1. Use of Building Product Models and Reference Data Libraries for project-, product- and knowledge databases Presentation for delegation from Hangzhou Municipal Government Lars Bjørkhaug Norwegian Building Research Institute

2. Introduction to IFC and IFD
IFC - International Foundation Classes
IFC is developed and maintained by IAI (International Alliance for Interoperability)
IFC is a complete EXPRESS product model of a building project
IAI has 9 chapters each with members from several countries: North American, German Speaking, Nordic, French, Singaporean, Korean, Australasian, Japanese
IFC is supported by most leading building software vendors:
NBR
SDC
LexiCon
BARBi …
IFD - International Framework for Dictionaries
IFD is developed and maintained by ISO/TC 59/SC 13/WG 6
IFD is an EXPRESS model standardised in ISO
Several countries has started building dictionaries based on IFD
IFC and IFD is currently being harmonised through the work of XM-7 More information at:

3. What can IFC do? Electrical Elements Shape (explicit)
© Dr Thomas Liebich, Jeffrey Wix, AEC3
Shape (explicit)
Electrical Elements
transformers, motors, generators,
switches, protective devices,
power and communication outlets
panels, cubicles
Shape (extrusions)
beams, pipes, ducts, walls etc.
Sanitary Elements
WC’s, urinals, baths, bidets, traps
gulleys
Shape (topology)
line representations for pipe, duct, etc.
Fire Protection Elements
sprinklers, hose reels, hydrants,
wet/dry rising mains
Building Elements
wall, door, window, roof, stairs, etc.
Furniture
inc. system furniture
HVAC Equipment
chillers, fans, pumps, boilers,
coils, cooling towers, heaters,
heat exchangers, etc..
Relations Between Elements
holes, chases, voids, zones

4. What can IFC do? Spaces, Space Structure Structural analysis:
© Dr Thomas Liebich, Jeffrey Wix, AEC3
Spaces, Space Structure
space, storey, part, building, site
Structural analysis:
structural members, boundary
conditions, connections, supports,
loads, etc.
Zones, Compartments
fire, workstation, rising ducts,
shafts
Structural Elements
members, profiles, rebars, properties,
joints, features, surface
Systems
piping, ducting, cable, structural
Controls, Instruments
sensor, actuator, controller,
gauge, meter
Lighting
rendering and lighting,
light sources, rendering material
reflections and textures
Grids
2D/3D grid structures
assignment of elements to grids
Manholes
manholes, inspection chambers,
access chambers, meter chambers,
valve chambers
Draughting
annotations on model space,
line types, text, symbols, hatches,
dimension lines

5. What can IFC do? Asset Management Time Series Constraints
© Dr Thomas Liebich, Jeffrey Wix, AEC3
Time Series
time related events
Asset Management
maintenance history, inventories
Move Management
Constraints
rules, specifications, requirements
trigger conditions
Environmental Impact
embodied energy, CO2
Holes and Bases
holes, sleeves, packing, framing,
upstands, vibration isolation
Help
request, action, permit, warranty,
operation
Brackets and Fasteners
brackets, drop rods, steel sections,
bracket assemblies, screws, bolts etc.

6. £ $ What can IFC do? External Data Actors Costing Classification
© Dr Thomas Liebich, Jeffrey Wix, AEC3 30
Actors
people, organizations, addresses
External Data
Classification
OCCS
Uniclass
£ $
Costing
cost planning, estimates, budgets,
whole life cycle costing
Associated Documents
Work Plans and Schedules
inc. nested schedules, resource allocation
Connectivity
services, structure, building
Orders
work orders, change orders,
purchase orders
GIS
Connection of IFC models to GIS systems

7. What can IFD do? Give multiple names in multiple languages
Concepts are classified as objects, activities, properties and units, not as verbs, substantives, adjectives, etc.
dør
door
dørblad
A dictionary based mapping does not necessarily refer to the identical concept.
door door-set
An concept can have multiple names on the same language
bjelke
truss
beam
ligger
balk
pump
Activity or process
to pump
Physical object
a physical pump on a plant
Functional object
a pump as a functional object
A name can refer to multiple concepts

