An Ontology of the Uses of Building Information Modeling
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The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School The College of Engineering AN ONTOLOGY OF THE USES OF BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING A Dissertation in Architectural Engineering By Ralph G. Kreider © 2013 Ralph G. Kreider Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy December 2013 The dissertation of Ralph G. Kreider was reviewed and approved* by the following: John I. Messner Professor of Architectural Engineering Dissertation Adviser Co-Chair of Committee Chimay J. Anumba Department Head of Architectural Engineering Professor of Architectural Engineering Co-Chair of Committee Robert M. Leicht Assistant Professor of Architectural Engineering Ute Poerschke Associate Professor of Architecture *Signatures are on file in the Graduate School. ii ABSTRACT Building Information Modeling (BIM) does not change the purpose for performing a task related to delivering a facility – only the means by which the purpose is achieved. Currently, no common language exists for the purposes of implementing BIM. This lack of a common language makes it challenging to precisely communicate with others the purposes for implementing BIM. The goal of this research is to create that common language by developing a BIM Use Ontology. A BIM Use (Use) is defined as a method of applying Building Information Modeling during a facility’s life-cycle to achieve one or more specific objectives. The BIM Use Ontology (the Ontology) provides a shared vocabulary that is applied to model (or express) the BIM Uses, including the type of objects (or terms), and concepts, properties, and relationships that exist. The methods performed to develop the BIM Use Ontology included: 1) defining domain and scope, 2) acquiring domain knowledge, 3) documenting domain terms, 4) integrating domain terms, 5) evaluating (refining and validating) the BIM Use Ontology, and 6) documenting the BIM Use Ontology. Overall, the BIM Use Ontology classified over 550 BIM terms into a defined ontological structure. Before the BIM Use Ontology was finalized, this structure was validated through competency questions, term mapping, industry interviews, and focus group meetings. The research methodology implemented to develop the BIM Use Ontology was designed based on the following criteria: clarity, comprehensiveness, extendibility, minimal bias, and minimal ontological commitment. The BIM Use Ontology primarily classifies the BIM Uses based on the purpose of implementing BIM on a facility or within an organization; and secondarily classifies BIM Uses based on characteristics of the BIM Use. The BIM Use Ontology classifies BIM Uses into five primary BIM Use Purposes: 1) Gather, 2) Generate, 3) Analyze, 4) Communicate, and 5) Realize. After the BIM Use Purpose is determined, an implementer can identify more detailed BIM Use Characteristics such as facility element, facility phase, author discipline, or level of development. Depending upon a particular implementation of BIM, the process, information, infrastructure, maturity, benefits, and references are determined. The characteristics make the BIM Use Ontology applicable and usable by industry. The BIM Use Ontology provides a structure for the purposes by which BIM can be implemented during the life-cycle of a facility. The BIM Use Ontology provides the fundamental terminology and organizational structure for the purposes for which BIM is implemented throughout the life-cycle of a facility. The BIM Use Ontology can be applied within procurement language and BIM planning to define exact requirements of various parties. The BIM Use Ontology can also be applied to standardize process and information exchanges. This standardization is critical to the U.S. National BIM Standard. Overall, the BIM Use Ontology allows for better communication of the purposes for implementing Building Information Modeling throughout the life of a facility. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ....................................................................................................................................... ix List of Figures ...................................................................................................................................... xi Reader’s Guide....................................................................................................................................xii Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................................... xiii CHAPTER 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Importance of a BIM Use Ontology .......................................................................................... 3 1.1.1 Purpose of the BIM Use Ontology ................................................................................... 4 1.1.2 Goal of the BIM Use Ontology ........................................................................................ 4 1.1.3 Domain of the BIM Use Ontology ................................................................................... 5 1.1.4 Scope of the BIM Use Ontology ...................................................................................... 5 Current State of Research in the Domain of BIM Uses ........................................................... 6 Components of an Ontology ...................................................................................................... 6 Applicability and Benefits of the BIM Use Ontology .............................................................. 7 CHAPTER 2: Literature Review ......................................................................................................... 8 Ontologies ................................................................................................................................... 8 2.1.1 Definition of Ontology ...................................................................................................... 8 2.1.2 Purpose and Benefits of Ontologies ............................................................................... 10 2.1.3 Components of Ontologies ............................................................................................. 11 2.1.4 Methodologies for Ontology Development ................................................................... 13 2.1.5 Challenges when Developing Ontologies ...................................................................... 16 Related Ontologies Within the Industry .................................................................................. 17 2.2.1 ASTM UniFormat II ....................................................................................................... 17 2.2.2 CSI MasterFormat 1995 .................................................................................................. 19 2.2.3 CSI MasterFormat 2004 .................................................................................................. 19 2.2.4 OmniClass Tables............................................................................................................ 20 Overview of BIM ...................................................................................................................... 21 2.3.1 Definitions of Building Information Modeling ............................................................. 21 2.3.2 Benefits of Building Information Modeling .................................................................. 24 2.3.3 Challenges with BIM Implementation ........................................................................... 25 BIM Planning ............................................................................................................................ 26 2.4.1 BIM Planning Elements .................................................................................................. 27 2.4.2 BIM Project Execution Planning (or Facility-Based BIM Planning) .......................... 28 2.4.3 Organizational BIM Planning ......................................................................................... 29 iv BIM Uses................................................................................................................................... 32 2.5.1 Definition of BIM Use .................................................................................................... 32 2.5.2 Current Terms and Definitions of BIM Uses ................................................................ 32 2.5.3 Current Hierarchies of BIM Uses ................................................................................... 42 U.S. National BIM Standard .................................................................................................... 49 2.6.1 Structure of the U.S. National BIM Standard ................................................................ 49 2.6.2 Model View Definitions ................................................................................................. 50 2.6.3 Information Delivery Manuals ....................................................................................... 50 2.6.4 Information Exchanges Standards .................................................................................. 50 Summary of Available Literature ............................................................................................ 51 CHAPTER 3: Research Methodology..............................................................................................