Thesis and Research Data Repository Leeds Beckett University
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Design for Sustainability: An approach based on the integration of BIM and Building Performance Analyses
No full textBIM has emerged as a modern method for the design and management of construction throughout the lifecycle of a project. BIM has been widely used in various activities such as architectural and structural design, scheduling, resolving clashes, data sharing, monitoring projects, and various applications during the construction phase of a project. Nowadays, most countries are motivated in building great infrastructures thereby causing increased carbon emissions and energy consumption. This leads to a rise in the greenhouse effect. To overcome this crisis the AEC industry has given more importance to sustainable design and construction. Different private organizations have introduced various advanced technologies which have capable in analyse the building performance for sustainable outcomes. In construction, the industry has followed innovative methods through a collaboration of BIM with the Building performance analysis (BPA)tools to enhance the sustainable design workflow. This research paper brings an overview of the importance of sustainable design in the AEC industry. The importance of the BPA tools which are used along with BIM for the analysis of energy consumption and carbon emission. The hypothetical case study has demonstrated the step-bystep procedure for fully integrating BIM and BPA by using the Revit application and IES VE (Integrated Environment Solution and Virtual environment). This producer can be able to understand the relationship between BIM and BPA tools. Mainly about the challenges faced during the interoperability process which will be affected the sustainable analysis. Through the integration of BIM and BPA tools can be able to understand the current level of limitations and benefits of the sustainable design workflow.</p
An Investigation into the Role of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in Minimising Design Changes
No full textConceptually, Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been in existence for decades. However, BIM has only recently gained widespread application in the construction industry. There are mandates in place for BIM use in many countries. With this increased interest in the subject of BIM, there has been a lot of conjecture amongst academia on the potential benefits of projects utilising BIM. One of the reported benefits is early stakeholder engagement enhanced by better communication of design intent thus minimisation of the need for design changes which lead to cost overruns in projects. This study conducted an investigation into the nature of BIM in the construction industry and how effective it can be in eliminating the need for design changes during projects. The study employed close-ended questionnaire, with respondents comprising construction professionals. BIM was found to have significant potential for minimising and managing design changes. However, BIM was found not to be reaching its full potential in regard to the expectations of eliminating design changes. The main limitations being a lack of appreciation of the capabilities of the BIM process, especially as a collaborative model, and the current procurement routes do not effectively support the level of integration that can facilitate more effective management of design change.</p
Insights and Issues of Building Information Modelling (BIM) Implementation in the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Sectors of Sub-Sahara Africa
No full textBIM has received worldwide uptake because it improves the productivity and performance of projects. However, uptake is still in its infant stages across Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Therefore, this study explores stakeholder perceptions of the benefits and barriers of implementing BIM in the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sectors of SSA. Based on a structured review of recent literature, a suite of known benefits and barriers to implementing BIM were identified. These were used to create an online survey questionnaire that was shared among AEC professionals working across the SSA region. The opinions, collated from 145 participants across 15 different SSA nations, were ranked using a weighted average method. Results reveal the main benefits are: (i) clients will increasingly insist on us using/ adopting BIM; (ii) adopting BIM reduce/ will reduce human resource and man-hours; and (iii) adopting BIM brings/will bring cost efficiencies; whilst the main barriers are: (i) lack of training and skills; (ii) high cost of implementation (BIM software, licences and associated applications); (iii) lack of in-house expertise. Based on these findings, the study recognises that BIM capabilities are fundamental for BIM adoption and implementation across SSA. Therefore, the study recommends the need for future research to explore the BIM capability and BIM maturity of organisations across the AEC sectors of SSA and, in doing so, create frameworks and/or highlight pathways to enable greater uptake.</p
Homes fit for future generations
