Performing laser scanning and deviation analysis on Dutch demonstration case

Aug 19, 2021

The 3D models of buildings form the basis of various BIM use cases. If the corresponding structures are existing buildings, the models are usually created on the basis of planning documents. Often, these planning documents are outdated, and subsequent renovation or conversion measures are unfortunately only added to the planning documents in the rarest of cases. It is difficult to ensure that the model corresponds to the existing building. Since the correctness of the model is a mandatory condition for many BIM use cases, it is important to ensure that the BIM model and the existing building are in harmony with each other.

In the context of Rule-based model checking and validation of data interoperability, a deviation analysis for the Dutch demonstrator was performed. The goal of the analysis is to detect deviations between the 3D mesh of an architectural model and a point cloud and to adapt the model accordingly.

The procedure of such an analysis is as follows:

1. First, the Revit model and the corresponding point cloud are imported into the editing software.
   
2. If the point cloud was imported together with the model into the program, it is noticeable that the point cloud contains a large amount of point data. However, only a fraction of this point data is relevant to perform the deviation analysis, specifically, the point data related to the existing building is important. In order to obtain the best results, the irrelevant point data must be removed.
   
3. To compare the point cloud with the model, it is necessary to extract a 3D mesh of the building shell from the model.
   
4. Once the point cloud has been cleaned and the model has been converted into a 3D mesh of the building envelope, both objects can be aligned. For this step, an N Point Registration is used. The N Point Registration is a command of the editor software that allows the user to select a number of point pairs to superimpose (the 3D mesh is the starting point and the point cloud is the target point). Based on the selection of point pairs, the editing software calculates the transformation that minimizes the distance between each starting point and the corresponding target. Then it runs the Best Fit Registration command, which calculates the best possible fit between two objects. This command analyses the overlap of the selected objects to calculate the best of them. The best fit can be understood as the transformation that minimizes the distance to the other object in the least square way. 
   
5. If the point cloud and 3D mesh were successfully aligned, the results of the deviation analysis can be displayed by the processing software in the form of color schemes or other visualization options. However, the interpretation of the results is up to the user.
   

Methods for surveying and diagnostics of HVAC systems in the existing buildings 

Jul 15, 2021

​The data collection process for existing residential buildings is often time-wasting, difficult, and not very straightforward. As of now, the most common information sources when developing a project for existing buildings are the existing 2D digital or paper drawings. However, other sources of information are omitted due to different causes (awareness, knowledge, etc.). This deliverable offers guidelines for handling the amount of information that can be extracted from an HVAC system, all while keeping the focus on reducing the time and costs of the project design.   

Methods for architectural, structural and thermal 3D data acquisition of existing buildings

Jun 02, 2021

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The renovation of existing buildings requires a significant amount of data to be gathered. To create a solid base for defining an optimized refurbishment strategy, knowing the as-is situation of the building is essential. However, as-is documentation of buildings, are often not sufficient to serve as a design base. Therefore, additional data must be collected on the site. Gathering this information can be difficult and time consuming – in turn, bringing about different challenges. Today we highlight the challenges and solutions on the data acquisition and diagnostics for architectural, structural, acoustic, and thermal 3D data.

To address the main challenges of data collection, the deliverable 1.1 of the BIM-SPEED project developed a methodology for data acquisition in the above-mentioned fields. Developing such methods is not without its own challenges, according to the co-lead author of T1.1, Jessica Steinjan (HOCHTIEF): "The main challenge when starting to elaborate guidelines for Data acquisition is to elaborate accurate information about data to be collected. On the other hand, it was totally unclear for which purpose or use case the data should be used. The BIM Speed methodology toolkit provides an adjusted way of identifying the data to go for."

It is common practice for refurbishment projects to collect many gigabytes of data to develop a solid design base of a project. Challenges arise related to managing those large amounts of information. For raw data to become functional later in the process, it must be post-processed. Work Package 1 developed a Use Case methodology kit, which allows the users to specify their main goals of the refurbishment project. This enables users to identify the related business processes, use cases and methods - as well as software, tools and devices which can be used to collect specific data.

The definition of a consistent Project Breakdown Structure (PBS) is also important as a basis for setting up a BIM-based renovation project. This would enable a connection between BIM models and data/information which needs to be added. By following the PBS, all data, documents, or model elements would receive a unique identification code, the Location Identification Code (LIC) or exceeded to a Plant Identification Code (PIC) for MEP. Using a LIC and a PIC provides a very generic way of combining data without the need for exact knowledge about the kind of data to be attached. Integrating the LIC and PIC would be a strong step in bringing everything together.

