IDS Standard and bSDD Service as Tools for Automating Information Exchange and Verification in Projects Implemented in the BIM Methodology

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

.Materials and Methods Section:

·        Line 135-139: Authors in their manuscript have talked about creating a data dictionary, defining and standardizing the parameters. It would be good if they elaborate more on how these parameters would be aligned with IFC standards, while being flexible to a specific BIM project.

·        Line 156-160: The authors have made a claim that creating bSDD files using usBIM service does not require programming skills. This looks a conflicting statement as data dictionaries still use programming notations. Is it possible that some challenges may arise for users with no background knowledge of programming?

·        Line 180-181: The authors have talked about best practices and principles on creating dictionaries and using references to IFC standards to avoid duplication of data. It would be good if authors provide an example of these practices from published data.

·        Line 216-218: Authors have included translation of dictionaries in their work which is commendable. However, to insure cultural relevance of a particular code in a dictionary means exactly the same, it is recommended that apart from translation a small graphical symbol may also be added to ensure dictionaries applicability is not affected by the user’s ability or command on a specific language. Instead of a graphical link as shown in figure 7, it is recommended that a graphical symbol may be included with translation.

·        Line 235-247: IDS is proposed as the best solution for verification of contracted BIM model. How reliable is IDS for large scale, complex projects. Can you provide a published example? Additionally, if traditional clients shift from document format to IDS files, what challenges they will face and how can they transition smoothy?

·        Line 277-280: Authors have mentioned that a pre-defined IDS file connecting specification to requirement can help with consistency and reduced model validation time. Can you provide a work flow model of this approach in a large scale project?

·        Line 284-285: Authors are recommended to include monetary benefits for organization when level of information is defined as a result of IDS implementation. Will client benefit from reduction in any excessive documentations and data recording costs on each project. This might be interesting aspect to look into.

Results

·       Line 357-359: Authors are suggested to link from their approach in the materials and methods section that how the usability and model validation of the project 'Rektorat Politechniki Poznańskiej' enhances when the dictionary is bi-furcated into 58 classes, 35 properties and further into 6 property sets.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The article is grammatically fine. Further improvements may be made.

Author Response

Please see the attachement.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The article presents an important application related to projects implemented in BIM methodology.

I would like to indicate the following:

1. The article is intended to present the impact on the automation of information exchange and verification in projects employing IDS and bSDDby utilizing predefined data based on OpenBIM, combined with the IFC standard.

2. The presentation of the current landscape of the application, its deficiencies, and issues is inadequate. Without a proper situational analysis, verifying and quantifying the impact becomes ineffective.

3. There is no proper research gap identification reviewing the relevant literature based on which the competitive novelty can be recognized. The manuscript rather presents a well-structured case application communicating an important message.

4. There are no proper metrics to quantify the results and thus conclusions appear to not stem from the results.

5. Suggest revising the manuscript giving focus to a properly distilled research gap through literature, to the novelty of the proposed approach compared to existing ones to address this problem, to present relevant metrics to evaluate the impact of the proposed approach and the consequent results, followed by the relevant conclusion(s).

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This manuscript presents the comprehensive framework integrating IDS and bSDD service for automating information exchange. Overall, this manuscript is well organized and technically sound. Some issues are suggested to be addressed before further production.

1. In Line 11, the first time an abbreviation appears, the full name should be given. For example, IDS, bSDD IFC, etc.

2. The discussion and conclusions are suggested to be sepretated.

3. English grammar should be further improved.

4. The efficiency of this method is suggested to be discussed.

5. The quantative accuracy of this method is suggested to be presented, as well as the comparison of different other methods.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

English grammar should be further improved.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors have made the requested corrections in their revised manuscript. However the following may be considered.

Materials and Methods Section:

·        Line 256: it was suggested that in figure 8, apart from a hyper link to visual representation, a small graphical symbol may be added with translation. This will increase the adaptability of the dictionary and may save time of the user with limited prior knowledge. The authors may include this in their revised manuscript.

·        Line 276-285: The authors have efficiently described the challenges when traditional clients shift to IDS files, however as stated earlier an example of a work-flow diagram of a large-scale complex project shifting to IDS would add significant weight to your proposal.

 

After addressing these two minor revisions, the manuscript is recommended for publication.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Fine enough.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Suggested amendments have been adequately addressed.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf