Research
UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS
AECO is working with Mitacs to deliver a multi-year research project investigating how technology and automation can assist regulatory agencies in developing digital twins for their jurisdictions.
RESEARCH CASE STUDIES
Our unique collaborative R&D platform allows us involve multiple stakeholders in research, and turn the research into practical solutions. We are known for our ability to rapidly turn insights into action, bringing innovative products to market faster than ever before.
PROJECTS
New Edition of BIM Contract Appendix
The BIM Contract Appendix (IBC 100-2014) removed hurdles that had previously existed and improved collaboration, coordination, and efficiency within project teams by reducing uncertainty and risk around the application of BIM on projects. This new edition provided clarity to key concepts, offered practical solutions to challenges, and introduced terminology designed to harmonize with CCDC and ISO 19650.
BIM & GIS
The interoperability between BIM and GIS was explored both theoretically and through working demonstrations using real project examples. The importance of integrating these data silos became increasingly crucial as municipalities and owners worked toward the goal of City Information Models and Digital Twins. To achieve interoperability, the similarities and differences of BIM and GIS data structures were examined, along with the types of attribute data. Furthermore, the long-term access to data to support the full lifecycle process relied heavily on openBIM and openGIS, which formed the foundation of the whitepaper and project explorations
Digital Twin Use Cases
This project collaboration between Carleton Immersive Lab, AECO Innovation Lab, and the bSC National Infrastructure Council explored all the possible use cases of digital twins and city information models. The diversity of this collaboration brought fruitful discussions, uncovered many opportunities for owners and municipalities, and explored how BIM and digital twins impacted the full building lifecycle, from planning to development approvals to managing built assets more effectively.
Digital Twin Readiness Index
This is a Mitacs project with ETS to build a tool for bSC to rate digital twin readiness. There is a lot of interest by owners in digital twin but a lack of clarity in how digital twins can be leveraged. The DT Readiness Index is a tool that owners can use to help shape their own digital transformation to obtain and prepare for the planning, procurement, delivery, and use of digital twins.
BIM and ISO 19650 Adoption Report
There is a need for bSC membership as well as organizations, companies, associations, government bodies, and industry sectors to understand the general competence and adoption of BIM and ISO 19650 in Canada. This project will build on the previous BIM Surveys and Reports to provide current insights into these key areas.
Digital Twin for Decarbonization
This is a Mitacs project with ETS to build a tool for bSC to rate digital twin’s use for a variety of sustainability goals. There is a lot of interest by owners and government bodies in decarbonization and other improvements needed to combat climate change. This tool will bring clarity to how digital twins can be leveraged.
Digital Seals for BIM
Digital seal and authentication for 2D PDFs has been successfully implemented, however the digital transformation toward Model as Legal Document (MALD) required seal and authentication of 3D BIM. This research project inventoried all the existing jurisdictions that have implemented MALD and if or how they have sealed and authenticated the BIM. It explored the technical aspects of validation and authentication of data and data exchange.
PARTNER
Review of Development Application Processes in Major Ontario Cities
This collaboration between AECO Innovation Lab and Toronto Metropolitan University explored development approvals processes across Ontario in an attempt to parametrize the process. This project reviewed understanding the similarities and differences between different municipalities, the various forms, drawings, and other information required, and more in an effort to develop a common set of data fields and help streamline processes province-wide.
Developing an IDS Checker for Automating Code Compliance with BIM
With researchers from York University, this project investigated how IDS (Information Delivery Specifications) can help enhance the validation of code compliance. This included identifying the required information, structuring that information within the BIM (Building Information Modelling) environment to ensure that the information within the BIM model can be found, analyzed, and validated against code requirements.
Encoding Regulatory Standards, Bylaws, and Policies to Automate the Analysis of Development Approval Applications
The development approvals process consists of many complex regulations determining which requirements apply to specific projects. These can be unpredictable for applicants and often take a long time, adding significant delays and costs. Understanding what is needed as early as possible in the development approval process is key; this can be done by automating the analysis of development approval applications by encoding the relevant standards, bylaws, and policies.