IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v12y2020i16p6558-d398540.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The BIM2LCA Approach: An Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)-Based Interface to Integrate Life Cycle Assessment in Integral Planning

Author

Listed:
  • Rafael Horn

    (Department Life Cycle Engineering, Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP, D-70563 Stuttgart, Germany
    Institute for Acoustics and Building Physics (IABP), University of Stuttgart, D-70563 Stuttgart, Germany
    These authors contributed equally to this work and are considered to be co-first authors.
    Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.)

  • Sebastian Ebertshäuser

    (Institute for Building Lifecycle Management, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), D-76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
    These authors contributed equally to this work and are considered to be co-first authors.
    Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.)

  • Roberta Di Bari

    (Department Life Cycle Engineering, Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP, D-70563 Stuttgart, Germany
    Institute for Acoustics and Building Physics (IABP), University of Stuttgart, D-70563 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Olivia Jorgji

    (Department Life Cycle Engineering, Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP, D-70563 Stuttgart, Germany
    Institute for Acoustics and Building Physics (IABP), University of Stuttgart, D-70563 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • René Traunspurger

    (German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB e.V.), D-70178 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Petra von Both

    (Institute for Building Lifecycle Management, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), D-76131 Karlsruhe, Germany)

Abstract

An increasing degree of digitalization in construction planning offers significant potential for building life cycle assessment (LCA) to reduce access barriers, as well as the assessment effort itself. To realize the widespread application of LCA tools and their potential to effectively minimize life cycle impacts, an open approach is required that allows for flexible application of comprehensive LCA studies and early integration in planning processes. The authors present an approach for LCA integration in all phases of digital planning which aims at a DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für nachhaltiges Bauen) certification based on the open Building Information Modeling (BIM) standard Industry Foundation Classes (IFC). The approach takes into account varying levels of development and resulting data availability during integral planning phases, as well as resulting LCA application contexts. It goes beyond existing strategies and allows one to consider both BIM and LCA software through a workflow based on a single data format. The assessment framework is operationalized through standardized interface development and technical realization following the information delivery manual (IDM) process standardized for IFC interfaces. The Extensible Markup Language (XML) schema, as a specific implementation for certification, provides the target system for LCA data requirements and is generalized to a planning phase specific IDM base table. The technical realization based on respective model view definitions and distributed data suggests a pathway to the standardization of LCA-IFC integration based on an open approach. The overall approach exemplarily applies to the “LERNZENTRUM” at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) campus. We conclude that an open BIM approach for LCA integration in model-based planning is feasible, but requires several adjustments in IFC, LCA, and planning practice. Adding a lifecycle element to the IFC to connect BIM and LCA provides comprehensive feedback for informed decision making based on environmental impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Rafael Horn & Sebastian Ebertshäuser & Roberta Di Bari & Olivia Jorgji & René Traunspurger & Petra von Both, 2020. "The BIM2LCA Approach: An Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)-Based Interface to Integrate Life Cycle Assessment in Integral Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-30, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:16:p:6558-:d:398540
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/16/6558/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/16/6558/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tajda Potrč Obrecht & Martin Röck & Endrit Hoxha & Alexander Passer, 2020. "BIM and LCA Integration: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-19, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Jan Růžička & Jakub Veselka & Zdeněk Rudovský & Stanislav Vitásek & Petr Hájek, 2022. "BIM and Automation in Complex Building Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-20, February.
    2. Deniz Frost & Oliver Gericke & Roberta Di Bari & Laura Balangé & Li Zhang & Boris Blagojevic & David Nigl & Phillip Haag & Lucio Blandini & Hans Christian Jünger & Cordula Kropp & Philip Leistner & Ol, 2022. "Holistic Quality Model and Assessment—Supporting Decision-Making towards Sustainable Construction Using the Design and Production of Graded Concrete Components as an Example," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-32, September.
    3. Yali Chen & Dan Huang & Zhen Liu & Mohamed Osmani & Peter Demian, 2022. "Construction 4.0, Industry 4.0, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Sustainable Building Development within the Smart City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-37, August.
    4. Li Zhang & Laura Balangé & Kathrin Braun & Roberta Di Bari & Rafael Horn & Deniz Hos & Cordula Kropp & Philip Leistner & Volker Schwieger, 2020. "Quality as Driver for Sustainable Construction—Holistic Quality Model and Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-23, September.
    5. Denner Deda & Helena Gervásio & Margarida J. Quina, 2023. "Bibliometric Analysis and Benchmarking of Life Cycle Assessment of Higher Education Institutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-18, February.
