@article{f03bd60b1352421e868e04354dc58ba7,
title = "IFC-Based BIM-to-BEM Model Transformation",
abstract = "Building information modeling (BIM) can facilitate evaluation of the energy performance of a building from the early stages of a project. However, due to differences in how information is represented in BIM and building energy modeling (BEM), the exchange of data between the two tools is tedious and error prone. This paper presents research on leveraging open BIM standards for facilitating energy analysis BIM use. An extension was developed for OpenStudio that transforms building information models represented in Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) files into building energy analysis models in the OpenStudio data format. In the defined workflow, the model transformation is performed by a serializer that was developed using the open source BIMserver, while the OpenStudio extension transitions models between OpenStudio and BIMserver. The model transformation algorithm and its implementation in BIMserver were validated in a case study by comparing the actual energy demands of a building with the predicted energy demands of a simulation model that was created through the developed workflow.",
author = "Ramaji, {Issa J.} and Messner, {John I.} and Ehsan Mostavi",
note = "Funding Information: Having IFC as an agreed upon open standard in the industry makes it possible to exchange information between different platforms and perform cloud-based computing. As an example, BIMserver presents an IFC-based open source BIM development platform that can be hosted on a server or an individual computer and can be linked to software applications through an application program interface (API) (Beetz et al. 2010). It enables users to host IFC models in a server to centralize information and perform model processing using plug-ins that are developed by the user or other BIMserver users. This platform has been successfully tested in several software application development projects, including applications to integrate BIM and GIS models (Bazjanac 2008), perform clash detection (van den Helm et al. 2010), and detect fall hazards on construction sites (Qi et al. 2012). In parallel with the development of standards for the exchange of comprehensive building information model data, several other efforts yielded open file formats for the exchange of discipline-specific models focused on energy analysis. These efforts include the development of the gbXML, the Standards Data Dictionary XML (SDD XML), and the EnergyPlus input data file (IDF) structure, which is also adaptable to the OpenStudio Model (OSM) file structure. These schemas are briefly introduced in the following. gbXML: This schema was initially developed by Green Build-ing Studio in 2000 to provide the industry with a schema for the exchange of 3D building analytical models (Kim et al. 2015). In 2009, the management of gbXML transitioned from Green Building Studio to an independent entity (Green Building XML Schema n.d.). Since then, it has been continuously up-dated and maintained by the building industry and software ven-dors, such as Autodesk and Bentley Systems, and has been supported by various organizations, including the US Depart-ment of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) (Dong et al. 2007). SDD XML: The California Energy Commission extended the gbXML schema to develop the SDD XML schema for checking energy code compliance (CBECC n.d). This schema can capture additional information such as internal load and mechanical system data. IDF: The DOE began developing IDF in 1996 as the schema for EnergyPlus, and it was released in 2001 (Crawley et al. 2008). EnergyPlus is an energy analysis tool that was created based on two other energy simulation tools, DOE-2 and BLAST, that were developed by the US Department of Defense (DOD) in the 1970s (Crawley et al. 2001). OSM: This is the file format of the OpenStudio energy analysis platform. OpenStudio was developed by NREL in 2008 to im-prove the overall functionality of EnergyPlus. OpenStudio uses EnergyPlus{\textquoteright}s analytical engine to assess the energy performance of buildings and Radiance{\textquoteright}s engine for daylighting analysis. While standard data schemas can potentially enhance interoperability within the industry, having numerous standards for the same use can yield inefficiencies. A large number of open standard file formats increases the cost of implementation and maintenance by software vendors who support the standards. Also, although such schemas usually have significant similarities, due to the differences in details, software developers are unable to align their proprietary data schema with one standard to be consistent across the industry. Furthermore, it can cause confusion among users because there is no agreed upon file format for the exchange of a building model for energy analysis. Funding Information: The authors wish to thank their collaborators on this project, including Robert Leicht, Dinghao Wu, John Yen, Rick Mistrick, Chong Zhou, Pengwei Lan, Yifan Liu, Yu Fu, and Sarith Subramaniam. This paper is based on a work supported by the Consortium of Building Energy Innovation (CBEI) sponsored by the US Department of Energy under Award No. DE-EE0004261. The views and opinions of the authors expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of the US Department of Energy, CBEI, or other project collaborators. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.",
year = "2020",
month = may,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000880",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "34",
journal = "Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering",
issn = "0887-3801",
publisher = "American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)",
number = "3",
}