The methodologies described above demonstrate that data is essential during the renovation process and should be a focus point. The potential impact of these methodologies on the renovation process, include achieving sustainability goals, since the collected data can be brought into relationship with these goals. In addition, defining a common PBS would be beneficial for structuring data, and allow for the attaching of information to 3D projects. This would provide the option to transfer the gathered data into an IT environment, as well as to transfer the enhanced approaches to demonstration sites to be further validated. These methodologies prove useful in providing a general way of structuring data and linking information for BIM. Ultimately, methods to collect data will help optimize post-processing. 

The results of the BIM-SPEED survey 2020

May 18, 2021

The results of the BIM-SPEED are now live! 

In order to analyse the level of BIM usage and practices, BIM-SPEED distributed a survey among stakeholders. All data was collected between November of 2020 and January of 2021. In the results, you can find aspects such as the European adoption of BIM, its implementation in the last 20 years, the main motivations for using BIM, its potentials, and barriers.

Link to the results:

BIM-SPEED survey 2020 results

Application of BIM-to-BEM procedure and Multicriteria decision making tool on Gdynia demonstration site

May 04, 2021

BIM-SPEED tests its solutions in 13 real demonstration cases, which cover Europe's climatic geo-clusters and varying levels of BIM experience in different countries. Today we highlight the demonstration site in Gdynia, Poland, a two-family building. The building was constructed in 1961 and requires renovation. The insulation of the building envelope needs to be upgraded. Additionally, the Heat, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems must be replaced. Within the BIM-SPEED project, tools and methods for Renovation design,  Building Energy Model (BEM), and performance simulation phases will be tested.  

The first steps at the demonstration site include updating the as-built Building Information Model (BIM) and developing the BEM to perform an energy analysis of the building. The implementation of the BIM-SPEED methodology and tools provides several improvements, significantly reducing BEM development time. For instance, the BIM-to-BEM procedure prepares high-quality input data for BEM creation, because BIM files can be easily imported to Open BIM Analytical Model. With only small adjustments, users can generate an analytical model with defined spaces and adjacency between partitions. Another improvement is the collection of all physical and thermal properties required for BEM definition in one excel spreadsheet, making the following steps faster and more reliable. Additionally, defining partition physical properties is slightly easier and faster in Open BIM Construction Systems in comparison to traditionally used tools. Altogether, the BIM-SPEED procedure makes BEM development faster and less error-prone. On the Gdynia demonstration site, this newly developed BIM-to-BEM approach contributed to a 40%-time reduction in comparison to current practice.  

Another tool tested on the Gdynia demonstration building is the Multicriteria decision-making tool. This BIM-SPEED decision-making methodology provides stakeholders from the building renovation industry with a framework: 

• To engage different stakeholders and conduct the decision-making process following a structured procedure 
• To implement a sustainable assessment approach considering environmental, social, and economic aspects 
• To capture the preferences of different stakeholders' groups and consider their roles in the decision-making process 
• To identify which renovation alternatives are more suitable, according to the objectives and preferences of the different stakeholders, in a transparent way 
• To gather and present the results from different analysis such as energy simulations, cost analysis, and comfort studies performed during the assessment of design alternatives 
  

This decision-making tool can support stakeholders to identify typical objectives, which is one of the most demanding tasks at the beginning of the process. Moreover, as the decision-making tool covers social, economic, and environmental elements, it encourages stakeholders to apply a sustainable approach. The methodology proposes a clear structure for the decision-making process, facilitating the engagement of different stakeholders. In turn, the methodology provides clear identification in which stage of the process the stakeholders are involved, as well as how their preferences and contributions are considered during the process. Finally, stakeholders can analyze several alternatives to narrow down to the most suitable options. A detailed analysis can help determine potential adjustments and combinations for the final implemented renovation solutions. 

Regarding the Gdynia demonstration site, multiple renovation alternatives are considered, such as the insulation of the external walls and roof, the use of a solar system, and the replacement of items, including windows, lighting, pipes and heating source. The selection criteria to choose the most optimum renovation scenario are: operational primary energy, total energy demand, energy savings, global warming potential, visual comfort, Indoor air quality, thermal comfort, aesthetics, renovation time, durability, Investment cost, LCC Cost, maintenance cost and operational energy cost. Based on the decision-making methodology, the best possible renovation scenario, which fits and matches the requirements of the investor, designer, and building itself, is selected.

