Quantification of design iterations based on the changes of BIM model
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School of Engineering |
Master's thesis
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en
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68
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Abstract
The design phase of construction projects is characterized by complex interactions among multiple designers who exchange information in an unstructured way throughout the process. This process generates repeated cycles of changes and modifications, known as design iterations, which requires careful management to avoid delays and cost overruns. Despite its significance, research exploring design iterations within the designing phase and their influence on the whole timeline and budget of the construction projects remains limited. This thesis addresses a gap in BIM standards, which lacks guidelines for tracking the evolution of structural elements during design. By quantifying design iterations based on BIM model dynamics, which includes changes in element properties, additions, deletions, and modifications over time, this study provides insights into design progression. The study investigates these dynamics and development patterns of key structural element categories (beams, columns, walls, footings, piles, slabs) within BIM, focusing on their evolution throughout the design process. A python programming language code using IFCOpenShell library was developed to extract data from BIM model IFC files and presents the data through a visual dashboard that tracks structural elements across design versions. The developed dashboard enables designers and managers to trace the areas of frequent reworks and mitigate its impact on timelines and costs by visualizing iterative patterns in structural elements. Key findings reveal the element categories which undergo frequent revisions due to interdependencies and quantifies iteration variability among elements. These findings demonstrate that monitoring element-level dynamics reduces unnecessary iterations, enhances transparency, and supports proactive decision-making. The results further highlight the value of process-oriented BIM analytics over traditional product-focused tools, offering a framework to improve design efficiency, reduce rework and improve coordination across disciplines during the design phase.Description
Supervisor
Seppänen, OlliThesis advisor
Lappalainen, EelonAbou Ibrahim, Hisham