# Charting Past, Present, and Future Research in the Semantic Web and Interoperability
## 5 Co-Citation Clustering Analysis
### Building Information Modeling  
The fifth cluster includes studies that focus on the interplay between the semantic web and building modeling information (BIM). According to [114], semantic web technologies are a fruitful addition to existing technologies such as BIM software environments and the IFC (industry foundation classes) specification in EXPRESS, which is a language for defining data structures. The authors of [115] argue that deploying the description language IFC enables BIM systems to provide building information in a widely interoperable format. Due to the complexity and diversity of domain knowledge across BIM and GIS (geographic information systems), syntactic approaches cannot completely exchange semantic information specific to each system. However, through a common language for sharing, as is provided by IFC, it is possible to achieve semantic interoperability between diverse BIM and GIS applications [115]. The authors of [116] note that the lack of interoperability across the BIM and geospatial domains can be resolved by the ability of semantic web technology to convey meaning that is interpretable by construction project participants. Investigating these capabilities of the semantic web, ref. [116] translates a building's elements and GIS data into a semantic web data format and employs a collection of standardized ontologies for construction operations to integrate and query the heterogeneous temporal and spatial data. Similarly, ref. [117] aims to extend the semantic interoperability between BIM and GIS by proposing an approach consisting of three main steps: ontology construction, semantic integration through interoperable data formats and standards, and the query of heterogeneous information sources. The suggested approach helps to enhance data sharing and integration between BIM and GIS. It ensures the seamless integration of building- and construction-related data via a new ontology based on the EXPRESS schema. More recently, ref. [118] reviewed the integration of BIM and IoT devices and emphasized that this combination can realize the maximum potential of using semantic web technologies for the real-time monitoring and assessment of building performance. Even though the extant literature has highlighted the potential of integrating BIM and semantic web technologies to meet the needs for storing, exchanging, and utilizing heterogeneous datasets, a particular focus on how to address information overload in IoT deployments and standardize construction process data, prefabrication data from suppliers, and tracking data from the IoT to comply with local codes and regulations in the construction industry is required [118]. Furthermore, more research is needed to understand the role of semantic web technologies in serving as a critical foundation for building digital twins for the sustainability assessment of constructions [119]. It is vital to look into more practical use cases for the research into the integrated use of BIM and the semantic web in building lifecycles [39]. Information integration and management require standards to minimize the cost and time of sorting large and heterogeneous datasets and ensure the effective development of IoT- and BIM-enabled smart environments [118].