Using RDF vocabularies to semantically enrich legacy Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) models. Case study Port of Rotterdam. Presentation at ECPPM 2014

1. Interoperable data models for infrastructural artefacts –
an IFC extension method using RDF vocabularies exemplified with quay wall
structures for harbors
Jakob Beetz, Wouter Coebergh van den Braak, Robbin Botter
Eindhoven University of Technology
Sisi Zlatanova
Delft University of Technology
Ruben de Laat
Logic Labs

2. Project overview
Partners:

5. 3DSDI phase 1:
Process and Requirements analysis

6. 3DSDI phase 1:
Process and Requirements analysis

11. Inventory of use cases and aspect models

12. 3DSDI phase 2:
Quay wall extension to the IFC model

13. Application X
Internal Object Model IFC Schema
Native file:
.rvt, .dgn
IFC Instance file:
.ifc, .ifcxml
Mapping
Application Y

14. “Traditional” schema extension to the IFC model stand

15. “Traditional” schema extension to the IFC model stand

18. ENTITY IfcQuayWallSystem
SUPERTYPE OF (ONEOF( IfcQuayWallSystemStandard,
IfcQuayWallSystemCombined,
IfcQuayWallSystemDiaphragm,
IfcQuayWallSystemSpanwand))
SUBTYPE OF (IfcQuayWallPart);
END_ENTITY;
ENTITY IfcQuayWallSystemStandard
SUPERTYPE OF (ONEOF( IfcQuayWallSystemStandardZ,
IfcQuayWallSystemStandardU,
IfcQuayWallSystemStandardFlat,
IfcQuayWallSystemStandardPan))
SUBTYPE OF (IfcQuayWallSystem);
END_ENTITY;
ENTITY IfcQuayWallSystemStandardZ
SUBTYPE OF (IfcQuayWallSystemStandard);
Profile : IfcQuayZProfileDef;
Geometry : IfcSweptAreaSolid;
END_ENTITY;
ENTITY IfcQuayZProfileDef
SUBTYPE OF (IfcParameterizedProfileDef);
OverallWidth : IfcPositiveLengthMeasure;
OverallHeigth : IfcPositiveLengthMeasure;
FlangeWidth : IfcPositiveLengthMeasure;
ProfileThickness : IfcPositiveLengthMeasure;
FlangeSlope : IfcPlaneAngleMeasure;
PositionConnectionPoint : IfcAxis2Placement2D;
END_ENTITY;

19. Exchange Requirements
(IDM)
Model View Definition
(schema level)
Implementation & Certification
in Domain Application
BIM Validation
Domain Model View
IFC Schema
High Level Specification
(concept units)
Model Filter on Schema level
Task-based Model View
Model Filter on Objector Level
Model Filter on Objector Level
According to MVD
According to MVD
(Central Repository Implementation )
Automated process in real project
IFC Instance
IDM-MVD process

20. 3DSDI phase 3:
Semantic enrichment of IFC with RDF
• Minimize implementation effort => better support for tools
• Improve flexibility => Quay walls today, off shore windparks tomorrow
• Using open standards => connecting and sharing with other (engineering)
domains
• Building on open technologies => plethora of mature (development) tools

21. Networked data sets:
The Semantic Web
Now... that should clear up a few things around here
© Horrocks, Oxford University

22. Networked data sets:
The Semantic Web
BIM
GIS
HbR

23. Existing models and vocabularies
Connectedness
Specific to the Built Environment

24. Networked data sets

25. Networked data sets:
The Semantic Web – technology stack
Proof
Logic
OWL
RDF+ RDF Schema
XML + XML-NS + XML Schema
Unicode URI
Digital Signature
Trust

26. Using external vocabularies in IFC:
the buildingSMART data dictionary way
according to SN/TS 3489

27. Using external vocabularies in IFC:
the RDF way

28. Networked data sets:
Legacy application integration

29. Prototype on practical models and
datasets
bSDD as RDF
Modeling expert
Modeling expert

30. Semantic Enrichment prototype demo

31. Integrated prototype IFC+CityGML

32. Thank you! questions: j.beetz@tue.nl