BIM-Enabled Interpretation of Saudi Building Code Shear Wall Requirements for Mixed-Use Buildings

Purpose: This study develops a Building Information Modeling (BIM)-enabled methodology that integrates Saudi Building Code (SBC) seismic detailing provisions for reinforced concrete shear walls into a rule-based parametric modeling environment. The research enhances compliance traceability, automates code interpretation, and improves quantity accuracy for mixed-use high-rise buildings with significant vertical zoning effects. Approach: Selected SBC shear wall provisions were translated into computable IF–THEN engineering rules linked to BIM parameters. The methodology incorporates vertical zoning, axial load ratio evaluation, rule-based reinforcement detailing, and automated quantity extraction. The framework was validated using a large-scale Saudi healthcare mixed-use case study by comparing BIM-derived quantities with independent SBC-consistent reference calculations on a zone-by-zone basis. Findings: Axial load ratio governs boundary element activation and confinement reinforcement demand. BIM-generated reinforcement distributions aligned closely with SBC intent, with average differences of 2–4% for concrete volume, 3–6% for longitudinal reinforcement, and 4–8% for confinement reinforcement. Boundary confinement was concentrated within the lower 30–40% of building height, while zone-based detailing reduced upper-zone reinforcement by approximately 15–25%. Practical Implications: The methodology improves automated compliance verification, reduces overdesign, enhances reproducibility, and supports efficient structural modeling for complex mixed-use buildings. Originality/Value: The study establishes a direct digital linkage between SBC provisions, parametric BIM modeling, and automated structural quantity outputs.