SQL Relational Database Usage for Integration Between BIM Models and Quantity Take-Off Platforms

With the aim of integrating BIM models and information management systems, such as quantity take-off (QTO) systems in new buildings, it becomes increasingly important checking the use of databases for information storage. While the IFC standard can serve as a data container, its text file format is not designed for data integration with other systems. This paper explores transforming IFC data into an SQL relational database by considering the object-based inheritance hierarchy and the relationships among IFC entities. The methodology of storing IFC data within a relational database with the schema of ifcSQL is tested to demonstrate its capability to store multiple models in a single database. The study examines the information storage capabilities to verify the database’s actual potential. The experimentation section details how the database is queried to extract desired information for QTO, illustrating the efficiency and effectiveness of this approach. Comparing this method with traditional approaches, the paper highlights the innovative potential of using ifcSQL for managing IFC data. The ifcSQL database allows better CRUD (create, read, update, delete) operations, enhancing the interchangeability and accessibility of IFC data. By leveraging the relational database structure, it ensures data integrity and reduces the risk of information loss during format conversion between different software applications.