Ju Mingming, Li Shaowei, Zhou Jiansi, Zhang Minjie
(Shanghai Jiankun Information Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200032)
Abstract:
BIM (Building Information Modeling) is continuously updated at different stages throughout the entire lifecycle of a building, providing consistent and continuous information at each phase. When
BIM is applied during the operation and maintenance stage, it plays an even greater role in enhancing building management. This article briefly analyzes the integration of BIM with IBMS (Intelligent Building Management System) for building operation and maintenance. Further research is required to explore the application of BIM during the operation and maintenance phase.
Keywords: BIM; IBMS; Building operation and maintenance management; Building lifecycle
1. Overview
With the rapid development of China’s economy and the rise of its international status, major events such as the 2010 Shanghai World Expo have presented new opportunities for economic and urban development. As a result, numerous large-scale, landmark buildings have been constructed. These modern buildings are not only large in scale but also highly intelligent, providing users with experiences that differ from traditional buildings.
However, the sheer size and complexity of these structures create significant challenges in planning, design, construction, and subsequent maintenance. Traditional 2D design approaches are abstract and difficult to interpret, which can result in misunderstandings and errors during construction, often leading to rework. Additionally, 2D drawings cannot intuitively reveal spatial conflicts between pipelines and equipment, which frequently necessitates design changes and adjustments during construction, thereby reducing efficiency. Once construction is complete, these drawings are often archived and rarely used again.
Compared with 2D drawings,
BIM technology
has transformed the longstanding issue of underutilized building information post-completion.
BIM technology
refers to an innovative method that integrates digital information and computer technology for three-dimensional project design, guiding construction, maintenance, and operation. The BIM model not only expresses geometric properties in 3D but also contains non-geometric attribute information for each component. BIM data spans the entire building lifecycle, from design and construction to operation and maintenance. During the construction phase, any changes can be reflected in the BIM model, ensuring synchronization with actual outcomes. Both geometric and non-geometric data in BIM are crucial for building operation and maintenance after completion.
For instance, Dong Zhengmin introduced BIM technology in the operation and maintenance management of Terminal 1 at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The developed system enabled space information queries, leasing management, facility information management, and maintenance planning, greatly improving efficiency and safety while lowering costs. Ji Boya and colleagues, in their study of BIM in the Olympic Village operation and management, highlighted advantages such as efficient data storage and retrieval, convenient information representation, streamlined equipment maintenance, rich logistics data, and synchronized data referencing.
Research by relevant scholars shows that BIM offers significant advantages in building operation and maintenance. Integrating the increasingly rich BIM data generated during design and construction into IBMS for use during operation and maintenance will further amplify these benefits.
BIM Technology Integrated with IBMS for Building Operation and Maintenance
The development of modern large-scale buildings involves four main stages: planning, design, construction, and operation & maintenance. BIM technology can encompass the entire process, with the BIM model and its data being dynamically updated. Thus, BIM information remains continuous and consistent from planning through to building operation and maintenance.
2.1 Changes in BIM Information Across the Four Building Stages
(1) Early Project Stage: At the owner’s side, written proposals may be abstract and impractical. BIM technology enables preliminary project planning, including simulation of planning solutions, site condition analysis, performance prediction, and cost estimation. Multiple schemes can be compared using BIM, allowing selection of the optimal prototype for further work. At this stage, the implementation schedule is set, and data rules are established within BIM, laying the foundation for design and construction.
(2) Design Stage: Led mainly by the architectural design team, BIM enables 3D visualization, collaborative design among various stakeholders, performance-based design, and integrated pipeline routing. BIM models are enriched with details from small pipe nodes to building curtain walls, including attributes like size, position, color, and material. At this stage, the approximate construction volume can also be estimated.
(3) Construction Stage: This stage is typically longer than the previous ones, with BIM applications shifting from design to construction and supervision. The construction team follows the BIM-based plan and compares actual outcomes with the BIM model to ensure alignment with the design. Details such as material procurement, supplier information, and installation times are entered into databases linked to the BIM model, facilitating future tracking. Supervisors oversee the process, ensuring quality and progress. Using BIM models makes it easier to compare construction progress with design intentions, improving supervision efficiency.
