What is IoT in BIM?

The evolution of BIM makes the design process more effective, as well as the management and monitoring of a project. There are many new technologies, such as IoT (internet of things), that complement BIM and further amplify its potential.

What is IoT in BIM? What is it used for? What tools are needed to manage IoT in BIM?

If you want to explore all aspects of IoT in BIM, read this focus and learn more about usBIM.IoT, the tool for implementing supervision and remote control of IoT devices directly from the BIM model.

usBIM.IoT is one of the applications of the integrated usBIM system, the scalable and configurable BIM management system according to your needs.

What is IoT in BIM

The meaning of Internet of Things in BIM

Internet of Things (IoT) is a newly coined term that identifies real objects connected to the internet.

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the process by which, through the Internet network, everyday objects can potentially acquire an identity in the digital world. IoT is based on the idea of “smart” objects interconnected with each other to exchange the information they possess, collected and/or processed.

The main purpose is essentially to monitor, control, and transfer information to then perform consequent actions.

Let’s see the main fields of application and some practical examples.

The main fields of application of IoT

The fields of application of IoT are many, including:

• construction sector, management of smart homes, building automation, smart cities, infrastructures, etc.
• agriculture, smart agrifood, precision agriculture
• animal husbandry
• industry
• automotive industry, self-driving cars, etc.
• surveillance and security
• etc.

In a more experimental way, IoT can also be applied to:

• home automation, for managing, for example, refrigerators, washing machines, phones, etc.;
• robotics, engineering and technology that allow robots to “come to life”, meaning to perform tasks currently carried out by humans;
• avionics, the technology applied to aircraft and piloting, such as communication systems on airplanes, autopilot, etc.;
• automotive industry, which studies new applications for cars, such as intelligent windscreen wipers that activate automatically when it starts to rain, up to “smart” cars capable of even driving themselves;
• biomedical industry, for remote patient management, up to remote surgical interventions;
• telemetry, to develop data and information transmission between media.

Let’s delve into the integration between IoT and the construction sector.

Examples of IoT: where and how to use this innovative technology

The fields of application of IoT are many.

In summary, they can include all contexts in which there are “things” that can “communicate” and generate information: from household appliances to traffic lights in large cities. It is essential that these objects are connected to the network to transmit and receive data.

Let’s consider a few examples.

Think of smart traffic lights that turn green when they detect a car approaching the stop and that no other vehicles are passing on the other side; cars, initially connected via GPS-GPRS boxes for insurance purposes, now roll off the assembly line already equipped with onboard connectivity.

Or the home, where we have witnessed the evolution from wired home automation, to manage alarm systems, heating and cooling, appliances, etc., to increasingly advanced wireless solutions accessible to everyone, characterized by cloud services and the growing use of Artificial Intelligence.

Or even the common streetlights, capable of regulating their luminous intensity based on visibility conditions, monitoring the state of conservation of bridges and tunnels, road and rail surveillance, etc.

IoT and BIM

What is IoT in BIM?

BIM (building information model) allows the creation of a digital model that represents the twin (digital twin) of the built or to be built work.

The real model, that is, the completed work, can be managed through its digital twin using extremely advanced methods that also leverage the integration between BIM and IoT.

IoT technology sensors are rather simple devices, but when applied to construction, they generate an extremely high innovative potential.

Connected to appropriate tools, they measure temperature, humidity, light, movement, or any other information that one wants to quantify. By combining these results with BIM technologies, the result is a real-time connection between the detected data and the 3D model (for example, between a physical construction site and its digital twin in the cloud) that paves the way for an infinite number of opportunities in terms of efficiency and project management.

For instance, consider the possibility of updating project documents based on the actual progress of the work, addressing all executive and management criticalities, and the opportunity to improve and optimize the entire process based on the data collected on-site, all in real-time.

Indeed, the sensors present on-site can establish a constant and continuous connection between the physical environment and its digital model, opening new possibilities in project management.

The data collected forms a support base for every decision-making and management phase of the construction process: from the construction site organization of the work to its management and maintenance over time.

During the construction phase, for example, the sensors allow for knowledge of data related to the presence of personnel on-site, workflow patterns, related peaks, and any overlaps, as well as collecting real-time information on the utilization of machines, equipment, and materials, providing a constantly updated picture on the progress of the work and supplies, and verifying the correctness of the execution methods used.

Thanks to Cloud platforms, this enormous database is naturally available to all parties involved in the project, following an approach perfectly consistent with the philosophy behind Building Information Modeling.

If you want to enhance your knowledge of IoT in BIM, you can do so using usBIM.IoT, which leverages BIM model information to automatically associate the physical IoT device with its digital twin within the BIM.

All data recorded by the sensors are sent in real-time to the usBIM application, which acquires, analyzes, and displays them on the BIM model in IFC format.

The BIM model becomes alive, changing its characteristics based on the data transmitted by each sensor.

Real-time visual modifications on the digital twin within the BIM (based on the values from the physical device) allow for precise control even over large environments with tens of thousands of devices.

