Development of a BIM model for facility management with virtual/augmented reality interaction

Abstract

This paper gives an insight on the development of new features for an existing Facility Management software solution while presenting the work done during one of the project’s case studies. The work includes the use of ‘Building Information Modelling’ approaches/software to feed relevant information to the facility management database. The generated graphical and non-graphical information is then the backbone for a virtual/augmented reality interface. The article begins with a general context of currently available FM solutions with BIM integration. Then, the case study and its requirements are presented as to set the bases for the adopted methodology. The connection between the project goals and the BIM uses are made. The workflow is demonstrated through the initial survey of the relevant building (industrial facility) with the laser scanning technique. On the modelling, special attention is given to the specialized equipment that exists on the building and the simplifying assumptions that optimize the efficiency of the final BIM model. The final model is exported into the project relevant formats according to their expected testing purposes for the defined uses: (i) feeding the FM database; (ii) virtual/augmented reality interface.