Exploring how information exchanges can be enhanced through Cloud BIM

The properties of BIM are; parametric modelling providing tabular views of components and characteristic interaction with elements, for example if a pitch roof changes so do the walls and bi-directional co-ordination enabling virtual simulations of physical construction. However, the dilemma is how to share these properties of BIM applications on one single platform. Thus creating a service that would enable the end-user to use multiple of nDs such as, 3D (three dimensional modelling), 4D (time-programming), 50 (costing) and 6D (sustainability) actions asynchronously. The prospect of using remote data servers with web service applications provides a mechanism for exchanging data openly. The main exchange format for BIM files is Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs). However, the initial problem with IFCs is that they are not intended to store and carry all relevant data for all multi-featured construction processes. Furthermore, not all relevant data can be structured in a single super schema. This papers' methodology focuses on the results of a semi-structured interview of 11 expert respondents, on using cloud computing as integration platform for BIM applications 'Cloud BIM'. The proposed model is not to introduce a new schema in contrast to IFC but to harness the capability of IFC XML and or possibly engage with using Simplified Markup Language (SML) subsets of eXtensible Markup Language (XML) for exchanging partial data to design an integrated platform that would enhance the BIM usability experience for various disciplines in making key design decisions at a relatively early design stage. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.