The use of product model data in building construction process

For the different parties of a building construction project, product modelling is an efficient datamanagement method. Product model based data can be utilised and exchanged in various ways in and between different sectors of design, construction site management, and product industry. The product models of the different parties in a construction project can be integrated into a shared model which is augmented with data as the project progresses. In designing, both common product libraries and company-specific product libraries are used, enabling the transfer of product data from design to manufacturing. Creating guidelines for architectural, structural and HVAC design is necessary in order to make sure that data is stored in a concise way and that each designer can make use of the other designers’ plans. In addition to design guidelines, another important prerequisite for this is IFC, a data transmission standard that allows information to be trustworthily stored and transferred between different software. Product model based construction process has been tested in several pilot projects where the results have been promising. Developing common principles and operating methods further will speed up and streamline product modelling in the building construction industry. As a whole, a product model-based process will improve companies’ customer service, productivity, and construction quality.