Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Construction Informatics and Digital Enterprise Laboratory
Funded by Innovate UK, AutoBIM is a collaborative research and development (R&D) project that aims to inspire and facilitate the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) through a set of digital solution that support organisational BIM adoption, compliance, and collaboration.
The ability of Building Information Modelling (BIM) to achieve its potential benefits of 33% lower cost, 50% faster delivery, 50% lower emissions and 50% improvement in export as touted by the government task force on BIM is currently impeded by several challenges. These include the barrier to its adoption because of naming convention in line with ISO 19650 and the need for adequate building information to accompany 3D representation of building materials, elements and products in a collaborative environment, all of which requires significant investment and efforts.
For organisations that have surpassed the barrier to BIM-adoption, the main challenge remains getting everyone involved in collaborative projects to use CDE and to ascertain the exact-level of (and the specific) information required for different aspects and types of assets. To address these challenges, our project adopts a cross-disciplinary approach through the innovative combination of BIM and construction knowledge with expertise in Machine Learning (ML), Big Data Analytics and Software Development.
The approach
The project involves creation of an innovative tool (Auto-BIM) as a plug-in to BIM models. These include:
Automated naming of BIM model in a CDE approach (Auto-BIMName)
The Auto-BIMName automates the process by of naming models and files by developing an intuitive plug-in tool within BIM environment. It also automates the process of generating a Task Information Delivery Plan (TIDP) and Master Information Delivery Plan (MIDP).
AutoBIM design model health check
The platform facilitates design health check procedure and minimize project risk through early identification of missing information. The automated process will assist Design Managers in being able to do their design health checks more consistency and effectively, deploying lessons learnt from project to project.
Automated carbon calculator
The platform offers a consistent and practical solution for the measurement and optimization of embodied carbon of building right from the design stage. The AutoBIM Carbon Calculator automatically links BIM data to embodied carbon data from the Inventory of Carbon and Energy (ICE) database, or through EPD information input by the users.
Machine learning-enabled hazard tagging
Using large repository of health and safety information, this platform automated the identification, tagging and reporting of health and safety risks associated with the construction of different building elements and components.
AutoBim overview
The impact
The AutoBIM Carbon Calculator, one of the four key project outputs, marks another step forward in Balfour Beatty’s journey to going beyond net zero carbon emissions by 2040. The tool is currently being trialled across four of Balfour Beatty’s projects During trials on live projects, the use of this tool has evidenced a potential saving of up to 14% embodied carbon through more informed design choices. Following a phased roll-out across Balfour Beatty’s projects over the next six months, the AutoBIM Carbon Calculator will be available to the wider industry within the next 12 months with plans to expand the remit of the Calculator to measure the energy performance of products and materials post completion.
The construction and infrastructure industry has previously struggled to offer a consistent approach when it comes to the measurement of embodied carbon. That is why we have collaborated with leading industry experts to create the AutoBIM Carbon Calculator which will make a real and positive difference to how our industry operates. The introduction of such a tool is long overdue and with the impact of our work on the environment front of mind, it is a truly welcomed development.
One other output of the AutoBIM project that is already making significant impacts through early supply chain integration is the Automated MIDDP portal. The platform has facilitated automation of various manual processes to enhance efficiency and improve data quality and consistency. For instance, the AutoBIM MIDP generator developed by Leeds Beckett University in collaboration with Balfour Beatty, Hertfordshire University and industry partner White Frog automated the production Task Information Delivery Plan (TIDP) and amalgamation of TIDPs to generate the Master Information Delivery Plan (MIDP) in a collaborative environment. The tool clearly set out and auto-populates what information needs to be produced on a project, when and by whom, in alignment with the Exchange Information Requirements (EIR).
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