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Artificial Intelligence and Building Information Modeling in Construction: Applications, Challenges, and Future Opportunities
Get PDFThis study explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the construction industry, emphasizing key applications, advancements, challenges, and future opportunities. Existing literature often isolates AI techniques from BIM applications; however, this research employs a systematic literature review guided by the PRISMA framework. A total of 56 articles addressing AI-BIM integration were reviewed, with 21 meeting the inclusion criteria. Findings reveal diverse applications, including design optimization, predictive maintenance, and safety management, underscoring the potential of AI-BIM integration to enhance various stages of the building lifecycle. However, significant challenges persist, such as data limitations, the complexity of BIM models, and the need for collaborative stakeholder approaches. A critical gap is identified in training and upskilling professionals to effectively leverage these technologies. While Natural Language Processing (NLP) has shown promise in tasks like specifications assessment and linking Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) protocols to BIM, its application in training and education remains underexplored, highlighting an opportunity for further research to bridge the gap between technological innovation and user proficiency
Bridging the gap between environmental sustainability and building operation in office buildings: Performance measurement based on user behavior
No full textThe Architecture-Engineering-Construction-Operation (AECO) industry is reshaping due to two major disruptions. First, the climate crisis underscored the urgency to reduce environmental pressures. The global debate on sustainable economies has emphasized the need for the sector to evolve, particularly in the operation and maintenance phase, which has the most significant potential to leverage environmental impact. Second, the COVID-19 pandemic changed social behavior, in particular, shifting work patterns toward more flexible modes and reducing office occupancy. While the variability in office utilization highlighted the need to rethink workspaces based on user behavior, existing tools cannot effectively measure the impact of Operation & Maintenance (O&M), limiting their usefulness for sustainable office management.
To address the existing gap, this research introduces a model that measures environmental impact while accounting for space utilization and user behavior within office buildings. Based on the Ecological Footprint methodology, the model assesses eight impact sources: built-up, energy consumption, water consumption, food and drink, material consumption, mobility, waste generation, and trade-off potential. The calculations were tested on an existing office building as a case study through a Participatory-Action-Research (PAR) method, which allows the involvement of different stakeholders (e.g., building managers and users) in a research and development process. Demonstrating the model’s potential to guide different stakeholders toward a more sustainable office utilization, PAR facilitated the comparison of working-from-home and working-in-the-office impacts.
Beyond energy efficiency, this research underlines the complexity of sustainable office building performance as a multi-faceted issue that should be tackled through the engagement of both building managers and users to promote effective sustainability practices. The practical impact of this contribution lays in the development of strategic actions to guide sustainable O&M of office buildings
A Comparative Study on the Performance of Traditional and Collaborative Construction Projects
No full textSince the emergence of collaborative project delivery models, there has been some anecdotal evidence on the superiority of their performance results compared to the construction projects delivered through traditional delivery models. In this regard, this study aims to investigate and compare the performance of traditional and collaborative building construction projects in terms of time, cost, quality, safety, and the constructed building’s energy consumption in the use phase. To do so, the required data were collected through a web-based survey from project practitioners in Finland, Norway, Bahrain, Iran, USA, UK, and Australia. According to the findings, the addressed collaborative construction projects in this study seem to outperform the traditional ones in terms of project’s time and cost performance and constructed building’s energy consumption in the use phase. In terms of quality and safety, however, the average performance of addressed traditional construction projects in this study seems to be slightly better than the collaborative ones. Overall, it seems that both traditional and collaborative construction projects have the potential to meet their basic targets in terms of time, cost, quality, and safety in the project life cycle and the energy consumption in the use phase of the constructed facility. There are, however, some factors like the complexity of the project, collaboration, and competence of the project team which can greatly affect that potential. As the findings of this study are based on a relatively small sample of collaborative and traditional projects from different countries, further research with a bigger sample size is strongly recommended
Unveiling the Untapped: Extracting Tacit Knowledge from Experienced Construction Workers through Visual Attention Interfaces
Get PDFThis research explores novel methods for extracting tacit knowledge, which is the expertise often unarticulated and difficult to explain. Due to its implicit nature, effectively transferring this knowledge traditionally requires close interaction with experienced construction workers. This paper proposes utilizing visual attention-based human-computer interfaces (HCIs) to understand and potentially capture this valuable knowledge. Building on the link between eye gaze and unconscious thought, the research focuses on developing interfaces that track the visual attention of experts during tasks where their expertise shines. This paper presents two novel HCIs that enhance the capabilities of traditional gaze tracking:
Hybrid Eye Tracking with EEG: This system combines eye trackers with electroencephalography (EEG) to improve gaze estimation accuracy. By analyzing EEG waves, the system compensates for limitations inherent in camera-based eye trackers. Integrating both modalities allows for a more robust and accurate understanding of where the user is looking.
