Award Abstract # 1745378
EAGER/Collaborative Research:Science-Based Exploration of Invariant Signatures of Architecture/Engineering/Construction Objects to Enable Interoperability of Building Info Modeling

NSF Org: CMMI
Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation
Recipient: WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Initial Amendment Date: August 24, 2017
Latest Amendment Date: August 24, 2017
Award Number: 1745378
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: Yueyue Fan
CMMI
 Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation
ENG
 Directorate for Engineering
Start Date: September 1, 2017
End Date: August 31, 2021 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $111,834.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $111,834.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2017 = $111,834.00
History of Investigator:
  • Xiaoyun Shao (Principal Investigator)
    xiaoyun.shao@wmich.edu
  • Pnina Ari-Gur (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Western Michigan University
1903 W MICHIGAN AVE
KALAMAZOO
MI  US  49008-5200
(269)387-8298
Sponsor Congressional District: 04
Primary Place of Performance: Western Michigan University
MI  US  49009-5316
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
04
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): J7WULLYGFRH1
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): CIS-Civil Infrastructure Syst,
Structural and Architectural E
Primary Program Source: 01001718DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s): 025E, 036E, 039E, 1057, 1631, 1637, 7916, 9102
Program Element Code(s): 163100, 163700
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.041

ABSTRACT

Building Information Modeling integrates 3D models with physical and functional characteristics of an infrastructure project and has the potential to facilitate the exchange of information between different parties involved in the same project throughout its lifecycle, ranging from design and construction to maintenance and operation, and beyond. However, the fundamental problem -- lack of interoperability (ie., inability to exchange information between different platforms), due to model inconsistency and missing information -- prevents the exchange of such information. Existing research efforts to address this lack of interoperability have been heavily focused on standardization and semantic modeling. These standard methods do not address the underlying problem and still depend on the computer models involved. This EArly-concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) project aims to both scientifically and empirically study the intrinsic properties and discover invariant signatures of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) objects, such as footings, slabs, walls, beams, and columns, to support seamless and universal interoperability of Building Information Modeling. Invariant signatures of an AEC object are defined as a set of intrinsic properties (e.g., geometry, location, material) of the object that distinguish itself from other objects and that do not change with software implementation, modeling decisions, and/or language and cultural contexts. An interdisciplinary approach involving geometry theorems, computer algorithms, and material mechanics will be employed to explore and quantify these intrinsic properties. If successful, the approach is expected to open the door for full automation of building information modeling analysis, which will significantly improve the project performance in all respects.

The underlying hypothesis of the project is that invariant signatures of an AEC object collectively defined by the Cartesian points-based geometric, relative location and orientation, and material mechanical properties will enable seamless and universal interoperability of building information modeling (BIM) software in various analysis phases from architectural design and preliminary structural design to detailed structural analysis and construction cost estimation. The project is divided into two thrusts: 1) test the hypothesis particularly on the kinds of geometric, locational and material signatures that can be identified as inherent signatures from a wide range of AEC objects; 2) test the ability of discovered signatures to support BIM interoperability in the automated quantity takeoff and structural analysis scenarios. Publicly available BIM data will be used to support the exploration of the invariant signatures and the testing of these signatures. This project is the first systematic effort designated to test the idea of leveraging the intrinsic properties of AEC objects to support BIM interoperability, which is radically different from the existing efforts that are focused on data schema standardization and/or term-based semantics of AEC objects. If the underlying hypothesis is supported, this research has the potential to transform the way future BIM standards are developed and used to support seamless and universal interoperability of BIM models among all modeling and engineering analysis tasks. The results of this research could be widely applicable in construction engineering and beyond, and could ultimately lead to: (1) seamless and universal interoperability of BIM models; (2) full automation of BIM analysis; and (3) optimized specifications of material selections for future construction in different environments. The methods and results of this project will be integrated into university coursework at both collaborating institutions. This project will also broaden the participation of underrepresented groups by giving priority to women/minority students when recruiting the research assistants.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

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Wu, J. "Invariant Signatures of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Objects to Support BIM Interoperability between Architectural Design and Structural Analysis" Journal of construction engineering and management , v.147 , 2021 https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001943 Citation Details

PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT

Disclaimer

This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.

This EAGER Collaborative research project seeks to facilitate efficient building information modeling (BIM) interoperability among engineering software through an interdisciplinary approach involving geometry theorems, computer algorithms, and material mechanics. Specifically, invariant signatures of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) objects were explored, based on which an interoperability approach and the corresponding algorithm were developed. This proposed approach is radically different from existing efforts through standardization and/or term-based semantics; and the BIM interoperability issues addressed herein are encountered throughout the lifecycle of a building/civil infrastructure system. Invariant signatures of an AEC object are defined as a set of intrinsic properties (e.g., geometry, location, material) of the object that do not change with software implementation, modeling decisions, and/or language and cultural contexts, thus distinguish the object from others. 

A data-driven method using invariant signatures was developed to support the many-to-one paradigm of BIM interoperability and seamless and universal BIM interoperability. The invariant signatures were successfully tested in supporting BIM interoperability in the automated quantity takeoff and structural analysis scenarios. In the structural analysis testing scenario, the accuracy of the structural analysis models interoperated from the architectural models using the developed signature-based algorithm was validated by comparing the analysis results with those models directly setup in the structural analysis software.  Thus, the invariant signatures of the AEC objects developed herein open a door to eventually solving the seamless and universal BIM interoperability throughout the lifecycle of a building/civil infrastructure system from design and construction to maintenance and operation.

 


Last Modified: 10/29/2021
Modified by: Xiaoyun Shao

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