This study focuses on the development of a new, formal method for the automated checking of pedestrian circulation rules in Courthouse Design Guide. Automated building rule checking is an automated process of design evaluation against design requirements. Since the early 1970's, when the electronic representation of building design became available, automated building rule checking, a computational process, has been a focus of study, and it continues to be a popular research area because it facilitates the design evaluation process by reducing the checking time and evaluation costs and by increasing the objectivity and the reliability of the evaluation. Thanks to the emergence of BIM (Building Information Model) authoring software, BIM became available to use in real building design, and several automated building code checking systems were developed based on BIM. In practice, the use of a rule checking system in real design evaluation may be influenced by several factors. Among the factors that affect the accuracy and the reliability of automated checking such as checking algorithms and rule interpretation is the level of completeness of the BIM in the design process, which can cause limitations in the application of a rule checking algorithm to the model. Problems caused by the incompleteness of the BIM occurred in CORENET project, a project initiated by the Singapore government in 1999 for automation of building code checking, and GSA Courthouse Design Guide Automation project (GSA), initiated at Georgia Tech in 2007 also faced with the same problems caused by incompleteness of BIM in the development stage. This thesis is a continuing research of GSA-Courthouse Design Guide Automation project (Simply, GSA project). The theoretical goals of this study are to provide a logical foundation upon which one can build an automated checking module for circulation rule checking and that is capable of outlining the rule-validation process independently from its diverse implementation. The theory for circulation rule checking is devised to represent the process of the validation of a building design in the development stage. The theory deals with issues of validation caused by the lack of data in the development of a building design.

In 2010, IFC (formerly Independent Film Channel) underwent a major rebrand campaign, which included a redesigned logo, tagline, and channel name; a transition to ad-supported programming and airing films with commercial interruptions; a reliance on original scripted comedy series; an emphasis on so-called 'blockbuster' indies over lesser-known films; and a general de-emphasis of independent film as the core of the brand identity. The features of the rebrand closely mirrored actions already taken by other film-based cable channels, most notably IFC's current parent channel, AMC (formerly American Movie Classics). In refashioning the IFC brand identity, IFC executives seized upon the instability of the term independent within existing discourses around independent film and music production and constructed a looser definition -- one that was no longer rooted in independent film and also hailed a very specific gendered, raced, and classed audience in order to attract new advertisers. This project contextualizes IFC's pre- and post-rebrand brand identity within the American independent film and music movements that began in the late 1980s and continued into the 1990s before analyzing the paratextual means through which the post-2010 IFC brand identity has been constructed, including upfront presentations, trade press coverage, press releases, on-air promotional spots, materials for prospective advertisers, images from graphic design agency portfolios, and IFC employee instructional guides on the use of language and image following the rebrand. Finally, this project examines how IFC has constructed its niche cable viewership following the rebrand in order to deliver the traditional commodity audience to its advertisers. Together, these analyses form a compelling look at the shifting discourses of independent cultural production and how independent-ness is situated within IFC's construction of a niche cable brand identity. / text

The move from two dimensional drawings (2D) to three dimensional (3D) models is underway in the architectural, engineering and construction industry. The three dimensional models may also be full of information which more exactly defines the different elements of a building, such models are called Building Information Modelling (BIM). Normally within a construction project, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools, experts add information to models and the feedback from the rest of the stakeholders are done during common meetings. The important part of information management of construction projects is the briefing process, collecting and defining the client's requirements throughout the construction project. The thesis project aims at defining and developing such tools which communicates with BIM models. Specifically, the main focus of this thesis is on creating interactive tools for Room Function Program (RFP) and Technical Description. An RFP describes the content and functionality of one or several rooms of a building that is designed at the early stage of a building construction. A Technical Description defines and describes all specifications of products which should be in a building. Current available and commonly used processes and products for RFP will be examined within this thesis as the industry has room for improvements with these particular concepts. The thesis project is conducted through research, case studies and interviews, respectively. First, the research and case studies analyzed the use and benefits of BIM. Then, the interview examined the gap between BIM, RFP and Technical Description and it is included in Appendix A. Subsequently, the RFP and Technical Description tools will be integrated with the BIM viewer successfully and desired visual feedback is given by filtering and highlighting the object in the model.

