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Efficient File-Naming Convention for Data Exchange in Construction Industry
Corresponding Author(s) : Jędrzej Pasalski
Geomatics and Environmental Engineering,
Vol. 19 No. 2 (2025): Geomatics and Environmental Engineering
Abstract
This paper aims to find common and universal naming convention for files to allow for the efficient exchange of data within the construction industry. Since building information management (BIM) has become a norm on the market and new technologies are rapidly driving the concept, there is a noticeable lack of unification in the deliveries of projects. The analysis focuses on exploring the most common naming conventions that have been mostly defined in the national standards and explores the widely adopted British National Annex 2 to BS EN ISO 19650-2:2018. Part of this research is a survey that was undertaken among professionals to understand the needs and habits that are related to file-naming. Furthermore, the ergonomics, comfort of use, and information capacity of the naming system were examined. Based on all of these, the authors suggest an optimal file-naming convention for building construction projects, which should help the industry in efficiency gains. In the future, there is the potential of developing a form to define project needs at the very start or tools for checking naming compliance with a proposed structure.
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References
Mischke J., Stokvis K., Vermeltfoort K., Biemans B.: Delivering on construction productivity is no longer optional. McKinsey & Company, August 9, 2024. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/deliveringon-construction-productivity-is-no-longer-optional#/ [access: 27.10.2024].
Brown J.: Tech-Clarity Perspective: Best Practices for Managing Design Data: How Effective Data Management Fundamentals Enable World-Class Product Development. Tech-Clarity, Cincinnati, OH, USA, 2012.
Huang Y., Butler A., Gardner N., Haeusler M.H.: Lost in translation: Achieving semantic consistency of name-identity in BIM, [in:] Stojaković V., Tepavčević B. (eds.), ECAADe 2021: Towards a New, Configurable Architecture: Proceedings: The 39th Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe: Hybrid Conference, 8th–10th September 2021, Novi Sad, Serbia, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad. Volume 2, University of Novi Sad, pp. 9–20. https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.ecaade.2021.2.009.
Chen K., Lu W., Wang H., Niu Y., Huang G.G.: Naming objects in BIM: A convention and a semiautomatic approach. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, vol. 143(7), 2017, pp. 06017001–06017001-6. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001314.
Abualdenien J., Borrmann A.: Levels of detail, development, definition, and information need: A critical literature review. Journal of Information Technology in Construction, vol. 27, 2022, pp. 363–392. https://doi.org/10.36680/j.itcon.2022.018.
Royano V., Gibert V., Serrat C., Rapinski J.: Analysis of classification systems for the built environment: Historical perspective, comprehensive review and discussion. Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 67, 2023, 105911. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.105911.
Afsari K., Eastman C.M.: A comparison of construction classification systems used for classifying building product models, [in:] 52nd ASC Annual International Conference Proceedings, Associated Schools of Construction, Provo, UT, USA, 2016. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.20388.27529.
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Salvado F., Silva M., Couto P., Azevedo Á.: Standardization of BIM objects: Development of a proposal for Portugal. Open Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 6(3), 2016, pp. 469–474. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojce.2016.63039.
British Standards Institution (BSI): Organization and digitization of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling (BIM) – Information management using building information modelling – Part 1: Concepts and principles (BS EN ISO 19650-1:2018). December 2018. https://www.iso.org/standard/68078.html [access: 27.10.2024].
British Standards Institution (BSI): Organization and digitization of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling (BIM) – Information management using building information modelling – Part 2: Delivery phase of the assets (BS EN ISO 19650-2:2018). December 2018. https://www.iso.org/standard/68080.html [access: 27.10.2024].
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Hong Kong Institute of Building Information Modelling: BIM Project Specification (Rev 3.0). June 2011. https://www.scribd.com/document/377096701/HKIBIM-Specification-Rev3-0 [access: 27.10.2024].
Resource Centre for Technologies and Innovation in Construction (CRTI-B): Luxembourg BIM Application Guide. Version 1.0 EN. June 2018. https://www.digitalbuilding.lu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Guide-BIM-Luxembourg__V1-0-EN-1.pdf [access: 27.10.2024].
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Kreider R.G., Messner J.I.: The Uses of BIM: Classifying and Selecting BIM Uses. Version 0.9. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA, 2013.
Bloomberg M.R., Burney D.J., Resnick D.: BIM Guidelines. New York Department of Design and Construction, New York 2012.
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Uniclass [delivered by National Building Specification (NBS)]. https://uniclass.thenbs.com/ [access: 27.10.2024].
Construction Classification International Collaboration (CCIC). https://cci-collaboration.org/ [access: 27.10.2024].
Nacionalinis Statybos Informacijos Klasifikatorius (NSIK). https://www.nsiklab.lt/nsik_ontologijos.html [access: 27.10.2024].
Cornell D., Drew C.: 11 Encoding Examples (Psychology). Helpful Professor, January 3, 2024. https://helpfulprofessor.com/encoding-examples/ [access: 27.10.2024].
Fincher S.A., Robins A.V. (eds.): The Cambridge Handbook of Computing Education Research. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2019. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108654555.
Kleider H.M., Pezdek K., Goldinger S.D., Kirk A.: Schema-driven source misattribution errors: Remembering the expected from a witnessed event. Applied Cognitive Psychology, vol. 22(1), 2008, pp. 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.1361.
Gillund G., Shiffrin R.M.: A retrieval model for both recognition and recall. Psychological Review, vol. 91(1), 1984, pp. 1–67. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.91.1.1.
Thalmann M., Souza A.S., Oberauer K.: How does chunking help working memory?. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning Memory and Cognition, vol. 45(1), 2019, pp. 37–55. https://doi.org/10.1037/xlm0000578.
Miller G.A.: The magical number seven, plus or minus two: Some limits on our capacity for processing information. Psychological Review, vol. 63(2), 1956, pp. 81–97. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0043158.
Żórawski J.: O budowie formy architektonicznej. Arkady, Warszawa 1962.
Quirk V.: The 100 Largest Architecture Firms in the World. ArchDaily, February 11, 2013. https://www.archdaily.com/330759/the-100-largest-architecture-firms-in-the-world [access: 27.10.2024].