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Computer Vision-based YOLO11 for automated damage assessment of public building roofs supporting maintenance management
Get PDFMaintenance Management (MM) of aging buildings is a critical challenge due to complex maintenance operations and limited resources. Digital technologies, such as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), have improved inspection efficiency and accuracy, while Artificial Intelligence (AI) enhances the reliability of automated analysis of UAS data. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding operational methods and systems that effectively integrate these technologies to provide timely, actionable information for decision-making. Moreover, there is a lack of studies integrating multiple damage classes and roof typologies for automated roof inspections across diverse scenarios. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the application of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) to detect roof damage in aging public buildings using UAS-captured images. A case study involved collecting 7,937 drone images from 25 aging buildings, with 7,210 containing roof defects. A YOLO11-based model was developed to automate the recognition of ten damage classes. The top five classes with the highest precision were Biofilm accumulation, Extra Tile, Open or damaged trapdoor, Slab Crack, and Roof Debris. The model showed improvement during training, but dataset imbalance affected its performance, causing it to favor classes with more samples or clearer features. This issue resulted in poorer performance for minority classes, increasing false-negative rates and limiting generalization. Future studies may address dataset imbalance through data balancing, class weighting, or reorganizing the dataset into multiple models. Also, involving experts in roof maintenance could further refine the model\u27s ability to prioritize critical defects
A Case Study on the Revitalization of a Hospital Building : Toward Open Building of Existing Buildings
Get PDFJapan\u27s rapidly aging and shrinking population has resulted in an increasing number of hospital facilities that do not meet today\u27s demands. In order to cope with the rapidly changing healthcare environment in Japan, it is adequate to utilize and renovate existing hospital buildings. This study focuses on the “Refining Architecture” method, abbreviated as “RA” in this paper, which is a drastic renovation of existing buildings through seismic retrofitting, legalization, interior and exterior renovation, and plan and design changes. The process and method of investigation and renovation of existing buildings in RA are clarified using the Hospital project W, which was renovated by RA, as a case study. This study was conducted by interviewing the design leaders of Hospital W and analyzing the design documents. Finally, a comparison with open building is made to examine the theoretical considerations of RA, and the effectiveness of RA. In particular, this study shows that the RA method is unique and effective in that it involves an in-depth investigation of the existing building, and the structural frame is viewed as plastic and vulnerable. The findings of the RA methodology also suggested that it may be useful for future development of the open building concept
Exploring the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in EBE Education 5.0 through the Quintuple Helix Model of Innovation
Get PDFThe Quintuple Helix Model of Innovation (5HIM) offers an analytical framework with which to interrogate the reciprocal, complex inter-relationships between the eco-systems of the government, civil society, industry, academia and the environment. In the context of the Built Environment (BE), all of these subsystems are represented by the traditional stakeholders and role players. Education 5.0 requires the integration of digital technology into a modernised engineering and the BE curriculum, while prioritising human-centricity, resilience and sustainable development. Future BE Professionals (BEPs) will be required to serve a data-driven society – Society 5.0 – that strives to deliver prosperity of all, through a sector that touches the lives of everything and everyone. The first step in designing a Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR) inclusive engineering and BE education programme requires consultation among stakeholders. A theoretical approach was used to interrogate what the role of BEPs would be to achieve sustainable development goals with the intention of incorporating the appropriate knowledge in EBE education within the context of a developing country such as South Africa . A process model was developed to establish selection of appropriate and relevant 5HIM eco-system representatives. The model results in the identification of the “who” (key stakeholders and role players in each eco-system) to be invited to curricula consultations, based on the “why” (the rationale for their engagement in the BE) and the “what” (their unique stakeholder needs, requirements and responsibilities)
A user-centric approach in BIM environments for energy efficiency, indoor comfort assessment and renovation planning
Get PDFThe Chapter 7 of Agenda 21 calls, among others, for promoting sustainable construction industry activities, human resource development and capacity-building for human settlements development. Tremendous efforts for achieving this target in the construction sector still need to be made and the challenge of European climate-neutrality by 2050 seems like a utopia. The development of new technologies, materials and processes for low environmental impacts interventions are usually addressed to new buildings and infrastructures, but sustainable cities need proper and effective strategies of LCA-based renovations to reduce considerably their carbon footprint. New human-centric approaches can help maximizing awareness and benefits on sustainability of renovations. With this in mind, the exploitation of digital tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), the Internet of Things (IoT) and an occupant-centric approach for energy efficiency, indoor comfort improvement and participative renovation planning can be extremely effective to contribute to UN SDG 11. This paper describes the results in applying two BIM-based tools, namely BIMPlanner and BIM4Occupants, developed within the EU funded project BIM4EEB to improve sharing, on one side, useful data construction works progress among renovation stakeholders and, on the other side, tailored information about indoor conditions, comfort preferences and energy consumption with inhabitants. Therefore, the paper describes a pilot building, namely the Italian demonstration application of the project, to show the feasibility of the proposed tools. Benefits connected to the BIM framework and IoT devices result in an improvement of data sharing and communication between renovation stakeholders, then in an enhanced and real-time updated building process
