LEAN-BIM SYNERGY IN THE CONSTRUCTION DESIGN PHASE: AUTO-GENERATION AND EVALUATION OF THERMAL ALTERNATIVES

This study explores the integration of Lean principles with Building Information Modeling (BIM) to enhance decision-making in the relatively unexplored field of thermal design for construction projects. Recognizing the limitations of current design processes, characterized by insufficient alternatives and a lack of team collaboration, we introduce a new decision-making tool. This tool centers on a breakthrough framework and algorithm that bridge BIM with Lean techniques. It facilitates the automatic generation and evaluation of insulation material alternatives for residential buildings by integrating the Pleiades software database and Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) BIM data. Our study details an automated process for selecting insulation materials through an iterative, criteria-based approach that systematically identifies the three most viable solutions using Set-Based Design methods. It then selects the optimal one by examining and evaluating their criteria according to the project’s needs based on energy efficiency, profitability, and sustainability through the Choosing By Advantages method. Additionally, by incorporating Big Room and BIM, our tool promotes enhanced communication and collaboration from the outset of the design phase, underscoring the significance of this integration in automating and optimizing thermal engineering projects.