BIM based project and digital building model management: applications and emerging standards

Abstract

Architectural design and building construction are increasingly digitalized. A large number of applications exist that enable creation of digital building models either in the form of advanced geometry modelling applications, algorithmic modelling applications or BIM applications. Each application creates intrinsic digital model using its proprietary data format. The problem of connecting such diverse models to a coherent project environment is addressed by open interoperability file format – IFC. But only data format does not provide seamless interoperability, it is necessary to create proper IFC model for each particular occasion of model exchange. Existence of many diverse files and formats that all represent different aspects of digital building model posed to the AEC stakeholders the problem of managing a BIM project. The paper gives a historical overview of development of BIM applications dedicated to digital building model assessment from model viewers, through model explorers, to modern BIM project management applications and their connection to a set of ISO 19650 standards. The new standards and related applications does not provide complete solution to the management of digital building models but represent important evolutionary step in BIM progress.