Human behavior needs to be considered when designing buildings and infrastructures. In recent decades, building information modeling (BIM) has been increasingly adopted as a computer aided design methodology for architectural design, engineering design simulation and evaluation, and 4D constructability analysis. BIM models can be used to conduct engineering analyses while human behavior simulation using BIM models is still lacking. The research objective of this study is to connect BIM software

more »

... with the human behavior simulation engine utilizing object-oriented computer programming language. A behavioral modeling engine is also developed in this study upon the agent-based modeling (ABM) approach. Finally, this paper presents a demonstrative example of four scenarios and the result proves that implementation of the occupant simulation help improve building design. Index Terms-Agent based modeling, building information modeling, human behavior, building design, emergency simulation Jack C. P. Cheng is an assistant professor in Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He received his Bachelor and Master of Philosophy degrees at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong. He then received his Doctor of Philosophy degree at Stanford University, USA. His research areas include building information modeling (BIM), knowledge management, data retrieval and mining, green building, sustainable construction and built environment, and service computing for construction management. Vincent J. L. Gan is a PhD student from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He holds dual degree with first bachelor degree in construction management from China University of Geoscience and second bachelor degree in architecture from Huazhong University of Science and Technology. He obtained his MSc from the HKUST and his early work involved computer simulation and analysis of cementitious materials. His recent research focuses on agent-based modeling and simulation, green building construction, life cycle assessment of construction material.