Showing papers in "Journal of Information Technology in Construction in 2013"

A study of BIM collaboration requirements and available features in existing model collaboration systems

Abstract: Established collaboration practices in the construction industry are document centric and are challenged by the introduction of Building Information Modelling (BIM). Document management collaboration systems (e.g. Extranets) have significantly improved the document collaboration in recent years; however their capabilities for model collaboration are limited and do not support the complex requirements of BIM collaboration. The construction industry is responding to this situation by adopting emerging model collaboration systems (MCS), such as model servers, with the ability to exploit and reuse information directly from the models to extend the current intra-disciplinary collaboration towards integrated multi-disciplinary collaboration on models. The functions of existing MCSs have evolved from the manufacturing industry and there is no concrete study on how these functions correspond to the requirements of the construction industry, especially with BIM requirements. This research has conducted focus group sessions with major industry disciplines to explore the user requirements for BIM collaboration. The research results have been used to categorise and express the features of existing MCS which are then analysed in selected MCS from a user’s perspective. The potential of MCS and the match or gap in user requirements and available model collaboration features is discussed. This study concludes that model collaborative solutions for construction industry users are available in different capacities; however a comprehensive custom built solution is yet to be realized. The research results are useful for construction industry professionals, software developers and researchers involved in exploring collaborative solutions for the construction industry.

An analysis of the drivers for adopting building information modelling

Abstract: Building Information Modelling (BIM) is one of the pillars of the UK Government Construction Strategy. While many benefits (drivers) of BIM are mentioned in literature there is little by way of research to evaluate their importance. The objective of the survey reported in this paper is therefore to fill this knowledge gap by identifying and prioritizing the factors driving BIM adoption to enable those seeking to adopt BIM to gain an understanding of the relative importance of each of these drivers in order to inform their strategic and operational decision making. The research sample was limited to the top 100 UK construction contractors with international business activity. Online survey respondents were asked to score on a Likert-type scale of 1-5 the level of importance they would place on the identified factors driving BIM adoption. Responses to the online survey were analysed using relative importance index and rank agreement factor. The study concluded that those who had adopted BIM ranked the drivers for BIM differently than those yet to implement a BIM solution.Overall, the study found that the three most important drivers for BIM implementation are “Clash Detection”,“Government Pressure” and “Competitive Pressure”. The top drivers for non-users of BIM could be grouped under pressure from external sources while operational drivers were more important for users of BIM.

Virtual reality for the built environment: a critical review of recent advances

Abstract: This paper reviews the current state of the art for Virtual Reality (VR) and Virtual Environment (VE) applications in the field of the built environment. The review begins with a brief overview of technological components involved in enabling VR technology. A classification framework is developed to classify 150 journal papers in order to reveal the scholarly coverage of VR and VE from 2005 to 2011, inclusive. The classification framework summarizes achievements, established knowledge, research issues and challenges in the area. The framework is based on four layers of VR: concept and theory, implementation, evaluation and industrial adoption. These layers encompass architecture and design, urban planning and landscape, engineering, construction, facility management, lifecycle integration, training and education. This paper also discusses various representative VR research work in line with the classification framework. Finally the paper predicts future research trends in this area.

SCenarios for cyber-physical systems integration in construction

Abstract: There is an increasing growth in the use of virtual models in the construction industry but this use is often limited to the design and tendering/bidding stage. Much more benefit can be derived from these models by extending their use to the construction and operations and maintenance phases of a facility’s lifecycle. A good way of achieving this involves real-time bi-directional coordination between virtual models and the physical construction. This will enable improvements in progress monitoring, construction process control, as-built documentation and sustainable building practices. To maintain bi-directional coordination, computational resources are required to tightly integrate the virtual models and the physical construction such that changes in one environment are automatically reflected in the other. This paper focuses on describing the role of bi-directional coordination in improving the construction project delivery process. A system architecture is presented, which illustrates the necessary technologies and sub-systems needed to facilitate the two way coordination. Future deployment scenarios are also presented to illustrate the potential benefits to the construction industry.

