openBIM and GIS: integration advantages between the two technologies

With usBIM.geotwin the intelligent integration between openBIM and GIS is born: a new paradigm for the digitization and geospatial management of buildings and infrastructures

Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Territorial Information Systems (GIS) are two very important technologies for architecture, engineering and construction worlds. Both have their own specific functions and applications, but when integrated together, they offer great advantages.

In this article we explore the benefits of IFC model openBIM and GIS integration and discover together a new technology to create and manage GIS Digital Twin projects.

BIM and GIS - integration - public procurement

BIM and GIS – integration – public procurement

What is openBIM?

openBIM is a collaborative approach to a constructions’ design and information management. It is based on open standards that encourage the sharing of information between different software platforms. With openBIM, all design and construction team members can collaborate effectively, avoiding errors in data exchanges and improving project quality.

What is GIS?

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are a set of technologies used for geographic information collection, processing and visualization. GIS can be used in multiple areas, such as urban planning, park management, water resource management, and many others.

8 advantages of integrating openBIM and GIS

Contracting authorities and other managers have a need for BIM-GIS integration. Not only with proprietary formats but also with open formats. The technologies currently tested have two fundamental limitations:

  • operate on proprietary formats;
  • copy and replicate data between BIM and GIS systems.

Hence the need for a new system to robustly integrate the two worlds GIS and openBIM.

BIM and GIS - usbim.geotwin and all project data

BIM and GIS – usbim.geotwin and all project data

The integration of openBIM and GIS offers numerous advantages in the building and architecture sector, improving project quality, resource management and urban planning.

Better Site Planning and Design

Integration between openBIM and GIS allows project data visualization in a geographic context, allowing designers to better understand project location, environmental factors, and site topography. In addition, integration allows you to identify and resolve any site issues more efficiently.

Greater efficiency in information processing

Integration between openBIM and GIS enables more efficient information sharing, reducing the time and effort required to process project information.

Better management of project data

The integration between openBIM and GIS allows you to better manage project data, thus identifying and solving any project problems more efficiently.

Resource Management

The combination of BIM and GIS data allows for better resource management, such as route planning for material transport and environmental impact assessment.

Greater collaboration between project team members

The integration of openBIM and GIS enables team members to collaborate more effectively, avoiding errors and improving project quality. It also allows for clearer and more transparent communication between team members.

Greater precision in construction

Integrating the openBIM and GIS IFC models improves accuracy in construction, reducing errors and improving project quality.

Increased project safety

The integration of openBIM and GIS makes it possible to assess occupational health and safety risks, such as access to workplaces, facilities safety, and accident prevention.

Increasing energy efficiency. Monitoring, maintenance and inspection

The integration between openBIM and GIS allows to improve project’s energy efficiency, the maintenance of electrical and mechanical systems, and the management of internal and external spaces, identifying the areas of the project that require more attention to reduce energy consumption and improve project’s sustainability.

How to integrate openBIM and GIS

The integration between openBIM and GIS requires project teams to carefully plan and also introduce adequate training.

The world’s leading players in the field openBIM and GIS have joined forces to provide the ArcGIS Digital Twins of usBIM.geotwin, with which AEC professionals now have an absolutely innovative technology to create and manage digital twins of their projects by integrating GIS Digital Twin data with IFC models.

It’s not a static import of data from one system to another, but a dynamic and bidirectional integration of the two systems. ESRI’s ArcGIS manages all the GIS functions and activities, while ACCA’s usBIM ecosystem manages all the relevant BIM functions and activities.

Any added or changed data on the IFC openBIM model in usBIM platform, is dynamically updated on the GIS based service. Therefore the changes introduced in the BIM model updates are accessible in real time on the GIS service too. Indeed this also concerns both the model’s geometric information and its relating data.

A total and dynamic integration.

All buildings, bridges, roads, railways and any type of infrastructure can provide detailed data in real time to the GIS system allowing the territorial system to query infrastructure data while storing results into the system.

Without any complexity or number limits therefore continuously syncing data.

The result is Digital Twins interacting with each other at the territorial level connecting information produced in real time by technicians, construction companies and maintenance workers. Additionally by buildings and infrastructures themselves, becoming real life devices capable of interacting with each other at a geospatial level.

A revolution that passes by simplicity!

GIS users can continue to do what they normally do, the BIM user does what he always did. Technologically everything goes from a simple component that allows you to insert in the GIS applications of ESRI all potential of IFC and openBIM’s world.

 

usbim-geotwin
usbim-geotwin