8. One object exist in multiple contexts
In a CAD system
Properties
In a briefing document
IFD dictionary
Properties
Properties
In a calculation system
Properties
In product catalogues
Properties
In a Facility management system
Properties
In classification systems
Properties
For demolition and reconstruction
Properties
In building specifications
Properties

9. One concept carries the same unique identificatior in every language
One object exist in multiple contexts
One concept carries the same unique identificatior in every language
78AF4E98C8D4406B873DBB85E1FE7DB
In a CAD system
Properties
In a briefing document
Properties
BARBi - Norway
Properties
LexiCon - Nederland
Properties
In a calculation system
Properties
In product catalogues
Properties
NBS - England
Properties
SDC - France
Properties
In a Facility management system
Properties
In classification systems
Properties
For demolition and reconstruction
Properties
In building specifications
Properties

10. From ad-hock, fragmented information to shared standardised data
Laws and regulations
-Building regulations
-Building specifications
CAD software
-Drawings, calculations
-Architect, engineer,…
VRML
-Visualisation, 3D models
Knowledge databases
-Best practise knowledge
-Own practice
Simulations
-Comfort
-Ventilation, heating
-Life cycle cost
-Light, sound
-Insulation
-Fire, usage
-Environment
-Life time predictions
IFC + IFD product model
Briefing
-Functional req.
-Estimates
-Conditions
-Requirements
Demolition, refurbishment
-Rebuild
-Demolition
-Restoration
Facility management
-Letting, sale, operations
-Maintenance
-Guaranties
Specifications
-Specification sheets
-Classification standards
-Estimates, accounting
Construction management
-Scheduling
-Logistics, 4D
Procurement
-Product databases
-Price databases
Illustrations: Norwegian Building Research Institute, Olof Granlund, NBLN University of California, Stanford University

11. IFC and IFD for exchange of data
IFC and IFD opens for 100% standardisation of exchanged data
IFD reference data
IFC propertyset
Information exchange on IFC format
IFC can also exchange self defined data through IFC property-set…
Self defined data
IFC propertyset
IFC ensure that data is exchanged as objects and object properties and not as lines and layers…
IFC can only standardise to a level of detail that is internationally agreed about…
The properties within an IFC property-set are not always standardised
IFC properties are not context independent…

12. Why is the integration of IFC and IFD important?
IFC + IFD enables one common platform for:
Knowledge databases
Knowledge and rules can be formatted in a way that enables automatic control of selected solutions towards best practice, rules and requirements.
Products and product properties carries the identifiers from IFD dictionaries. This allows for searches to be made based upon data from drawings, and specifications.
Product databases
Project databases
Project information from different phases of the project is stored on objects and object properties. Information can be filtered, edited and viewed in multiple ways.

13. Extended use of IFC and IFD, possible scenarios:
Research centres and suppliers of best knowledge:
Generic object databases with links to specification sheets and knowledge
Object databases with parametrical intelligent objects
Predefined solutions to drag-and-drop into CAD or specification software, etc.
IFC
Automatic control of selected solutions against best practise and regulations.
IFC
Centralised calculations of environmental impact
Calculations of life cycle cost and lifetime prediction
Certifications
Health and safety evaluation
IFC

14. Extended use of IFC and IFD, possible scenarios:
Standardisation- and specification organisations:
Mapping between national classification and specification standards and IFC data
Control of project data towards standards and specifications.
IFC
IFC
Automatic translation of standards and classification-tables between countries
Standardised views of project data through known hierarchies

15. Extended use of IFC and IFD, possible scenarios:
Product model servers (project hotels, project servers)
Possibility to exchange and update single objects. No longer need to send the whole drawing layer.
History of changes and reason for changes. Possibilities to set access rights for particular actors.
One project can be visualised in multiple ways; as drawings, specifications, calculation, estimates, etc.
Functional demands, technical solutions and product information stored on the same object.
IFC + IFD
product model
Reuse of information throughout the life-cycle of the building
Extracts of essential information from product models; escape routes, room functions, load bearing walls
Particular information to and from building authorities
Materials and product used
Facility management information
Guaranties and maintenance information …
IFC + IFD
product model

16. Further reading:
For information about IFC and IAI visit:
Documents and technical papers
Calendar, links, International chapters
Demos
For information about IFD and BARBi visit:
Online version of the Norwegian IFD library
Papers and documentation about the project
Tools and demos