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Building Information Modeling (BIM): Advanced Technology and Application

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 7230

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Emanuela Quaquero

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Guest Editor

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Interests: building information modeling (BIM); BIM-GIS integration; digital twins in the construction sector; digital technologies for the built environment; construction management; building energy retrofit; building monitoring
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Dr. Giuseppe Desogus

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Guest Editor

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Interests: renewable energy communities; digital technologies for the built environment; building energy retrofit, building monitoring; building information modeling (BIM)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector has a deep and complex impact on many aspects of our society and environment, and its evolution is strategic for coping with contemporary challenges in terms of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. As the core of the digital transition, building information modeling (BIM) represents a paradigm shift in the AEC industry. By fostering a more integrated approach to building design and management, BIM has a disruptive effect and great potential to promote sustainable building development. With the fast improvement of knowledge and technology, BIM is expected to become even more multi-dimensional, incorporating geographic information systems (GISs), the Internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), big data, machine learning (ML), blockchain, and other advanced technologies to improve its capabilities further. This Special Issue focuses on “Building Information Modeling (BIM): Advanced Technology and Application”, aiming to gather and explore innovative solutions and methodologies able to enhance the power of BIM in the management of the built environment. This Special Issue welcomes original research articles and reviews that cover (but are not limited to) the following topics:

Innovative methods and technologies for sustainable buildings;
Building lifecycle management;
Solutions for the preservation and management of the built environment;
Energy retrofitting of existing buildings;
Building monitoring;
Digital twins in the building construction sector.

Dr. Emanuela Quaquero
Dr. Giuseppe Desogus
Guest Editors

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Keywords

sustainable buildings
building lifecycle management (BLM)
lifecycle assessment (LCA)
built environment management
building information modeling (BIM)
digital twin (DT)

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 7256 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Case Study on a 7D Landscape Information Model (LIM) for Greenery Maintenance

by Julia Warpas, Agnieszka Zwirowicz-Rutkowska, Tobiasz Wieczorek, Marcin Lisowski and Adam Doskocz

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 3067; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16063067 - 22 Mar 2026

Viewed by 486

Abstract

Spatial technologies play a key role in documenting and analyzing landscape components. The Landscape Information Model (LIM), deriving from the Building Information Model (BIM), is a digital representation of a landscape, which should support planning, design, management, and analysis throughout a landscape’s lifecycle. In the literature, the applications of BIM technology in landscape planning focuses on the design and the construction of 3D and 5D LIMs. The aim of this paper is to develop the concept of 7D LIMs for the purposes of managing greenery based on the example of the university campus and model implementation based on BIM-GIS technology. The specific objective is to develop the UML diagrams of the model that would be dedicated to the needs of the unit responsible for maintaining the university’s infrastructure. The source of data was a point cloud obtained by laser scanning, which was then processed to map the terrain, small architectural objects, and infrastructure in the Revit 2024 software. The developed method indicated the value of modern technologies in landscape processes and their potential use in public institutions. The proposed diagrams that describe the semantics of landscape forms and greenery maintenance activities can be developed by adding further ontological aspects of the landscape model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Information Modeling (BIM): Advanced Technology and Application)

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33 pages, 7028 KB

Open AccessArticle

Semantic-Vertex-Based Topological Detection for Automatic Dimension Generation in Building Information Modeling (BIM) with Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)

by Jaeho Cho

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(1), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010139 - 22 Dec 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 796

Abstract

In this study, a topological matching algorithm is introduced for semantic vertex detection to automate dimension generation in a building information modeling (BIM) environment based on the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard. Conventional IFC-based quantity take-off (QTO) methods provide only standardized attributes, such as height, length, width, and area; therefore, user-defined custom dimensions—such as net opening sizes or parameter lengths—must be calculated manually. This study proposes a method for fully automating the dimensions required by users by automatically tagging and visualizing semantic vertices for geometrically identical IFC objects. These semantic vertices correspond to representative topological feature points (e.g., left–bottom–origin, left–top–front, left–bottom–back, and right–bottom–front). Based on these defined semantic vertices, the method automatically establishes vertex correspondence among objects to generate dimensions. The proposed workflow comprises four main stages: (1) geometry normalization of IFC objects, (2) semantic vertex definition, (3) automatic detection of semantic vertices, and (4) dimension generation and visualization. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach successfully enables the computation of dimensions for geometrically identical objects, thereby significantly improving the efficiency of QTO processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Information Modeling (BIM): Advanced Technology and Application)

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31 pages, 3063 KB

Open AccessArticle

Interactive Digital Twin Workflow for Energy Assessment of Buildings: Integration of Photogrammetry, BIM and Thermography

by Luis Santiago Rojas-Colmenares, Carlos Rizo-Maestre, Francisco Gómez-Donoso and Pascual Saura-Gómez

