The emerging availability of numerous model-based design and analysis tools promises high interoperability in terms of data exchange, thus shorter planning cycles and higher design quality. However, seamless transfer of digital models across domains without significant data inconsistencies is still a major challenge in the practice. This paper aims to identify the procedural problems in the data transfer between architectural design and structural analysis and propose improvement.

This study reviewed the current data exchange practices, and concluded that data exchange based on the industry foundation classes (IFC) is the most spread in the research and software tools supporting architecture, engineering and construction industry. The study also analyzed the processes which affect the IFC-based data exchange. The interoperability of software tools through IFC files was tested in a comparative study. The testing results are reflected on the processes influencing data exchange, identifying the procedural problems and recommending the improvements.

Upon conducted analysis and testing, the authors propose the following strategies for the systematic improvement of the data exchange: (a) introducing interpretation rules in the data exchange standards; (b) focusing on multiple domain-specific building data schemas instead of on the integrated schema; and (c) developing a new certification process based on the domain-specific building data schema. The improvement proposal supported by the analysis provides a roadmap for the development of model-based exchange between architectural design and structural analysis.

大量基于模型的设计和分析工具的不断涌现，保证了在数据交换方面的高度互操作性，从而缩短了计划周期，并提高了设计质量。然而，在实践中，跨域无缝传输数字模型而没有明显的数据不一致仍然是一个重大挑战。本文旨在确定建筑设计和结构分析之间的数据传输过程中的程序问题，并提出改进建议。

这项研究回顾了当前的数据交换实践，并得出结论，基于行业基础类别（IFC）的数据交换是在支持建筑，工程和建筑行业的研究和软件工具中应用最为广泛的。该研究还分析了影响基于IFC的数据交换的过程。在一项比较研究中测试了软件工具通过IFC文件的互操作性。测试结果反映在影响数据交换，识别程序问题并提出改进建议的过程中。

通过进行分析和测试，作者提出以下策略来系统地改善数据交换：（a）在数据交换标准中引入解释规则；（b）专注于多个特定领域的建筑数据架构，而不是集成架构；（c）根据特定领域的建筑数据模式开发新的认证流程。分析支持的改进建议为开发建筑设计和结构分析之间基于模型的交换提供了路线图。