A consolidação do processo de Modelagem da Informação da Construção (BIM) tende a contribuir para o aumento da eficiência da indústria da construção civil, fomentando novos fluxos de trabalho e permitindo o reuso de informações ao longo do ciclo de vida dos empreendimentos. Apesar do potencial de integração e automação associados ao processo BIM, o uso das informações digitais contidas no modelo para facilitar a pré-fabricação de produtos para a construção mostra-se incipiente. Nota-se que emprego da fabricação digital encontra obstáculos sobretudo em setores que atuam de modo segregado, e que por isto mesmo demandam sinergia, bem como o uso de normas e padrões que possibilitem a interoperabilidade e reuso das informações geradas nas fases anteriores a fabricação. Neste contexto, foi feita uma análise do uso da fabricação digital aplicada ao processamento industrial de aço para estruturas de concreto armado (corte e dobra). Embora os fabricantes que atuam neste setor possuam suporte a interface digital com os demais agentes, a configuração de sua cadeia de produtiva, bem como os processos tradicionalmente adotados, promovem a ocorrência de ilhas de automação ligadas por transferência manual e reentrada de dados. Como forma de reduzir a intervenção manual para a transcrição dos dados, propõe-se o uso do esquema de dados Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) na fabricação digital de componentes de armadura. Este trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar uma solução técnica, baseada no esquema IFC, aos requisitos de troca de informação necessários no fluxo de trabalho proposto. Com base nos requisitos de troca identificados por meio do método Information Delivery Manual (IDM), apresenta-se como essas informações podem ser mapeadas e qual o subconjunto de dados necessários à fabricação digital baseada no esquema IFC4. Por fim, apresenta-se a documentação e validação da solução técnica desenvolvida de acordo com o método Model View Definition (MVD) e com o uso da ferramenta ifcDoc. Após a realização de testes com base no esquema IFC4 foi constatada a viabilidade para recuperação dos dados contidos no modelo. Entretanto também foi identificada a carência de ferramentas comerciais que suportem tal funcionalidade. / The consolidation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) possibly contributes to the increase of the efficiency in the construction industry, by fostering new workflows and data reuse throughout projects life cycle. Despite the potential for integration and automation associated with BIM, the use of the digital information contained in the model to facilitate prefabrication of construction products is still incipient. The digital fabrication finds obstacles in sectors that act in a segregated manner, henceforth needs standard adoption to allow reuse of the information generated in the phases prior to production. In this context, it was analyzed the use of digital fabrication applied to the industrial processing of reinforcement bars for concrete structures (rebar cutting and bending). Although the fabricators who act in this sector already have support to the digital interface with other agents, the supply chain configuration adopted by the Brazilian market, as well as the traditional paper-based processes employed, promote the occurrence of \"islands of automation\" connected by manual data transfer. In order to reduce the need for manual intervention for data re-interpretation and re-entry, it is proposed to use the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) data schema to promote the digital interface between the reinforcing bar supply chain stakeholder\'s. This work aims to present an IFC-based technical solution to the fabricator\'s information requirements by means of the Information Delivery Manual (IDM) and Model View Definition (MVD) standards. On the basis of the exchange requirements specified by rebar fabricator through IDM method, it is presented the IFC schema subset entailed and how this information can be mapped in order to allow the use of IFC on the cut & bend rebar supply chain. Finally, the technical solution was documented in an MVD and validate with the ifcDoc tool. After conducting validation tests based on the IFC4 schema, it was verified the viability to recover the data contained in the model. However, the lack of commercial tools that support such functionality has also been identified.

Configura Sverige AB is developing the software solutions Configura and CET Designer for companies dealing with highly configurable and complex products that also require space planning. The aim is to simplify the selling process. Configura Sverige AB has received requests from their customers to be able to read and write files according to an ISO standard called Industry Foundation Classes (IFC). IFC is an open international standard within Building Information Modeling (BIM) to exchange data between different software applications used for projects in the building industry and facility management. To assist Configura Sverige AB in a decision on how to further proceed, questions why users request IFC, how they need to work with IFC, and about possible workflows with IFC are considered in this thesis. To answer the questions, an interpretive case study method was used to view the questions from different perspectives. A qualitative approach was used to collect and analyze data, involving for example a survey among users requesting IFC and input from two different contractors requesting IFC files from these users. The results show that users have been requested by architects and contractors to supply IFC files, and a conclusion is that demands on the use of BIM and IFC within the public sector in certain countries is a major reason to these requests. The results has much focus on import and export of IFC files and on possible workflows using IFC files. With IFC files, users may be a part of a collaboration between several different disciplines within the building industry. Users need to base their work on other disciplines models, which in many cases will be the architect's IFC file. An IFC export shall only include the user's products, it will be up to another application to integrate these products in a coordination BIM. The IFC export will be used for interdisciplinary coordination, visualization and collision detection and it is important to use simple graphical representation of the products.

