A master thesis from Aalborg University
Datahåndtering og -udveksling mellem Building Information Models (BIM) og Life Cycle Assesment (LCA)
[Data management and exchange between Building Information Models (BIM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)]
Forfatter(e)
Semester
4. semester
Uddannelse
Udgivelsesår
2024
Afleveret
2024-01-11
Antal sider
63 pages
Abstract
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new buildings, an addition was made to the Danish building regulations. It stated that all new buildings with a heated floor area that exceeds 1,000 m2, would be required to account for their greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, not to exceed 12 kg CO2-equivalent per m2 per year. Greenhouse gas emissions can be calculated by conducting Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), wherein a building is analysed from cradle to grave. Acquiring data from Building Information Models (BIM) is fundamental for BIM-LCA integration, as quantities from building elements are essential for LCA. The required data exchange between BIM and LCA can be facilitated by utilizing Industry Foundation Classes (IFC). However, the lack of interoperability between BIM and LCA remains a significant challenge. Therefore, this study investigates how IFC can support the development of LCA and optimize the data exchange between BIM and LCA software. A user-centred methodology was developed, drawing inspiration from Contextual Design. Furthermore, a big engineering and architecture consultancy was selected as user. They agreed to show which processes they conducted when performing LCA, which later would be compared to the systematic literature conducted in this study. The comparison would function as the scope definition for the following investigation. Afterwards, a prototype was developed to solve the challenges regarding the data exchange between BIM and LCA software, meanwhile optimizing the user’s current workflow. Python was chosen as the preferred programming language, and PyCharm as an integrated development environment. Multiple challenges arose from developing the prototype and getting feedback from the user. The most severe challenge was the missing quantities in building elements when exporting the building model to IFC. Defining a standardised method for construction take-offs when no quantity data is accessible in IFC elements is crucial for BIM-LCA integration. The prototype was capable of extracting data from IFC models and integrating it with LCA software, as well as vice versa. Furthermore, updating data in the prototype is possible without extracting quantities from IFC elements. At its current state, the prototype is unable to compute all types of IFC elements, and this should be prioritised in future updates. A user interface to enhance useability should be included in a future update as well.
Emneord
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