Showing papers in "Journal of Information Technology in Construction in 2012"

Usability assessment of drone technology as safety inspection tools

Abstract: SUMMARY: The construction industry lags behind many others in the rate of adoption of cutting edge technologies In the area of safety management this is more so Many advances in information technology could provide great benefits to this important aspect of construction operations Innovative use of these tools could result in safer jobsites This paper discusses initial application of drone technology in the construction industry In this study, a small-scale aerial drone was used as a tool for exploring potential benefits to safety managers within the construction jobsite This drone is an aerial quadricopter that can be piloted remotely using a smart phone, tablet device or a computer Since the drone is equipped with video cameras, it can provide safety managers with fast access to images as well as real time videos from a range of locations around the jobsite An expert analysis (heuristic evaluation) as well as a user participation analysis were performed on said quadricopter to determine the features of an ideal safety inspection drone The heuristic evaluation uncovered some of the user interface problems of the drone interface considering the context of the safety inspection The user participation evaluation was performed following a simulated task of counting the number of hardhats viewed through the display of a mobile device in the controlled environment of the lab Considering the task and the controlled variables, this experimental approach revealed that using the drone together with a large-size interface (eg iPad) would be as accurate as having the safety manager with plain view of the jobsite The results of these two evaluations together with previous experience of the authors in the area of safety inspection and drone technology led to recommendations for the required features of an Ideal Safety Inspection Drone Autonomous navigation, vocal interaction, high-resolution cameras, and collaborative user-interface environment are some examples of those features This innovative application of the aerial drone has the potential to improve construction practices and in this case facilitate jobsite safety inspections

The ifc standard - a review of history, development, and standardization

Abstract: IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is an open and standardized data model intended to enable interoperability between building information modeling software applications in the AEC/FM industry. IFC has been in development by an industry consortium since 1994, and since the start of the effort, the evolving industry context, standardization organization, resource availability, and technology development have exposed the standardization process to a dynamic environment. While the overarching mission of IFC standardization has always been to enable interoperability between AEC/FM software applications, the approach for how best to operationalize that mission has changed over the years. Through a literature review supported by the general theory on IT standardization, this study follows the development process of the IFC standard from its origins in the early 1990s to its latest activities in 2012. The end result is both a descriptive review of the history of IFC standardization and the establishment of an initial connection to IT standardization research for the IFC standard by profiling the effort in accordance with existing IT standardization theories and typologies. The review highlights the evolution of IFC standardization through several distinct phases, and its gradual movement from emphasizing technical architecture development towards growing involvement in specifying the processes facilitating its use. The organization behind the standard has also seen changes in its modus operandi, from initially being a closed and loosely coupled alliance to evolving into a consortium incorporating open hybrid standardization, where a formal standards body publishes the standards prepared by the consortium. The consortium has faced many challenges compiling an ambitious interoperability standard with few resources, and were it not for the growing demand for the standard provided by public actors, momentum and enthusiasm for the effort might have petered out due to slow market uptake and low use of the data standard in actual construction projects thus far. While this paper does not investigate the adoption phenomenon in-depth, the moderate uptake of the standard can perhaps be explained to be a symptom of the slow adoption of collaborative model-based construction processes and industry reluctance to switch over to new IT tools, which in turn are prerequisites for the existence of demand for an open interoperability standard.

Building information modelling (Bim) implementation and remote construction projects: Issues, challenges, and critiques

Abstract: The construction industry has been facing a paradigm shift to (i) increase productivity, efficiency, infrastructure value; quality and sustainability (ii) reduce lifecycle costs, lead times and duplications via effective collaboration and communication of stakeholders in construction projects. This paradigm shift is becoming more critical with remote construction projects, which reveals unique and even more complicated challenging problems in relation to communication and management due to the remoteness of the construction sites. On the other hand, Building Informational Modelling (BIM) is offered by some as the panacea to addressing the interdisciplinary inefficiencies in construction projects. Although in many cases the adoption of BIM has numerous potential benefits, it also raises interesting challenges with regards to how BIM integrates the business processes of individual practices. This paper aims to show how BIM adoption for an architectural company helps to mitigate the management and communication problems in remote construction project. The paper adopts a case study methodology, which is a UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project of BIM adoption between the University of Salford, UK and John McCall Architects (JMA), in which the BIM use between the architectural company and the main contractor for a remote construction project is elaborated and justified. Research showed that the key management and communication problems such as poor quality of construction works, unavailability of materials, and ineffective planning and scheduling can largely be mitigated by adopting BIM at the design stage.

