Some Thoughts on BIM Compliance Checking

WeChat Sync · Xiaowei · 2024-02-20

This article is reprinted from the WeChat official account “Lao Shuai BIM” for learning and exchange purposes only. All rights belong to the original author.

Recently, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development also issued a notice to trial BIM-assisted review from February 1, 2024.

Trial from February 1, 2024! Shanghai to Launch BIM Intelligent Assisted Review

The author has studied compliance checking at Tongji Design Institute (hereinafter referred to as TJAD) for many years and has been pondering this question all along. So what exactly is the essence of BIM compliance checking? What other meanings does the ARC (Automated Rule Checking) spoken of abroad carry? This article may provide the answer.

First, the concept of ARC was proposed by buildingSMART in the article Beyond e-permitting:Framing the Business Case for Automated Rule Checking in the Era of Big Data, and was first translated, disseminated and promoted in China by Mr. Wei Lai of the China Institute of Standardization.The literal meaning is: Beyond e-permitting - framing the business case for automated rule checking in the construction engineering field in the era of big dataTwo key words: Beyond e-permitting - the scenario for rule checking is not limited to drawing review. Big data: empowered by artificial intelligence technology, ARC will deliver its due value. It mainly carries two layers of meaning:

1. Passive rule creation, i.e., top-down passive translation, such as the product approach of Solibri software and the current domestic approach to BIM review in China. 2. Active rule extraction, i.e., bottom-up active learning, such as collecting and accumulating preliminary data and, through machine learning and other means, upgrading to AI review. The core value of ARC also lies in its second major tenet: mining and utilizing data based on AI, and, in the process of sorting out or fixing business workflows, identifying the problems exposed by routine production, such as insufficient experience, low efficiency and repeated checking and review. Finally, it brings into play the role of converting data into a production factor, integrates enterprise production scenarios and builds an enterprise ARC platform to support the enterprise's digital transformation. Speaking of data mining and utilization, with the development of AI technology in recent years, especially large language model technology, the way data is converted into a production factor is one step closer to further implementation.

For details, see the author's previously published articles; click the hyperlinks below to view:

A Brief Discussion on the Application of Large Language Models in the Construction Field

At present, BIM review 1.0 (rule-based passive review) is both an exploration and a breakthrough, and it is a stage that must inevitably be experienced. After BIM review 1.0, with the practical application of AI technology, the arrival of BIM review 2.0 (knowledge-based AI review) is not far off.

Diagram Breaking Down the ARC Technical Concept

What specific application scenarios does ARC technology have? Based on relevant literature and lectures, combined with his own research experience, the author summarizes the following six major modules:

For related preliminary-stage ARC research cases, see:

TJAD ARC Application Scenario 1: Research on Intelligent Evacuation Technology

TJAD ARC Application Scenario 2: ARC-based Passive Review of Building Economic Indicators

TJAD ARC Application Scenario 3: ARC-based Passive Review of Building Stairway Clear Height

TJAD ARC Application Scenario 4: Research on the Application of AI-based Large Language Model Technology

TJAD ARC Application Scenario 5: Research on the Application of BIM Quantity Take-off Technology based on the ARC concept; for details, see the article: BIM Integrated Drawing and Quantity Take-off

TJAD ARC Application Scenario 6: An ARC-based Integrated Platform for Panoramic Inspection and Data Collection

For a more systematic understanding of ARC, see the author's original ARC Technology Application Breakdown Atlas:

ARC Technology Application Breakdown Atlas

Top-down ARC technology applications need to help production staff improve efficiency. Bottom-up ARC applications help enterprises optimize production processes and promote digital transformation.

Based on the above, the author also categorizes BIM technology into four major development stages:

1. “Clash” BIM: the current mainstream application; even after being riddled with problems, it still shines and delivers value;

2. “Structural” BIM: emphasizing the expression and standardization of data; it can be understood as “Spatial BIM 1.0” [a foreshadowing planted here — the author will analyze Spatial BIM in a dedicated article later];

3. “Semantic” BIM: focusing on the logical relationships behind the data; it can also be understood as “Spatial BIM 2.0”;

4. “Knowledge” BIM: transforming data into knowledge and bringing data's productive role into play.

Summary

1. Although the industry is in a downturn, the pace of digital technology development will not stop;

2. BIM will continue to exist and gradually iterate and develop, but it requires more knowledge input from industry experts; BIM remains the direction of future digital development;

3. The development of BIM technology will usher in a new stage after artificial intelligence technology reaches a certain level.

Acknowledgements

1. China Institute of Building Standard Design

2. Beijing CICAS Certification Center Co., Ltd.

After large language models, Sora has arrived; AI technology is developing too fast — let's keep going together!