During project execution, unforeseen factors such as construction environment or layout changes may require modifications to the BIM model, ensuring it always reflects reality. The supervisor coordinates all parties based on the updated BIM model, further enriching the building’s information during construction.
(4) Operation and Maintenance Stage: This phase encompasses space management, asset management, maintenance, public safety, and energy consumption. It accounts for the longest period in the building lifecycle. BIM integrates 3D geometry, component parameters, pipeline layouts, material data, and manufacturer information. For building users, space management is supported by readily available “area” and “location” information in BIM. Asset management is facilitated by 3D visualization of asset locations. Component service life and manufacturer data provide a reference for facility maintenance. Emergency facilities and exits are clearly marked, enabling effective emergency planning. BIM also visualizes energy consumption data, helping identify abnormal areas. Renovations, asset adjustments, facility maintenance, safety planning, energy investigations, and equipment adjustments all feed back into BIM, continuously updating its geometric and non-geometric attributes.
2.2 Integration of BIM with IBMS
With technological progress, China’s informatization and intelligence have rapidly advanced. IBMS has become a powerful tool for modern building operation and management. IBMS (Intelligent Building Management System) is a unified software platform for automatic control and management of building equipment, enabling comprehensive monitoring of HVAC, water supply and drainage, power, fire protection, and other systems. It supports efficient, energy-saving building management, ensuring high-performance operation and a safe, comfortable environment for users.
IBMS mainly comprises several subsystems: building automation (BAS), fire protection, video surveillance (CCTV), parking garage, access control, and more. Based on these subsystems, BIM models can be further explored and applied in completed buildings.
(1) BIM for Spatial Positioning: Building automation systems, such as lighting and HVAC, are represented as 3D models in BIM, allowing intuitive visualization of their locations. Fire hydrants, surveillance cameras, parking entries/exits, and access controls are all accurately shown in the BIM electronic map. Traditionally, managing these relied on personnel familiar with the facility, but now, details can be easily accessed via IBMS integrated with BIM.
(2) BIM for Equipment Maintenance: During construction, non-geometric BIM data is continuously updated and later integrated into the IBMS database. Equipment details such as production date, manufacturer, and service life are readily accessible, eliminating the need for time-consuming searches through original records. This supports regular maintenance and replacement decisions. Information on size, volume, and placement is also stored, enabling efficient planning for subsystem renovations and upgrades.
(3) BIM for Disaster Evacuation: Modern buildings are multifunctional and complex. In emergencies, timely action can minimize casualties and losses. The BIM model consolidates information on safety exits, internal connectivity, and emergency equipment. In a crisis, BIM, in collaboration with IBMS subsystems, provides essential data for personnel evacuation. BIM’s 3D visualization and correlation features help plan evacuation routes and ensure rapid, safe movement. During fires, IBMS fire protection and BIM spatial data assist in locating firefighting equipment and guiding occupants to safety.
(4) BIM for Energy Management: Equipment and sensors across the building feed data into IBMS. Energy consumption data (water, electricity, gas, etc.) can be statistically analyzed by region with BIM, making abnormal consumption patterns easier to detect. Managers can then target inspections, identify hazards, adjust equipment, and reduce energy consumption, maintaining normal building operations.
3. Conclusion
The three-dimensional representation of BIM models is vital throughout the entire building lifecycle. BIM is continuously updated at every stage, ensuring information is consistent and comprehensive. The rich information in BIM models should not be discontinued after project completion; instead, it should extend into later building operation stages. Integrating BIM with intelligent management systems supports equipment positioning, maintenance tracking, disaster evacuation, and energy analysis—demonstrating the value of BIM throughout a building’s life. However, the abundance of BIM data presents the challenge of extracting and applying useful information, which requires professionals with relevant expertise. This article offers a brief analysis of BIM-IBMS integration for building operation and maintenance, but further research is needed to fully explore BIM’s potential in this area.
This work is supported by research on the comprehensive development and renovation of low-carbon, green, and energy-saving initiatives in the World Expo Park (Project No. 11dz1201502).
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