Implementing ISO 21597-1:2020 through an Information Container Approach in Construction

Abstract

This study systematically defines a method for creating an information container in accordance with the ISO 21597-1:2020 standard and evaluates the feasibility of this method through an example office project. As part of the research, a five-phase methodology was proposed to standardize digital information management and ensure data integrity in construction projects: creating a sample office project, entering project information, completing the BIM model, exporting the IFC XML data file, and creating an information container. Throughout the process, ArchiCAD software, the IFC XML format, the ISO 10303-28:2007 standard, and the validation tools provided by buildingSMART International were used. Each phase is structured according to the ISO 21597-1:2020 framework, and the outputs obtained during the implementation process have been analyzed in detail. The findings indicate that the information container method improves digital information management, facilitates data sharing, and enhances interoperability between different software systems. The use of the IFC XML format has enabled seamless information transfer while maintaining data integrity. Additionally, validations performed with tools such as the STEP Syntax Report and the IFC Validation Service have confirmed the technical accuracy and compliance of the information container with international standards. This method, integrated with BIM processes, provides sustainability in application by offering a repeatable digital workflow model. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the practical application of the ISO 21597-1:2020 standard and contributes to the advancement of digital transformation in the construction sector. The information container approach streamlines data management in construction projects, increasing operational efficiency and making a tangible contribution to standardization efforts in the industry.

Keywords

• Information Container
• ISO 21597-1:2020
• IFC XML
• BIM (Building Information Modelling)
• Digital Information Management
• Interoperability

İnşaat Sektöründe ISO 21597-1:2020 Standardının Bilgi Kapsayıcısı Yaklaşımıyla Uygulanması

Öz

Bu çalışma, ISO 21597-1:2020 standardına uygun olarak bir bilgi kapsayıcısı oluşturma yöntemini sistematik bir şekilde tanımlamakta ve bu yöntemin bir örnek ofis projesi üzerinde uygulanabilirliğini değerlendirmektedir. Araştırma, dijital bilgi yönetimini standartlaştırmak ve inşaat projelerinde veri bütünlüğünü sağlamak amacıyla beş aşamalı bir yöntem önermektedir: örnek ofis projesinin oluşturulması, proje bilgilerinin girilmesi, BIM modelinin tamamlanması, IFC XML veri dosyasının dışa aktarılması ve bilgi kapsayıcısının oluşturulması. Çalışmada ArchiCAD yazılımı, IFC XML veri formatı, ISO 10303-28:2007 standardı ve buildingSMART International tarafından sağlanan doğrulama araçları kullanılmıştır. Her aşama, ISO 21597-1:2020 standardı çerçevesinde yapılandırılmış ve uygulama süreci boyunca elde edilen çıktılar detaylı olarak analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, bilgi kapsayıcısı yönteminin dijital bilgi yönetimini iyileştirdiğini, veri paylaşımını kolaylaştırdığını ve yazılım sistemleri arasında birlikte çalışabilirliği artırdığını göstermektedir. IFC XML formatının kullanımı, veri bütünlüğünü korurken farklı platformlar arasında sorunsuz bilgi aktarımını mümkün kılmıştır. Ayrıca, STEP Syntax Report ve IFC Validation Service gibi araçlarla yapılan doğrulamalar, oluşturulan bilgi kapsayıcısının teknik doğruluğunu ve standartlara uygunluğunu kanıtlamıştır. Bu yöntem, BIM süreçleriyle entegre edilerek tekrarlanabilir bir dijital iş akışı modeli sunmaktadır. Sonuç olarak, bu çalışma ISO 21597-1:2020 standardının pratik uygulamasını ortaya koyarak inşaat sektöründe dijital dönüşümün desteklenmesine katkı sağlamaktadır. Bilgi kapsayıcısı yaklaşımı, yapı projelerinde veri yönetimini sistematik hale getirerek operasyonel verimliliği artırmakta ve sektördeki standartlaşma çabalarına somut bir katkı sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Bilgi Kapsayıcısı
• ISO 21597-1:2020
• IFC XML
• BIM (Yapı Bilgi Modellemesi)
• Dijital Bilgi Yönetimi
• Birlikte Çalışabilirlik

