Integrating BIM with System Dynamics as a Decision-making Framework for Sustainable Building Design and Operation

The objective of the research described in this paper is to integrate a decision-making framework for sustainable design of buildings with a Building Information Modeling (BIM) tool. Integration of a BIM model with a decision-making tool and sustainability metrics addresses the difficulties of making decisions earlier in the design/build process, and allows for specific sustainability trade-off analyses to be conducted, using the actual building conditions and characteristics. It is intended to improve the way data is utilized in a building throughout its life cycle, and to model the impact of design, maintenance, operations, and occupant behavior modification decisions made in an effort to improve the building’s contribution to a sustainable infrastructure. Pertinent information contained within a BIM model is extracted, and utilized in decision-making related to operations, maintenance, and upgrades, and the development of ‘what-if ’ scenarios. Decision-makers will be able to evaluate options for improving their building’s environmental sustainability performance. The research provides a new means for sharing data amongst various building modeling programs, and a new tool for making design decisions related to sustainable building design.