Optimizing location of tower cranes on construction sites through gis and bim integration

Abstract: Tower cranes, on today’s typical building construction sites, are the centerpiece of production, hoisting and transporting of a variety of loads. Occasionally tower cranes operate with overlapping work zones and often under time, cost and labor constraints. Identifying optimal number and location of tower cranes is an important issue that can reduce conflicts between groups of tower cranes. Geographic information systems (GIS) facilitate the analysis of large amounts of spatial data used in the process of location optimization for tower cranes. In addition, integrating analysis results from GIS with 3D visual models enables managers to visualize the potential conflicts with tower cranes in great detail. Building Information Modeling (BIM) helps managers to visualize buildings before implementation takes place through a digitally constructed virtual model. Hence, in this paper, the integrated GIS-BIM model starts with the identification of feasible locations for defined tower cranes. The method presented is based on previous works using “geometric closeness” and coverage of all demand and supply points as key criteria for locating a group of tower cranes*). Once the geometry of the construction site is generated by the BIM tool, the model determines the proper combination of tower cranes in order to optimize location. The output of the GIS model includes one or more feasible areas that cover all demand and supply points, which is then linked to the BIM tool and generates 3D models to visualize the optimum location of tower cranes. As a result, potential conflicts are detected in different 3D views in order to identify optimal location of tower cranes. To address the feasibility of a GIS-BIM integrated model for layout of tower cranes, an actual case example is introduced.

Construction workspace management: the development and application of a novel nD planning approach and tool

Abstract: Activity Execution Workspace (AEW) is one of the main constraints and resources on construction sites. The proactive management of AEWs is a very challenging task due to the dynamic nature of construction sites, where the availability of AEW is continuously evolving and changing over time. Project managers are looking for proactive approaches and innovative IT tools to accurately manage workspaces on construction sites as this affects not only costs and duration of projects, but also the safety of construction sites. The review of current state-of-the-art shows that limited research has been devoted to this area and that significant methodological and practical limitations exist. This research paper presents a novel approach for the management of AEWs. The objective of this approach is to enable the management of AEWs by integrating the traditional planning process (CPM – Critical Path Method) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) data in a 4D/5D environment and providing real-time management and rehearsal of AEWs. The approach, prototype and pilot case study presented in this paper have proven that it is feasible and effective to proactively manage AEWs within a 4D/5D environment. This is in line with the principles of nD project management, where the ultimate aim is to give project planners the capability of rehearsing different construction options, before the construction starts, in order to improve the efficiency and productivity of construction processes.

A wireless sensor network for intelligent building energy management based on multi communication standards - a case study

Abstract: This paper presents a case study of a wireless sensor network (WSN) to support energy management utilizing Web services and middleware technologies. The approach presented proposes the integration of WSNs with Ethernet/Internet/XML/Web Service communications into a ‘knowledge and information services’ platform to support energy management which can be accessed via a Web service to support inhabitant actions to reduce energy demand. It is based on the idea of collecting energy information using various wireless devices operating with different communication standards. This is important as there are various communication standards developed for WSNs including ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, Wi-Fi, WirelessHART and ISA100.11a. The hardware components which are needed for a system using one specific communication standard cannot be used directly within another system, due to differences in firmware, radio components, communication standards, and in some cases profile parameters. This is problematic because the components of different systems cannot be mixed and used in combination in order to take advantage of the most useful aspects of products from multiple vendors. The concept and initial testing of the WSN presented in this paper goes beyond current approaches as it uses various wireless devices operating with different communication standards, which can support Web based services for building managers, owners and inhabitants.

Unorchestrated symphony: The case of inter – organizational collaboration in digital construction design

Abstract: This paper presents the findings from a study of collaborative work among design professionals in virtual modeling for building construction. The research is based on interviews conducted with members from various design professions. We analyzed a building project comprising a network of organizations interrelated by their information systems, to gain a better understanding of collaborative design based on Building Information Modeling (BIM). The findings suggest that the actors did not fully exploit the capability of BIM to transform and improve project communication, as they did not adjust the inter-organizational processes according to the BIM technology. Instead of effective collaboration, we found a system of “automation islands.” To achieve full business-process integration, the actors would need to establish a shared organizing vision for BIM. This organizing vision needs to align inter-organizational processes and the functionality of BIM. Our findings illustrate weaknesses in existing practice and highlight possible improvements.