Reviewing the evidence: use of digital collaboration technologies in major building and infrastructure projects

Abstract: In today’s digital economy, the construction industry is at the verge of a technological revolution. Myriad technologies are promising innovative solutions to age-old problems of coordination and delivering projects on-time, on-budget and to clients’ specifications, through what has come to be known as integrated project delivery. However, there is limited understanding of how these technologies are actually implemented to separate myth from reality. This paper reports on a study, the main aim of which is to enable a better understanding of how digital collaboration technologies are actually used in major construction projects and to what benefit. The objective is to unearth the research evidence through a rigorous process, and to identify, synthesize and interpret this evidence. Through an adaptation of the systematic review methodology, this paper explores the evidence, showing how digital collaboration technologies are being used in the delivery of major building and infrastructure projects. The review finds that these technologies have been severally theorised as boundary objects and digital infrastructure, and as tightly-coupled and clean technologies. The main trajectories that characterise their development and use include visualisation, coordination, automation, integration and transformation. The evidence suggests that integration of people, processes and systems is the underlying and predominant theme in a majority of projects. However, instead of a truly integrated approach, projects have often used digital technologies to achieve partial integration, with design and construction phases having more applications than operations and facilities management. It was also found that digital technology implementations addressing sustainability issues have received less attention, in spite of current government and industry focus on that agenda. The review indicates a diversity of approaches to achieving integration, which means that a clear and uniform approach has yet to be established. Nonetheless, Building Information Modelling (BIM) appears to be the emerging leading paradigm, although it also means different things to different people. The perennial challenge of interoperability still remains, prompting calls for a broader definition to include non-technical aspects. Other major challenges identified in the review include the technologies’ material constraints and affordances, leadership, information-risks, training and the measurement of value. Finally, the review highlights areas that could benefit from further research attention. These include more focus on actual BIM implementations in major projects, the challenges of integrating multiple technologies across the whole project/asset lifecycle; and closer attention to their use for addressing sustainability issues.

Designing a novel virtual collaborative environment to support collaboration in design review meetings

Abstract: Project review meetings are part of the project management process and are organised to assess progress and resolve any design conflicts to avoid delays in construction. One of the key challenges during a project review meeting is to bring the stakeholders together and use this time effectively to address design issues as quickly as possible. At present, current technology solutions based on BIM or CAD are information-centric and do not allow project teams to collectively explore the design from a range of perspectives and brainstorm ideas when design conflicts are encountered. This paper presents a system architecture that can be used to support multi-functional team collaboration more effectively during such design review meetings. The proposed architecture illustrates how information-centric BIM or CAD systems can be made human- and team-centric to enhance team communication and problem solving. An implementation of the proposed system architecture has been tested for its utility, likability and usefulness during design review meetings. The evaluation results suggest that the collaboration platform has the potential to enhance collaboration among multi-functional teams.

Use of embedded rfid tags in concrete element supply chains

Abstract: Precast concrete components are basic element of modern construction industry. Their lifecycle involves many steps, in which the element's progress is usually tracked on paper. Similarly construction projects do not often have a formal information management process. Increased traceability and information management could address issues related to duplicated information management work, lack of real-time information, information delays and access issues. A study of how an information system can be integrated to the construction process and what kind of services can be implemented with the unique tracking of precast concrete elements is reported here. The tracking and data management is implemented with embedded RFID chips in each of the elements. The viability of building information modelling, traceability, management, gathering of quality management data and logistics location management services are shown to work with a series of pilot projects. The information system increases the amount and the detail of data, providing more tools for data management and reduces the amount of human errors involved in information management.

Requirements management for the design of energy efficient buildings

Abstract: Buildings are designed to fulfil the multiple and, often, contradictory requirements of users, clients and society. Energy aspects are often not considered before the detailed design phase and a systematic way of analysing the energy performance of solutions throughout the design phase is lacking. A suggested framework, based on engineering design theories of requirements management, was applied to a case study of the design of an energy-efficient building in a real construction project. The case study provided qualitative insights into how the proposed framework can contribute to a more structured requirements management of a construction project with a focus on the energy-efficient design of buildings. It can be seen that the proposed framework for requirements management of energy performance provides a structure for designers to consider and apply energy performance criteria in the early design stages and visualize the consequences of alternative design solutions for clients, engineers, contractors and suppliers. The use of a requirements structure enables the transparency of different design alternatives against the established functional requirements of energy performance for the stakeholders in the design process. The use of BIM to support the proposed requirements framework needs to be studied further and connected to national and international construction classification schemas and ontology frameworks.