Demonstration Site Update: Application of BIM-SPEED tools in Berlin, Lichtenrade

Apr 21, 2021

​The BIM-SPEED project aims to offer solutions for smarter and more efficient methods of deep renovation for the residential building sector. However, we believe there is no better way to develop solutions than to test them in practice. Therefore, BIM-SPEED is testing its solutions in 13 real demonstration cases that cover all of Europe’s climatic geo-clusters and varying levels of BIM experience in different countries. Today we highlight the Lichtenrade demonstration site in Berlin, Germany. 

The Lichtenrade site contains multistory, multifamily residential buildings. Two BIM-SPEED tools have been implemented and tested: 

• GIS Data Provider Service: for retrieving geospatial data in the surrounding of any specific demonstration site (at the moment, the service provides data only for Berlin city) 
• MEREEN Weather service: for retrieving recent ‘actual’ weather data for any specific demonstration site 

The tools retrieve datasets from the surroundings and the environment and help improve the renovation workflow. These tools can be used for different use cases, including site planning, building energy modeling, acoustic comfort analysis, air quality comfort analysis, thermal comfort analysis, and lighting comfort analysis. 

To implement the GIS data provider service on the Berlin demonstration site, BIM-SPEED selected a site planning use case. The GIS Data Provider retrieves geospatial data layers from the demonstration site by extracting the GPS location of the IFC file of the building. These data layers can be beneficial or are required for site planning. The retrieved data can be downloaded in shapefile format and visualized in GIS software such as ArcMap.  

During the data collection phase at the Berlin Lichtenrade site, certain limitations of using drones for 3D and thermal scanning of the building came to light. The GIS data showed that the façade of the building is covered by trees. It also showed that an airport is close to the building. Both limit the possibility of drone flight. Additionally, the GIS data revealed that the building is surrounded by railway and roads. Therefore, the acoustic comfort of the building is considered in the renovation process. The GIS data layers also uncovered historical buildings close to the demonstration site, leading to proposals to check the regulation for the construction.  

The MEREEN weather service retrieves ‘actual’ weather data from 2005 to 2020 for the Berlin demonstration site. The data is automatically extracted from the GPS location of the IFC file of the building. The single years weather data can be used in the calibration process of the building energy model. Additionally, the single years data and long-term ‘actual’ weather data can also be used for running building energy models in the building design process. The initial investigation of the Lichtenrade site, using long-term actual weather data, showed significant energy consumption reduction in the building compared to the old TMY datasets provided by EnergyPlus.  

Both GIS Data Provider Service and MEREEN Weather service are a part of BIM-SPEED Deliverable 1.4, additional information and maps will be a part of the D1.4 report.

Newsletter 2020

December 2020

​At the start of this project, BIM-Speed set out to develop the required BIM based technologies and supporting work processes for reducing renovation working time by at least 30%. Looking back upon two years of hard work, exciting discussions, and close collaboration, we are much closer to achieving this goal. In this edition of the annual newsletter, we highlight our 13 deliverables and other activities from 2020. Link to newsletter:

Newsletter 2020

Building Performance Assessment applied to BIM-SPEED

Mar 09, 2020

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This month, we took a closer look at the framework for the Building Performance Assessment. In his LinkedIn article https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRImBBnwQMc, Associate Professor Marco Arnesano from Marche Polytechnic University (UNIVPM)  illustrates how the KPIs, Baseline, and Uses Cases will be used in the process of framework development, highlighting the importance of developing our own framework for the assessment. 

In our BIMterview #4, Marco Aresano discuss what has been done in terms of the development of framework related to Building Performance Assessment and what will be put into practice in BIM-SPEED in the upcoming future. You can check the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRImBBnwQMc&t=4s

BIM-to-BEM processes

Feb 12, 2020

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This month, our partners STRESS s.c.a.r.l and RINA Consulting published an article that discusses the parameters of BIM-to-BEM process and the recommendations to solve the current bottlenecks of BIM adoption in the renovation market. Currently, BIM-to-BEM procedures involve time-consuming processes requiring additional input information and data corrections that should be entered manually. To overcome the current bottlenecks, the article investigates which strategies and key aspects can be optimized and standardized within the data exchange between BIM and BEM tools. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bim-to-bem-parameters-recommendations-solve-current-bim-alberto-zinno/

Furthermore, we had an opportunity to talk to our partners about the work package that is related to the BIM-to-BEM process. So far, we collected all the expertise between different parts of our consortium and worked together to identify the existing bottlenecks in BIM adoption and to develop possible solutions to improve the process. In our third BIMterview, Alberto Zinno and Fabrizio Tavaroli explains the progress of their work and what it entails. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj4fml-Htzs

