Cloud-based Building Information Modelling for Information Interoperation and Collaboration in the Construction Industry

人们普遍认为，采用计算机化建筑模型的突破需要重新分配设计供应链中的关系（可能还有费用），因为实质性的收益（估计在10%-50%之间，最高可达18美元/平方英尺）取决于初始模型的存在，理想情况下由建筑师创建和开发。更普遍的是，建筑师和其他AEC/FM行业的中小型企业（SME）由于未能采用电子表格和类似应用程序等基本IT工具而表现不佳。建筑信息建模是一种相对较新的技术，旨在获取建筑物从设计到施工的所有相关信息（在某些情况下甚至是维护和拆除）在单个3D数字模型中。其优点是，单个模型可以构成建筑物整个生命周期的基础，从而整合建筑设计和施工的不同方面。现在有几个BIM的商业应用，但这项技术的吸收和使用仍然没有像它可能的那样广泛。美国和其他地方的一些研究小组一直处于开展研究和知识转移项目的最前沿，以向行业宣传这项技术的使用。例如，Gerogia Tech建筑学院的AEC集成实验室正在建议和实施项目，从初步设计概念审查，通过实施自动化设计检查，到影响能源效率的参数的设计性能实时仪表板反馈，从而减少建筑物的碳足迹。斯坦福大学的CIFE是另一个积极从事基础研究和向行业转移知识的领先团体。该提案是对主要研究者在2001年、2002年和2009年访问北美的后续行动，该访问由皇家工程学院资助，作为工程学奖（01-02）。企业利用互联网的方式多种多样，例如管理其供应链、协调设计和施工团队在工地的互动、项目管理等。九十年代两份关于英国建筑业生产力状况和改善方法的有影响力的报告（埃根，1998年和莱瑟姆，1994年）概述了利用信息和通信技术的重要性。PI之前的访问让他深入了解了信息互操作性问题及其在协同设计和建设中的作用。在此期间，该地区的进一步发展和最近出现的BIM是拟议访问的主要驱动力。主要研究员访问美国在这一研究领域的一些领先的卓越中心（主要是斯坦福大学的综合设施工程中心）的主要目的是获得对该领域的最新了解，并与这些中心建立合作研究联系。在2009年的最后一次访问中，一个关键因素是深入了解云计算（CC）在建筑行业软件应用中的作用。这是合作最终致力于的领域，并将其确定为进一步合作的关键部分。从斯坦福大学回来后，PI招收了一名博士生，他正在研究基于云的信息基础设施的开发，以供设计师、建筑商和最终用户使用。随着英国和欧洲能源相关指令的不断变化，确保所有监管规定得到遵守变得越来越困难，尽管所有相关监管文件及其相关规定的识别存在问题。本研究将利用CC概念解决这些问题。

The breakthrough in the adoption of computerised building models is widely believed to require a redistribution of the relationships (and possibly fees) in the design supply chain, as the substantial benefits (estimated between 10%-50% and up to $18/sqft) are predicated on the existence of an initial model, ideally created and developed by the architect. More generally it is believed that architects and other Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the AEC/FM sector are under-achieving due to their failure to adopt even basic IT tools such as spreadsheets and similar applications.Building Information Modelling is a relatively recent technology that aims to capture all relevant information about a building from design through to construction (and even maintenance and demolition in some cases) in a single 3D digital model. The advantages are that a single model can form the basis of the entire lifecycle of a building and thereby integrating the different aspects of a building design and construction. There are now several commercial applications of BIM available but the uptake and the use of this technology is still not as widespread as it could be. Some research groups in the USA and elsewhere have been in the forefront on carrying out research and knowledge transfer projects for propagating the use of this technology to the industry. For example, the Gerogia Tech's Architecture School's AEC Integration lab is advising and implementing projects ranging from preliminary design concept reviews by implemnting automated design checking to real-time dashboard feedback on design performance for parameters that effect energy efficincy and hence the carbon footprint of a building. CIFE at Stanford is the other leading group that is actively engaged in both findamental research and knowledge transfer to the industry. This proposal is a follow up to earlier visits to North America by the Principal Investigator in 2001, 2002 fand 2009 funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering as an Engineering Foresight award (01-02). There are various ways a business can exploit the internet, e.g. managing its supply chain, co-ordinating the interaction between the design and construction teams on sites, project management and so on. Two influential reports in the nineties on the state of productivity in the UK construction sector and ways of improving them (Egan, 1998 and Latham, 1994) outlined the importance of exploiting Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). PI's previous visits gave him insights into the issues around the information interoperability issue and its role in collaborative design and construction. Further developments in the area in the intervening period and the recent emergence of BIM is the main driver for the proposed visit. The main aim of the PI's visits around some leading centres of excellence (primarily Stanford's Centre for Integrated Facilities Engineering) in the USA in this area of research is to gain a state-of-the-art understanding of the field and establish collaborative research links with these centres. One key element of the last visit in 2009 was the development of insights into the role of Cloud Computing (CC) in software uptake in the construction industry. This is the area which the collaboration ended up working on and identified it as the key part of further collaboration. On return from Stanford, the PI has taken on one PhD student who is investigating the development of Cloud based information infrastructure for building regulation aceess and usage by designers, builders and end users. With ever-changing landscape of energy related directives from within the UK and Europe alike, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure that all regulatory provisions are being complied with notwithstanding the issues surrounding the identification of all relevant regulatory documents and the relevant provisions within them. This research will address these issues utilizing CC concepts.