1. An
ontological
approach
to
BIM
exchanges
in
the
precast
concrete
industry
Manu
Venugopal
Charles
Eastman
Jochen
Teizer
May
23,
2012

2. Outline
• Motivation and Background
• Research Objectives
• Research Framework
• Ontology-based Approach
• Industry Implementation
• Conclusions
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3. Research Motivation
• A Roadmap for BIM research in Construction
Socio-Economic
Level
• Better processes &
Application Level products for the
• New tools & construction industry
technologies for • Sustainable
Fundamental Level construction development
• Interoperability of
BIM tools
• New methods and
standards
3 3

4. Construction Planning and Execution
• Diverse set of information and models
Construction Planning and Simulation Execution / Monitoring
(Trimble 2011)
(Barton Malow 2011)
4 4

5. Rapid Prototyping, Modeling & Analysis
• Integrating Laser Scanning, Photogrammetry and BIM
• Point cloud to object based models (Bosche 2010, Akinci et al. 2010,
Teizer et al. 2011)
Rapid Progress Monitoring: Change within 12 hours
5 5

6. Rapid Prototyping, Modeling & Analysis
Unloading (Cheng, Venugopal, et al. 2011)
rebar
RAPIDS Lab
6 6

7. A
Rule
Based
Checking
BIM
Pla;orm
for
Safety
Planning
and
Simula?on
(Zhang, S., Venugopal, M., Teizer, J., and Eastman, C. 2011)
7 7

8. Research Objectives
• Objectives: Information exchanges for entire life cycle of a
project
– Provide an object oriented and modular mechanism for
composing information exchanges
– Formalize the IFC definitions, relationships and rules
• Scope Definition
– Domain: Precast/Pre-stressed Concrete Industry
Model View
(Venugopal et al. 2011)
Architectural IFC Schema Structural
Model Model
IFC IFC
Export Import
Software A Neutral File Software B 8
8

9. Research Methodology
9 9

10. Multi-layered Ontology Approach
pa
10 10

11. Precast Piece Ontology
Engineering
Ontologies
Components
Connections
Application System
Ontology
Placement
Material
Geometry
Requirements
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12. used to define assemblies as being assembled from parts. Asymmetry
to say that an individual is a proper part of itself. A is a part of B,
t of A. Ontology Definitions
x ⌃ y ⇧⌅ y ⌃ x(Asymmetry) (3)
Example: Component Ontology
tness are defined as sharing a common part or the negation of this as
llowing definitions. An individual overlaps another means that either
other. “Part-of” Relationship
^
x ⇥ y ⇤ ⌥zz < x z < y(Overlap) (4)
SpatialyHierarchy Building Element
x | ⇤⌅ x ⇥ y(Disjointness) (5)
Aggregation
eak supplementation principle, when an individual has a proper part
ng sum of the individuals. This is expressed by the following definition.
another proper part disjoint from the first, which means an individual
_
shedxfrom ⇤ x sum of x = y(P roperPis shown )by following equation.
< y the ⌃ y its parts. This art of (1)
^
ds for Part-of < y ⌅ y < Transitivityart of ) when an individual
x ⌃ y ⇤ x relationship. x(P roperP states that (6)
second individual that is a proper part-of a third individual, then the
sfying this axiom is the Building Element being a proper part of another
r part of the third (A part of B and B part of C, then A part of C).
uch as a slab aggregation. Slab’s component pieces are assumed to be
ng has slabs, slab has DoubleTee, hence building has DoubleTee. This
disjoint, without overlaps. They may overlap the slab. Slabs are a
ollowing definition.
^
x⌃y y ⌃ z ⇧ 96⌃ z(T ransitive)
x (2)
used to define assemblies as being assembled from parts. Asymmetry
to say that an individual is a proper part of itself. A is a part of B,
12
of A.

13. s a general purpose shape, boundary representation because its top
am but allows overlapping. Overlap can be checked by taking binary
Ontology Definitions
ecause of toppings. Carry should be made to ensure that the slab
duals as expressed in following definition.
nents, when unioned together, has no spaces between. Thus specific
x · y(BinaryP roduct) (7)
shape are defined for each type of embedded beam. We can also
individuals bigger assemblies. Overlapping Figure 36 Proper the dot
gated into the above equation is invalid. classifies shows Part of
Example: Component Ontology
sting on a column, these two individuals are not supposed to overlap.
classes here. Those which allow overlapping and those which do not.
ave a dot product, and therefore allow overlap. Whereas,be assigned
proper part of slab, but does not the shared part has to reinforcing
Overlaps, Feature Additions,
ividuals.
Void Objects
am but allows overlapping. Overlap can be checked by taking binary
duals as expressed in following at least one of x and y. The di erence
e individual that encompasses definition.
which is a proper part of x but does not share a part with y. The
x · y(BinaryP roduct) (7)
define this.
ndividuals the above y(Sum) is invalid. Figure 36 shows the dot
x + equation (8)
sting on a column, these two individuals are not supposed to overlap.
x y(Dif f erence) (9)
ave a dot product, and therefore the shared part has to be assigned
ividuals. 97
e individual that encompasses at least one of x and y. The di erence
which is a proper part of x but does not share a part with y. The
define this.
x + y(Sum) (8)
x y(Dif f erence) (9)
97
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14. Semantic Exchange Modules (SEM)
• A structured, modular subset of the objects and relationships
• An object-oriented layer on top of ontologies
• Enables BIM software import and export functions
Structure of a Semantic Exchange Module
14 14

15. SEM based Approach
15 15

16. Industry Implementation
• Test Case: Automation of Precast Procurement Process
– Fabrication of precast pieces – opportunity to automate
the workflow
Analysis
Packages
Design Detailing ETABS
Packages IFC Data Packages IFC Data
Revit, Design Model Tekla, Fabrication Model Mgmt
Packages
Vectorworks Structureworks
SCIA Material Tracking
16

17. Industry Implementation
Architectural Design Structural Engineering and Analysis Precast Detailed Design
Ontology-based SEM layer
Production Planning and Delivery Schedule Coordination
17 17

18. Conclusions
• Introduced a new approach for information exchanges
• A consistent methodology for defining model views and IFC
implementations
• SEM library needs further extensions
• Facilitate a way for domain groups to effectively define their
interoperability needs and implement efficiently
• It will improve the AEC/FM industry by enabling/reducing the time
to implement a workflow in BIM
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19. Contact and Acknowledgements
Thank you!
Manu Venugopal, Ph.D.,
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
E-Mail: manu.menon@gatech.edu
Phone: (510)-579-8656
Web: http://dcom.arch.gatech.edu/mvenugopal
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