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(23), 12599; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152312599 - 28 Nov 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2089

Abstract

This study presents a novel low-cost workflow integrating smartphone-based photogrammetry, Building Information Modeling (BIM), infrared thermography, and real-time interactive visualization to create digital twins for comprehensive energy assessment of existing buildings. Unlike conventional approaches requiring expensive laser scanning equipment and specialized software, this methodology democratizes advanced building diagnostics through accessible technologies and academic licenses. The research aims to develop and validate a replicable workflow that enables architects, engineers, and educators to conduct detailed energy assessments without high-end equipment, while establishing technical criteria for accurate geometric reconstruction, thermal data integration, and interactive visualization. The workflow combines terrestrial photogrammetry using smartphone cameras for 3D reconstruction, BIM modeling in Autodesk Revit for semantic building representation, infrared thermography for thermal performance documentation, and Unreal Engine for immersive real-time visualization. The approach is validated through application to the historic control tower of the former Rabassa aerodrome at the University of Alicante, documenting data capture protocols, processing workflows, and integration criteria to ensure methodological replicability. Results demonstrate that functional digital twins can be generated using consumer-grade devices (high-end smartphones) and academically licensed software, achieving geometric accuracy sufficient for energy assessment purposes. The integrated platform enables systematic identification of thermal anomalies, heat loss patterns, and envelope deficiencies through intuitive three-dimensional interfaces, providing a robust foundation for evidence-based energy assessment and renovation planning. The validated workflow offers a viable, economical, and scalable solution for building energy analysis, particularly valuable in resource-constrained academic and professional contexts, advancing both scientific understanding of accessible digital twin methodologies and practical applications in building energy assessment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Information Modeling (BIM): Advanced Technology and Application)

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26 pages, 7215 KB

Open AccessArticle

Towards a Digital Twin for Buildings IAQ and Thermal Comfort Monitoring

by Eleonora Congiu, Giuseppe Desogus, Emanuela Quaquero, Giulia Rubiu and Francesca Poggi

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(19), 10444; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910444 - 26 Sep 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1752

Abstract

Several studies have proven the impact of the quality of indoor environmental conditions on human professional and cognitive performances. Additionally, building energy efficiency and indoor comfort have attracted increasing interest, encouraging the implementation of advanced digital technologies and platforms for a more efficient management of buildings. In this context, this study proposes a new framework for an effective BIM-IoT integration leading to a nearly Digital Twin (DT) relying on a BIM model equipped with regularly-generated IEQ reports summarizing statistics from real-time collected data to support facility managers’ decision-making. Despite the relevant literature on the subject, the proposed methodology introduces some novelties, as monthly results of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort evaluation are provided by open HTML reports automatically generated through a Python 3.10 code from sensor data. These reports are easily readable without needing any external platform to be visualized and are directly accessible through BIM models. The proposed methodology has been validated on a pilot case study, thus proving its efficiency, effectiveness, and robustness in terms of automation level, interoperability, adaptability, reliability, accuracy in data visualization, and management. The study shows promising results but also some issues that could be addressed through further development of the research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Information Modeling (BIM): Advanced Technology and Application)

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12 pages, 1121 KB

Open AccessArticle

Advancing Cost Estimation Through BIM Development: Focus on Energy-Related Data Associated with IFC Elements

by Maryam Gholamzadehmir, Jacopo Cassandro, Claudio Mirarchi and Alberto Pavan

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(14), 7814; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15147814 - 11 Jul 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1280

Abstract

Achieving cost-effective energy performance while meeting sustainability goals is a challenge in retrofitting decisions within the construction industry. To enhance the decision-making process, this study introduces an IFC-based approach that integrates cost estimation and energy analysis directly within BIM. This approach supports more structured and data-informed retrofit planning by structuring cost and energy data within a semi-automated IFC-based workflow. The methodology follows a structured approach that includes three phases. The first focuses on developing a BIM model that captures the physical and semantic attributes of an existing building. This is followed by parametric energy simulations to evaluate retrofit scenarios, with cost data integrated and energy analysis reports linked to IFC elements. The final phase involves a post-retrofit cost assessment to identify the optimal scenario based on total cost, with potential for extension to other performance indicators. The framework was applied in a residential case study to evaluate the model’s functionality. The results show that IFC-based integration improves transparency, interoperability, and reliability in cost–energy assessments. By structuring data as linked IFC entities, the approach enhances BIM’s role as a decision-support tool for sustainable and economically efficient retrofitting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Information Modeling (BIM): Advanced Technology and Application)

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