The design of healthcare facilities must comply with applicable regulatory requirements, which significantly influence functional, spatial, and performance aspects of healthcare buildings. However, compliance checking is still predominantly conducted through manual procedures, leading to time-consuming workflows and a high risk of errors. In this context, Computational Compliance Checking (CCC) offers the potential to enhance the efficiency and reliability of regulatory verification processes. The adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM), supported by the open standard Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), enables the formalisation of Information Delivery Specifications (IDS) as machine-interpretable rules for model validation. Additionally, the buildingSMART Data Dictionary (bSDD) contributes to the semantic structuring and classification of information requirements. This study explores how the IDS standard can enhance CCC processes by supporting the automated verification of regulatory requirements. Complementary solutions based on Python are proposed to address cases where IDS alone proves insufficient. A methodology for the semi-automated compliance checking of healthcare regulatory requirements is developed and applied to a case study based on regional regulations in the Veneto Region (Italy). Tested on the inpatient ward of a hospital BIM model, the procedure processed all 35 accreditation requirements, 91.4% through IDS and 8.6% through complementary Python routines, revealing several design non-conformities.
Giorgia Marcellino, C. Zanchetta, Michele Berlato et al.· Buildings· 0 citations
Construction cost estimation often relies on subjective expert judgment, which introduces variability and inconsistency. Standardizing data and procedures can improve reliability and enable repeatable workflows. This research investigates how price lists used for public construction can be semantically linked to Building Information Modeling (BIM) via the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard to support objective, repeatable, semi-automated model-to-cost estimation. By an inductive case-based design, the work uses Veneto Region price list and maps selected cost items to IFC properties. Six representative price list items (slabs, partition walls, plasterboards, plasters, doors, and windows) are examined to identify discriminating parameters (e.g., material, thickness, dimensions, fire rating) that are mappable to IFC entities and property sets. The methodology distinguishes primary charges from surcharges, then assesses the model-ability of parameters and their semantic coherence within BIM’s object-based paradigm. Findings show that through formalization and standardization of cost item characteristics via IFC properties, the approach reduces subjectivity, enabling structured and objective matching and laying the groundwork for future automated workflows. Limitations are discussed, including incomplete representation of some cost-driving attributes, reliance on naming conventions, and opportunities associated with Digital Product Passport implementation (DPP).
Giorgia Marcellino, P. M. Magalhães, C. Zanchetta· Buildings· 0 citations
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