    6. Martin Nwodo & Chimay J. Anumba, 2021. "Exergy-Based Life Cycle Assessment of Buildings: Case Studies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-15, October.
    7. Regitze Kjær Zimmermann & Simone Bruhn & Harpa Birgisdóttir, 2021. "BIM-Based Life Cycle Assessment of Buildings—An Investigation of Industry Practice and Needs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-21, May.
    8. Steffen Kiemel & Chantal Rietdorf & Maximilian Schutzbach & Robert Miehe, 2022. "How to Simplify Life Cycle Assessment for Industrial Applications—A Comprehensive Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-26, November.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Agnieszka Leśniak & Monika Górka & Izabela Skrzypczak, 2021. "Barriers to BIM Implementation in Architecture, Construction, and Engineering Projects—The Polish Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-20, April.
    2. Marie Nehasilová & Antonín Lupíšek & Petra Lupíšková Coufalová & Tomáš Kupsa & Jakub Veselka & Barbora Vlasatá & Julie Železná & Pavla Kunová & Martin Volf, 2022. "Rapid Environmental Assessment of Buildings: Linking Environmental and Cost Estimating Databases," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-20, September.
    3. Javier Orozco-Messana & Milagro Iborra-Lucas & Raimon Calabuig-Moreno, 2021. "Neighbourhood Modelling for Urban Sustainability Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-10, April.
    4. Ahmad Jrade & Farnaz Jalaei & Jieying Jane Zhang & Saeed Jalilzadeh Eirdmousa & Farzad Jalaei, 2023. "Potential Integration of Bridge Information Modeling and Life Cycle Assessment/Life Cycle Costing Tools for Infrastructure Projects within Construction 4.0: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-25, October.
    5. Yasser Yahya Al-Ashmori & Idris Othman & Al-Hussein M. H. Al-Aidrous, 2022. "“Values, Challenges, and Critical Success Factors” of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in Malaysia: Experts Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-18, March.
    6. Juan Francisco Fernández Rodríguez, 2023. "Sustainable Design Protocol in BIM Environments: Case Study of 3D Virtual Models of a Building in Seville (Spain) Based on BREEAM Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-29, March.
    7. Regitze Kjær Zimmermann & Simone Bruhn & Harpa Birgisdóttir, 2021. "BIM-Based Life Cycle Assessment of Buildings—An Investigation of Industry Practice and Needs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-21, May.
    8. Marco Scherz & Antonija Ana Wieser & Alexander Passer & Helmuth Kreiner, 2022. "Implementation of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the Procurement Process of Buildings: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-22, December.
    9. Bernardette Soust-Verdaguer & José Antonio Gutiérrez Moreno & Carmen Llatas, 2023. "Utilization of an Automatic Tool for Building Material Selection by Integrating Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment in the Early Design Stages in BIM," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, January.
    10. Kai Xue & Md. Uzzal Hossain & Meng Liu & Mingjun Ma & Yizhi Zhang & Mengqiang Hu & XiaoYi Chen & Guangyu Cao, 2021. "BIM Integrated LCA for Promoting Circular Economy towards Sustainable Construction: An Analytical Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-21, January.
    11. Luka Adanič & Sara Guerra de Oliveira & Andrej Tibaut, 2021. "BIM and Mechanical Engineering—A Cross-Disciplinary Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, April.
    12. Jan Růžička & Jakub Veselka & Zdeněk Rudovský & Stanislav Vitásek & Petr Hájek, 2022. "BIM and Automation in Complex Building Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-20, February.
    13. Bernardette Soust-Verdaguer & Elisabetta Palumbo & Carmen Llatas & Álvaro Velasco Acevedo & María Dolores Fernández Galvéz & Endrit Hoxha & Alexander Passer, 2023. "The Use of Environmental Product Declarations of Construction Products as a Data Source to Conduct a Building Life-Cycle Assessment in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-20, January.
    14. Roberto Giordano & Federica Gallina & Benedetta Quaglio, 2021. "Analysis and Assessment of the Building Life Cycle. Indicators and Tools for the Early Design Stage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-16, June.
    15. Chen Chen & Zengfeng Zhao & Jianzhuang Xiao & Robert Tiong, 2021. "A Conceptual Framework for Estimating Building Embodied Carbon Based on Digital Twin Technology and Life Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-20, December.
    16. Ian Vázquez-Rowe & Cristina Córdova-Arias & Xavier Brioso & Sandra Santa-Cruz, 2021. "A Method to Include Life Cycle Assessment Results in Choosing by Advantage (CBA) Multicriteria Decision Analysis. A Case Study for Seismic Retrofit in Peruvian Primary Schools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-18, July.
    17. Robert Karaszewski & Paweł Modrzyński & Gözde Türkmen Müldür & Jacek Wójcik, 2021. "Blockchain Technology in Life Cycle Assessment—New Research Trends," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-13, December.
    18. Adetayo Onososen & Innocent Musonda & Motheo Meta Tjebane, 2022. "Drivers of BIM-Based Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of Buildings: An Interpretive Structural Modelling Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-21, September.
    19. Tiziano Dalla Mora & Erika Bolzonello & Carmine Cavalliere & Fabio Peron, 2020. "Key Parameters Featuring BIM-LCA Integration in Buildings: A Practical Review of the Current Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-33, September.
    20. Jakub Veselka & Marie Nehasilová & Karolína Dvořáková & Pavla Ryklová & Martin Volf & Jan Růžička & Antonín Lupíšek, 2020. "Recommendations for Developing a BIM for the Purpose of LCA in Green Building Certifications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-17, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:16:p:6558-:d:398540. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.