Enabling automation of BIM-based cost estimation by semantic web technology

Abstract

While research on semantic web technology within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry has significantly increased, there are still few practical and multidisciplinary results. Picking low hanging fruits might be one possible solution to make AEC practitioners interested in semantic web technology. Cost estimation has been a manual and repetitive task prone to human error. We investigate how semantic web technology can support BIM-based automated cost estimation and what challenges that can appear. Standardized specifications of work for Norwegian road projects (with process codes and process descriptions) were linked to an IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) property set by semantic web technology. Future projects that use the standardized specifications of work can adopt the established setup and thereby automate cost estimation with minimal efforts. This practical approach will accelerate the application of semantic web technology in the AEC industry to automate services.