Enhancing 3D building visualization and real-time monitoring in construction through IFC and IoT integration

Abstract

The integration of industry foundation classes (IFC) and internet of thing (IoT) addresses a key challenge in construction: real-time data visualization on specific building storeys. Traditional methods often struggle with data integration and timely monitoring. This study introduces a web-based platform that combines three-dimensional (3D) technology, IFC models, and IoT sensors to enhance visualization and monitoring in construction projects. Unlike prior approaches that focus on static visualization or lack real-time IoT integration, this platform delivers dynamic, storey -specific updates, enabling real-time monitoring of critical building parameters. A case study showed that file size significantly impacted loading speed, ranging from 0.17 kB/ms (97.3 kB model in 572 ms) to 11.72 kB/ms (7.2 MB model in 629 ms). Despite a slight drop in frame rate from 60 to 55 frames per second (FPS), the system maintained smooth user interactions. Memory usage increased from 180 MB to 314 MB to handle complex 3D models and IoT data in real time. These findings demonstrate that integrating IFC with IoT enhances data visualization, providing more efficient decision-making tools for construction stakeholders and improving on-site coordination and resource management.