Some of the most perplexing aspects of the construction sector are the effective coordination and convergence of disparate information. Intensive communications between architects, engineers and contractors, thorough supply tracking and endless sustainability reports pose a unique set of challenges for the AEC industry. Τhere has been a rising interest regarding data sets and their properties. In construction, organizations such as buildingSMART have been promoting the openBIM concept and the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) data model, advocating for a paradigm shift in the AEC sector.
IFC is an open standard file format that has been gradually developed for the past 25 years by the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI) to facilitate the exchange of building information among different software applications. In other words, it is a data model that has been internationally recognized and describes information in a specific way. Unlike proprietary file formats, IFC is vendor-neutral, allowing interoperability between various BIM software platforms. This neutrality makes IFC files an ideal choice for sharing information across the entire construction life cycle.
Even though construction professionals primarily view it as a 3D model that can be opened in different software, the IFC data model is fundamentally a groundbreaking tool for information management. At a time when digital transformation has been dominating the construction industry, having the ability to handle information with such transparency and seamlessness has proven to be a great asset.
Still, what are the primary needs that IFC files are here to cover? From simply accelerating the overall construction process to leading to more accurate results and metrics, IFC files are revolutionizing the exchange of building information. For example, they provide a standardized format that enables interoperability between different BIM software applications. This eliminates compatibility issues and allows project stakeholders to consistently work with cohesive and up-to-date data, minimizing errors and delays. Furthermore, IFC files store a wide range of information related to building elements, including geometry, material properties, spatial relationships etc. These comprehensive data sets can be easily associated with arising requirements such as sustainability metrics, building codes or site regulations, ensuring the proper compliance of each construction project. Finally, being an open standard, IFC encourages transparency and reduces dependency on specific software vendors. This openness promotes a more seamless interaction between IFC databases, often leading to predicting supply changes and cost as well as to spotting future trends in the construction sector.
When it comes to problems such as environmental sustainability, social housing and even the impact of construction in world economy, the AEC sector has to rapidly respond to current global challenges and cannot rely on analogue systems or limiting software. Consequently, adopting an IFC approach is gradually becoming the leading method of building information handling, admittedly however not without some resistance.
Recognizing the industry challenges, Alconsoft introduces ExtrAXION BIM, the Quantity Takeoff Software that fully integrates Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) files with quantity measurements. Based on IFC models, ExtrAXION BIM provides fast and accurate quantity calculations by selecting preset building elements and modifying their properties.
To learn more visit ExtrAXION BIM.