Organizing it in construction: present state and future challenges in Sweden

Abstract: The expectations on IT-tools for improved business benefits are still high in Sweden. At the same time there is limited research on IT-tools in the organizational context and thus limited knowledge ...

Leveraging Cloud-BIM for LEED Automation

Abstract: SUMMARY: Synergies between building information modelling (BIM) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) have been recognized early on, since the industry started embracing BIM. However, current practices of implementing BIM in LEED projects remain ad hoc, resulting in job-specific success difficult to replicate. As both BIM technology and LEED systems are making continuous improvement, it has become overwhelming for project teams to work out an optimal strategy to exploit their technology and management strength in LEED project delivery. This paper looks at a rising trend in recent BIM development, which is the cloud-deployed BIM server (cloud-BIM) technology, and proposes a new business paradigm so project teams can leverage cloud-BIM to achieve LEED Automation. The new paradigm overcomes the limitation in capacity and communication of conventional desktop computing and stand-alone BIM. It empowers the project team with scalable and concurrent collaboration that was essential to delivery high performance sustainable projects such as LEED projects. A framework that integrated strengths of cloud-BIM, various LEED dedicated SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions and open information exchange protocols is created to delineate possible implementation strategies for this new paradigm.

Information delivery manuals to integrate building product information into design

Abstract: Despite continuing BIM progress, professionals in the AEC industry often lack the information they need to perform their work. Although this problem could be alleviated by information systems similar to those in other industries, companies struggle to model processes and information needs in the manner necessary to develop information systems that support digital collaboration, workflows, and information exchange. Processes for information systems can be described from four perspectives: task sequence, information need, organizational interaction, and required logic for the specific task. Traditional business process modeling languages often fail to completely cover all four perspectives. BuildingSMART has proposed Information Delivery Manuals (IDMs) to model and re-engineer processes that address the four perspectives through a collaborative methodology in order to standardize and implement them in information systems. BIM implies that objects are bearers of information and logic. The present study has three main aims: (1) to explore IDMs capability to capture all four perspectives, (2) to determine whether an IDM’s collaborative methodology is valid for developing standardized processes, and (3) to ascertain whether IDM’s business rules can support the development of information and logic-bearing BIM objects. The research is based on a case study of re-engineering the bidding process for a design-build project to integrate building product manufacturers, subcontractors and their knowledge about costs, construction methods, and products, with the intention of minimizing the time spent on non-value-adding tasks and reducing design errors.

Integration of E-Learning 2.0 with Web 2.0

Abstract: A review of studies that have examined the integration of Web 2.0 tools into E-Learning 2.0 within built environment educational programs is undertaken. An analysis of studies undertaken reveals five core themes can be derived: (1) students using Web 2.0 demonstrate the capability for effective learning; (2) Skills learned via Web 2.0 can be transferred to the work and untrained tasks; (3) limited research has compared learning in conventional E-Learning and Web 2.0 environments; (4) E-Learning 2.0 enables social learning process to take place, and (5) the shift from eLearning 1.0 (Web 1.0 based) to E-Learning 2.0 (Web 2.0 based) requires not only a technological shift, but also a fundamental shift in the way knowledge is socially constructed and shared. Future issues and challenges are identified in order to ameliorate the integration of the E-Learning 2.0 experience with Web 2.0 tools.

ICT expenditure and trends in the UK construction industry in facing the challenges of the global economic crisis

Abstract: The role of ICT has evolved from a tool and utility to become a strategic asset for any organisation towards delivering business improvement and value. Furthermore, the importance of ICT-based innovation is recognized in bringing productivity improvements and sustainable competitive advantage to industry. Construction is an extremely information-intensive and knowledge-based industry. Therefore organisations need to fully embrace ICT in order to remain competitive. The construction industry has invested heavily in ICT; however expenditure still remains relatively low when compared to other sectors. Economic conditions strongly affect ICT investment and the recent worldwide financial crisis has led to organisations taking urgent measures as they review all aspects of their business overheads and expenditure, which ICT represents a significant proportion. This paper presents a study that was undertaken at the heart of the economic downturn to investigate the current ICT operating and capital expenditure, coping strategies, and forecasting trends for the UK construction industry. Analysis of the responses from within the top 200 UK contractor and consultant organisations suggest that managers of companies consider ICT as a driver for process efficiency and an imperative enabler to facilitate flexible information processing and communications infrastructure through which the company can collaborate and transact business with its clients, consultants, and supply-chain partners. This is despite persisting problems associated with value chain integration. However, the impact of the current economic downturn requires restraining of operational and capital budgets, which in turn, requires radical optimization of ICT resources leading to ‘more for less’.

