Utilization of knowledge systems in the AEC-industry

Presentation of doctoral project of Eilif Hjelseth, Ph.D. student at UMB/IMT 2009-2013

Updated: 2011-11-26

Index

Contact information

Eilif Hjelseth

E-mail:  eilif.hjelseth@umb.no

Phone:  +47 952 66 100

Skype:  eilif.hjelseth

Background for choose of Ph.D. topic

The complexity in the design, building and facility management process is increasing. Yesterdays focus on structural and economics demands is extended to include demands for reduced energy use and environmental aspects (energy, CO2) in production use and re-use. Performing an optimal or balanced decision will require a comprehensive access to information and use of appropriate methods. Building defects are flourishing, indicating that the building performance must be better tested before built. As much as 40% of the defects can be related to blunders in the design process.

How can "BIM" 1) support utilization of “knowledge systems” 2) to solve the probles problems in the AEC industry 3)?

1) BIM has a various of definitiosnand interpretations. I use BIM as a abbreviation for "Building Information Modelling", giving  focus on the process to identify and specify the information which is relevant for performing a defined task (calculation, assessment, accounting). Semantic (terms and definition; ontology) and technical interoperability (open data model as IFC, Industry Foundation Classes) is a part of BIM specifications. 

2) Examples of existing "knowledge systems" in the building and construction industry can be: national building codes and regulations (in Norway: TEK), standards (NO, CEN, ISO) and empirical / scientific systems (as BKS - Byggforsk Knowledge Systems). Knowledge system do also include KBE systems (Knowledge Based Engineering / Experts systems / Semantic web).

3) AEC-industry; architects, engineers, contractors, operators, owners in the building and construction industry.

Research methods / approach

Due to the cross-over character, there will be used a variation of research methods. I have started my research on development of concepts and principples. This theoretical approach will be supplemented with case based reseach on projects in theAEC industry.-

I have below set up a three level based approach:

Conceptual level:

  Utilization for the information in BIM to support design processes / decision making / assessment

This demand new processes individually and new of collaboration – and support of knowledge systems, analyzing tools and relevant and reliable information

 Related domains: Knowledge management, Multi criteria decision support, management and collaboration theories

 Scientific network: CIB-W102 and CIB-IDDS

Methodical level:

 Development of systems (procedures) for development of rules – human interpretable and computable for implementation into software. (Transparent procedure for translation / transformation of e.g. standards into computable rules in software)  

 Related domains: KBE – Knowledge Based Engineering, Artificial intelligence, Building Information Modelling, Knowledge representation, Semantics, Ontology, Classification, Standardization.

 Scientific network: CIB-W78 and ECPPM, ICCCBE

Operative level:

Using software for automatic rule checking / code compliance checking, e.g. Solibri Model Checker / NavisWorks/ Model server. The software is BIM based and information exchange is enabled bye use of IFC. Use of software systems for data mining and analyze of information. Use of, IDMs based on ISO 29481:2010 Information Delivery Manual in real AEC projects.

 Related domains: Software programming, specification / documentation of information, use of, IDMs.

 Scientific network: buildingSMART MSG and ISG, in addition to IFD Library group.

Background for publication

The professional preparation to this Ph.D. work has been in progress for some years. Working as researcher II at IMT and part time as project manager in Standards Norway give input for the publications. Experience from my previous  job as Building Information Manager at the R&D department, Selvaag Bluethink, in the Selvaag Group, and as assistant professor at the Department of Civil and Transport Engineering at NTNU make it possible to start with conference publication.

Mentoring team

Professor Thomas Thiis

Professor John Petter Langdalen

Professor Tor G. Syvertsen

Professor Jeff Wix, deceased 3^rd July 2009

Memberships/ roles

ECPPM 2012  9th European Conference of Product and Process Modelling - Member of Scientifc Committee

buildingSMART Norge - Educational coordinator see: "Utdanning" (Norwegian) for more information

ISO standardization - Secretary of ISO/TC 59/SC 13 (till end January 2012)

List of Scientific Publications

2011
- Modular BIM guidelines
    Presented at the CIB-W078 conference in Sophia Antipolis, France, 26-26th
    October 2011

- Capturing normative constraints by use of the semantic mark-up RASE methodology
    Co-author: Nick Nisbet
    Presented at the CIB-W078 conference in Sophia Antipolis, France, 26-26th
    October 2011
    Awarded with "Best paper in Industry session"

2010
- Exchange of Relevant Information in BIM Objects Defined by the Role- and Life-Cycle Information Model
    Published in Architectural Engineering and Design Management,
    Special Issue: Integrated Design and Delivery Solutions, pp. 279-287(9),
    29th November 2010. ISSN 1745-2007, Online ISSN: 1752-7589
 

- Exploring semantic based model checking
    Co-author: Nick Nisbet
    Presented at the CIB-W078 conference in Cairo, Egypt, 16- 19th October 2010.
 