Tracking Peripheral Attention with EEG: This interface goes beyond traditional gaze tracking by using EEG to detect peripheral attention, where the user is aware of something in their visual periphery (even if they are not directly looking at it). This capability is achieved through the use of specific visual stimuli that elicit specific brainwave patterns. This breakthrough opens possibilities for interfaces with a greater number of potential targets spread across the visual field.
These advancements contribute to the understanding and potential extraction of tacit knowledge by providing deeper insights into the user’s visual attention and the cognitive processes behind it. This paves the way for future research in knowledge transfer and expertise capture through human-computer interaction
Exploring Insurance Options And Innovations For Contractor Risk Management In Ghana\u27s Construction Industry
Get PDFAbstract: Purpose: This study examines various insurance options and innovations for managing contractor risk in Ghana\u27s construction industry.
Design: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the existing insurance options and innovations used in other countries for contractor risk management. Additionally, interviews were conducted with construction industry experts and insurance professionals to gather insights and perspectives on the applicability of these options in the Ghanaian context.
Value of the Study: This study contributes to the existing literature by providing an in-depth analysis of insurance options and innovations for contractor risk management, particularly within Ghana\u27s construction industry. It highlights significant gaps in awareness and adoption of insurance products, emphasising the necessity for tailored solutions to address the sector\u27s unique challenges. By identifying these gaps, the study offers actionable recommendations for insurers, policymakers, and contractors to enhance risk mitigation and strengthen the resilience of the construction industry.
Findings: The study found that traditional insurance options, such as contractor\u27s all-risk insurance and performance bonds, are commonly used in Ghana\u27s construction industry. However, contractors lack awareness and understanding of these options. Moreover, innovative insurance solutions, including parametric insurance and construction defect insurance, have the potential to effectively address specific risks faced by contractors in Ghana.
This study contributes to the existing literature by providing an in-depth analysis of insurance options and innovations for contractor risk management, specifically in Ghana\u27s construction industry
Applications, Challenges, and Benefits of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Method in the Construction Industry
Get PDFThe Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry plays an important role in the global economy. To achieve efficiency in project objectives such as time, cost, and quality the industry increasingly adopts a variety of techniques and technologies, emphasizing the continuous evolution of project delivery methods (PDMs). Currently, the Construction industry is witnessing significant global growth, and the selection of appropriate and widely accepted PDMs is essential to project success. Although, Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) method is not widely used in the construction industry yet, it is emerging as a viable alternative PDM in large-scale construction projects. This research explores the application, challenges, and benefits of IPD method in construction projects, comparing it to traditional PDMs. This research identifies applications, obstacles, and benefits of implementing IPD method using questionnaires of industry professionals. The study summarizes the feedback of the industry professionals in terms of early collaboration, team integration, technology integration, mutual trust, and risk sharing. Furthermore, the study analyzes the impacts of the above findings on project objectives, including time, cost, quality, and change orders
Application Of Leagile Theory In Construction Industry To Improve Value-creating Activities
No full textThis study explores the integration of Lean and Agile methodologies, known as “Leagile”, in the construction industry. Lean construction emphasizes continuous workflow and process optimization to reduce waste, while Agile management embraces the inevitability of change, promoting continuous discovery and learning throughout a project’s lifecycle. Clearly, both approaches require effective communication with project stakeholders and customers to enable iterative improvements. In recent years, the concept of “Leagile”— blending these two methodologies — has already been successfully applied in various sectors such as manufacturing and supply chain management. However, in the construction industry, the hybridization of Lean and Agile management is still in its early stages. Initial experiments in this area have shown promising potential and opened up a wide range of new possibilities in construction management. This paper contributes to the increasing body of work on Leagile, especially in relation to construction, by proposing a framework for its implementation and assessing the viability of this management paradigm. A case study involving a single-family residential unit project illustrates this novel method’s application in a practical setting
