Requirements for a BIM-Based Life-Cycle Performance Evaluation Framework to Enable Optimum Building Operation

Buildings rarely perform as well in practice as anticipated during design, and often consume 20-30% more energy than necessary. One of the main causes of inefficient operation is the lack of data integration and system interoperability inherent in the AEC/FM industry. In many cases, the assumptions and specifications defined during design are not transferred throughout the life-cycle of the building, and actual operation deviates from design intent. Building Information Modelling enables designers to create digital models of buildings. Theoretically, these models should be exchangeable between disciplines and over different life-cycle stages, but in practice the lack of information exchange protocols in the building performance area inhibits such exchanges. In order to improve building operation throughout the building life-cycle, this paper proposes a BIM-based performance evaluation framework to compare design intent with actual operation. The framework uses the IFC schema to facilitate the information exchange process for better qualification and validation of data.