The BIM-based information integration sphere for construction projects

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has been employed in the AEC industry to provide the data repository for the various stakeholders of construction projects in past years. For example architects use it to streamline the information transition throughout the design phases of a project, structural and MEP engineers use BIM as the database for their design projects, and project engineers use it to automatically and dynamically perform quantity takeoffs. Although BIM has respectively contributed to different sectors in the AEC industry, it still hasn't been well exploited to offer an efficient information management solution for the construction phase of a project. This study develops an information integration sphere (IIS) based on the BIM technology to provide a more efficient and effective information integration model. IIS can clearly identify the data requirements of various stakeholders at different stages of the construction project. It also serves as a tool that can better generate, manipulate, and visualize the flow of information along different processes. In addition, IIS can establish the responsibilities of various stakeholders in terms of providing and receiving information within the construction project. With the help of IIS, BIM model can be better built for smoothly transiting and integrating information among different phases of the construction project. An example is presented to show the benefits of applying IIS to managing the information of a project using BIM technologies and laying the path for a smoother transition of data flow between the different stages of the project lifecycle.