Strategic e-business framework: a holistic approach for organisations in the construction industry

Abstract: Strategic consideration and actions are crucial for organisations in the construction industry to implement e-business successfully and have continuous improvement. However, only focusing on one concept is not sufficient for construction companies to formulate their e-business strategy because of the fragmented needs and requirements within the organisations. To address the industry’s specific needs and requirements, an e- business strategy should include multiple elements rather than one element, and collaboration of partners should lie at the heart of the e-business strategy. Also, the strategic approaches currently available for e- business implementation are mainly ‘reactive’ and lack a long-term consideration or vision. To improve e- business implementation, it is important for organisations in the industry to create a positive organisational culture and consider both the emergent and long-term needs across organisation boundaries. This paper presents a Strategic e-Business Framework for organisations in the construction industry. The Framework provides a holistic approach for e-business strategy formulation and implementation. Organisations in the industry can work out a comprehension business solution for their e-business implementation using the Framework. The recommendations are also presented to illustrate how the Framework can benefit organisations in the construction industry potentially.

A novel integrated approach to project-level automated machine control/guidance systems in construction projects

Abstract: The current research aims to further investigate the application of Automated Machine Control/Guidance (AMC/G) in construction projects and proposes an integrated approach for: (1) Improving the administrative infrastructure required for the optimal application of AMC/G; and (2) Orchestrating the machine-level AMC/G technologies into a coherent project-level system committed to the coordination of operations towards the overall project objectives. Based on the importance of 3D design models and Digital Terrain Models (DTM) as the basis for contracting AMC/G projects, a new work and information flow is proposed and its contribution towards streamlining the utilization of AMC/G is scrutinized. Furthermore, by integrating AMC/G technology with a multi-agent architecture encompassing several project stakeholders and real-time simulation, a novel approach is introduced to increase the safety and productivity of the entire project.

Selection and evaluation of color scheme for 4d construction models

Abstract: SUMMARY: Four-dimensional models have proven to be an effective tool in construction management. The 3D models within these change color according to changes in the corresponding construction schedule. Color schemes play a crucial role in the design and representation of a 4D model. Good color schemes enhance an engineer’s understanding of the situation at hand. Therefore, this research aims to develop effective and affordable tools for selecting and evaluating color schemes in 4D models. We proposed a two-step method of color selection. The first step is to determine the number of construction statuses and their relationships with each other. The second step is to select the colors to fit these statuses. In this research, we also developed three types of simulators to facilitate color evaluation. The display simulator is the first type of simulator developed and includes a LED monitor simulator, a projector simulator, and a printout simulator. The second type of simulator is the viewer simulator, which simulates protanopic blindness and tritanope blindness. The third type of simulator is the rendering simulator. This simulates the rendering results from the two major 3D viewers: NavisWorks and SmartPlant Review. Using the two-step selection method and the three types of simulators, we identified 21 color schemes (3 for 3 statuses, 12 for 5 statuses, and 6 for 6 statuses) ideal for presenting 4D models. We summarized our experiences by providing six guidelines for color selections. The color schemes and simulators were also implemented as a reference tool on a website (http://4Dcolor.caece.net). Future 4D model builders can refer to this website to select the color scheme that is most appropriate for their projects.