Factors affecting the capacity and capability of the commercial building sector in New Zealand
Get PDFThe construction sector also appears to have suffered a significant impact from the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three years. Therefore, properly identifying the capacity and capability of the NZ construction industry and improving construction resilience is crucial. Hence, this study focuses on the commercial building sector by conducting an in-depth case study on recently completed commercial buildings in NZ. The study was carried out through 13 semi-structured interviews with the stakeholders of the selected case who had sound knowledge and experience on the case. According to the study, 90% of the participants pointed out that proper communication and team coordination lead to better project management and project success. It can mitigate various challenges together as a team. Further, private sector clients are in favour of having the contractor involved as early as possible to improve the buildability and strengthen the stakeholder relationship. Therefore, having proper pre-contractor management leads to a successful post-contract delivery. The study contributes knowledge to model the capacity and capability of the building sector to identify shocks and stresses faced by the sector. In order to map the future construction demand in the commercial sector, challenges and mitigation actions must be considered. Although the study was carried out using a case study from NZ, the findings can be generalised to the commercial building sector in other countries
An Approach for Assessing Occupancy and Indoor CO₂ Concentrations Based on Alternative Environmental Metrics Through Machine Learning
Get PDFThere has been an evolving discussion regarding indoor air quality (IAQ) challenges in buildings through the outbreak of the most recent pandemic and other respiratory illnesses. Proper management of indoor environmental factors is crucial for maintaining a healthy indoor environment while also optimizing energy usage. One of the key factors affecting indoor air quality is CO2 concentration, where controlling its levels within acceptable ranges over time is essential to maintain occupants’ cognitive performance. The use of multiple CO2 sensors for more precise IAQ monitoring or installation of variable speed air systems that adjust the ventilation needs at any given time has limitations due to their relatively high cost and are missing in most existing buildings. Therefore, there is indeed a need for a simpler, yet sufficiently accurate and affordable approach to assess actual CO2 levels to keep them below the acceptable CO2 thresholds. In this study, we propose a machine learning method as an alternative approach to provide better control over CO2 concentration based on assessing the importance of other indoor environmental factors in real-time predictions. The obtained results reveal a strong correlation between CO2 concentrations and indoor temperature variations as a possible proxy, combined with fan coil unit (FCU) speeds and absolute humidity (AH) in a case study with a DOAS system
Construction Supply Chain Resiliency Strategies from a Life-Cycle Perspective
Get PDFConstruction supply chain (CSC) disruptions have caused local and global issues, with an increased awareness to identify practical strategies to combat these issues. This paper aims to address the research gap in phase-specific resiliency strategies to mitigate disruptions in the construction supply chain (CSC). A qualitative approach was adopted to close this gap by conducting a literature review of CSC resiliency articles to identify key resiliency strategies and supply chain life cycle (SCLC) phases. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by (1) identifying trends in the number of publications in CSC resiliency research, (2) proposing a taxonomy of strategies, and (3) determining the most effective strategies for each phase of the SCLC. The strategies found to benefit the most significant amount of SCLC phases are detection/monitoring systems (innovative technologies like BIM and RFID), localization, and flexibility. The findings of this paper will inform key stakeholders (i.e., designers, manufacturers, suppliers, subcontractors, and contractors) on how to improve their decisions when dealing with CSC disruptions. Future recommendations call for more material-, construction-type-, and geographically- specific analysis to understand which strategies are viable to particular industries and stakeholders as well as further research into which strategies can benefit the winding up and control and maintenance phases of the SCLC
Exploring Camel Hair: A Sustainable Local Material for Architectural Applications in Saudi Arabia
Get PDFThis research explores the potential of camel hair as a sustainable architectural material, emphasizing its applications in air purification, thermal insulation, and aesthetic facade treatments. Camel hair, an abundant yet underutilized byproduct in Saudi Arabia, possesses unique physical and chemical properties, including excellent thermal conductivity, moisture resistance, durability, and biodegradability. These attributes position it as a viable alternative to conventional materials, particularly in arid climates.
