An IFC-to-CityGML Triple Graph Grammar

Abstract

A triple graph grammar has been adopted as a formal framework for semantic and geometric conversion of IFC models into CityGML Level of Detail (LoD) 3/4 building models. The advantages of a triple graph grammar approach are threefold: firstly, it allows for the conversion rules to be graphically defined; secondly, the generation of the conversion routines corresponding to these rules can be automated; and, thirdly, a complete mapping can be achieved in an incremental way by adding rule by rule.The objective of this work is the development of a methodology and algorithms to automate the conversion of Building Information Models into CityGML building models, capturing both geometric and semantic information as available in the BIM models, in order to create semantically enriched 3D city models that include both exterior and interior structures such as corridors, rooms, internal doors, and stairs.