BIM-based automated design check system for modular building

Overview

Unlike conventional buildings, modular buildings require more time in design and planning but less time in execution. Most of the challenges facing current industry are related to the module design as a number of factors from downstream vendors such as manufacturability, transportability and assemblability should be considered at the design stage. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an emerging 3D design technology has been widely utilised to improve the quality of the modular design. However, there is a lack of a method that can automatically analyse a BIM model to detect potential issues in modular design. The aim of this research is to develop a BIM-based method to automatically check design quality of modular buildings in terms of manufacturability, transportability and assemblability. Firstly, previous lessons from manufacturers, logistics providers and site contractors will be investigated and summarised through questionnaires and interviews. Then, these lessons will be interpreted to a series of computer-understandable rules. Finally, a rule-based engine will also be developed on top of an open BIM platform. The proposed method will be implemented in three real projects to evaluate its effectiveness and efficiency.

Key outcomes

• Understood the development and challenge of modular building in Australia according to interviews and sites survey
• Found key barriers that impedes the application of modular building based on comprehensive literature reviews
• Provided solution and framework which is able to promote both quality and productivity of modular building
• Awarded AUBEA 2019 best student paper

Research team

• Yanhui Sun
• Prof Xiangyu Wang
• Dr Jeremy Wu
• Dr Jun Wang

Research partners and collaborators

• Fleetwood
• CIMC