A research towards completing the asset information life cycle

Abstract

This thesis research for the Master of Science programme Geographical Information Management and Applications looks at the possibilities of completing the asset information life cycle at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Therefor an analysis was made of the current situation, after a literature research was conducted towards the subjects of data exchange and Building Information Modelling (BIM). The insights in data exchange principles are needed to understand the potential problems in completing the asset information life cycle. At the moment as-built information is delivered to SGIS, but not re-used in new projects. The most important problems are caused by systems that are not able to communicate with each other and data structures that are different by nature because of its native software. BIM is a topic that currently gets much attention in the world of design and construction. From their perspective BIM deals with another way of executing design and construction, where collaboration and integration are the key words. In practice BIM has a broader scope and can be defined as, being a process in which relevant actors collaborate on creating, analysing and managing multiple dimension data within a dynamic model representing one or more assets throughout its/their life cycle. For this thesis research the new data model for asset information at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Schiphol GIS or SGIS, was analysed. SGIS replaces four other systems that contained all asset information at Schiphol, but that also contained double and inconsistent information. With SGIS these problems must belong to the past. The data model mostly contains 2D or 2½D data of all assets, including the most relevant information on the asset. SGIS also communicates, or will do so within two years, with three other systems that as a complex are the back bone of the asset management process at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. There are currently two problems with completing the asset information life cycle. The first problem is getting the information from the 3D model to SGIS. To solve this problem a workflow is suggested. This workflow includes an export to the open standard IFC from the original 3D AEC modelling software. A small addition to SGIS has to be made therefor, to be able to support the 3D geometries that are coming from that software. The second problem is to get the information back from the operations and maintenance phase to a new design phase. Currently the most optimal solution seems to re-use the received IFC file and to add a DWG containing the changed geometries. Thereby it needs to be mentioned that the multi-patch objects from SGIS will be exploded to individual faces. The preferred solution would have been to work from one central (spatial) database, but that is technically not possible yet. The problems are caused by the fact that AEC (3D modelling) software and GIS do not share a common geometric data model. Additionally it needs to be researched what the actual information demand is for the design phase. In the current situation information gets lost after the exchange from construction to operations and maintenance, because the information need in those phases is less detailed. With the suggested solutions and changes/additions to SGIS it is possible to complete the asset information life cycle for Schiphol and the relevant stakeholders and main-contractors. An inventory of the necessary resources to plan these changes still needs to be made.