**2. Building information modeling**

The roots of Building Information Modeling (BIM) can be traced back to the first ideas on how to use the concept of product models using various media in architectural designs [7], as reported by Russell and Elger [8] regarding the introduction of BIM into the AEC market. And following this evolution, the beginning of the Industry Alliance for Interoperability (IAI) in 1995, and from experiences established a standard for describing buildings, which would allow the exchange of information about buildings without the loss of their semantic information [8]. This working format is called Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) [9], having been published for the first time in 1997.

Following the definition of BIM by the US National Building Information Modeling Standard (NIBS 2012), BIM digitally represents the physical and functional characteristics of a building, enabling the collaboration of different

### *Using Augmented Reality in Different BIM Workflows DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99336*

stakeholders throughout the building's lifecycle to enter, update or modify information in the BIM model. BIM is always evolving, seeking to optimize technology according to the complexity of the processes applied in civil construction and the construction community is looking to innovate with BIM through specific workflow tools such as VR and AR that are being applied directly to solve real-world problems as installation verification and estimating [10].

The essence of building information modeling is the ability to add useful information [10] using BIM models that are more than geometric representations; therefore, they can be viewed in various dimensions, from 3D (design planning), 4D (scheduling), 5D (costing), 6D (life cycle information) and 7D (facility management) [11] (**Figure 2**) and, the data models used differ from each other according to the schema used both to organize the data and the schema language to transport the data.

The IFC data model it is an open and platform-neutral file format, facilitating interoperability in the architecture, engineering and construction industries, being used through specialized BIM programs and therefore with its own platforms such as Revit, ArchiCAD, Navisworks, Bentley, among many others. Since IFC is an open standard it enabled development of different translators from one data format to another, for example from IFC to XML [2].

#### **Figure 2.**

*Building information modeling enables communication, collaboration and visualization of BIM models throughout the building life cycle; from design and planning, through construction phase, and finally operations and maintenance.*