An Exploration of the Feasibility of Using Plastic Waste for Sustainable Road Construction in Nigeria: A Qualitative Approach
Get PDFEvery country, both developed and developing, has problems with waste management, specifically plastic waste. Plastic wastes are non-biodegradable and can decompose between 100 to 500 years. The negative impact of plastic waste is felt by the environment and all forms of living things, either on the land, in the air, or underwater, because of the chemical composition of plastic and its poor management. Nigeria, as a developing country, is faced with a poor and inadequate road network with about 200,000km road network and only 50,000km paved; therefore, there is a need to make more roads that are environmentally friendly, socially comfortable and accessible, and economically feasible. Thus, this research identifies and evaluates the factors that could promote or hinder the adoption of plastic waste for road construction. Highway construction professionals in Nigeria were interviewed and the data analysed thematically. The findings showed that awareness, government policy, funding, technical know-how, political will, equipment, standardised methodology, practical-knowledge gap and a sample trial hinder the adoption of plastic waste for road construction in Nigeria. However, the enables include global warning concerns, government policies and environmental awareness. Based on this research, it is evident that raising awareness and training amongst stakeholders, the balance between hands-on and classroom training, pilot construction, funding, and government policy is important for adopting plastic waste for road construction
Effects of Dormitory Design Factors on Migrant Workers’ Mental Health in Singapore
Get PDFMigrant workers face vulnerability and unique mental health challenges in their host countries. Housing designs may affect the residents’ mental health, yet few studies have investigated this relationship in the migrant worker dormitory context. In this study, we investigated this question by surveying the design factors of migrant workers’ dormitories and their mental health states measured by the short version of the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS). We found that those migrant workers’ mental health is correlated with whether one has a pleasant window view, defined as green, blue (water feature) or long-distance view. The findings suggest that the elements of nature in architectural design to residents’ mental health are important in the context of migrant worker dormitories. It is vital to incorporate more elements of nature in the design and renovation of migrant worker dormitories, especially the quick-built dormitories, to improve workers’ mental health. This study is especially timely in informing regulations on the standard of dormitory design by drawing attention to the mental health considerations of such designs and highlighting the importance of elements of nature in improving migrant workers’ mental health
Evaluating Key Performance resilience indicators for a public-private partnership in critical infrastructure
Get PDFMany studies have advocated for public-private partnership (PPP) as a medium to build critical infrastructure resilience. Considering how PPP is greatly advocated for in critical infrastructure resilience, the performance measurement of public-private partnership has yet to be explored. As such this study aims to evaluate key performance resilience indicators (KPRIs) that can be used to assess the performance of PPPs formed to build critical infrastructure resilience. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted with experts in PPP and critical infrastructure resilience in Ghana. Mann-Whitney U test and Mean score ranking was used for data analysis. The results indicate respondents from public sector ranked KPRIs differently from private sector respondents even though there were some similarities in their ranking. The top three significant KRPIs emerged as Well-designed critical infrastructure to include resilient features, sustainable Public-private partnership, Existence of Technology-oriented infrastructure to monitor system performance of critical infrastructure. The findings can help in drafting a public-private partnership that will accommodate the similarities and differences within the public and private sectors