Newsletter 2019

December 2019

BIM-SPEED has completed its first year with great work from our partners. Substantial developments were made on the cloud-based platform, the scope of the use cases of BIM for renovations, and innovative solutions to solve bottlenecks of BIM-to-BEM use. BIM-SPEED demo sites are putting into practice the use of latest technology to improve energy efficiency of residential renovations, while also improving inhabitants comfort. The first issue of our interactive yearly newsletter has the project highlights and a video message from our project coordinator Timo Hartmann. Link to newsletter: 

Newsletter_2019

Third consortium meeting

28-29 November 2019, Valladolid- Spain

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Every 6 months, the 22 BIM-SPEED consortium partners meet to discuss the project progress and share their innovation developments with all group. Last month was time for the Spanish technology centre CARTIF to welcome the partners at their premises in the lovely Valladolid- Spain.

The 2 days were focused on collaboration and ideas sharing. Innovations pitches looked at the developments of Kroqi platform (CSTB), BIM to BEM bottlenecks (STRESS and RINA), an interesting software solution that CYPE is developing to build the bridge from BIM models into meaningful IFC files for BEM, the use of sensors for capturing users relevant data for energy efficiency, and much more.

Our technical coordinator DEMO, prepared a great surprise for the end of the first day, bringing a nice and fun award for the voted best innovation pitch - Marco Arnesano, from UNIPVM, went home with his personalized BIM-SPEED sweatshirt.

A crucial point of this meeting was the alignment of several innovative software solutions that BIM-SPEED is developing and the cloud-based platform Kroqi. A workgroup has been created including CSTB, CYPE, UNIPVM and STRESS to give the topic the priority required.

The demonstration cases are having fantastic progress, and BIM-SPEED is willing to push it further in collaboration with the community of practice, looking at use cases for BIM for renovation. FASADA, DEMO, HOCHTIEF ViCon and Arcadis are working hard on that.

In conclusion, it was a busy year for BIM-SPEED were we managed to set up the grounds for fantastic innovations to follow. We are looking forward to the next year! 

Latest technology for as-built data capture

Demo site Berlin, Germany

The demo site at Berlin, Germany, consist in a renovation of an apartment block with 56 dwellings, built in 1960. Due to the age of the building, as built information was all on paper outdated or incomplete drawings.

In renovation projects, this lack of information can produce errors in the design, cost overrun and delays in the project. For this reason, it is important to capture properly the existing conditions of the building at the initial stage of the project to support planning and execution activities from an early point.

To reduce this risk, we started the as-built data capture conducing a high-resolution 3D survey of all exterior surfaces of the building and the internal surfaces of the technical room and a sample occupied apartment using a robotic total station in conjunction with a laser scanner. This approach reduces the time that is necessary to overall verifications, as a complete layout and scan can be made in a single set-up. The cloud point data collected allow developing a detailed as-built BIM model of the building. This model will be compared with a BIM model of the demo case that was created previously through a conventional approach, which developed the 3D model from the drawings of the building and data collected manually. 

To check the insulation of the building, we used the latest technology for thermal scanning: drones. A high-resolution camera and an infrared camera were attached to the drone which flew over and around the building, capturing multiple images in a systematic scheme. Drone-generated thermal maps are a game-changer for these kinds of inspections, this technology simplifies the scanning procedure leveraging predefined flight-plans, scanning the surfaces in a semi-automatic way.

The drone was used for the thermal scanning of the rooftop and some regions of the façades of the building, which allowed the identification of specific areas of the roof and façade possibly affected by moisture. The results obtained may encourage the replacement of the insulation membrane.

The latest technology used to survey the building gave the project team accurate information that will reduce risks during works on site and support better decision making about this renovation project, leading to higher energy efficiency. 

Register to BIM- SPEED Industry day webinar

Industry Day 24-October 2019, Webinar

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Are you interested to know more about the methods and tools that BIM-SPEED is developing to facilitate BIM adoption in residential renovation projects in order to increase the energy saving potential in your projects?

Join our first INDUSTRY DAY WEBINAR on the 24^th October at 10am

Registration is free. Just log in and learn from BIM-SPEED experts. On the day we will talk about best practices of using BIM in residential renovation projects with the focus on high performance buildings, and provide guidance and advice. Get involved!  https://www.bim-speed.eu/en#

Agenda for the day:

• Introduction to BIM-SPEED, by Prof. Dr. Timo Hartmann, Technische Universität Berlin
• BIM strategy at ARCADIS, by Andrew Victory, Arcadis
  
• Building performance bench-marking and energy efficiency assessment by Prof. Marco Arnesano, Università Politecnica Delle Marche
• Overview of BIM-SPEED pilot projects, by Agnieszka Łukaszewska, FASADA
• Presentation of Spanish demonstration case, by Oskar Bell Fernández, Vivienda y Suelo de Euskadi, S.A.
  