Enriching the BIM model with information from IoT systems allows you to visualize and manage large IoT ecosystems.

Thanks to the three-dimensional model and the system of federated views offered by BIM, you obtain a breakdown into subsystems and top-down navigation of the IoT ecosystem.

Case Study: BIM, IoT, and BI Dashboard to Optimize Energy Efficiency

The case study developed within the framework of the BBI research and development project focused on the Church of San Giacomo dall’Orio, one of the oldest churches in Venice, chosen as an experimental context for the integrated application of BIM methodologies, IoT networks, and Business Intelligence (BI) tools for environmental monitoring and the conservative management of historical heritage.

The project is situated within the delicate Venetian ecosystem, characterized by particularly complex environmental conditions and a high vulnerability of historic buildings. It arises from the need to develop innovative systems capable of supporting decision-making processes within the organizational structures responsible for the protection and preservation of cultural assets. The primary objective of the research was to define an integrated model capable of acquiring, organizing, analyzing, and visualizing large amounts of environmental data from the building, making them easily interpretable through advanced digital tools and customizable graphic interfaces.

The research began from the understanding that recent advancements in the field of digitization and sensor technology now allow for the collection of enormous quantities of data related to the environmental behavior of historic buildings, derived from both digital simulations and real-time monitoring systems. However, such information is often difficult to interpret and transform into tools that are truly useful for the operational management of buildings. For this reason, the project explored the use of BIM platforms and digital twins integrated with IoT systems and BI tools, in order to develop innovative methods of data representation and interpretation aimed not only at BIM and IoT specialists but also at cultural site management personnel and operators involved in maintenance and conservation activities.

In the specific case of the Church of San Giacomo dall’Orio, the investigation focused on monitoring the indoor microclimate, considered a determining factor for the preventive and planned conservation of cultural assets. The building, characterized by the presence of construction materials from different eras and a high spatial and mechanical complexity, represented an ideal context for experimenting with advanced methodologies for acquiring and managing environmental data. In particular, the main parameters that define the internal microclimate were monitored, including air temperature, relative humidity, air quality, and comfort conditions, which are fundamental elements for identifying potential degradation phenomena affecting both the artworks and the historic architectural structures. The study also considered the influences exerted by external climate, atmospheric pollution, geometric and construction characteristics of the building, usage patterns of the spaces, and the presence of mechanical and plant systems.

For the monitoring campaign, ten IoT sensors were installed to measure temperature and relative humidity, distributed in various areas of the church and at different heights, in order to obtain a complete and three-dimensional characterization of the internal microclimatic behavior. The sensors, consisting of thermoresistances and capacitive devices, allowed for the continuous acquisition of data relating to the environmental conditions of the building. This information was subsequently integrated into a BIM model developed on the usBIM platform, creating a direct correlation between the recorded data and the digital model of the building. Through this system, it was possible to visualize in real time the values recorded by the sensors, analyze trends in environmental parameters, and identify any critical conditions through alert systems based on the surpassing of predefined thresholds.

A central aspect of the research involved the processing and visualization of data using Business Intelligence tools, with the objective of improving understanding of information and supporting more effective decision-making processes. The data acquired from the IoT network was organized and represented through different types of graphical visualizations, including line graphs, scatter plots, heat maps, dynamic widgets, and interactive dashboards. The graphical representations were designed based on the needs of different users: on one hand, simple and immediate graphs for real-time monitoring and support for operational decisions; on the other hand, more complex and analytical visualizations aimed at expert users for advanced interpretation of environmental phenomena. Particular attention was paid to customizing the visualizations through the use of color codes, regulatory benchmarks, dynamic labels, and interactive systems capable of facilitating the identification of anomalies, correlations, and temporal trends.

The data analysis was also compared with the main international standards and guidelines related to the preventive conservation of cultural assets, including the EN 15757 standard, the ISO 11799 series for the conservation of archival documents and libraries, and the ASHRAE guidelines for controlling environmental conditions in museums, archives, and libraries. This comparison allowed for the verification of the compliance of the monitored environmental parameters with the recommended thresholds for the conservation of artworks and historic surfaces, identifying any risk situations related to excessive relative humidity values or significant thermo-hygrometric fluctuations. Through the integration of IoT monitoring, BIM modeling, and BI analysis, the project demonstrated how it is possible to transform environmental data into an operational tool for the intelligent management of historic buildings, improving scheduled maintenance activities, preventive conservation, and environmental comfort control.

The case study of the Church of San Giacomo dall’Orio, highlights the potential offered by the integration of digital technologies, advanced sensing, and data visualization systems in the field of cultural heritage conservation. The tested approach not only allows for a comprehensive understanding of the environmental behavior of the building over time but also develops dynamic and customizable tools to support decision-making, promoting a more conscious, timely, and effective management of the historical-architectural heritage.

