A Framework for the Integration of BIM Models, Facility Management Services and IoT Data Through Semantic Web Technologies

Today, information exchange in the AECO industry, in the different phases of the building process, typically occurs through file transfers in eterogeneous formats, with limited communication between parties. This results in potential data management issues, such as redundancy and write errors. While efforts to standardize data exchange date back to the 90s, with formats like STEP and IFC, the challenge of interoperability remains. It’s important therefore to set up integrated management systems and interoperable cloud-based technologies. The rise of open semantic standards by W3C and other organizations in recent decades has been significant, but a cohesive connection between different ontologies is necessary for the realization of Digital Twin technology, which represents the life cycle of a building, not just the design phase. After a brief introduction to Linked Data and its applications in the building industry, this work focuses on developing a data management methodology for the use and management of existing real estate assets by public administrations, with emphasis on integrating BIM models with existing asset databases using semantic web technologies like RDF, OWL, and SPARQL. The contribution is part of a broader research activity carried out as part of the PNR Project, "BIM2DT. BIM-to-Digital Twin: information management to support decision-making in the building life cycle”.