In the architectural, engineering and construction industry, building information modelling (BIM) is playing an increasingly important role in digital representation, intelligent utilization of building models and data exchange between different sectors. Along with the growing size of data and more frequent exchanges, the challenge of BIM lies in determining the reliability of models in different developing phases and their quality before the model is delivered. Meanwhile in BIM collaboration, IFC data is commonly adopted as a standard format. It contains rich and complex information of building models such as semantic and geometric properties of entities as well as the relationships between them. Therefore, analysing IFC data flaws and weakness of BIM models can provide solutions for realistic BIM challenges. Concerning data management tool for IFC data, in comparison with the traditional relational database, there have been a proving advantage of graph databases in exploring large interconnected data, which is a main feature of IFC architecture. Thus it will be beneficial to study the potential of graphs to analyse information within BIM. Among graph databases Neo4j is one of the leading systems. This master thesis firstly illustrates the challenge and theoretical background of the solution. Secondly, detailed methodology of importing IFC data into the Neo4j graph database will be described. This is followed by examples on querying properties of a modelled roof. Furthermore, in combination with Level of Development requirements, property set checks of models in different LODs are performed in order to provide realistic answers in evaluating the reliability of BIM models. As for deliverable models, BIM-based models quality checks about their integrity and physical security are conducted. Through analysing geometric representation in IFC data with spatial operation, consistency and intersection detections are executed. These queries demonstrate that graphs can efficiently manage IFC data and provide chances to build diverse applications. Overall this study presents practical syntaxes in analysing IFC data within Neo4j database and investigates advantages and limitations of this mechanism. Finally, the work is finished by a conclusion and possible solutions to overcome these limitations.     «

In the architectural, engineering and construction industry, building information modelling (BIM) is playing an increasingly important role in digital representation, intelligent utilization of building models and data exchange between different sectors. Along with the growing size of data and more frequent exchanges, the challenge of BIM lies in determining the reliability of models in different developing phases and their quality before the model is delivered. Meanwhile in BIM collaboration, I...     »