Extended Ifc-Based Strong Form Meshfree Collocation Analysis Of A Bridge Structure

Building Information Modeling (BIM)-based finite element analysis is challenging owing to inefficiencies, such as the manual meshing/remeshing process performed by experts and excessive analysis-related information due to different input points and result nodes. To overcome these limitations, we proposed a new analysis framework that integrates the meshfree analysis method into the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)-based bridge model. We added the IFC entities to manage information for the bridge structures and meshfree analysis based on the IFC extension concept. We developed modules for generating the bridge model based on the proposed schema. The data required for meshfree analysis were presented through the extraction and conversion process from the IFC model. Finally, the proposed framework was applied to the stress analysis of the bridge structure to demonstrate the efficiency of the method. As a result, we confirmed the possibility of seamless information exchange and interoperability between the architectural and structural analysis models.