Periodic Reporting for period 2 - BIMprove (Improving Building Information Modelling by Realtime Tracing of Construction Processes)
Reporting period: 2022-03-01 to 2023-08-31
The consortium behind the project BIMprove intends to employ digital twin technology to develop a dynamic digital thread system for construction sites that goes beyond the static Building Information Modelling (BIM) process currently in use. The technology will introduce profound disruption to the construction sector, which has experienced prolonged stagnation and is ripe for digitalization.
The aim of the BIMprove project is to invest effort in the development of a system that promotes fast-track productivity by cutting costs and improving working conditions. This will be achieved by employing 3D model-based BIM systems in combination with a digital twin technology to the construction sector, constituting a dynamic and multi-functional system based on real-time data. This new technology will consolidate the future development of the European construction industry and allow enterprises in the sector to optimize their performance. The technology will enable a real-time overview of current status on all construction sites, facilitating the early identification of errors and their remediation at the lowest possible cost. It will also be possible to control resource scheduling and transactions in real time, thus ensuring high levels of construction site security and efficient adherence to, and adaptation of, work schedules, according to need.
The overall objective of the BIMprove project is to go beyond the static BIM approach and create a digital thread that acts as a dynamic metrical building model, or digital twin. This will promote the easy monitoring of construction site status, effective resource scheduling and improved work planning. The new technology will offer greater levels of flexibility and safety, and enhanced productivity. The BIMprove project focuses on the building process on construction sites, once the erection or installation of a framework has been completed.
The technology is actualised using ground-based robots and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor site status and detect deviations that can be used to update the digital twin and the underlying BIM model. It will facilitate the anonymous tracking of site personnel, thus enabling both the system and personnel supervisors to optimize resource allocation, personnel flow and worker safety. The BIMprove system will be easily accessible to all stakeholders in the form of various user interfaces, including the provision of notifications to site workers via wearable devices, and to supervisors via virtual reality (VR) visualizations. The system will be a cloud-based service with a layered structure, enabling the addition of future extensions, as required.
The BIMprove system was developed in a series of six-monthly iterative cycles, which will ensure adequate time for the fine-tuning of system functionalities in order to meet the requirements of the consortium’s industry partners.
A proof-of-concept installation was first be implemented in an industry-oriented lab (TRL 5) environment before installation on industrial premises, realised at universities and research and technology centres.
The BIMprove system was demonstrated in realistic environments (TRL 6) and showcased as part of three real-world pilot use cases:
• Commercial office building in Madrid, Spain.
• Residential highblock from massive timber in Oslo, Norway.
• Commercial and residential mixed housing in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The aim of the BIMprove project is to invest effort in the development of a system that promotes fast-track productivity by cutting costs and improving working conditions. This will be achieved by employing 3D model-based BIM systems in combination with a digital twin technology to the construction sector, constituting a dynamic and multi-functional system based on real-time data. This new technology will consolidate the future development of the European construction industry and allow enterprises in the sector to optimize their performance. The technology will enable a real-time overview of current status on all construction sites, facilitating the early identification of errors and their remediation at the lowest possible cost. It will also be possible to control resource scheduling and transactions in real time, thus ensuring high levels of construction site security and efficient adherence to, and adaptation of, work schedules, according to need.
The overall objective of the BIMprove project is to go beyond the static BIM approach and create a digital thread that acts as a dynamic metrical building model, or digital twin. This will promote the easy monitoring of construction site status, effective resource scheduling and improved work planning. The new technology will offer greater levels of flexibility and safety, and enhanced productivity. The BIMprove project focuses on the building process on construction sites, once the erection or installation of a framework has been completed.
The technology is actualised using ground-based robots and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor site status and detect deviations that can be used to update the digital twin and the underlying BIM model. It will facilitate the anonymous tracking of site personnel, thus enabling both the system and personnel supervisors to optimize resource allocation, personnel flow and worker safety. The BIMprove system will be easily accessible to all stakeholders in the form of various user interfaces, including the provision of notifications to site workers via wearable devices, and to supervisors via virtual reality (VR) visualizations. The system will be a cloud-based service with a layered structure, enabling the addition of future extensions, as required.
The BIMprove system was developed in a series of six-monthly iterative cycles, which will ensure adequate time for the fine-tuning of system functionalities in order to meet the requirements of the consortium’s industry partners.
A proof-of-concept installation was first be implemented in an industry-oriented lab (TRL 5) environment before installation on industrial premises, realised at universities and research and technology centres.
The BIMprove system was demonstrated in realistic environments (TRL 6) and showcased as part of three real-world pilot use cases:
• Commercial office building in Madrid, Spain.
• Residential highblock from massive timber in Oslo, Norway.
• Commercial and residential mixed housing in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The main functionality of BIMprove is an extensive semi-automated data acquisition of various sizes and its processing. Mainly geometry data, but also photos, thermal image data, data of people and devices are captured or recorded.
