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Standardization of BIM through innovative thinking and research

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New technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Mixed Reality (MR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are only a few of the topics that will be relevant in the construction industry in the future. In order to shape the industry of the future, we must understand these new technologies and identify possible use scenarios and requirements. HOCHTIEF ViCon is continuously involved in research projects at the national and european levels. On the boards of national and international committees, we actively shape tomorrow´s construction industry.

Is HOCHTIEF ViCon your new research partner?

Do you need experts for data networking?
Do you need expertise in developing a strategy for data platforms?
Are you looking for support in setting up a digital twin?
Or are you looking for specialists to define sustainability strategies?

With our many years of experience in information management for major projects
(building construction and civil engineering), and in conjunction with the close cooperation with our
operational business units, we provide the necessary input from an industry perspective.

You already have a research question, but the solution is still missing?
Do you have a new technology, but lack the story line for a research proposal?
Are you forming a consortium and still looking for partners?

Then contact us!

Current Research projects

EConoM

Edge-Computing, AI and 5G campus networks in nomadic applications for the Management of construction sites
The consortium partners in the EConoM research project are developing a nomadic 5G infrastructure that will automatically adapt to changes in the construction process.Various AI algorithms are being trained to identify and localize construction elements on the construction site. The technologies will be deployed on the demonstration construction sites using edge computing and applied in sub-areas of the construction logistics, construction progress recording and quality assurance use cases.

Vision.5G

5G for the construction site
As part of the VISION.5G research project, the added value of using 5G technology during the on-site construction phase is being investigated. The consortium partners are developing an AR application that can be used for construction progress recording, defect detection and as a routing system during the construction phase. For this purpose, the 3D BIM model is augmented either in the office in scaled size or directly on site in real size. A direct comparison with the reality on site is therefore possible. Captured data is then imported into the data platform via defined interfaces. The use of 5G campus networks enables real-time data processing on the construction site using web rendering technology.

BIMiB - BIM im Bestand

Sustainable life cycle extension of existing buildings
In the BIMiB research project, point clouds and 2D as-built documents are analyzed with the help of artificial intelligence. Mathematical approaches are used to classify as-built data in order to identify load-bearing structures and automatically generate 3D objects. For this purpose, ontologies are used to create a semantic model. The behavior of experienced modelers was analyzed using eye-tracking to serve as training data for the AI's machine learning.

Green Infra Twins

Development of a digital twin for sustainability assessment
The aim of this research project is to develop a digital twin for sustainable infrastructure buildings. In addition to the conceptual design of the digital twin for evaluating and communicating sustainability, the focus is on the lifecycle-accompanying collection of data for sustainability analysis from the planning, construction and monitoring of BIM. The collected data forms the basis for further evaluation and utilization for circular resource management. kreislaufgerechtes Ressourcenmanagement. In addition to describing the structure of DigitalTwins, we will also demonstrate them on real projects and show how they can be used in the operational and dismantling phase.

SVAR

Systematic Verification and Acceptance of Requirements
The name SVAR is Swedish and means answer. In the search for the answer to the question of how necessary requirements for the planning and realization of an infrastructure project can be verified automatically, the answer is being developed as part of this research project. First, a maturity model will be developed with the help of which the regulatory requirements of Trafikverket will be classified with regard to their verifiability. Subsequently, a library with automated test routines in accordance with the buildingSMART Information Delivery Specification (IDS) will be made available for use in real projects.

duraBASt

Demonstration, investigation and reference area BASt
The core aspect of this project was the development of a structured data platform for managing demonstration and reference projects. The available 3D management model serves as a visual table of contents for the linked data. This includes information on the layer structure and materials of traffic areas, the structural composition of engineering structures, features of relevant equipment and recorded sensor data. The investigation area is constantly developing and changing and the data platform is constantly updated automatically.

Success Stories

Digital Twin Bridge

Conceptual investigation into the merging of components of the Digital Twin Bridge
In the Digital Twin Bridge research project, the modular implementation of a digital twin for bridge structures was designed on behalf of BASt. Based on the resultus of a comprehsensive requirements analysis, a basic concept was developed that supports the life cycle management of bridge structures. The modular concept enables the integration and testing of further new technologies on the digital twin. The necessary research and development requirements for actual implementation and corresponding recommendations for action were compiled in the final report.

Bridge Inspect

Combination of augmented/mixed reality systems with other digital technologies
In this project, an AR application was developed to support on-site building inspectors in assessing damage. An AI algorithm analyzes the recorded data and displays a pixel-precise visual overlay of the damage image on the head-mounted display. Different types of damage are differentiated and the required measured variables are provided. After the building inspector has carried out the evaluation, the data is fed back into the building database and is available for defining the inspection report and for the building file. The feedback collected from users on site during the evaluation ensured practical relevance and formed the basis for the final recommendations for action.

BIM Speed

Sustainable life cycle extension of existing buildings
As part of the European research project BIM Speed, a cloud-based BIM platform was set up to provide BIM services for the implementation of renovation projects. The consortium worked closely together to develop various tools (such as a weather GIS service, Scan2BIM plugin, AR/VR training, BIM passports, etc.), which were made available to users to manage their projects on the BIM Speed platform. The focus here was on improving energy efficiency, saving time and money and increasing resident satisfaction.

VR2WEB

Interactive virtual immersive web conferencing
As a part of the VR2WEB research project, a communication platform for virtual reality (VR) was developed in which BIM models and linked metadata were brought together in a physically correct context. The project participants can meet live in the 3D model in virtual space and collaborate on planning-relevant topics. This made it possible to hold joint virtual construction meetings and discussions on the 3D model across multiple locations.
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