Semantic Web for BIM-Based Automated Project Management and Control: A Review

Palihakkara, Asha Dulanjalie; Osorio-Sandoval, Carlos; Tizani, Walid

Abstract

The integration of semantic web technologies in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry has gained momentum in recent years, with promising studies being conducted for various use cases. Furthermore, its necessity has been implied in the Building Information Modelling (BIM) Maturity Level 3, which focuses on fully integrated collaboration and open data standards and transfer. The main drivers of implementing semantic web technologies in a multi-data environment like the AEC industry are to overcome interoperability issues, link across domains, and facilitate logical inference and proof. The construction execution phase encompasses multiple stakeholders delivering data from multiple domains in heterogeneous formats, which needs to be put to better use for optimal project delivery. Thus, this study explores how semantic web technology can be applied for BIM-based project management and control during the execution phase through a comprehensive review of the literature to identify existing semantic web applications and their limitations to determine the gaps in knowledge. The development of ifcOWL ontology has spurred attention on developing domain ontologies to be integrated with the ifcOWL for the seamless automation of construction activities. The study identified several ontology-based semantic web applications for project control in a BIM-based environment, for example, 4Dcollab ontology for Synchronous Collaboration Sessions for decision making, LinkOnt for lookahead planning enabled construction constraint checking, CPPC ontology for construction product control, etc. Furthermore, many studies were recorded related to semantic web technology-based 4D BIM use cases, such as automated schedule generation, automated construction sequencing, collaboration, and constraint checking. A consistent idea across these studies is the emphasis on the need for knowledge modelling leveraging data accumulated through both pre-construction and construction stages for project monitoring and controlling processes and integrating data streams through IoT and sensing devices for prompt decision-making.

Citation

Palihakkara, A. D., Osorio-Sandoval, C., & Tizani, W. (2024, August). Semantic Web for BIM-Based Automated Project Management and Control: A Review. Presented at International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering (ICCCBE), Montreal, Canada

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering (ICCCBE)
• Start Date: Aug 25, 2024
• End Date: Aug 28, 2024
• Acceptance Date: Mar 29, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Aug 27, 2024
• Publication Date: Aug 27, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jul 15, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 28, 2025
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: Semantic web, Ontologies, BIM, Project Control, Linked Data
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/37304300
• Publisher URL: https://www.xcdsystem.com/proceedings/isccbe/JRvh2J7/presentation/89858.cfm?uuid=E58ED4C0-E623-A7C8-8B823D2663B5ACDD