BIM Railway Cost Calculation via Automated Attribute Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for calculating the quantity and construction cost of railway facilities using BIM design are inefficient, prone to errors, and lack automation, especially for items and processes not modeled as BIM objects, and there is no system to manage completion and progress rates based on BIM statements.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for automatically calculating the quantity and construction cost of BIM-based railway facilities by mapping BIM object attribute information to standard classification system information, using a railway facility BIM design module, standard classification database, and calculation module to generate object and work breakdown tree information, and a statement generation module to produce a comprehensive BIM statement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual methods are used to calculate quantity and construction cost from 2D CAD drawings, then flexibility in handling non-BIM items is maintained, but error rate increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation accuracyVSAvoidcalculation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical calculation methods with automated computer-based calculation systems. The system automatically extracts quantity information from BIM models and calculates construction costs using integrated software, eliminating manual Excel work and separate program linking while maintaining high accuracy through systematic automated processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary integrated program that acts as a bridge between BIM modeling software and cost calculation systems. This intermediary automatically links BIM objects to cost items and performs calculations, resolving the disconnect between modeling and cost estimation while improving both accuracy and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If separate programs are used to calculate quantity and construction cost, then specialized calculation capabilities are maintained, but device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation convenienceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate programs (BIM modeling software, quantity calculation tools, and cost estimation systems) into a single integrated system. This unified platform performs all calculations automatically within one interface, eliminating the need to switch between programs and reducing operational complexity while maintaining specialized calculation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal integrated system that performs multiple functions: BIM model interpretation, automatic quantity extraction, cost calculation, and result presentation. This multi-functional platform replaces several specialized programs while maintaining their individual capabilities through a unified interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Extent of automation

If BIM design is implemented for railway facilities, then information integration and management efficiency are improved, but automation of quantity and cost calculation for non-modeled items remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation automationVSAvoidhandling flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic calculation system that automatically adapts to different calculation scenarios. The system can handle both BIM-modeled items through automated extraction and non-modeled items through alternative calculation methods, dynamically switching between approaches based on the specific requirements of each railway facility project.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in BIM object attributes to automatically trigger quantity and cost calculations. When BIM objects are created or modified, the system detects parameter changes and automatically updates associated quantity and cost data, enabling seamless automation while maintaining flexibility for manual interventions when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4339857A1System and method for automatically calculating quantity and construction cost of railway facilities based on building information modeling
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 KOREA RAILROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE
  • EP4339857A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4339857A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4339857A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Provided are a system and method for automatically calculating a quantity and construction cost of building information modeling (BIM)-based railway facilities through which a quantity and construction cost of BIM-based railway facilities are easily and readily calculated through automatic mapping between BIM object attribute information based on standard classification system information and object breakdown structure (OBS) attribute information/work breakdown structure (WBS) attribute information in the case of BIM design of railway facilities, a quantity and construction cost are automatically or manually input in connection with OBS code-specific itemized unit costs or a quantity and construction cost are manually input to a WBS code so that a quantity and construction cost of railway facilities can be calculated using BIM on items and processes that are not modeled as BIM objects of railway facilities, and completion and a progress rate are managed on the basis of a BIM statement by comparatively examining the BIM statement with an existing statement to automatically and connectively calculate a quantity and construction cost of BIM-based railway facilities.