Kaynakça

1. [1] N. Al-Sadoon, R. J. Scherer, and C. F. Strnadl, “Dynamic Multi-Model Container Framework for Cloud-Based Distributed Digital Twins (dDTws),” Buildings, vol. 15, no. 10, p. 1722, May 2025, doi: 10.3390/buildings15101722.
2. [2] M. Juszczyk, M. Vaišnoras, R. Kontrimovičius, T. Hanák, H. Łukaszewska, and L. Ustinovichius, “Quality and reliability of IFC/BIM models for public educational facilities construction projects via clash detection,” J. Civ. Eng. Manag., vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 1–19, Jan. 2025, doi: 10.3846/jcem.2025.23114.
3. [3] ISO21597-1, “ISO 21597-1:2020 Information container for linked document delivery — Exchange specification Part 1: Container Published (Edition 1, 2020),” ISO - International Organization for Standardization. [Online]. Available: https://www.iso.org/standard/74389.html
4. [4] M. Aydın, “Analyzing the Impact of ISO 16739-1:2024 (Industry Foundation Classes, IFC) on Data Sharing and Building Information Modeling (BIM) Collaboration in the Construction Industry,” J. Archit. Sci. Appl., vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 157–174, 2025, doi: 10.30785/mbud.1609588.
5. [5] ArchiCAD, “ArchiCAD– BIM by architects for architects.,” Graphisoft. [Online]. Available: https://graphisoft.com/solutions/archicad/
6. [6] XML, “Introduction to XML,” World Wide Web Consortium. [Online]. Available: https://www.w3schools.com/xml/xml_whatis.asp
7. [7] IFC, “Industry Foundation Classes (IFC),” buildingSMART International. [Online]. Available: https://www.buildingsmart.org/standards/bsi-standards/industry-foundation-classes/
8. [8] buildingSMART, “How buildingSMART International can help you?,” buildingSMART International. [Online]. Available: https://www.buildingsmart.org

