Integrating Web-Based Weather Data into Building Information Modeling Models through Robot Process Automation

Abstract

The rapid evolution of digital technologies has revolutionized the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, driving the wide-spread adoption of digital twins for structures. These virtual replicas, developed using Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology, incorporate extensive information databases, proving indispensable for enhancing project management throughout a structure’s entire lifecycle and towards smart city development. As the impact of climate change continues to grow, hazardous weather alerts play a critical role as an early-warning system that notifies stakeholders of imminent threats, thereby influencing decision-making processes in construction projects. Surprisingly, despite its evident value, the integration of alert systems for hazardous weather conditions into BIM is often overlooked. To fill this gap, this paper proposes Robot Process Automation (RPA) protocols to automate the integration of real-time weather parameters into a structure’s BIM models. These very protocols are also used as alert systems, enabling the timely notification of stakeholders in the event of detected hazardous weather conditions. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is demonstrated through its practical application in enhancing the safety of an actual building in Viña del Mar, Chile.