Building information management

and that the rethoric and visions associated with construction IT are sometimes distant from the reality of construction usage . This paper discusses the observation-participation method as a way to ground construction IT research in industry practice. This research methodology considers the industry as a point of departure, followed by examination of a case study using the observationparticipation method . In this methodology, the researcher is not merely a passive observer, but assumes a variety of roles within the case study and participates in the studied activities. The observation-participation method application to the case study offers the opportunity to see what others have not yet seen and allows gaining access to events and groups, which, in other ways, are innaccesible to scientific research. The researcher perceieves reality from the point of view of someone "in" the case study instead of someone "external" to it.

In recent years the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry has seen dramatic change, whether it be continually changing client requirements or the disruptive technologies making it hard for some contractors and suppliers to maintain resourcing and capabilities.

The industry is currently facing a multitude of challenges due to the vast amounts of data outputted from smart buildings and the IoT. BIM has the potential to reduce these challenges with inbuilt databases and workflows for data collation and collaboration. Semantic web technologies are proving to be functional and helps leverage challenges faced related to BIM technologies during information exchange. BIM can be used to rationalise data and make it more interoperable with IoT systems; many of the recent developments in the smart building fields do not utilise the BIM to its full potential.

This study's purpose is to explore current academic research and current live metadata projects and explore the integration of the BIM benefits to this workflow and industry standard processes. The conclusion outlines a structured conceptual framework outlining how databases and BIM data can help in the delivery of Smart built environments

The Iranian construction industry has long been criticized for being inefficient. It has been claimed that 80 percent of all content within the construction process is the same for all projects and there are therefore huge opportunities for improvements. The project manager is essential for the successful delivery of construction projects. The purpose of this paper is to analysis how BIM (Building Information Modelling) can be utilized by project managers as a good tool to simulate project condition to avoid redundant works and waste of time and cost. It was concluded that project managers generally have little knowledge concerning BIM, which makes it hard for them to see its applications. The study revealed that BIM can help project managers in the task of delivering successful projects. BIM a better basis for decisions is provided in comparison with traditional projects.

and that the rethoric and visions associated with construction IT are sometimes distant from the reality of construction usage . This paper discusses the observation-participation method as a way to ground construction IT research in industry practice. This research methodology considers the industry as a point of departure, followed by examination of a case study using the observationparticipation method . In this methodology, the researcher is not merely a passive observer, but assumes a variety of roles within the case study and participates in the studied activities. The observation-participation method application to the case study offers the opportunity to see what others have not yet seen and allows gaining access to events and groups, which, in other ways, are innaccesible to scientific research. The researcher perceieves reality from the point of view of someone "in" the case study instead of someone "external" to it.

Information Technologies being used by the AEC industry are numerous. From fax machines to internet communications, from office automation software to advanced CAD applications, from laser sensors to automated data acquisition; all these technologies deal with information within the AEC industry. All these technologies reduce or replace human efforts, either physical or mental and have a profound effect on the AEC industry. The study of IT applications in construction is however, still a young field of research, still struggling to define its place within the large family of academic disciplines (Bjork, 99). This paper presents results of research about IT in construction. The focus of the paper are CAVT applied to the design and construction planning processes at the project operational level. Within the AEC industry we need to represent not only the visual animation information, but also the underlying information about facility components and activities (Kunz et al, 99). In that sense CAVT definition involves more than graphical representation features. A wider definition of CAVT is presented, involving their ability to visualize information regarding the ends (Product Models) and means (Process Models) for AEC project process development. Computer Graphics issues, central to CAVT in the AEC industry are overviewed and briefly discussed in this paper. Demand for higher quality displays and limitations of existing interfaces, powerful and affordability of new processors and software capabilities, and interoperability needs are discussed. Information Technology for the AEC industry involves the integration of all product development processes and the management of the information flow between them, irrespective of the data models chosen in the different implementations of one and the same process (Scherer, 94). Product and Process Modeling are the main topics related with the former approach, that have gained more attention in the last years within IT research in the AEC industry. Central to Product Models is the visual representation of the project product, commonly associated to some 3D CAD modeling effort. Different approaches have extended the "physical" representation of the project product, to include not only geometric information within it, but also the relying data which support the different activities during the several phases involved in an AEC project. This paper extends this approach to what will be defined as the Digital Reality. Process Modeling has been trying to represent the detailed tasks and transformation of specific entities among simultaneous activities oriented to complete a design into a constructed facility within AEC industry. Construction process modeling in form of 4D models is presented in this paper as the technology that will trigger the major changes expected from CAVT impact. The research is mainly based in the application of CAVT to a real project by an Engineering and Construction company which design stage is currently near 70% advanced. Three main processes were studied in the case project during the design phase: (1) 3D Modeling Design, (2) Constructability and (3) Construction Planning and Scheduling. The description of the impact of CAVT to these processes is described in this paper, and it is the main source from which insights presented in this paper come from.

