DOI: 10.4018/IJDIBE.2019010104 International Journal of Digital Innovation in the Built Environment Volume 8 • Issue 1 • January-June 2019 Copyright © 2019, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. 42 An Ontology for Detailed Measurement of Building Works Using Semantic Web Technology Abdulrasheed Madugu Abdullahi, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria Yahaya Makarf Ibrahim, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9155-2905 Baba Adama Kolo, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria Fonbeyin Henry Abanda, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK ABSTRACT Researchers have explored the integration of BIM and Semantic Web to solve the problem of interoperability, and key to the Semantic Web is an ontology of a domain. To address interoperability challenges associated to cost estimating previous studies are yet to consider ontologies based on detailed measurement standards for building works. This study develops ontology for detailed measurement of building construction works. A design science research approach was employed for the study, appropriate tools and BIM software systems were identified and based on that, a methontology was used to develop the ontology based on the Building and Engineering Standard Method of Measurement 4 (BESMM4). BESMM4 is the Nigerian Standard Method of Measurement that provides fundamental guidance on the detailed measurement and description of building works. To make sure the ontology is fit for purpose, a descriptive logic-based reasoner was used to syntactically check the ontology while a 4D BIM modelling software (Navisworks) was used on a case study building to verify the proposed ontology. KEyWORDS Building Works, Detailed Measurement, Ontology, Semantic Web Technology INTRODUCTION Construction professionals are involved in procuring building works on daily basis. Effective procurement aims to provide construction clients with value-for-money projects. Key objectives include ensuring that accurate budgets are prepared before work starts and that the right price is ultimately paid for completed works. Measurement and valuation are fundamental processes underpinning these activities, and together constitute the central link between design and cost (Cunningham, 2014). Measurement is used by construction-professionals (Quantity Surveyors) throughout the development