The study draws on experimental data, including patented filtration systems, to evaluate camel hair’s performance in architectural contexts. Comparative analysis highlights its advantages over other animal-derived materials, such as wool, leather, and bone, in terms of functionality, sustainability, and cultural relevance. Challenges in adoption, including logistical barriers and cultural perceptions, are addressed alongside practical case studies and hypothetical prototypes.
Aligning with Saudi Vision 2030, camel hair offers a pathway to sustainable building practices by reducing waste, promoting local resource use, and minimizing environmental impacts. The research concludes by recommending further studies on composite materials and environmental metrics and providing guidance for policymakers and industry stakeholders to integrate camel hair into modern construction. This work underscores camel hair’s transformative potential in advancing sustainable architecture
A Partnership in Construction Management Education: A Case Study with the US Army Corps of Engineers
No full textThis study evaluates the effectiveness of the XXXX University-U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) partnership certificate program, aimed at rapidly upskilling personnel for construction management roles. Surveying 240 graduates, including both USACE-affiliated and non-affiliated participants, this research examines perceptions of the program\u27s impact on proficiency in three key areas: scheduling, estimating, and construction law. With a 22.9% response rate, results indicate perceived improvement across all key areas, with respondents reporting more significant gains in construction law proficiency. The curriculum’s focus on project management, estimating, scheduling, and construction law received positive feedback, suggesting the certificate program offers relevant and practical training for immediate workforce needs. Demographic analysis shows the majority of respondents as mid-career professionals, primarily in engineering and architecture roles. Statistical analysis of pre- and post-program proficiency scores reveals a marked increase in participants’ skills, and qualitative feedback supports the program’s relevance and effectiveness. While limited by a smaller response rate, findings underscore the potential of certificate programs to address critical workforce shortages in the construction industry. Future research could include qualitative interviews to deepen understanding and broaden applicability to other construction sectors seeking fast-track training solutions to build a skilled workforce
Decision-making in Green vs. Traditional Construction: Identifying Critical Factors for the Application of Choosing by Advantages
Get PDFProject selection is of great importance for effective project management, aligning organizational goals that drive opportunities in the construction industry. Green building projects have gained significant momentum over the years as the construction industry seeks sustainable solutions to address environmental challenges. The choice between green and traditional projects impacts not only contractors’ financial performance and market competitiveness but also their environmental footprint, regulatory compliance, and alignment with broader societal goals. This decision requires careful consideration of both short and long-term benefits to support sustainable development. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to identify critical factors influencing the selection of green over traditional building projects using the Choosing by Advantages (CBA) method. By doing so, it aims to address a gap in the literature by examining project selection factors through the lens of the CBA method. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify these factors, with a focus on comparative studies of green and traditional building projects. The review identified 14 key factors categorized into four groups: (i) operational, (ii) financial, (iii) environmental, and (iv) legal. Among these, environmental factors emerged as the most critical, with “energy consumption” and “environmental protection degree of building materials” identified as the most significant sub-factors. This study provides valuable insights for researchers and practitioners, offering critical factors for implementing the CBA method in project selection. It also establishes a basis for developing green project selection criteria in the construction industry, ultimately supporting more sustainable project choices