Data model (GIS)

Gene

Statistics

Software engineering

Electrical engineering

Physics

Engineering

Data warehouse

Industrial engineering

Data transformation

Artificial intelligence

Workflow

Chemistry

Energy (signal processing)

Model building

Programming language

Systems engineering

Transformation (genetics)

Information model

Efficient energy use

Extension (predicate logic)

Building model

Compatibility (geochemistry)

Energy modeling

Mathematics

Computer science

Chemical engineering

Simulation

Biochemistry

Quantum mechanics

Building information modeling

Database

Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering

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.

IFC-Based BIM-to-BEM Model Transformation