- Overview of concepts for model checking
    Co-author: Nick Nisbet
    Presented at the CIB-W078 conference in Cairo, Egypt, 16- 19th October 2010.
 

2009
- Foundation for development of computable rules
    Presented at CIB-W78, Turkey, Istanbul, 1-3th October 2009
 

- Exchange of relevant information in BIM-objects defined by the Life cycle Information Model (LIM)
   Presented at CIB-IDS, Finland, Espoo, 10-12th July 2009
 

2008  -  Papers written before Ph.D. admission:
- Use of BIM and GIS to enable climatic adaptations of buildings
    Presented at ECPPM 2008, Nice, France, Sept. 10th 2008

- Mixed approach for SMARTlearning of buildingSMART
   Presented at ECPPM 2008, Nice, France, Sept. 11th 2008
 

2004  - Co-author on papers:
- Project Oriented Learning
   Eivind Bratteland and Eilif Hjelseth, NTNU
   Presented at Civil Engineering Education and Research in the Enlarged EU,
   Brno, 19th – 21st April 2004
 

2003
- PBL: Introducing civil engineering at NTNU - Collaboration, experiences and evaluation
   Eivind Bratteland and Eilif Hjelseth, NTNU
   Presented at International Meeting in Civil Engineering Education,
   Ciudad Real, September 2003, Spain.
 

Other publication, presentations, lecturing and conferences:

2011

- Main coordinator for the “buildingSMART Master class:11 from 27th to 28th January 2011
  approximately 150 participants, students, teachers and buidlingSMART members,
  contribution / presentation from 20 companies.

2010

Presentaions / lecturing:

- Presentations at CITA, 17th March 2010

- Lecturing NTNU

- Lecturing UMB

Education / Developent of courses:

- Exploring BIM and RFID, 5 SP. Course appoved by the IMT study council

- Exploring BIM and RFID, 5 SP.-09)

- Introduction to BIM, 3 modules course at UMB, 10 students.

Conferences:
- Main coordinator for the “buildingSMART Master class:10 from 13th to 15th January 2009
  approximately 70 participants, students and teachers,
  contribution / presentation from 20 companies.

2009

Articles:

- What is IFD?

   published in branch journals “The BIM” (Korean journal, Dec. -09)

“Byggeindustrien”  (May -09).

Presentaions / lecturing:

- Datakonferansen (May -09),
- “buildingSMART Competence arena” (Kompetansetorget buildingSMART) (Sept.-09),

- buildingSMART conference (Sept.-09),
- Focus software User conference (Nov. -09)

- Fagskolen i Oslo (Jan. 09),
- NTNU, Experts in Team, (Feb.-09)

Conferences:
- Main coordinator for the “buildingSMART Master class:09 in from 13th to 15th January 2009
  approximately 50 participants, students and teachers,
  contribution / presentation from 20 companies.

- Main coordinator for the “buildingSMART Competence arena” (Kompetansetorget) with 20 presentation over 3 days at the
   “Bygg-Reis-Deg” exhibition (Sept. -09).

Relevant scientific network

CIB – International Council for Building: CIB-W78, CIB-W102 and CIB-IDDS

ECPPM – European Conferences on

Product and Process Modeling in the building industry

ICCCBE - The International Society for Computing in Civil and Building Engineering

ECAADe – Education and research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe

Collaboration partners / contacts

CITA

buildingSMART Norway / International

Standardization – Standards Norway / ISO

IDM Learning Circle

Digitale UMB

UMB has a BIM team for education and research with following members:

-  Associate professor Ramzi Hassan (ILP) Project manager
-  Assistant professor Ivar Maalen-Johansen (IMT)

-  Assistant professor II Eilif Hjelseth (ILP)

UMB is member of buildingSMART Norway

Co-mentoring BIM related bachelor- and master thesis

Winner of buildingSMART award for best student thesis. Thesis with "Honorable mention"
Norwegian text and thesis
 

Abbrevations:
HIN:        Høgskolen i Narvik
HIO:        Høgskolen i Oslo
NTNU:     Norges Teknisk Naturvitenskaplige Universitet
UMB:      Universitet for Miljø- og Biovitenskap