Integrating BIM and Game Engine for Simulation Interactive Life Cycle Analysis Visualization: Fid-Bau Portal

Integrating BIM and Game Engine for Simulation Interactive Life Cycle Analysis Visualization

Omaran, Sagid M. / Alghamdi, Abdulaziz A. / Alharishawi, Salam C. / Hains, Decker B.

This paper describes the implementation of building information modeling (BIM) and life-cycle cost (LCC) analysis in the development of a BIM-game prototype. The authors address the interoperability of the game engine and use LCC analysis to enhance visualization and education. Inexperienced owners or stakeholders have difficulty understanding the relationship between initial cost and LCC, and therefore typically choose the initial value, which seems economical from their point of view. The primary objective of this paper, however, was to create a BIM-game prototype that helps owners, stakeholders, or students visualize and quickly understand the relationship between LCC and initial cost. To this end, the authors create a BIM-game prototype that integrates BIM with a game engine simulation (i.e., Unity 3D) into an LCC analysis visualization. The BIM-game prototype allows users to navigate their building environments with the capability of simulating the LCC. The elements of the system are a combination from among many fields including architecture, engineering, computer programming, and game development. These elements connect various areas such as building modeling, animation, navigation, and collision detection. Changing the materials and adding construction accessories simultaneously improved the LCC and the interaction of game engine controllers and the player’s interface. Finally, the authors developed a survey to evaluate the effectiveness of the BIM-game prototype. The results show significant potential for using the system in future projects.