case studies of recurrent typological schemes was used to collect data to define a reference metric.The aim of this paper is to show the results of research that investigates the limitations and potential for using Building Information Modelling (BIM) as a tool for the assessment of alternative design solutions during the architectural concept design phase. BIM can be used to analyse the circulation aspects within a building, comparing several design solutions and highlighting the optimal one, considering several parameters. The layout of a building can be parameterized, abstractly rendered in a conceptual graph and then mathematically analysed. Although there has been substantial research in the field of space analysis, few attempts have been made to integrate this knowledge into BIM software. The main idea of this study is to show how mathematical values, derived from "graph theory", can be used by the designer as an indicator to drive the decision-making process. The designer, especially in the early stage of design, needs access to more detailed information for developing better solutions. The method proposed integrates graph theory with the design process, with particular reference to circulation within a layout. Through a custom tool, spatial relationships are extracted from a BIM model and used to assemble a topology graph, then imported into MatLAB to calculate numerical values. In addition, the analysis of several case studies of recurrent typological schemes was used to collect data to define a reference metric.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building information modelling; functional layout distribution; graph theory; gephi; design methods; evaluative design process; space topology; design; case studies; architectural engineering; building information modeling |
| Index terms: | designer, circulation, space topology, design process, gephi, case study, building information modelling, concept design, decision-making process, topology, design method, functional layout distribution, evaluative design process, graph theory, validation, architectural engineering |
| Subjects: | professional development, architectural design, theoretical framing, design process, information systems, urban design, design methods, profession, geometry and topology, design practice, data collection methods, data science, decision analysis |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Information Management, Risk Management, Design Practice, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Urban Studies |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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