The path from bim to a 3d indoor framework ⇓ a requirement analysis

Abstract

Building Information Modelling is a new technology and tool for researchers in Architecture/Construction/Engineering (ACE) fields, and it is designed to organise the collaboration between different parties and manage all types of information regarding buildings. A standardized data model of BIM named Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) has been proposed to describe building & construction related information and facilitate the interoperability of building data. As IFC contains plenty of building information, further spatial analysis can be applied in geographical information system (GIS) with these information. Current research has mainly discussed the requirements about data translation from BIM to GIS. However, more specific requirements on the functionalities of a generic 3D indoor framework need to be considered with IFC data. Although this research is in the initial stage, we investigate the use of BIM IFC for the 3D indoor framework, especially on the data translation from IFC to the framework, data management in the framework and IFC data for 3D spatial analysis. Requirements are analysed in four aspects: 1) automation of indoor vector map generation; 2) data management for the framework; 3) environmental analysis of the framework; and 4) safety analysis of the framework. According to these requirements, new modules need to be developed. In the future, based on IFC data we will conduct tests of data transformation, design a data model for the 3D indoor framework and develop a prototype to demonstrate the planned spatial analysis functionalities.