We will briefly review the evolution about how the AECO industry is trying to tackle the problem about issue tracking in construction projects. We will focus in the evolution of BCF (BIM Collaboration format) from its birth until the current situation and development and how BCF is being implemented in current projects. At the same time we will be critic with BCF and will analyze complementary and/or additional solutions. We will have a look to the future to see solutions to this problematic that will come in the next years and are already under development and in beta version in some cases.

During the presentation we will talk about practical examples in which our companies are taking part such us the new building for the University of Utrecht in Utrecht (The Netherlands) where specific solutions have been adopted to handle and solve the miscommunication inside the team for this specific problem.

This paper explores the potential of computer automation and visualization tools for engineering models, and demonstrates an opportunity to improve Information Technology (IT) support for integration in the construction industry. The paper has two main parts. The first part discusses the current state of the art of information exchange in the construction industry, which is considered the driver for integration. The evolution of project modeling, types of integration and integration mechanisms are also discussed. The second part presents a practical application as it is currently applied to a real project, where automation tools and methods are being used to construct a full scale CAD model of a facility. Specialized software is being used to visualize the model, and to coordinate design development among disciplines and with the client. The utility of an “intelligent” 3D CAD model is enhanced by the development of a “Construction Simulation”, which is a key integration element that leverages the use of the 3D model for construction. The paper describes IT support for integration in the construction industry, a topic currently being explored by Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and Bechtel Corporation. The research methodology presents both a conceptual framework for understanding IT impacts to integration, as well as practical experience developed as a case study of an active Bechtel project.

A leading, international, engineering and construction company has carried out efforts to engage a new tool set and work process. is the new work process that aims toward better, more efficient planning and execution of large construction projects. This paper describes the case history and forecasts how this revitalized technique may ultimately impact the construction industry. Despite academic and practitioners' research and development efforts to leverage from Information Technology (IT) in construction, the industry at large, being generally conservative, has adhered to the values of predictability and existing methods to minimize risk. 4D technology has struggled to find its way into mainstream construction practice for several years, and just recently it has been shown that commercially available software and hardware can be applied effectively toward this end, greatly reducing investment risk. These relatively new tools promise new impetus to the use of 4D-PS in the construction industry. This paper describes how 4D-PS was applied on a major construction project, giving rise to a new work process that proved to be productive and cost effective. Emphasis is made on the fact that those expected to use such technology must have the necessary training and, conversely, near-future versions of computerized tools can be made more intuitive for more widespread use. The use of such techniques will necessarily draw engineering/design and construction entities closer together, essentially improving coordination among them.

A leading, international, engineering and construction company has carried out efforts to engage a new tool set and work process. Four-Dimensional Planning and Scheduling (4D-PS) is the new work process that aims toward better, more efficient planning and execution of large construction projects. This paper describes the case history and forecasts how this revitalized technique may ultimately impact the
construction industry. Despite academic and practitioners’ research and
development efforts to leverage from Information Technology (IT) in construction, the industry at large, being generally conservative, has adhered to the values of predictability and existing methods to minimize risk. 4D technology has struggled to find its way into mainstream construction practice for several years, and just
recently it has been shown that commercially available software and hardware can be applied effectively toward this end, greatly reducing investment risk. These relatively new tools promise new impetus to the use of 4D-PS in the construction industry. This paper describes how 4D-PS was applied on a major construction project, giving rise to a new work process that proved to be productive and cost effective. Emphasis is made on the fact that those expected to use such technology
must have the necessary training and, conversely, near-future versions of computerized tools can be made more intuitive for more widespread use. The use of such techniques will necessarily draw engineering/design and construction entities closer together, essentially improving coordination among them.

The use of Information Technology offers the potential for revolutionary change in the effectiveness with which construction-related activities are executed and the value they add to construction industry stakeholders. Several attempts to take advantage of Information Technology in the construction industry are currently being carried out around the world, either at academic or practitioner levels. This paper introduces the concept of MODELLING AND VISUALIZATION OF INFORMATION AND
KNOWLEDGE as a tentative point of departure aiming to bring near and act as a collaborative framework for different research efforts and organizations that currently deal separately with modelling and visualization issues in the construction industry, and contribute in this way to accelerate the transfer and adoption of research results to the construction industry practice.