Combining the proofed methods of LCAs and LCCs with the new possibilities of BIM and the chances of early planning stages, an automated, multicriterial sustainability analysis will be possible. Benefiting from the circumstance that BIM-enabled building models already encompass a relatively detailed planning stage during the early phases, the possibility to make detailed alternative comparisons can be used. Therefore, planners will be able to exploit the benefits of early design stages. By combining the BIM model output and several databases for LCCs and LCAs, construction alternatives can be compared without the need for manual information gathering. This is possible, because the information included in an early phase building model is used to the full extent and only crucial, missing data is supplemented. An automatic calculation with the help of a component catalog is possible, in most cases, without adding any material information to the BIM model. A calculation without external component templates is possible if layer information is included in the model as well. Since the early phase models are not set on specific components, a variant comparison with the help of possible component templates is the best solution for building models during the early design stages.     «

Combining the proofed methods of LCAs and LCCs with the new possibilities of BIM and the chances of early planning stages, an automated, multicriterial sustainability analysis will be possible. Benefiting from the circumstance that BIM-enabled building models already encompass a relatively detailed planning stage during the early phases, the possibility to make detailed alternative comparisons can be used. Therefore, planners will be able to exploit the benefits of early design stages. By combin...     »