Strategies for adaptive BIM modelling

(March 2025) | The European Construction Sector Observatory regularly assesses the state of digitalisation across the EU construction industry, identifying key drivers and challenges. Recent statistics have revealed major discrepancies in maturity and adoption of digitalisation not only among EU Member States but also between different technologies and phases of the construction process ^[1,2].

As in other European countries, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is emerging in Italy as a response to industry challenges such as market fragmentation, insufficient standardisation, long and uncoordinated supply chains and limited data availability. With the progressive integration of BIM modelling into Italian public procurement procedures [Ministerial Decree no. 312/2021], the processes of digital surveying and parametric modelling of existing building heritage are becoming increasingly widespread and essential. However, these processes often remain inefficient for users (industry professionals and businesses) due to the complexity of data management, potentially leading to a loss of economic value.

The “Building and Construction” industrial specialisation system is of strategic importance for the Emilia-Romagna Region (RER). Within this system, the supply chain segment that requires the greatest efficiency improvements is that of surveying, digitalisation, BIM modelling and the application of BIM models in building redevelopment projects.

To meet these needs, the AIM-eBIM (Adapted Information Management for existing Building Information Modelling) project has been launched in accordance with the European Digital Strategy and the Emilia-Romagna Region’s Digital Agenda 2020-2025, which promotes the digital transformation of companies by leveraging emerging technological drivers. Funded by the Emilia-Romagna Region with European resources under the ERDF 2021–2027 programme, AIM-eBIM aims to implement digitalisation within the construction supply chain and optimise data management over its entire life cycle, from creation through to processing, integration, transfer and archiving.

Continuing the work carried out as part of the e-BIM project (existing Building Information Modelling), funded through the 2014–2020 ERDF regional programme, AIM-eBIM seeks to address the challenges of managing large volumes of often underutilised or low-quality data. The project aims to develop protocols that allow for a more effective and adaptable use of data.

Launched on 5 February last year, the AIM-eBIM project has a duration of 30 months and consists of four stages. The first stage involves analysing digital acquisition tools and the primary challenges associated with model utilisation. This will be followed by the development of thematic data organisation criteria, segmenting information by materials, components, morphologies/structures, conservation and energy aspects. The next step will involve implementation of BIM models based on an adaptive parametric approach to thematic data organisation. Finally, the digital workflow will be tested on case studies, applying the methodology to portions of selected buildings and defining application frameworks and information properties for different intervention strategies.

AIM-eBIM is coordinated by TekneHub at the University of Ferrara in collaboration with several Advanced Technology Network laboratories: CRICT (Interdepartmental Research and Innovation Centre for Construction and Environmental Services) at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, CIDEA (Interdepartmental Centre for Energy and Environment) at the University of Parma, CIRI EC (Interdepartmental Centre for Applied Research on Buildings and Construction) at the University of Bologna, and Centro Ceramico. TekneHub, CRICT and CIDEA contribute expertise in integrated surveying, digitalisation, parametric modelling and critical data analysis for existing buildings, working alongside the companies Inception, Politecnica and Safe. CIRI EC and Centro Ceramico focus on the analytical development of structural systems, materials and components within a parametric environment in partnership with 2Si and Tonalite.

The AIM-eBIM project is expected to bring substantial benefits to the construction supply chain, particularly for manufacturers of building materials such as ceramic tiles and bricks. By promoting digital transformation processes, it will optimise data management and improve the reliability and quality of information.

The project is expected to reduce the costs of surveying (through process optimisation) and of modelling (the streamlined segmentation procedures will accelerate the extraction of meaningful data for specific applications). It may also benefit professionals and public administrations involved in building redevelopment, while also meeting the growing requirements for BIM adoption in public procurement.

^[1] Improving the human capital basis, Analytical Report March 2020, European Construction Sector Observatory.
^[2] Digitalisation in the construction sector, Analytical Report April 2021, European Construction Sector Observatory.

Authors:

Valeria La Torre e Maria Chiara Bignozzi,  Centro Ceramico – Sassuolo (MO)
Federica Maietti, TEKNEHUB, Tecnopolo di Ferrara
Cristina Castagnetti, CRICT, Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca e per i Servizi nel settore delle Costruzioni e del Territorio, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Luca Pozza, CIRI EC, Centro Interdipartimentale per la Ricerca Industriale Edilizia e Costruzioni, Università di Bologna
Chiara Vernizzi, CIDEA, Centro Interdipartimentale per l’energia e l’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Parma