Användning av olika BIM-verktyg blir allt mer frekvent inom byggsektorn. Informationsutbyte av 3D-modeller mellan projektets olika aktörer sker kontinuerligt under projekteringsskedet. Eftersom olika aktörer använder sig av olika programvaror behövs det ett öppet filformat för leverans av 3D-modeller. IFC är ett neutralt filformat som möjliggör informationsutbyte mellan olika discipliner och samordning av BIM-modeller. Detta examenarbete är en förundersökning av kvalitativ och kvantitativ sort, med syftet att ta fram en intern arbetsmetod för kvalitetssäkring av IFC-modeller vid leverans. I de kvalitativamomenten ingår intervjuer. Intervjuer görs för att få en förståelse om vad de anställda på WSP Byggprojektering Göteborg har för uppfattning om olika program och hantering av IFC. Det har gett författarna en djupare inblick och förståelse av fördelar och utmaningar som svarande stöterpå, som lyfts under avsnittet resultat. Ett praktiskt delmoment ingår i examensarbetet. Under depraktiska momenten kommer det modellera i Tekla Structures och Revit för att sedan analyseramodellerna med hjälp av granskningsprogrammen Solibri Model Checker och Navisworks Manage. Två granskningsmetoder skapas i den här avhandlingen, en visuell granskning och en Excelrapport. Den visuella granskningsmetoden innebär att visuellt granska IFC-modellen i samma granskningsprogram som samordnaren. Den andra metoden är en prototyp som jämför olika rapporter från respektive programvaror. Slutsatsen i den här rapporten är enligt följande punkter: • Mänskliga faktorn vid modellering och användning av korrekta verktyg vid export till IFC. • IFC-formatet och de olika programmens förmåga att tolka IFC-informationen kan i vissa fall brista för icke standardiserade geometrier. • Granskningsprogram kan tolka IFC-modellen olika. / The use of different BIM tools is becoming increasingly frequent in the construction sector. Information exchange of 3D models between the various actors of the project takes place continuously during the design phase. Because different actors use different software, an openfile format is needed for the delivery of 3D models. IFC is a neutral file format that enables information exchange between different disciplines and coordination of BIM models. This exam work is a preliminary study of qualitative and quantitative variety, with the aim of developing an internal working method for quality assurance of IFC model delivery. The qualitative parts include interviews. Interviews are made to gain an understanding of what the employees at WSP Byggprojektering Göteborg have in mind about different programs and management of IFC. It has given the authors a deeper insight and understanding of the benefits and challenges that respondents encounter, which are highlighted in the section results. Apractical part is included in the degree project. During the practical steps, it will model in Tekla Structures and Revit to then analyze the models with the help of the review programs Solibri Model Checker and Navisworks Manage. Two review methods are created in this thesis, a visual review and an Excel report. The visual inspection method involves visually reviewing the IFC model in the same review program as the coordinator. The second method is a prototype that compares different reports from the respective software.The conclusion in this report is as follows: • Human factor in the modeling and use of correct tools when exporting to IFC. • The IFC format and the ability of the various programs to interpret the IFCinformation may in some cases fail for non-standard geometries. • Review programs can interpret the IFC model differently.

The diploma thesis deals with Building Information Modeling (BIM) and its application in real estate engineering. The document is divided into three main parts. The first part introduces the Building Information Modeling mentioning historical development, basic principles, software tools and advantages of using BIM in particular parts of building life-cycle. At the end of the first chapter, there are presented the pros and cons of BIM method. The second part is focused on the analysis of the current status of BIM implementation in the Czech Republic as well as in foreign countries. The last part deals with possibilities of using BIM in real estate engineering; specifically, the main focus is on: facility management and property maintenance, real estate market and real estate agencies and real estate appraisal. The possibilities of practical using are showed on examples. The conclusion is based on the discussion and summarization of possible usage of BIM method in real estate engineering.

