The GEOL_BIM project
The innovation project GEOL_BIM complements building information with spatial geological data. The combination of diverse specialist information at an early stage promotes collaboration and safety in the planning and operational phases of buildings.
As digitization advances, Building Information Modeling or Management BIM is becoming progressively more important in the construction industry. BIM is strongly oriented towards collaboration among specialist disciplines and, in addition to building construction, is playing an increasingly important role in civil engineering and infrastructure construction.
The innovation project GEOL_BIM enables the integration of geological data into digital building models. Spatial geological data (3D models, «GIS world») complement detailed building information («BIM world»). Geological information already forms an essential basis for the further procedure in the planning of structures. If this information is combined with information from the other disciplines, a cross-disciplinary collaboration is enabled in planning phases and construction projects as well as during the operational phase of structures.
In an increasingly networked world, much of the geological information retained in plans, cross-sections and reports today can be exchanged in a harmonised and structured form. The advantages of using the BIM method for geology are, on the one hand, the professional cooperation with other disciplines involved in construction and, on the other hand, the benefit for geologists from harmonised and standardised information in the construction process.
GEOL_BIM web application
The achieved GEOL_BIM solution essentially consists of the components GEOL_ BIM data model and the developed IFC transformers (IFC Industry Foundation Classes), which enable an open standard for the exchange of building models.
The Swiss Geological Survey of swisstopo and the University of Applied Sciences of Northwestern Switzerland FHNW are responsible for project implementation under the direction of the Swiss Association of Geologists CHGEOL. Renowned offices, organisations and companies are involved in the GEOL_BIM project, as are a large number of qualified experts from FEDRO, CSD Engineers AG, Geoformer AG, GEOTEST, GeoMod, Geotechnik Schweiz, Jäckli Geologie, Lombardi AG, nagra, SBB, Schenker Richter Graf and the Foundation for Prevention of the Public Insurance Companies for Real Estate.