No full textThe Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (WFGA, 2016) was developed in parallel with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This unique piece of legislation requires that all Welsh public bodies think longer term in their decision-making, by working together with people and their communities “to create a Wales that we all want to live in, now and in the future.” (WFGA_The Essentials, 2015) The Homes for Future Generations (HFFG) project (2020-2021) investigated how the seven goals enshrined in WFGA can be applied to deliver sustainable housing in Wales, “without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987). To achieve this aim, six architectural practices each designed a housing case study that complies with WFGA. The case studies were connected by a shared set of emerging guiding principles (one for each WFGA goal) and a single masterplan. These principles were tested and refined through the design process. This paper articulates key lessons learnt through the HFFG project. The seven guiding principles are explained, with reference to seven themed essays that were developed in response to the design work. The paper describes potential benefits of compliance with WFGA (and, by implication, the UN SDGs). The paper also identifies and challenges key barriers that currently limit application of the WFGA goals to new housing. Conclusions drawn have relevance to planners and policy makers, designers and constructors, and to future owners and occupiers.</p
“Sneakerheads”: Archetypal Craft Consumers
No full text‘Sneakers’ are ubiquitous in modern society, for many they are simply a form of versatile footwear, an afterthought we slip on to carry out the most menial of tasks (Denny, 2021). In consumer culture though, they are far from an afterthought, generating an estimated $80 billion dollars globally (Statista, 2021), with this number expected to continue increasing in the next few years. However, it is not just the versatility of these products that have led to their huge popularity.</p
Co-design and virtual reality for post-disaster infrastructure in Ecuador
No full textAccording to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 and 11, post-disaster resettlements should have conceived and developed considering the long term social, spatial and environmental impacts they can have on inhabitants. However, many are the cases where the long term implications have not been at the hearth of decisions, especially in emergency context, such as in the aftermath of disasters, as testified by the NOVA VIDA project. The NOVAVIDA Research project, indeed, has analysed the Ecuadorian housing reconstruction developed after the 7.8 magnitude 2016 earthquake, taking as case study four cities located in the strongly affected province of Manabí. The research demonstrated, through qualitative empirical research, the spatial and social impacts of the post-earthquake resettlements deployed in Manabi. Clear are the set of necessary stepping stones that must be considered to avoid segregation and distress: involve local communities at all stages of reconstruction and adopt design solutions at the urban and housing unit level, which are strongly connected to the local geographic and cultural context. Looking at the buildings, the adoption of standardised building, arranged in infinite replicated rows, showed lack of flexibility, (in)capacity to accommodate future families growth and evident thermal discomfort. This paper aims to present: a. the co-design proposal for future post-disaster scenarios in the city of Portoviejo, discussing the approach, the analysis of the built environment, the project of the new resettlement, and the feedback obtained after the workshop with local experts and inhabitants; and b. the contribution provided by virtual reality in the analysis of the proposed future scenarios</p
A Life-Cycle Cost Analysis of developing High-rise Sustainable, Innovative, Affordable Housing (SIAH) in South Africa
No full textThis research aims to determine the life cycle cost (LCC) associated with developing inner city, high-rise, sustainable, innovative, affordable housing (SIAH) and compare that to the LCC of conventional, low-rise affordable housing (AH) in South Africa. Whilst much research exists to quantify the extent of the housing backlog and the evident need for a more effective housing framework in developing countries, limited research exists regarding the feasibility of alternative AH designs. In this light, little is understood about the costs involved in developing SIAH designs, location, and the associated benefits to society. However, the growing housing backlog, increasing urbanisation, need for sustainability, rising land prices, and other critical factors make it more important than ever to understand better how alternative affordable housing can be of great benefit. On this basis, this study seeks to grow the knowledge surrounding this topic by providing insight into the potential life cycle costs of an inner-city, high-rise SIAH design and whether there are cost savings that can be achieved by implementing such a design comparison to conventional affordable housing over an expected 50-year life span of houses. The data collected was analysed using input into the LCC model and then further interpreted. The study's findings resulted in four different cost items related directly to an LCC analysis of affordable housing: development costs, operating costs, maintenance costs, and social costs. This research found that inner-city, high-rise SIAH housing has a 99% lower LCC than conventional, low-rise AH in peripheral urban areas. The fundamental reason for this is the significant social cost savings for households due to better-located housing. The study's conclusions reveal that alternative housing designs, particularly in the form of SIAH, offer substantial benefits in terms of LCC reductions over the lifespan of the building compared to conventional, low-rise AH designs.</p
Back To the Future – North Arm Cove Initiative - implementing Circular Economy principles in creating sustainable, resilient, innovative precincts
