Cypher4BIM: Releasing the Power of Graph for Building Knowledge Discovery

TL;DR

This paper introduces Cypher4BIM, a specialized graph query language designed for IFC-Graph data, enabling efficient querying of complex building information for applications like digital twins.

Contribution

It develops a tailored graph query language, Cypher4BIM, for IFC-Graph data, enhancing building information retrieval capabilities.

Findings

Cypher4BIM can query individual IFC instances.

It effectively retrieves complex relations like spatial structure.

Validated on five IFC models.

Abstract

Graph is considered a promising way for managing building information. A new graphic form of IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) data has just been developed, referred to as IFC-Graph. However, understanding of IFC-Graph is insufficient, especially for information query. This study aims to explore graphic building information query and develop a graph query language tailored for IFC-Graph. A series of tasks were carried out, including a) investigating the structure of IFC data and the main types of information in IFC, b) investigating the graph query language Cypher, and c) developing a set of tailored functional query patterns. The developed language is referred to as Cypher4BIM. Five IFC models were used for validation, and the result shows that Cypher4BIM can query individual instances and complex relations from IFC, such as spatial structure, space boundary, and space accessibility. This study contributes to applications that require effective building information query, such as digital twin.