Integration of 3D BIM Models in a Web GIS for Life Cycle Asset Management

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing necessity for 3D geoinformation in urban planning and infrastructure management to provide a more realistic representation of urban areas and the built environment. A key concept in public infrastructure management is Life Cycle Asset Management (LCAM), which aims to improve the decision making in each phase of the life cycle of infrastructure assets, such as road and utility networks, civil structures, and green areas. Traditional systems in LCAM are limited in terms of analysis and visualization opportunities due to the use of simpler tools like tables. In this respect, Geographic Information System (GIS) solutions have been widely integrated in LCAM to optimise the administration and monitoring of infrastructure assets. The incursion of semantic 3D models complements the use of GIS by introducing new and innovative modelling and visualization methods. As one of the most common design techniques in the building and construction industry, Building Information Modelling (BIM) facilitates the generation of multidimensional models to describe the physical and functional characteristics of built objects. This research studies the integration of 3D BIM models in a Web GIS system for public space management to improve the procedure in the maintenance phase of LCAM. The goal is to solve the challenges related to the acquisition, processing, and visualization of 3D models. The thesis outlines the process of the development of a 3D prototype in an attempt to demonstrate a possible solution for the integration of BIM models in an existing GIS application. The research starts with a scientific literature review to familiarise with the LCAM concept, Web GIS, and semantic 3D models. Then, the stakeholders in the project are identified and their requirements with regard to the functional capabilities of the prototype are gathered in order to create a design concept. Consequently, the BIM model used in this study is presented and processed to comply with the Dutch national standards for inspection and maintenance. The prototype is developed on the basis of Web Graphics Library (WebGL), a technology for web rendering of interactive 3D graphics and animations supported by all modern web browsers. At the end of the development process, the prototype is evaluated by experts in the LCAM and BIM fields to assess its usability by means of a questionnaire survey. The input from the participants in the survey is essential for the further improvement of the prototype and its release as fully functional product.