The semantic link between domain-based BIM models

Abstract

Over the past few years, the construction industry has undergone technological advancements to improve efficiency and productivity. One of the latest innovations is using semantic web technologies to address interoperability issues and achieve machine interpretability of data. Despite several implementations of Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) to graph model converters, there has been no analysis of the semantic linkages between duplicated elements. This study aims to fill this gap by providing a semantic framework for linking elements in the graph representations of IFC models. This is achieved by reviewing commonly used ontologies, IFC to semantic technology converters, and using the owl:sameAs predicate. The study presents a methodology for generating additional links between duplicated elements in IFC model graph representations using selected geometrical features to address interoperability issues. The methodology is tested on domain-based IFC models and efficiently links models into a federated source of information about interdisciplinary Building Information Modelling (BIM) models. The study’s findings are expected to enhance the interoperability and semantic capabilities of BIM models, promoting collaboration and improving the efficiency of the construction industry.