Automated identification of occupant interactions in renovations of occupied buildings

Abstract: Identification of interactions when tenants and/or crews share the same space is a critical task to ensure the timely execution of renovation work while maintaining the operational requirements of building tenants. Current methods to identify these occupant interactions are manual, inefficient, and inaccurate, leading to loss in productivity for tenants and crews, and cost and schedule overruns for the renovation project. This paper presents a formal representation of renovation planning information (i.e., occupant profiles, renovation schedule, and occupant interaction types) and reasoning methods that utilize this formal representation to identify occupant interactions (IOI) automatically. The IOI method builds on existing concepts and methods in product, organization, and process modeling to generate detailed occupant location and space sharing data more efficiently than existing methods. To validate the IOI method, we implemented and tested a prototype system during the planning stages of three on-going renovation projects. The results indicate that the renovation planning ontology and reasoning methods enable planners to represent renovation planning information more thoroughly, and with increased detail, leading them to identify occupant interactions more accurately than with traditional planning methods, and to adjust their plans for improved cost and schedule predictions.

Prospective validation of virtual design and construction methods

Abstract: As new virtual design and construction (VDC) methods are developed, researchers and practitioners alike must understand the power of these methods before dedicating effort and resources towards further development or implementation on real projects. One particular aspect of power – external validation – is a challenge in VDC research because of the unique nature of projects and long waiting times for actual data on project performance. With the increased use of VDC in practice, however, prospective validation is an emerging validation method where researchers can test new VDC methods on real projects within a reasonable time frame. This paper examines how researchers can use prospective validation. It presents a framework for understanding the purpose of prospective validation, an application of prospective validation, and implementation guidelines for researchers utilizing prospective validation. The results show that prospective validation should be used when researchers want to test a new method against an existing method used by practitioners on a real project. Researchers should also want to test whether the new method can be performed within a reasonable time frame and if so, whether the results could influence future project decisions. The implementation guidelines describe the necessary steps in the planning, execution, and analysis of a prospective validation test. More broadly, prospective validation represents a new way in which researchers and practitioners can collaborate that benefits the advancement of science as well as the management of real projects.

A pilot model for a proof of concept healthcare facility information management prototype

Abstract: Within the healthcare industry it is important that facility information is efficiently and effectively managed to aid in the successful operation and maintenance of the facility and provide a safe and well- maintained environment of care for patients and staff. In order to do this, a healthcare facility information management prototype was proposed. The goal of the prototype is to allow facility managers to more efficiently and effectively respond to facility related events within the healthcare environment. The prototype was designed by using case analysis methods to identify information needs and draw connections between clinical information and facility management operations. This information was organized into a product model which is used as an ontology to capture, store, and retrieve the information. A conceptual model is developed to demonstrate the potential use of the developed product model in aiding facility managers’ responses to facility related events. The conceptual model uses developed Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) that are mapped to the product model to demonstrate the information interactions. Information from one of the analyzed case studies is used as an example to describe the conceptual model development. A walk-through of the model is included to demonstrate how the different GUIs would be used to respond to the example event. This paper discusses the system architecture, the goals of the conceptual model and prototype, and the conceptual model development and validation. Future research strategies for the proposed healthcare facility information management framework are also addressed.

Evaluating a data clustering approach for life-cycle facility control

Abstract: Data reported by sensors in building automation and control systems is critical for evaluating the as- operated performance of a facility. Typically these systems are designed to support specific control domains, but facility performance analysis requires the fusion of data across these domains. Since a facility may have several disparate, closed-loop systems, resolution of data interoperability issues is a prerequisite to cross-domain data fusion. In previous publications, the authors have proposed an experimental platform for building information fusion where the sensors are reconciled to building information model elements and ultimately to an expected resource utilization schedule. The motivation for this integration is to provide a framework for comparing the as- operated facility with its intended usage patterns. While the authors’ data integration framework provides representational tools for integrating BIM and raw sensor data, appropriate computational approaches for normalization, filtering, and pattern extraction methods must be developed to provide a mathematical basis for anomaly detection and “plan” versus “actual” comparisons of resource use. This article presents a computational workflow for categorizing daily resource usage according to a resolution typical of human-specified schedules. Simulated datasets and real datasets are used as the basis for experimental analysis of the authors’ approach, and results indicate that the algorithm can produce 90% matching accuracy with noise/variations up to 55%.

