Building Information Modeling and Building Performance Optimization

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has become one of the most recognized technologies for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry in recent years. It brings an innovative and creative revolution for the industry to substitute conventional two-dimensional design drawings by using digital three-dimensional modeling. The benefits of BIM application in AEC projects can be summarized as follows: cost saving, process control, rework reduction, quantity take-off, project management, multidimensional simulation, and visualization, which are across the whole project lifecycle from planning and design phase to operation and maintenance phase. As building energy consumption is a main sector of total energy consumption in the global, there is no doubt new technologies must be developed and applied to help minimize the energy consumption and meanwhile improve the energy efficiency in building construction sector. BIM provides an optimal solution. In this article, a detailed background introduction of what BIM is presented for better understanding. Furthermore, various BIM-based technologies for energy efficiency optimizations are respectively introduced according to applications in different disciplines and phases of building project lifecycle. In addition, a case study of a practical project shows what BIM can really contribute to the optimization of project and its impact on overall energy efficiency.