Framework for semantic reconciliation of construction project information

Abstract: The characterization of the AEC domain through the employment of conceptual schemas and standards is challenged with significant problems for exchanging, sharing and integrating information between actors. Semantic gaps or lack of meaning definition at the conceptual and technical level, for example, are prob¬lems fundamentally originated through the employment of representations to map the ‘world’ into models in an endeavor to anticipate other actors’ views, vocabulary, and even motivations. In this paper, the role of information technologies, actors, and representations is first presented within a frame¬work of communication with the purpose of further illustrating the encountered problems in interrelating sour¬ces of information. Secondly, interoperability is examined within the context of interrelating sources of informa¬tion. This explanation supports the claim that the description of concepts into some form of representation does not guarantee the understanding by other members of the community of what is described. Thirdly, an illustration of semantic reconciliation is presented through an engineering example. An approach to semantically reconcile representations is proposed through the study of the internal role of the representations. The research assumption is that if the internal role of a representation is recognized, the treatment of the conveyed semantics can be facilitated, revealing important aspects of the meanings to provide proper understanding during the transition from the source to the interpreter. Particularly, this investigation searches for the fundamental problems of semantically reconciling sources, and introduces theoretical notions from other disciplines to suggest alternative approaches for the encountered problems. Our contribution is to provide clarification of the challenge of reconciling information and to bring attention to the need for further research on the relationship of actors as social subjects and on the representation of information to the community. We anticipate the inclusion of this relationship in the research efforts will lead to a more effective sharing, exchanging, integrating, and communication of information among actors through the employment of IT. 

Virtual design studio within a social network

Abstract: SUMMARY: Online interactions, multimedia, mobile computing and face-to-face learning create blended learning environments to which some Virtual Design Studios (VDS) have reacted. Social Networks (SN), as instruments for communication, have provided a potentially fruitful operative base for VDS. These technologies transfer communication, leadership, democratic interaction, teamwork, social engagement and responsibility away from the design tutors to the participants. The implementation of a Social Network VDS (SNVDS) moved the VDS beyond its conventional realm and enabled students to develop architectural design that is embedded into a community of learners and their expertise both online and offline. Problem-based learning (PBL) becomes an iterative and reflexive process facilitating deep learning. The paper discusses details of the SNVDS, its pedagogical implications to PBL, and presents how the SNVDS is successful in empowering architectural students to collaborate and communicate design proposals that integrate a variety of skills, deep learning, knowledge and construction with a rich learning experience.

Problems and barriers of ict utilization on iranian construction sites: case study on the successful use of ict in remote construction sites

Abstract: To clarify the current situation of ICT utilization in the Iranian construction industry, twelve semistructured interviews were conducted with highly-experienced construction practitioners and ICT developers in the Iranian construction industry from 2009 to 2010. Interviews were qualitatively analyzed and a narrative interpretation was developed. Results obtained during this survey included identifying the barriers for ICT utilization in the Iranian construction organizations. The problems and barriers were divided into three groups: barriers for ICT usage in construction sites, barriers for ICT usage in head offices and common barriers of ICT usage in construction sites and head offices. This paper will discuss the barriers for ICT usage in construction sites. Some of the interviewees mentioned their company advances in ICT application and overcoming the barriers and problems. This paper focuses on a case study of a successful construction firm in the ICT utilization and overcoming the barriers of ICT adoption on remote construction sites. A study on ICT application in construction projects of this company can draw a pattern for other similar construction firms in Iran and.

Management problems of remote construction projects and potential IT solutions; The case of kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract: Remote projects have their unique problems that are caused mainly by the remoteness of the project itself thus the loose control over communications and management. This is due to a number of reasons such as lack of management skills, human resources and infrastructure. Little research was undertaken particularly in the gulf region regarding this issue and it has highlighted few unique communications and management problems. This paper investigates the current problems that the Saudi Electric Company (SEC), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) experiences regarding the management of its’ remote construction sites. It discusses the opinions of contractors and the SEC’s supervision teams regarding the weaknesses in the present communications and management practices. The study found systematic project management problems that have profound negative impact on remote projects’ performance and process. The paper suggests that some of these problems can be sorted out by the use of Advanced Computer based Management Systems (ACMS) and these would improve some project management practices. However, organizational barriers may hinder the potentiality of these systems thus changes to the organization’s management system and practices should be carried out to achieve full benefits.