9. [9] IAI, “International Alliance for Interoperability,” Wikipedia. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BuildingSMART
10. [10] IFCXML, “IFC Implementation Guidance,” buildingSMART International. [Online]. Available: https://technical.buildingsmart.org/resources/ifcimplementationguidance/
11. [11] ISO10303-28, “ISO 10303-28:2007 Industrial automation systems and integration — Product data representation and exchange Part 28: Implementation methods: XML representations of EXPRESS schemas and data, using XML schemas Published (Edition 1, 2007),” ISO - International Organization for Standardization. [Online]. Available: https://www.iso.org/standard/40646.html
12. [12] buildingSMART, “buildingSMART International User Services,” buildingSMART International. [Online]. Available: https://www.buildingsmart.org/users/services/
13. [13] I. V. Service, “buildingSMART International IFC Validation Service,” buildingSMART International. [Online]. Available: https://www.buildingsmart.org/users/services/ifc-validation-service/
14. [14] S. S. Report, “buildingSMART International IFC Validation Service STEP Syntax Report,” buildingSMART International. [Online]. Available: https://validate.buildingsmart.org/report_syntax/r528819904
15. [15] Validation, “buildingSMART International IFC Validation Service Validation Page,” buildingSMART International. [Online]. Available: https://validate.buildingsmart.org
16. [16] Home, “buildingSMART International IFC Validation Service Home Page,” buildingSMART International. [Online]. Available: https://validate.buildingsmart.org
17. [17] C. Mirarchi et al., “AN APPROACH FOR STANDARDIZATION OF SEMANTIC MODELS FOR BUILDING RENOVATION PROCESSES,” Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spat. Inf. Sci., vol. XLIII-B4-2, no. 4, pp. 69–76, Aug. 2020, doi: 10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIII-B4-2020-69-2020.
18. [18] K. Luig et al., “Towards a Building Information Modeling System for Identification and Retrofit Planning of Stone Damages,” in Digital Heritage. Progress in Cultural Heritage: Documentation, Preservation, and Protection: 8th International Conference, EuroMed 2020, Virtual Event, November 2–5, 2020, Revised Selected Papers 8, Springer, 2021, pp. 254–261. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-73043-7_21.
19. [19] A. Hamdan and R. J. Scherer, “Assumption of undetected construction damages by utilizing description logic and fuzzy set theory in a semantic web environment,” in ECPPM 2021 – eWork and eBusiness in Architecture, Engineering and Construction, London: CRC Press, 2021, pp. 245–252. doi: 10.1201/9781003191476-34.
20. [20] J. Karlapudi, P. Valluru, and K. Menzel, “An explanatory use case for the implementation of Information Container for linked Document Delivery in Common Data Environments,” in EG-ICE 2021 Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering, Berlin, Germany: Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin, 2021, pp. 76–86. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353769852_An_explanatory_use_case_for_the_implementation_of_Information_Container_for_linked_Document_Delivery_in_Common_Data_Environments
21. [21] M. Senthilvel, J. Oraskari, and J. Beetz, “Implementing Information Container for linked Document Delivery (ICDD) as a micro-service,” in EG-ICE 2021 Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering, Berlin, Germany: Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin, 2021, pp. 66–73. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355479463_Implementing_Information_Container_for_linked_Document_Delivery_ICDD_as_a_micro-service
22. [22] J. Karlapudi, P. Valluru, and K. Menzel, “Ontology Approach for Building Life Cycle Data Management,” in Computing in Civil Engineering 2021, Reston, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers, May 2022, pp. 737–744. doi: 10.1061/9780784483893.091.
23. [23] S. Embers et al., “An artificial intelligence and mixed reality approach for optimizing the bridge inspection workflow,” in EC3 Conference 2022, European Council on Computing in Construction, Jul. 2022, p. 0. doi: 10.35490/EC3.2022.195.
24. [24] A. Göbels, “Enabling object-based documentation of existing bridge inspection data using Linked Data,” in Proceedings of 33. Forum Bauinformatik, München, Deutschland, 2022, pp. 148–155. [Online]. Available: Enabling object-based documentation of existing bridge inspection data using Linked Data%0AGöbels A%0AProceedings of the 33. Forum Bauinformatik (2022) 148-155
25. [25] D. Isailović and R. Hajdin, “Ontologies as the Key for Common Understanding of Infrastructure Assets,” in Proceedings of the 1st Conference of the European Association on Quality Control of Bridges and Structures: EUROSTRUCT 2021 1, Springer, 2022, pp. 1073–1079. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-91877-4_122.
26. [26] P. Hagedorn, M. Senthilvel, H. Schevers, and L. Verhelst, “Towards usable ICDD containers for ontology-driven data linking and link validation.,” in 11th Linked Data in Architecture and Construction Workshop, Matera, Italy, 2023, pp. 35–46. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371761677_Towards_usable_ICDD_containers_for_ontology-driven_data_linking_and_link_validation
27. [27] A. Vaatz, A.-H. Hamdan, N. Al-Sadoon, M. Wogan, and K. Menzel, “Integration of semantic temporal information in BIM using ontologies,” in EC3 Conference 2023, European Council on Computing in Construction, Jul. 2023, p. 0. doi: 10.35490/EC3.2023.281.