Case Study: BIM, IoT, and Structural Monitoring of a Viaduct

Another area where the integration of BIM and IoT shows high application potential is structural monitoring of infrastructures. Bridges, viaducts, tunnels, and strategic works can be equipped with advanced sensing systems capable of continuously acquiring data on the behavior of the work and returning it within the digital model, transforming BIM into a true control and management environment.

A significant example concerns the Canalone Viaduct, a highway infrastructure located along the Naples-Salerno route, analyzed within the INSIST research project, funded by the Ministry of University and Research under the PON Research program and coordinated by the University of Naples Federico II, with the involvement of several Italian universities and companies in the sector.

The viaduct is a reinforced concrete arch structure with a complex structural configuration. For this infrastructure, a BIM digital model was created as an informational base to integrate, organize, and visualize data coming from the monitoring system installed on site.

The system consists of pressure sensors, tri-axial accelerometers, and thermocouples, connected to data acquisition and transmission nodes. The pressure sensors were installed on the columns and the arch to detect variations related to the loads acting on the deck and the stress state of the structural elements. The accelerometers, positioned on the edge beams, allow for analyzing the dynamic behavior of the work, monitoring the evolution over time of frequencies, periods, and modal shapes. Finally, the thermocouples allow for acquiring temperature data, useful for distinguishing variations due to environmental effects from potential structural anomalies.

The data collected from the sensors is processed through mathematical models, numerical models, and artificial intelligence algorithms. In this way, it is possible to define ranges of ordinary behavior of the infrastructure and identify any deviations from the expected conditions. Anomaly detection techniques allow, for example, recognizing abnormal situations, threshold exceedances, or significant variations that may require further checks or inspections in the field.

Managing data in the BIM environment makes this information more readable and operational. Through interoperable platforms like usBIM.IoT, the data from the devices installed on the work can be associated with elements of the IFC model and visualized in real time using color scales, informative labels, and control rules. In the presence of certain values or threshold exceedances, the digital model can change color, immediately highlighting the areas of the infrastructure subject to conditions that need to be monitored.

This approach allows a shift from a purely numerical interpretation of the data to a visualization integrated into the three-dimensional model of the work. The technician or the infrastructure manager can thus quickly identify the sensor involved, the connected structural element, the monitored parameter, and any critical condition detected.

The integration of BIM, IoT, and advanced analysis algorithms therefore supports a more conscious and timely management of infrastructures. Continuous monitoring enhances knowledge of the work, allowing for more targeted inspections, optimizing maintenance interventions, and increasing the overall level of safety.

In the case of existing infrastructures, often characterized by advanced age, heavy traffic, and variable environmental conditions, this operational model represents an important evolution towards predictive maintenance. BIM is no longer just the informational container of the work, but becomes the access point to dynamic, updated, and interpretable data that supports decision-making throughout the entire life cycle of the infrastructure.

usBIM.IoT in a Minute

To conclude, I’ll show you a short video on the potential of usBIM.IoT.

FAQ about IoT and BIM

What is IoT in BIM?

The Internet of Things (IoT) in BIM represents the integration between smart devices connected to the Internet and Building Information Modeling. BIM allows for the creation of a digital model that represents the digital twin of the work completed or to be completed. Through the integration of BIM and IoT, sensors applied to buildings and construction sites collect data such as temperature, humidity, light, movement, and other useful information, creating a real-time connection between the data collected and the 3D model.

What is the purpose of IoT in BIM?

IoT in BIM serves to monitor, control, and transfer information useful for the management and optimization of a work. Thanks to the constant connection between the physical environment and the digital model, it is possible to update the project documents based on the actual state of work progress, address execution and management issues, improve decision-making processes, and optimize the entire construction process.

What tools are needed to manage IoT in BIM?

To manage IoT in BIM, IoT sensors, cloud platforms, and integrated BIM

What advantages does IoT offer in the construction sector?

In the construction sector, IoT offers numerous advantages, including real-time monitoring of the progress of work, control of personnel presence on site, analysis of workflows, monitoring the use of machinery and materials, and supply chain management.

What is usBIM.IoT?

usBIM.IoT is an application of the integrated usBIM system that allows for the supervision and remote control of IoT devices directly from the BIM model. The tool utilizes the information from the BIM model to automatically associate the physical IoT device with its digital twin within the BIM.

How is IoT data visualized in the BIM model?

IoT data is visualized in the BIM model through real-time visual changes on the digital twin. The BIM model alters its characteristics based on the data transmitted by sensors, allowing for precise control even over very large environments with thousands of devices.

How is IoT applied in BIM for infrastructure monitoring?

In infrastructure monitoring, IoT in BIM allows for connecting sensors installed on bridges, viaducts, tunnels, and other strategic works to their respective digital model. The devices can measure parameters such as pressures, accelerations, vibrations, temperatures, and deformations. The data is acquired, processed, and visualized in the BIM model, enabling the identification of anomalies, threshold exceedances, and variations in structural behavior. In this way, the model becomes an operational tool for predictive maintenance and decision support.