Tolerance management domain model for semantic enrichment of BIMs

Dimensional variability of components and assemblies in construction can lead to significant defects, rework, and project risk if not managed effectively. Given the complexity of using tolerance management to control dimensional variability, an automated BIM-based approach is highly propitious, while currently elusive. This paper develops the first iteration of a domain model for tolerance management (ToleranceDM) using two case study examples within the domain of building construction. The results are shown to (1) consolidate the scattered, disparate existing “knowledge” and research on tolerance management into a single standardised, uniform framework, and (2) formalise this knowledge so that it can be unambiguously interpreted and parsed into software systems for automated tolerance management in construction. ToleranceDM functions as a key step towards benchmarking process capabilities, computing tolerance compliance automatically, and enabling in-field communication of tolerance requirements. Future research should explore case studies in different construction domains, along with developing an improved abduction framework and integrating as-built project data for tolerance compliance checking.