IFC-based Information Modelling and Model Server Technologies for Product Lifecycle Information Support

Enabling the information interoperabil- ity among AEC product lifecycle processes is iden- tified as an emerging demand from the AEC in- dustry. The IFC (Industry Foundation Class) tech- nology provides standardized definitions for the development of lifecycle information models and unified exchange mechanisms to facilitate the software interoperability and the lifecycle informa- tion support. Based on the IFC technology, this CRP has developed a design information model- ling methodology, by which the IFC-compliant in- teroperable and extensible product information models are established for AEC product lifecycle information support in design, analysis, and change order management. These models have also been implemented in a Web-enabled IFC/XML model server software system to provide the IFC and XML information to AEC application systems in design collaboration, structural calcula- tion, and cost optimisation.