# OpenBIM: An Enabling Solution for Information Interoperability
## 4 Engineering Information Interoperability Research Supported by OpenBIM
### Information Query  
In addition to using openBIM for information representation, more operations can be performed on the subsequent processing of engineering information with openBIM. The standards, such as IFC, IFD, and BCF, can be used in querying information to realize data retrieval and analysis. For example, [PERSON] et al. presented a framework based on a domain specific and open query language which can be used to select, update and delete the data stored in IFC. An outline of existing approaches, conceptual sketches were provided, and the implementation status was recorded as a prototype plugin which was developed for bimserver.org [20]. To speed up topological queries among building elements, [PERSON] et al. used IFC as a new topology driving method, and proposed a new schema called the Graph Data Model (GDM), through which 3D objects such as building elements could be mapped into a set of nodes, and their relationships could be converted to a set of edges by using IFC standard. In addition, a new IFC-based algorithm was used to deduce the topological relationships among building elements [27]. Due to the difficulty of obtaining civil engineering and building model objects represented by LandXML schema and IFC respectively using linkage manner based on shape information, [PERSON] proposed an effective method of BIM-integrated object query using LandXML and IFC through an object query method based on the BIM linkage model. In addition, the object type and simple query language were defined [10]. Moreover, [PERSON] et al. proposed an efficient method of extracting and querying information from BIM models by combing ifcXML and spatial XML data, which can save time and reduce errors of extracting information manually [28].  
In addition to use openBIM only, some other advanced technologies, such as database technology, natural language processing, and machine learning, can also be combined with openBIM to solve information query issues. For example, combining the advantage of traditional relational databases, [PERSON] et al. developed an innovative object-relational IFC server which can improve query performance of traditional IFC servers [29]. [PERSON] et al. proposed an approach to realize intelligent data retrieval and representation based on natural language processing. The proposed concepts \"keywords\" and \"constraints\" can be mapped in IFC entities or properties through IFD to enable data retrieval and analysis [30]. [PERSON] et al. proposed machine learning steps to extract and process BCF data. A conceptual framework of queryable knowledge discovery system was introduced to integrate knowledge for future problem prediction [31].  
Intelligent information query can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of traditional information query. The data standards provided by openBIM play an indispensable role in intelligent information query process. The combination of intelligent technologies such as natural language processing and machine learning with openBIM standards is a very interesting research direction of information query. The framework of information query supported by openBIM and other advanced technologies is shown in Figure 11.  
Figure 10: openBIM for information representation.