An ontology-based system to support agent-based simulation of building use

Abstract: SUMMARY: The prediction and evaluation of future building response to its intended use and users is a complex task that designers have to face during the design process. As matter of fact, few methods exist that can help designers in such task, despite its importance in the definition of the building quality; norms and regulations, personal designer’s experience, post-occupancy evaluation have shown their limit to provide predictive models of the complex phenomenon of human behaviour in built environments . With the increasing of computing power, virtual simulation techniques have been introduced in building design to control, manage and predict complex systems of building performances such as its energy or structural behaviour, but not to representation of buildings while-in-use. The Agent-Based Modelling and Simulation (ABMS) paradigm has been applied in building design to simulation of specific aspects of human behaviour and in specific occurrences (for instance in fire egress simulations), while a more extensive representation of users actions, behaviours, and activities is still missing. In order to overcome this lack, in this paper we propose to support agent-based simulation with a knowledge base, developed by means of ontologies and able to provide a structured system of data about human-building interaction, useful as start hypotheses for Agent-based Simulation. For its development, we rely on the general template of building knowledge management already proposed by the research group (Carrara et al., 2009), extending it to representation of the whole system users-built environment. The proposed general template, configured by the meaning – properties – rules structure, allows the formalization of users/agents entities, whose parameter, attributes and behavioural rules can encode several ‘aspects’ of real users and their interactions with the other entities (building components, furniture, other people) in a built environment. Currently, a first application has been developed dealing with the virtually testing of a small hospital ward, in order to evaluate the reliability and the potentiality of such approach.

Management of building supported on virtual interactive models: construction planning and preventive maintenance

Abstract: SUMMARY: Virtual Reality (VR) models were created in order to help in the maintenance of exterior closures and interior finishes of walls and in the construction of buildings. The maintenance model allows the visual and interactive transmission of information related to the physical behaviour of the elements. To this end, the basic knowledge of material most often used in walls, anomaly surveillance, techniques of rehabilitation, and inspection planning were studied. This information was included in a data base that supports the periodic inspection needed in a program of preventive maintenance. The results are obtained interactively and visualized in the virtual environment itself. A second prototype based on VR technology with application to construction planning, was implemented. This model intends to present the project in a three-dimensional (3D) way, connected to construction planning schedule, resulting in a valuable asset in monitoring the development of the construction activity, based on the construction planning designed. The 4D application considers the time factor showing the 3D geometry of the distinct steps of the construction activity, according to the plan establish to the construction. The VR technology is used, and presented as an innovative visual tool in supporting the fields of construction planning and of maintenance of buildings. It helps to establish a collaborative network between partners in a building.

The development of a sustainable-construction planning system

Abstract: Since construction is considered as one of the main sources of environmental pollution in the world, the level of knowledge and awareness of project participants, especially project managers, regarding the construction impacts on the environment are required to be enhanced. The aim of this paper is to develop a prototype of a Sustainable-Construction Planning System (SCPS) in order to mitigate the negative impacts of the construction industry on the environment. To achieve this aim, frequency and severity of known environmental impacts of construction process of residential buildings were investigated through interviews with a safety expert panel in Malaysia. Then, risk level associated with each environmental impact was calculated based on the relevant risk matrix. The SCPS extracts current construction activities from any computer-based schedule (Microsoft Project® in this study) and identifies sustainable strategies, and environmental impacts related to each activity as a report. The SCPS was presented to an expert panel who was asked to assess the reliability and usability of the SCPS. It can be concluded that the SCPS is efficient and helpful in mitigating construction related impacts on the environment. The practical implication of this study is to promote sustainable construction by promoting the project participants’ knowledge and awareness of significant environmental impacts related to construction operations. This study could be a platform for developing automated sustainable planning systems that can be used broadly in construction projects.

