Journals Proceedings

Abstract

Building information modeling (BIM) and green building are currently two major trends in construction industry. This study aims to develop a sustainability assessment framework for buildings’ design in Saudi Arabia using BIM technology in extracting data needed for determining the level of sustainability from the digital building model. The sustainability-BIM framework helps designers in accommodating sustainability goals and making more informed decisions at the early design stage. The framework can be used also to improve the sustainability of existing buildings through sustainability assessment and adopting modifications and improvements to achieve more sustainable building. The first phase of this study has been devoted to develop a national rating system for sustainability assessment through identifying the evaluation criteria and their measurement methods and relative weights. The next phase of study includes interpreting the rating system requirements and identifying the BIM functionalities. The credit estimation for the sustainability criteria can be determined through the integration between the rating system requirements and the BIM functionalities. The third phase of this study is developing the sustainability –BIM framework based of previous phases results. This phase includes developing the rating system template in the BIM model and then programing new BIM functionalities (inclusion the calculation formula for criteria) through Revit API (Application Programming Interface) provided by Autodesk using Visual Basic/ Visual C#. The last phase of study includes the validation process of the developed framework and perform the necessary modifications and improvements.