Enhancing The Plant Layout Design Process Using X3dom And A Scalable Web3d Service Architecture

This paper presents an innovative model-driven architecture enabling 3D web-based design processes in the field of large complex building (LBC) projects, such as power plant construction. This work was motivated by proposing new ways of achieving 3D CAD tasks not only for highly complex and temporary organization in the design stages but also for the whole lifecycle of such installations, which may last several decades. in this particular scenario, it is very important to share the right information with the right stakeholder at the right time, to maintain a high level of knowledge sharing. Taking into account these challenges, we propose a first implementation of interactive 3D CAD editing tools, based on the X3DOM technology and driven by a knowledge layer which utilizes a complete reference data and rules management system. To store the CAD models, a Macro-Parametric Approach has been investigated and a 3D server has been added to the traditional PDM (Product or Plant Data Management) to execute remotely complex CAD operations. This is a very promising start to deploy lightweight and smart web3D CAD editing services for the AEC (Architecture Engineering Construction) and power industries.