BIM ETL Harmonization for Multi-Discipline Building Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
The building construction industry faces challenges in integrating diverse blueprints from multiple experts due to differing conventions, leading to chaotic and dangerous work environments, and inefficient management of building information models, particularly in the absence of effective computerized systems for data processing and integration.
Innovation Solution
A cloud server network architecture with computerized search and artificial intelligence is employed to manage building information models, enabling the extraction, transformation, and loading of data from multiple BIMs, using a deterministic rule-based synonym classifier and AI models like Word2Vec or neural networks to harmonize data, and indexing it in a data warehouse for efficient project management and material procurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different drawings or blueprints from different experts are manually interleaved using human engineering effort, then the drawings can be combined, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and the resulting data bundle is often confused and difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual human engineering effort with an automated computerized system that uses AI models and algorithms to extract, transform, and load data from multiple BIMs. The system automatically harmonizes different drawing conventions and integrates data into a unified structure, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual interleaving while producing clean, usable data bundles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate data processing layer that acts as a mediator between multiple source BIMs and the final integrated output. This intermediate system uses standardized data formats and transformation rules to reconcile differences between various expert conventions, enabling seamless integration without direct manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If manual engineering effort is used to interleave drawings from different contractors, then integration is possible, but the administrative overhead is substantial and the work environment becomes chaotic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual coordination processes with an automated computerized system that handles data integration systematically. The system manages the complexity internally through algorithmic processing while presenting a simple interface to users, thereby improving ease of operation without requiring manual intervention in complex integration tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies homogeneity by standardizing data formats and structures across all input BIMs from different experts. The system transforms diverse data sources into a unified homogeneous format, making the integration process simpler and the resulting data bundle more manageable, thereby improving ease of operation.
3Speed
If computer resources are arranged at the building site for managing BIMs, then real-time processing is possible, but computer resources are difficult to arrange and manage in the field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for physical computer resources at the building site with a cloud-based processing system. Data is transmitted electronically to remote servers for processing, eliminating the need to physically deploy and manage computer equipment in the field while maintaining fast processing speeds through efficient network communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the computational processing from the physical dimension (on-site computer equipment) to the network dimension (cloud servers). By transitioning processing to a different spatial dimension accessible through communication networks, the system achieves fast processing without the logistical challenges of deploying hardware at the building site.
4Loss of information
If diverse drawing conventions from different experts are integrated manually, then all perspectives are captured, but the resulting data bundle is confused and difficult to use for business processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces error-prone manual data integration with automated AI-based processing that systematically extracts and harmonizes data from multiple BIMs. The system preserves all necessary information from different expert conventions while applying consistent transformation rules that ensure high data quality and usability for business processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate transformation layer that acts as a mediator between diverse source conventions and the final unified output. This intermediary system captures all necessary information from different experts while standardizing the data format and structure, thereby maintaining completeness while improving precision and usability.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for Extracting, Transforming and Loading of data (ETL) from a Building Information Model (BIM) to assist in the production and construction of a building are provided. All necessary BIMs including but not limited to electrical BIM, ventilation BIM, sewage BIM, plumbing BIM, waterline BIM, constructional BIM may be processed with the aforementioned ETL to arrive at a complete model for the building. The complete BIM may be indexed in a data warehouse. The indexed data can be used to produce a Bill of Quantities of building materials in some part of the building or for the entire building.