A Component-Based Approach for Generation of 3 Dimensional CAD Models Using a Construction MODEL Component Database

In recent years, three-dimensional visualization technologies have been researched and applied for aiding the operations of design, planning, construction, etc. in construction engineering. A three-dimensional (3D) CAD model of a targeted facility or construction project is a requirement. Due to the uniqueness and custom features of construction products, their 3D models usually have to be built based on basic geometric modeling elements from scratch. Generally, this is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. In addition, the reusability of built 3D models is low. For improving efficiency in building 3D models and reusability of built 3D models, this research proposes a component-based approach for generation of 3D models using a construction model component database. A construction model component database is developed to store and provide 3D models of construction components, such as materials and equipments, to be queried and retrieved for generating global 3D models in construction engineering. A management interface of the database is developed for inserting and editing construction component models. A model building interface which utilizes the database for generating global 3D models based on search, selection, and then setting operation is also developed. The data format of 3D component models in the database is X3D for interoperability. Base on the proposed approach, 3D CAD models can be built more efficiently by instancing existing components in the database. In addition, built models can be decomposed into component models to be stored in the database for being reused.