Asynchronous online collaboration in BIM generation using hybrid client-server and P2P network

This paper proposes a system to enable Internet-based modeling collaboration among teams from multiple disciplines for the development of a Building Information Model (BIM). The proposed networked system allows geographically separated design teams to work simultaneously on a single multi-disciplinary BIM, using a distributed system to achieve design integration and conflict resolution. An online collaborative modeling platform for inter-disciplinary collaboration was developed in this study. By using the proposed platform, members of various design teams can work in the same virtual modeling space, monitor the progress of other teams' work, and cooperate in real-time via the Internet. All design data is maintained in a central database providing secure and systematic data management. A hybrid client-server and peer-to-peer (P2P) network was proposed to enable such modeling collaboration. The network has two levels: specialized teams are connected through a client-server network; and the members of each team are connected through a P2P network. A BIM generation workflow with various support functions was proposed based on this hybrid network. A prototype system was developed to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed collaboration model. Appropriate operating mechanisms are imposed to maintain the integrity of the system. Validation through a case study shows that the proposed collaboration model and system can reduce modeling time and improve modeling efficiency when compared to common modeling workflow. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.