The work carried out in the frame of BIMprove resulted in development of hardware, software as well as methods, which are listed here:
Hardware components
• UGV to take photos, thermal pictures and 3D scanning
• UAV to take photos, thermal pictures and 3D scanning
• Controller for UGV
• Base-station for UAV
• Worker's presence detection
Methods
• Automatic alignment of the point cloud with the IFC coordinates system
• Automatic comparing process of geometries from point clouds and IFC models
• Automatic comparing process of IFC elements existing on the point cloud and the executed due date of each element
• Use of targets during scanning to align point cloud with the local coordinates system
• Image recognition (ROVAS)
• Daily Decision Cycle
• Pictures including Exif data field
Software functionalities
• Definition of a capture mission with BCF
• Create BCF issue board from MS Project
• 4D simulation viewer linked with IFC
• 3D/4D viewer of delays
• Workers' presence viewer
• Point cloud comparison (IfcEntity ↔ Pointcloud)
• Virtual reality
• Augmented reality
• Software service for detecting safety elements on pictures
• Picture + detection → IfcElement in Safety model
• Viewer of photos with thermal images
• Model & point cloud delivery for XR
• Human-Machine Interface for UGV
• Path-planning for UGV
• Capability for automatic scan with UGV
More details could be found in deliverable D3.6 Benchmarking, Evaluation & Demonstration on https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8100274(opens in new window)
The BIMprove project has created the above-mentioned results that will be exploited after the project itself has finished:
• All research, commercial, construction and standardization partners have identified KERs and avenues for exploitation (all have something, several many KERs and avenues) see deliverable D4.6 Impact Assessment and Exploitation Final Report on https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8348887(opens in new window)
• Commercial partners Catenda and Robotnik are using improvements through BIMprove in their offerings in the markets (Among other things point cloud visualization for Catenda and Robot control innovations for Robotnik. Other things are planned for the near future.
• Horizon Europe project “Humantech” (2022-2025) takes advantage of the Backend (aka “BIMxD” there) on https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101058236
The work carried out in the frame of BIMprove resulted in development of hardware, software as well as methods, which are listed here:
Hardware components
• UGV to take photos, thermal pictures and 3D scanning
• UAV to take photos, thermal pictures and 3D scanning
• Controller for UGV
• Base-station for UAV
• Worker's presence detection
Methods
• Automatic alignment of the point cloud with the IFC coordinates system
• Automatic comparing process of geometries from point clouds and IFC models
• Automatic comparing process of IFC elements existing on the point cloud and the executed due date of each element
• Use of targets during scanning to align point cloud with the local coordinates system
• Image recognition (ROVAS)
• Daily Decision Cycle
• Pictures including Exif data field
Software functionalities
• Definition of a capture mission with BCF
• Create BCF issue board from MS Project
• 4D simulation viewer linked with IFC
• 3D/4D viewer of delays
• Workers' presence viewer
• Point cloud comparison (IfcEntity ↔ Pointcloud)
• Virtual reality
• Augmented reality
• Software service for detecting safety elements on pictures
• Picture + detection → IfcElement in Safety model
• Viewer of photos with thermal images
• Model & point cloud delivery for XR
• Human-Machine Interface for UGV
• Path-planning for UGV
• Capability for automatic scan with UGV
More details could be found in deliverable D3.6 Benchmarking, Evaluation & Demonstration on https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8100274(opens in new window)
The BIMprove project has created the above-mentioned results that will be exploited after the project itself has finished:
• All research, commercial, construction and standardization partners have identified KERs and avenues for exploitation (all have something, several many KERs and avenues) see deliverable D4.6 Impact Assessment and Exploitation Final Report on https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8348887(opens in new window)
• Commercial partners Catenda and Robotnik are using improvements through BIMprove in their offerings in the markets (Among other things point cloud visualization for Catenda and Robot control innovations for Robotnik. Other things are planned for the near future.
• Horizon Europe project “Humantech” (2022-2025) takes advantage of the Backend (aka “BIMxD” there) on https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101058236
Better scheduling forecast by 20%:
BIMprove has been addressing more than 78% of the main causes for inefficiency in the construction sector, and in a general way, BIMprove systems were estimated to solve these inefficiency factors with a substantial mean impact of 77%.
Proposals for a future standardisation for Digital Twins at a European scale:
BIMprove initiated the elaboration of a CWA about “Position markers for digital applications on construction sites, structural monitoring and BIM-applications”. The CWA will be one of the enablers of the application of drones and robots on building sites.
BIMprove established a liaison with CEN/TC 442 “Building Information Modelling (BIM)” and the working group WG 9 “Digital twins in built environment”.
Better allocation of resources and optimization of equipment usage:
In BIMprove Pilot Use-Case #3 (scheduling) equipment for personnel tracking was developed and tested, although, not fully implemented in the project.
Reduced number of accidents on construction sites:
BIMprove has been addressing more than 90% of the contributing factors for construction accidents which in line with the impact of “50-80% fewer accidents” originally planned.
Reduction of costs on constructions projects by 20%:
BIMprove has been addressing more than 65% of the main causes for causes of overrun of costs in the construction sector, and in a general way, BIMprove systems were estimated to solve these inefficiency factors with a substantial mean impact of 87%.
BIMprove has been addressing more than 78% of the main causes for inefficiency in the construction sector, and in a general way, BIMprove systems were estimated to solve these inefficiency factors with a substantial mean impact of 77%.
Proposals for a future standardisation for Digital Twins at a European scale:
BIMprove initiated the elaboration of a CWA about “Position markers for digital applications on construction sites, structural monitoring and BIM-applications”. The CWA will be one of the enablers of the application of drones and robots on building sites.
BIMprove established a liaison with CEN/TC 442 “Building Information Modelling (BIM)” and the working group WG 9 “Digital twins in built environment”.
Better allocation of resources and optimization of equipment usage:
In BIMprove Pilot Use-Case #3 (scheduling) equipment for personnel tracking was developed and tested, although, not fully implemented in the project.
Reduced number of accidents on construction sites:
BIMprove has been addressing more than 90% of the contributing factors for construction accidents which in line with the impact of “50-80% fewer accidents” originally planned.
Reduction of costs on constructions projects by 20%:
BIMprove has been addressing more than 65% of the main causes for causes of overrun of costs in the construction sector, and in a general way, BIMprove systems were estimated to solve these inefficiency factors with a substantial mean impact of 87%.