Formulation of systems and information architecture hierarchies for building structures

Abstract: Building Information Modeling (BIM) heavily utilizes information in various processes throughout the project lifecycle. However, with the magnitude of information needed, misrepresentation or missing data typically leads to interoperability issues. To ensure proper interoperability, a robust information architecture that encompasses a broad spectrum of the topic is needed to develop the most accurate and appropriate schemas. Within the AEC industry the structural domain is the forerunner of data exchange development initiatives. However, there is still a lack of a larger and more comprehensive view to information architectures within structures. The research presented here introduces a novel approach to the foundation of a detailed information architecture for the structural information domain based on systems, sub-systems, elements, components, and supporting resources within the AEC industry. This information architecture represented in aggregated hierarchies provides a breakdown of information related to projects from varying perspectives including product, process control, feedback and constraint information which is generated by capturing, analyzing, retrieving, and formulating.

Schedule compression using fuzzy set theory and contractors judgment

Abstract: This paper presents a new method developed for schedule compression of non-repetitive construction projects. The method accounts for uncertainties associated with crash cost and it considers contractors’ judgment. It allows contractors to: (1) perform risk analysis for different schedule compression plans; and (2) perform different scenarios expressing vagueness and imprecision of estimated crash cost using a set of measures and indices.The method combines Fuzzy Set Theory and contractors’ judgment in setting priorities for the compression process of project schedules. The developed method is implemented in MS-Excel, and it can be easily used as an add-on utility to other scheduling software systems. To illustrate its capabilities, an example project drawn from the literature was analyzed.

Development of a Fixed Firefighting System Selection Tool for Improved Outcomes

Abstract: The UK along with the European Union has experienced a recent proliferation in design approaches for potential fixed firefighting systems. Such systems are installed to mitigate fire hazards in buildings and equipment. In the UK, for example there were five general design approaches to fixed firefighting systems protection in 1986. This had increased to eleven in 2011. This is against the backdrop of the current non-prescriptive regulatory frameworks including the Building Regulations, the repeal of so-called ‘local acts’, the Regulatory (fire) Reform Order and associated guidance (Approved Documents, standards, codes of practice and guides). In response to this trend, as was intended, the market place is becoming increasingly competitive. However, the capability of each technology remains limited to protection against certain hazards, rather than offering a solution to guard against all possible scenarios. When selecting a fixed firefighting system, fire hazards and interactions can be difficult to assess and describe and the inequality or absence of satisfactory methods is notable in many recently published guidance documents. The absence of good quality guidance for non-expert practitioners (specifiers) and regulatory changes means a good quality source of impartial and expert knowledge is increasingly desirable. The challenge is to amass this knowledge and render it in an accessible format to the non-expert user. This paper reports on progress to-date; understanding the problem, amassing and structuring the knowledge base and developing a suitable knowledge management tool.

A comparative study to determine a suitable representational data model for UK building regulations

Abstract: The notion of advancing levels of adequate regulatory compliance within the domain of construction and engineering is by no means a new phenomenon. An extensive degree of effort has over a number of decades previously focused on semi/fully automating design checking against regulatory building codes. After experiencing somewhat of a dip in popularity within academia, this research topic is once again of great interest due to the on-going adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) within the construction domain among other drivers like frequent updates to building regulatory documents particularly in relation to sustainability related issues like energy efficiency of buildings. This interest will only increase as we witness further widespread adoption of this new BIM paradigm across until now untouched disciplines. Unfortunately design checking within the remit of BIM still faces major problems with respect to national and local regulations as no sustainably sensible or scalable method has yet been implemented to ensure compliance rules are consistent with current legislation within these contexts. This work questions a suitable representational data format for UK construction and engineering regulations focusing on machine processable formats built entirely on open data standards which can then set the basis for addressing the aforementioned issues. We compare two existing legislation data models, namely the Crown Legislation Markup Language (CLML) and Akoma Ntoso, whilst in the process grading each on its suitability for most accurately accommodating and expressing the domain and profession specific nature of typical building regulations. The study conclusions indicate that the design, management and current availability of the CLML has resulted in a scenario where barriers exist to widespread adoption, this includes building out community in support of the language. Akoma Ntoso on the other hand has focused on building community around the proposed standard. This increases the likelihood of phased organisational transition towards the standard for achieving improved representational data modelling.