Inom byggsektor orsakar fel, skador och brister extrakostnader på mellan 83 och 111 miljarder kronor varje år. De kostnaderna grundar sig ofta i fel som kan ses som små och därmed lätta att åtgärda på plats, men som när de adderas ihop innebär stora konsekvenser. Kök är ett område med en stor mängd avvikelser, då alla olika discipliner ska få plats med sin installation och inredning i ett litet utrymme. Det gör att kraven för kommunikation och samordning är extra höga i just kök. Syftet med detta arbete var att undersöka och sammanfatta vilka som är de vanligaste återkommande avvikelserna i kök, förstå vad som orsakar dem, och till sist föreslå åtgärder för att kunna minska mängden avvikelser som uppstår. Genom en intervju- och en enkätstudie kunde en sammanställning göras där felaktigt placerade eluttag var det ensamt vanligast förekommande avvikelsen, följt av måttfel, passbitar som inte stämmer, samt inredning och installation som inte passar. Orsakerna till de avvikelserna lyckades hittas genom samma studier och sammanfattas till dålig kommunikation mellan projektörer, att projektörerna saknar kunskap av varandras områden, samt att samordningen av de olika disciplinerna ofta brister. Med grund i de orsaker till avvikelser som uppdagats presenteras flera förslag på åtgärder med syfte att undvika återkommande avvikelser. De rekommendationer som studien kommer fram till är att en frågemall med frågor som projektörerna måste fråga varandra i början av projektering, att någon ska utses som ansvarig för erfarenhetsåterföring, samt att köksleverantörerna ska leverera sina ritningar i IFC-format. Med de åtgärderna implementerade hoppas författarna att företag ska kunna minska mängden återkommande avvikelser i framtida projekt. / Within the construction sector, defects, damages and errors lead to extra costs of between 83 and 111 billion Swedish kronor each year. These deviations are often based on deviations that may seem small, and therefore easy to solve on the site, but when they are added together amount to large consequences. Kitchens are an area with a large amount of deviations, because all different disciplines have to fit their installation and furnishing into a small space. That means that the requirements on communication and coordination are extra high. The purpose of this study is to identify and summarize which deviations are most commonly recurring in kitchens, understand what causes them, and finally suggest measures to reduce the amount of deviations in future projects.  A compilation could be made by carrying through an interview and a survey study, in which incorrectly placed outlets was found to be the most common deviation, followed by measurement errors, missing filler moulding, as well as furnishing or installation that doesn't fit. The reasons behind these deviations were found through the same studies and summarized to lacking communication between projectors, that projectors lack knowledge of each other's areas, and that the coordination often fails. Based on the reasons behind deviations that were found, multiple suggestions for measures to minimize recurring deviations are presented. The recommendations that the study presents is to create a question template containing questions that the projectors have to ask each other at the start of every project, to appoint someone the responsibility to carry out experience retrieval, as well as having the kitchen suppliers deliver their drawings in IFC-format. By implementing these measures, the authors hope that construction companies will be able to reduce the amount of recurring deviations in future projects.

Introduction – The objective of the report was to gain an understanding of how a roadconstruction model should look like and what information it should contain in order tobe suitable for the contractor´s production. Also, to be able to take this further towardsstandardizing the working process. Method – The report has been conducted as a survey, where the main source ofinformation has been semi-structured interviews with candidates that the group hasdeemed to have high competence in BIM and road construction. Results – The study revealed that there are shortcomings in understanding betweendifferent actors and that the purpose of the BIM model itself can be perceiveddifferently. Contractors are mostly interested in getting 3D polylines that are elevatedin the correct coordinate system, and if the model is not complete is not a problem ifthey get external documentation on what is inadequate in the model. There is a need forstandardization throughout the construction process, which should be followed upsuccessively to maintain the quality of the design basis. Analysis – There is no common knowledge about IFC, meaning that most intervieweesdid not mention much about IFC but talked a lot about the need of good coding that isrelated to it. There are questions about responsibility for a road model, who isresponsible for the model, and how the designer can easily waive their responsibilitywith the help of documentation. Discussion – The group believes that they have received useful answers from theinterviews, which has been analyzed to form an understanding of what can be improvedregarding the road construction process. Competence in understanding BIM need to beimproved to achieve standardization, and the purpose of the BIM model need to be clearto improve the design basis results for production. To achieve even higher reliabilityand understanding, more interviews from the contractor side could have been needed,but lack of correspondence prevented this.

Object recognition systems require baseline information upon which to compare sensed data to enable a recognition task. The ability to integrate a diverse set of object recognition data for different components in a Building Information Model (BIM) will enable many autonomous systems to access and use these data in an on-demand learning capacity, and will accelerate the integration of object recognition systems in the construction environment. This research presents a new framework for linking feature descriptors to a BIM to support construction object recognition. The proposed framework is based upon the Property and External Reference Resource schemas within the IFC 2x3 TC1 architecture. Within this framework a new Property Set (Pset_ObjectRecognition) is suggested which provides an on-demand capability to access available feature descriptor information either embedded in the IFC model or referenced in an external model database. The Property Set is extensible, and can be modified and adjusted as required for future research and field implementation. With this framework multiple sets of feature descriptors associated with different sensing modalities and different algorithms can all be aggregated into one Property Set and assigned to either object types or object instances. / Ph. D.