28. [28] N. N. Al-Sadoon, R. Scherer, and K. Menzal, “From static to dynamic information containers,” in EC3 Conference 2023, European Council on Computing in Construction, Jul. 2023, p. 0. doi: 10.35490/EC3.2023.243.
29. [29] N. Al-Sadoon, P. Katranuschkov, and R. J. Scherer, “Extending ICDD implementation to a dynamic multimodel framework,” in ECPPM 2022 - eWork and eBusiness in Architecture, Engineering and Construction 2022, London: CRC Press, 2023, pp. 115–122. doi: 10.1201/9781003354222-15.
30. [30] T. Zinke et al., “Digital twins for bridges – concept of a modular digital twin based on the linked data approach,” in Life-Cycle of Structures and Infrastructure Systems, London: CRC Press, 2023, pp. 1745–1752. doi: 10.1201/9781003323020-214.
31. [31] I. Svetel, “Toward the Utility of BIM Models,” in On Architecture–Challenges in Design Proceedings, Belgrade: STRAND, Belgrade, 2023, pp. 272–277. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378706741_Toward_the_Utility_of_BIM_Models
32. [32] V. Ciotta, A. Ciccone, D. Asprone, G. Manfredi, and E. Cosenza, “STRUCTURAL E-PERMITS: AN OPENBIM, MODEL-BASED PROCEDURE FOR PERMIT APPLICATIONS PERTAINING TO STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING,” J. Civ. Eng. Manag., vol. 27, no. 8, pp. 651–670, Nov. 2021, doi: 10.3846/jcem.2021.15784.
33. [33] L. Höltgen, F. Cleve, and P. Hagedorn, “Implementation of an Open Web Interface for the Container-based Exchange of Linked Building Data,” in Proceedings of the 32 Forum Bauinformatik, Darmstadt, Germany, 2021, pp. 1–8. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354464413_Implementation_of_an_Open_Web_Interface_for_the_Container-based_Exchange_of_Linked_Building_Data
34. [34] I. Svetel and T. Kosić, “Use of digital information in architecture, engineering, construction and operation: standardization efforts,” Struct. Integr. Life, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 183–191, 2022, [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363230106_Use_of_digital_information_in_architecture_engineering_construction_and_operation_standardization_efforts
35. [35] N. Al-Sadoon, J. Fauth, and K. Menzel, “Digital Twins as Enabler for Long Term Data Management Using Building Logbooks,” in Working Conference on Virtual Enterprises, Springer, 2023, pp. 673–686. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-42622-3_48.
36. [36] A. Bruttini, P. Hagedorn, F. Cleve, V. Getuli, P. Capone, and M. König, “A Semantic Digital Twin Prototype for Workplace Performance Assessment,” in PROCEEDINGS E REPORT, Firenze University Press, 2023, pp. 1193–1205. doi: 10.36253/979-12-215-0289-3.118.
37. [37] P. Hagedorn, K. Sigalov, L. Höltgen, M. Müller, T. Sola, and M. König, “Enriching BIM-based Construction Schedules with Semantics using BPMN and LBD,” in ECPPM 2022 - eWork and eBusiness in Architecture, Engineering and Construction 2022, London: CRC Press, 2023, pp. 133–140. doi: 10.1201/9781003354222-17.
38. [38] C. Gragnaniello, G. Mariniello, T. Pastore, and D. Asprone, “BIM-based design and setup of structural health monitoring systems,” Autom. Constr., vol. 158, p. 105245, Feb. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.autcon.2023.105245.
39. [39] P.-C. Schuler, M. Mirboland, C. Voigt, and C. Koch, “Using Linked Data Containers for BIM based structural inspection workflows,” in International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering (ICCCBE), Montréal, Québec, Canada, 2024, pp. 144-1-144–9. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383741077_Using_Linked_Data_Containers_for_BIM_based_structural_inspection_workflows
40. [40] R. Wittner et al., “Toward a common standard for data and specimen provenance in life sciences,” Learn. Heal. Syst., vol. 8, no. 1, p. e10365, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.1002/lrh2.10365.
41. [41] Y. Zhang, “Implementing information container to link multi-models for Semantic Digital Twins,” in 35. Forum Bauinformatik, fbi 2024, Technische Universität Hamburg, Institut für Digitales und Autonomes Bauen, 2024, pp. 464–471. doi: 10.15480/882.13551.
42. [42] ISO21597-2, “ISO 21597-2:2020 Information container for linked document delivery — Exchange specification Part 2: Link types Published (Edition 1, 2020),” ISO - International Organization for Standardization. [Online]. Available: https://www.iso.org/standard/74390.html
43. [43] ISO/TC59/SC13, “ISO/TC 59/SC 13 Technical Subcommittee Organization and digitization of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling (BIM),” ISO - International Organization for Standardization. [Online]. Available: https://www.iso.org/committee/49180.html
44. [44] ISO/TC59, “ISO/TC 59 Technical Committee Buildings and civil engineering works,” ISO - International Organization for Standardization. [Online]. Available: https://www.iso.org/committee/49070.html
45. [45] Graphisoft, “Graphisoft Solutions,” Nemetschek Group. [Online]. Available: https://graphisoft.com
46. [46] Tekla, “Structural BIM Software | Tekla,” Trimble. [Online]. Available: https://www.tekla.com/products/tekla-structures
47. [47] ALLPLAN, “ALLPLAN-BIM software for the AEC Industry,” Nemetschek Group. [Online]. Available: https://www.allplan.com/index.php?id=13001
48. [48] Revit, “Autodesk Revit: BIM software to design and make anything,” Autodesk. [Online]. Available: https://www.autodesk.com/products/revit/overview
49. [49] ISO10303-1, “ISO 10303-1:2024 Industrial automation systems and integration — Product data representation and exchange Part 1: Overview and fundamental principles Published (Edition 3, 2024),” ISO - International Organization for Standardization. [Online]. Available: https://www.iso.org/standard/83105.html