Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) Concepts and Principles Guide
Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)

IFC Limitations

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Like any other technology, IFC is not infallible and faces challenges in its implementation. Studies have shown the following limitations.

  • There can be a Loss of Information during conversion from proprietary software. [36, 37, 38,  39].

  • IFC Schema lacks attributes for describing dynamic data, such as if a door is closed or open which hinders the possibility of Internet of Things (IoT) interaction [40].

  • IFC implementation by software manufacturers is geared towards an expert class of users [21].

  • There is a lack of connectivity detail between MEP components [41].

  • Researchers have also identified the myth in the industry that any IFC-compliant model, exported by any IFC-Certified software could be directly used within any other IFC-based tool. This is due to designers following their own unofficial rules when modelling, and different software implementing IFC in different ways and not producing the same exported product in all cases [42].

The journey of Interoperability achieved through IFC is represented by Fig 3.

Fig 3: A Journey of Interoperability by IFC

  • [21]      Gerbino S, Cieri L, Rainieri C, Fabbrocino G. On BIM Interoperability via the IFC Standard: An Assessment from the Structural Engineering and Design Viewpoint. Applied Sciences 2021; 11:11430. https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311430.

    [36]      Noardo F, Arroyo Ohori K, Krijnen T, Stoter J. An Inspection of IFC Models from Practice. Applied Sciences 2021; 11:2232. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052232.

    [37]      Choi J, Lee S, Kim I. Development of Quality Control Requirements for Improving the Quality of Architectural Design Based on BIM. Applied Sciences 2020; 10:7074. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10207074.

    [38]      Xu Z, Huang T, Li B, Li H, Li Q. Developing an IFC-Based Database for Construction Quality Evaluation. Advances in Civil Engineering 2018; 2018:3946051. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/3946051.

    [39]      Karadeniz Technical University, Temel BA, Başağa HB. Investigation of IFC file format for BIM based automated code compliance checking. JCEMI 2020; 3:113–30. https://doi.org/10.31462/jcemi.2020.02113130.

    [40]      Ruiz-Zafra A, Benghazi K, Noguera M. IFC+: Towards the integration of IoT into early stages of building design. Automation in Construction 2022; 136:104129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2022.104129.

    [41]      Xiao Y-Q, Li S-W, Hu Z-Z. Automatically Generating a MEP Logic Chain from Building Information Models with Identification Rules. Applied Sciences 2019; 9:2204. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9112204.

    [42]      Noardo F, Wu T, Arroyo Ohori K, Krijnen T, Stoter J. IFC models for semi-automating common planning checks for building permits. Automation in Construction 2022; 134:104097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2021.104097.

    Fig 3: Adapted from Elshani D, Wortmann T, Staab S. Towards Better Co-Design with Disciplinary Ontologies: Review and Evaluation of Data Interoperability in the AEC Industry. LDAC 2022: 10th Linked Data in Architecture and Construction Workshop, 2022