Building Information Modelling, Semantic Web Technology, and Life Cycle Assessment

The main theoretical foundations supporting the research include Building Information Modelling (BIM), Semantic Web Technology (SWT), and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The definitions, components, and maturity levels of BIM, BIM-enabled data models, and modelling environments supporting the research are discussed in this chapter. The potentialities of BIM in supporting construction waste quantification, including information management, automated quantity estimation, parametric modelling, interoperability with external applications, and collaborative environments, are highlighted. Besides, the SWT, an extension of traditional web architecture, its concepts and architecture, ontology and its components, ontology modelling languages, and methods supporting the research are added to the discussion. The functionalities of SWT in representing a standard data structure, logical semantic inference, seamless integration with BIM, and their application in the research are also highlighted. Finally, the chapter discusses the applications of LCA attributes supporting the research. The attributes discussed include the systematic approach, comprehensive and granular reporting, and data-driven decision-making.