Research On IFC-based Component Library

The goal of Building Information Modeling is the collaboration in the buildinglifecycle process, the core is to share and exchange information, and the basis is datastandards. IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) standard that defines various objectsand classes in the lifecycle of the construction is a data storage standard in BIM. InAEC (Architecture/Engineering/Construction) fields, IFC framework is the mostcomprehensive, open and object-oriented data model. The component is the basic unitof building information modeling, which is a collection of components (informationcarrier). Currently, because of the difference between incomplete interfaces of variousBIM software that support IFC data model, problems of information lost and errorsexist in the data exchange process. The establishment of IFC-based component libraryresolves the issue fundamentally, and ensures the consistency and integrity of theinformation in the data exchange process.This paper introduces the latest version of IFC, and systematically analyses theformation and expression of IFC. Through the test of importing and exporting lots ofIFC models in mainstream BIM software, the problem of consistency and theintegrality about data transmission of IFC models is summed up. Based onunderstanding in depth of component expression used by IFC standard, this paper isfocus on the establishment of IFC-based standard component library. In this paper, thebasic framework of IFC-based standard component library is completed. Furthermore,the database has been designed in detail. Based on the earlier finished SJTUBIMplatform, the fundamental functions of component library could be achieved. Thus,the paper provides a reference for component reuse of BIM-based information model.