Ontology Supported Recombination of Multi-Models

Overview & Synopsis

Current practice in the construction industry is that participants apply their own method to develop their information model, apply software of their preference and hence choose data formats that suit them better. Hence, diversity appears. The concept of multi-models is introduced to handle this diversity. By employing multi-models, each participant will be able to collaborate despite having different resources. Information exchange can be accomplished by using multi-model containers as transport medium. An ontology model is used as a resource to gather, store and manage the meta-information about the multi-models. As a part of Semantic Web technology, the ontology is able to describe the meaning of each multi-model. Furthermore, it creates the possibility of inferring information to a logical pattern. With this ability, the ontology can support participants to retrieve information they need much more properly and precisely than object or relational data structures would allow.