An ontology-based automatic layout design for cabin hospitals

Abstract

The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has significantly transformed the construction industry, with Building Information Modeling (BIM) emerging as a revolutionary advancement. BIM's shift from traditional 2D design methods to sophisticated 3D modeling offers a comprehensive digital representation of a building's physical and functional characteristics, promising enhanced efficiency, reduced errors, and improved collaboration among project stakeholders. However, the adoption of BIM, particularly in the context of designing cabin hospitals, presents unique challenges such as the need for precise coordination among diverse aspects, integration of complex medical requirements. This research addresses these challenges by developing an ontology-based automatic layout design method aimed at enhancing the resilience and efficiency of cabin hospitals. The proposed framework leverages ontology to encapsulate the relationships and attributes of essential components within the BIM environment, facilitating a more robust, flexible, and efficient design methodology. This project has demonstrated significant improvements in design efficiency, reduced trials and errors, and control construction and operational costs at the early stage compared to traditional methods. The research contributes to the broader field of construction management and healthcare facility design by providing a practical, ontology-based solution to the complex challenges of designing cabin hospitals. This thesis provides valuable insights and practical solutions for the design of cabin hospitals, emphasizing the importance of integrating advanced ICT tools like BIM with innovative ontology-based frameworks. The proposed approach promises to set a novel method in healthcare facility design, ensuring efficiency of project delivery.