BIM-IFC Information Organization and Lifecycle Data Interoperability for Reinforced Concrete Structures
In the digital transformation of the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is increasingly understood as an information management framework rather than a geometric modeling tool. For reinforced concrete (RC) structures, major discontinuities persist between design, construction, as-built delivery, operation, and retrofit stages, limiting the long-term value of BIM implementations. This paper adopts a practice-informed framework development approach, combining direct field experience in structural assessment with analysis of ISO 19650, IFC 4.3.x (ISO 16739-1), IDS 1.0, and relevant literature. Field evidence from structural inspection practice in Vietnam demonstrates that three categories of information—concrete quality records, load history, and as-built information—are systematically unavailable at the time of assessment, forcing engineers to rely on costly destructive investigation. On that basis, a five-layer BIM-IFC information framework is proposed, whose main contribution is an Extended Technical Data Layer (ETDL) for structural reassessment, retrofit planning, durability management, structural health monitoring, and forensic investigation. The paper further clarifies how ETDL attributes can be represented within IFC-compatible workflows through extended properties, derived indicators, and linked lifecycle records. A prototype implementation using Autodesk Revit, IFC-based information exchange, and lifecycle information workflows is presented to demonstrate technical feasibility. The proposed framework offers a practical maturity pathway for Vietnamese RC practice and supports the transition from project-centric BIM models toward asset-oriented information management for sustainable lifecycle decision-making.