BIM Thermal Zone Generation via Solid-Volume Flattening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building information modeling (BIM) systems face limitations in integrated design, collaboration, and sustainability analysis, with inadequate communication and data sharing, leading to inefficient design processes and a lack of engagement with end-users, particularly in green building design, which hampers sustainable design and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that transform BIM models from solid-volume geometrical representations to thermal zones for energy analysis, enabling real-time comparison and automation of sustainability analysis, and a social interaction module for collaborative communication and stakeholder engagement, using web-based tools and semantic web ontologies to facilitate interoperability and data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If BIM models use solid-volume geometrical representations for detailed design, then design precision is improved, but energy analysis capability deteriorates due to incompatible geometry formats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the solid-volume BIM geometry into discrete surface representations that can be separately processed for thermal analysis. By dividing the complex 3D solid models into manageable surface components, the system maintains design precision while creating compatible inputs for energy analysis software.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary geometry conversion process that translates between BIM's solid-volume representation and energy analysis software's surface-based requirements. This intermediary layer preserves the integrity of the original design while making it compatible with thermal analysis tools.
2Reliability
If BIM systems use proprietary stand-alone desktop software for local repositories, then data security is improved, but collaboration efficiency deteriorates due to limited accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a web service architecture that allows the BIM system to serve multiple functions: maintaining secure local repositories while providing universal web-based access. The system can handle both data security requirements and collaboration needs through a unified platform that supports multiple access modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a web service intermediary layer that sits between the secure local BIM repositories and remote users. This mediator enables controlled access, allowing collaboration while maintaining security protocols, as the web service acts as a gateway that manages data exchange.
3Ease of manufacture
If design teams use traditional communication channels like email and paper printouts for information exchange, then implementation simplicity is improved, but information sharing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical communication methods (email, paper printouts) with an automated digital information exchange system based on web services. The mechanical process of manual document sharing is substituted with automated digital workflows that pull data directly from the BIM model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service information exchange where the BIM system automatically generates and distributes relevant project information to stakeholders through web services. Instead of manually preparing and distributing documents, the system autonomously provides updated information to all participants.
4Measurement precision
If BIM systems focus on single project isolation for analysis, then analysis accuracy for individual projects is improved, but knowledge sharing across projects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges individual project analysis capabilities with multi-project knowledge sharing through the web service platform. While maintaining the ability to perform accurate single-project analysis, the system combines data from multiple projects to generate broader insights and share knowledge across the entire portfolio.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems and methods for building information modeling. An embodiment of the method includes: receiving a BIM; and transforming the BIM to flatten solid-volume geometry for space bounding elements into thin-walled boundaries of the thermal zones by: determining wall volumes from the BIM; collapsing the wall volumes to provide single surface walls; determining wall center surfaces and end points from the single surface walls; aligning, and trimming or extending, the single surface walls using the wall end points to create closed spaces; connecting the closed spaces vertically to generate a single water tight volume for the closed spaces; and creating interfaces between the single water tight volume for the closed spaces to generate thermal zones.