Automatic rule-based checking of building designs

This paper surveys rule checking systems that assess building designs according to various criteria. We examine five major industrial efforts in detail. all relying on IFC building models as input. The functional capabilities of a rule checking system are organized into four stages; these functional criteria provide a framework for comparisons of the five systems. The review assesses both the technology and structure of building design rule checking, as an assessment of this new emerging field. The development of rule checking systems for building is very young and only limited user experience is presented. The survey lays out a framework for considering research needed for this area to mature. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.