Survey of information technology use for municipal infrastructure management

Abstract: SUMMARY: As municipalities increasingly rely on computer-based systems and data management, information that was traditionally exchanged through human communications can now be exchanged electronically through computer-to-computer data exchange. This requires much more formal specifications and agreements to govern these data exchanges. The main purpose of the paper is to identify the current state of information technology use in the municipal infrastructure management through benchmarking: (i) a range of information technology systems used to accomplish various work processes; (ii) and a range of communication channels used to exchange information between various parties. A combination of web and face-to-face interviews was used, and the results of the survey show that municipalities are equipped with a variety of information systems that can readily manage asset infrastructure systems, yet the way information is exchanged between various parties is still conducted in an unstructured and ad hoc way.

Design grammars as evaluation tools in the first year studio

Abstract: SUMMARY: This paper describes a teaching experience conducted and carried out as part of the coursework of first year students. The workshop is the third of three workshops planned to take place during the course of the first year studio, aimed at introducing new ways of thinking and introducing students to a new pattern of architectural education. The experiment was planned under the theme of “Evaluation” during the final stage. A grammatical approach was chosen to deliver the methodology in the design studio, based on shape grammars.

Intelligent knowledge-based repository to support informed design decision making

Abstract: Research highlights that architectural design is a social phenomenon that is underpinned by critical analysis of design precedents and the social interaction between designers including negotiation, collaboration and communication. CAAD systems are continuously developing as essential design tools in formulating and developing ideas. Researchers such as (Rosenman, Gero and Oxman 1992) have suggested suggest that knowledge based systems can be integrated with CAAD systems to provide design knowledge that would enable recalling design precedents that maybe linked to the design constraints. Currently CAAD systems are user centric being focused on architects rather than the end product. The systems provide limited assistance in the production of innovative design. Furthermore, the attention of the designers of knowledge based systems is providing a repository rather than a system that is capable to initiate innovation. Most of the CAAD systems have web communication tools that enable designers to communicate their design ideas with colleagues and partners in business. However, none of these systems have the capability to capture useful knowledge from the design negotiations. Students of the third to fifth year at College of Architecture, University of Dammam were surveyed and interviewed to find out how far design tools, communications and resources would impact the production of innovative design projects. The survey results show that knowledge extracted from design negotiations would impact the innovative design outcome. It highlights also that present design precedents are not very helpful and design negotiations between students, tutors and other students are not documented thus fully incorporated into the design scheme. The paper argues that the future CAAD systems should be capable to recognize innovative design precedents, and incorporate knowledge that is resulted from design negotiations. This would help students to gain a critical mass of knowledge that would underpin informed design decisions.

A Trans-Disciplinary Program for Biomimetic Computing and Architectural Design

Abstract: SUMMARY: In this article, we present the conceptual foundation and selected studio works of two iterations of our trans-disciplinary university course program that integrates biomimetic computing and architectural design for graduate students in Architecture. In particular, we first present the motivation behind and the implementation details of a basic framework for self-organizing multi-agent computer simulations. Second, we highlight its conceptual presentation to the students as well as its appropriation by the students through examples of the students’ programmatic and material implementations in architectural design projects.

EDITORIAL:Special issue on eLearning 2.0: Web 2.0-based social learning in built environment

Abstract: Recently, there has been an increased research interests in Web 2.0 technologies for the education of built environment students to enhance their educational portfolio. Web 2.0 allows learners to interact and collaborate with each other in a social media dialogue in a virtual community, in contrast to Web 1.0 where learners are constrained to the passive viewing of controlled learning contents. As a new paradigm of online collaborative learning, eLearning 2.0 emerged about during the emergence of Web 2.0. eLearning 2.0 emphasizes on social learning and use of social software such as social networking sites, blogs, wikis, bookmarking, podcasts, video sharing sites, hosted services, web applications, mashups and folksonomies, and virtual worlds such as Second Life. The main philosophy behind eLearning 2.0 is that knowledge is socially constructed, where learning and teaching occurs via the conversations and discussion around the learning contents and via the grounded interactions about the learning problems and actions. This special issue is dedicated to the question of how Web 2.0 technologies and tools should be integrated into eLearning 2.0 for built environment educational and institutional practices. This question is driven by the assumption that eLearning 2.0 fosters the idea of placing learners in the center of a more social learning process. This requires not only a technological shift (e.g., from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0), but also a conceptual change in which all stakeholders involved in the built environment education conceive learning as a social activity involving interactions with other learners. This special issue include a collection of seven original research papers that focused on the topic of the state-of-the-art innovative use of Web 2.0 technologies in built environments education in the era of eLearning 2.0.