No full textThere are two main areas of our research – past and future. Investigating one of the forgotten pearls of Australia’s planning past and conceptualizing its sustainable, regenerative future. This paper describes the ongoing project of “recycling” the plans prepared by Walter Burley Griffin a century ago, and creating an innovative precinct, based on Circular Economy (CE), through innovative, collaborative ways of doing urban planning. The paper presents the current state of the project and the results as of April 2022. Identification and analysis phases were conducted through the PESTEL analysis. Proof of concept phase was completed in collaboration with university/research institutions as well as various industry entities through the North Arm Cove Initiative. Thus far, our research includes a proposed framework for achieving sustainable goals: - sustainable, regenerative precinct for a resilient, smart community - meaningful community participation in planning and governance- circular supply chain for an urban community - measurable performance and controlled impact of the community on the environment - opportunities for implementing research in real life – innovation precinct Key aspects of future planning and delivery of the precinct should be collaborative, comprising inclusive planning and governance, in line with a transition to Circular Economy. The new framework proposes continuous collaboration between research, industry, and community through the Sustainability Research Centre hub, that would define and govern the delivery of measurable outcomes on three bottom lines – social, environmental and economic – but also innovation/technology and aesthetics. The project is developed by the DESIM-R&D team for the community of landowners of North Arm Cove (NAC), heritage “paper subdivision” in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.</p
Mind the Gap - Project Management and Lean Tools application for Process Flow Optimisation Across Interfaces in a Construction Component Manufacturing Facility
No full textIn the last decade the development of offsite manufacturing of components has aided in the construction sector’s reduction of the seven fundamental wastes, yet offsite manufacturing poses its own issues with regards to waste. The identification of the seven types of waste (transport issues, excess inventory, unnecessary motion, waiting times, overprocessing, overproduction and defects) has led to the introduction of lean manufacturing practices in construction. As a result, the reduction / prevention of waste in the construction sector has been discussed in the literature but there is very little evidence of research being carried out into waste in the construction component manufacturing sector. The aim of this case study was address this gap through examining waste identification, monitoring and minimisation in a construction component manufacturing facility, focusing particularly on the process flow from design, manufacturing through to installation on site, as issues at these interfaces cause the majority of waste . Six lean manufacturing based methods- process mapping, project management tools for planning and scheduling, decision making, key performance indicators, and communication systems formed the basic focal points of the investigation into waste at the process interfaces. They informed the design, execution and delivery of seven semi-structured interviews and the development / administration of a questionnaire to participants selected from staff members who met specific selection criteria. Due to COVID-19, the research was conducted through on?line vehicles MS Teams (Interviews) and MS Forms ( questionnaire admin and data capture from the Interviews). The findings show that 100% of participants were aware the implementation of a range of lean manufacturing tools such as non-conformance reports into the process to effectively reduce waste in projects due to issues at process interfaces. Despite the use of lean tools, participants cited examples of waste primarily due to poor communication across interfaces.. More emphasis on the effective transfer of information relevant to a project across the interfaces, in particular at the client → design interface, was needed to prevent waste from creeping into the projects.</p
Enabling Quality in Lean Construction: Integrating the Principles of Total Quality Management with 9D-BIM
No full textRecently Total Quality Management (TQM) has been proved to be the most successful continuous improvement system. Total quality management (TQM) process has been considered as a modern system in the field of quality, after quality assurance, quality control and ISO in the Construction sector. Although it was initially implemented in the manufacturing and automobile industries in Japan, later it was adopted by the construction sector. Design and construction are the two important phases of project life cycle which affect the quality of outcome of construction projects significantly. The current quality management practice in the construction industry includes issuing quality checklists, site inspection and testing, non- conformance reporting and corrective action but there is not a systematic way of recording the inspected data, hence, the quality status of construction cannot be determined. The newly emerging technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and lean construction can be used to control the quality in construction. One of the most popular management system standards among construction companies is ISO 9000—the construction sector has the fourth highest number of quality assurance certificates of all sectors in the world. A positive relationship between ISO 9000 certification and firm performance was observed in 69% of existing cross-sectional studies. TQM and BIM convey some level of association in terms of execution, productivity, information requirements and quality outcomes throughout the construction process although not much work is done in mapping their common denominators. This research focuses on mapping the TQM elements and BIM dimensions as means of inducing Quality as part of the ninth dimension of BIM (9D BIM). A framework for enabling quality in lean construction through the integration of TQM and 9D-BIM is proposed in this study.</p