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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/I034270/1
Title: CloudBIM: Exploring the Feasibility and Potential for Cloud Research in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction Sector
Principal Investigator: Rezgui, Professor Y
Other Investigators:
Rana, Professor O
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Bentley Systems Ltd BRE Group (Building Res Establishment) Modern Built Environment
Rutgers State University of New Jersey Wakemans Ltd
Department: Sch of Engineering
Organisation: Cardiff University
Scheme: Standard Research
Starts: 01 February 2011 Ends: 14 October 2011 Value (£): 72,253
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Construction Ops & Management eScience
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Construction
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
09 Dec 2010 Cloud Computing for Research Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
The AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) industry is a highly fragmented data intensive project-based industry depending on a large number of very different professions and firms, with strong data sharing requirement across lifecycle stages from concept design to demolition. The process of designing, re-purposing, constructing and operating a building involves not only the traditional disciplines (Structure, Mechanical & Electrical, etc.) but also many new professions in areas such as energy, environment, waste, and assisted living with large data sharing requirements. In this context, data management support for the project lifecycle tends to be fragmented with a lack of an overall (project wide) data management policy. Additionally, data sets relating to a particular project can often be stored in: (i) local computers of designers/architects - often with limited network connectivity, persistence and availability; (ii) independently managed, single company-owned archives - where access is dictated by a company specific policy or by a charging model; (iii) shared archives owned by a consortium, often in the context of a particular building project - based, at best, on access policy associated with the project. The CloudBIM proposal explores the feasibility and potential for utilizing Cloud capability to address data storage and processing needs of stakeholders in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) sector, with a view of delivering a cloud platform for research. CloudBIM will involve close consultation and interaction with major participants in the area to assess stakeholders' perceptions about outsourced, virtualized Cloud storage for supporting multi-site, multi-team collaborative projects. A prototype cloud platform (based on CometCloud - www.cometcloud.org) and associated governance model will be developed and made available to the AEC research community. The project will deliver several reports based on a number of people-based activities, involving BRE (Building Research Establishment) and MBEKTN (Modern Built Environment Knowledge Transfer Network), along with a prototype using real project case studies BIM (Building Information Model) data to be provided by Bentley. A key outcome will be to spur a wide range of research-oriented activities through a strategic roadmap aimed at the exploitation of the resulting CloudBIM platform.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Impacts
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Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
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Project URL: http://cloudbim.engineering.cf.ac.uk
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.cf.ac.uk