Evaluationg the models of communication: a study of collaborative design in virtual environments

Abstract: With the recent developments in communication and information technologies using Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVEs) in design activity has experienced a significant increase. In this paper, a collaborative learning activity between the University of Sydney (USYD), and the Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Global Teamwork, is presented. This paper explores the use of asynchronous and synchronous communication modes during design activity in a remote context. The paper continues with an evaluation study of the Global Teamwork based on the students’ comments and a protocol study, focusing on the communication modes provided by the CVEs used. The paper concludes with insights into the applications of virtual environments in collaborative design teaching.

The impact of social networks on design education

Abstract: Design education has an interdisciplinary structure that brings together the science and technology in art. Design instruction is a common subject in all design disciplines. Design works require both literal and multiple social communication to create new concept. It includes assessing situations and cases in the conceptual and contextual perspective. This study proposes an assesment, learning and sharing platform based on web 2.0 e-learning methods. "Design education social networking platform" is the main focus area of this study.

Using situated fbs ontology to explore designers' patterns of behavior in parametric environments

Abstract: Current literature suggests that there is limited empirical evidence supporting the understanding of designers’ behaviour or processes in parametric design environments (PDEs). This study explores designers’ patterns of behaviour in PDEs. To achieve this, we introduce the situated function-behaviour-structure (FBS) model to develop a customized coding scheme for protocol studies. The situated FBS model has been suggested to be able to capture most of the meaningful design processes and indicate clear transition between design events. In the customized coding scheme, this situated FBS ontological model has been adapted to reflect the characteristics of parametric design by categorizing designers’ activities both from design knowledge and rule algorithm. In order to test the coding scheme and explore patterns of designers’ behaviour in PDEs, a pilot study is conducted in which two designers are involved to complete a design task using parametric tools. We propose to apply the results of the protocol analysis in identifying three levels of design behaviour patterns: behaviour patterns derived from three worlds (internal, expected and external worlds), behaviour patterns derived from design processes (the eight design processes indicated in FBS model) and those derived from the two levels of parametric design activities (design knowledge based activities and rule algorithm based activities). Preliminary results show that the customised coding scheme based on the situated FBS ontology is capable to capture most of designers design activities and explore designers’ patterns of behaviour form various aspects. Furthermore, some patterns in terms of the three levels of behaviour in PDEs are identified and discussed.

Structurally intelligent swarms

Abstract: The potential afforded by the open search spaces of both agent-based models and evolutionary engines have given architecture yet another set of computational tools to play with, yet more often than not, they are used in isolation from one another. This research explores the set of techniques and results of having combined swarm formations, FEM software and an evolutionary engine within a parametric modeling environment such that they induce structurally intelligent swarm (SIS) morphologies. These morphologies are situated within normative architectural assemblies by means of parametric grafting techniques. Savage gothic materiality, as described by John Ruskin, as well as the work of Eva Hesse are referenced as the basis for these explorations. Speculations are made as to refining the engineering capabilities, expanding on programmatic applications and testing integrated SIS assemblies at larger scales when tackling initial problems of adaptive reuse.

Editorial: Special issue on CAAD and Innovation

Abstract: The concepts and applications of Computer Aided Architectural Design (CAAD) have a predominant presence and impact on architectural design innovation and creativity. ASCAAD, in its 6 th international conference, invited the learnt society of academics, researchers and professionals to debate the ubiquitous emerging role of CAAD in underpinning innovative design thinking processes and research in design education. The conference theme covered the following issues:  Computational research in design pedagogy and in practice

Using Robot Kits for Teaching Railway Engineers

Abstract: This paper describes a methodology that uses robot kits for teaching railway engineering. Current railway engineering courses focus more on the theories of railway design and management. The lack of hands-on experience of students may result in design defects in practice. Automation and Robotics, an optional course designed for senior students in the Department of Civil Engineering at National Taiwan University, was specifically designed as a 4-week courseware for training future railway engineers. In addition to studying the theory of railway control systems, students were required to implement a railway control system using the robot toolkit LEGO Mindstorm NXT, and the robot platform Microsoft robotics developer studio (MSRDS). After the 4-week course, as a final project students were divided into six teams and demonstrated their automatic train control (ATC) systems. From the project demonstration, we found that the designs of all six teams were conceptually very similar, differing only in certain characteristics. Four of the six teams successfully delivered stable ATC systems. According to feedback obtained from the questionnaires, students had a very positive learning experience. Therefore, the authors conclude that the incorporation of these hands-on training techniques into advanced design courses will be very successful.