Great progress at demonstration sites

Spain and Bulgaria

Since the launch of our project in November 2018, our consortium partners are endeavouring to realise the energy-efficient housing renovations in the EU. Thanks to them, BIM-SPEED is running on wheels.

Hot summer months were the perfect time for completing the thermal scanning. With the help of our partner Architectural Spies, successful thermal surveys were carried out in both Bulgarian demo site (Varna) and Spanish demo site (Vitoria-Gasteiz). In Varna, a total of 256 scans (204 interiors and 52 exteriors) were made. These scans are to be integrated with the additional building data to understand the energy behaviour of the demo site. For Vitoria-Gasteiz, another scanning is planned this winter. A final thermal scanning after the actual renovation will determine the real quality of the insulation of the building.

Furthermore,  we have completed a detailed survey of every apartment regarding the ventilation, carpentry, and condensations in Vitoria-Gasteiz demo site. In combination with 3D scanning data and the 3D model developed by our partner LKS, the survey will provide relevant building details to produce a BEM (Building Energy Model). In addition, the 3D model images have also been facilitating smooth communication between the community and our project. "An image is worth more than any word."

BIMterview Prof. Timo Hartmann

BIM-SPEED Project Coordinator

BIM-SPEED second GA meeting

Jul 01, 2019

​In May 2019, our partner Scientific and Technical Center for Building (CSTB) hosted the second consortium GA meeting in Nice, France. Our second meeting was meaningful time to reflect on the core value of BIM-SPEED, and to look into the new development in our project and platform. We focused on the use and demonstration cases to discuss the solution that BIM-SPEED will bring to the housing renovation markets. So far, all of the deliverables were successfully delivered. During the meeting, our partners shared creative ideas and valuable opinions to ensure all the objectives are met for the upcoming deliverables.

The BIM-SPEED solution is based on the KROQI Cloud platform which was a centre point of the discussions. We are testing the platform integration architecture with our demonstration cases. So far, the platform is proving to offer great features for BIM adoption in housing renovation market.

Furthermore, there were innovation pitches from each work package leader. WP leaders presented the main innovative outcomes of each work package and how these outcomes can support or enhance the processes of a renovation project. The integration of GIS into renovation project, the development of a BIM passport, 3D Scan to BIM, comfort eye tool and the AR/VR technology were discussed as focal points and all partners engaged in the discussion with passion and enthusiasm. It was a constructive meeting and we believe that BIM-SPEED is on the right track for the energy-efficient housing renovation in the EU.

Spanish BIM-SPEED Demonstrator

Mar 11, 2019

The BIM SPEED project has selected two buildings in Victoria-Gasteiz, Northern Spain, as demonstration sites. These were both built in 1958. First demonstration site is a four story residential building with eight flats, a garage and a bar in the ground floor in a U Shape. The external walls are made from double layer of brick with an air cavity in between. The second demonstration site is a 5 story residential building with 12 flats, with a storage room and a bar in the ground floor in an H Shape.  Most of the main external walls are made from double layer of brick an air cavity. Others just are composed of a simple layer of brick without any cavity. Both buildings are not insulated and have poor energy performance with condensation and humidity problems.

The buildings are also Lighthouse demonstrators in a SmartEnCity project funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 691883). The renovation activities within SmartEnCity project will contain insulation of the building envelope with focus on façades and roof and connecting the dwellings to a new District Heating system based on biomass energy. During the BIM-SPEED project, new tools and solutions supporting as-built data acquisition, designing, energy simulation and construction works will be implemented.

BIM-SPEED has started!

29-30 November 2018, Brussels, Belgium

On the 29th and 30th of November 2018 the BIM-SPEED kick-off meeting was held in Brussels, Belgium. During the 2 days all partners got to know eachother, and we also met our project officer for the first time. After meet&greet sessions with coffee and snacks and a short look back on how the project was conceived, we got to dive into the subject matter.

During several brainstorm sessions we exchanged ideas and came up with concepts for challenges within the project. It was great to see the level of enthusiasm and all the questions exchanged. A very fruitful meeting, and we are looking forward to a successful 4-year project!