Modular and Offsite Construction (MOC) Summit Proceedings
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Construction-Centric Building Information Modelling to Facilitate Building Panel Prefabrication
Get PDFBuilding information modelling (BIM) is an information technology that has the ability to change the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry in terms of enhanced communication and productivity. With the rise of BIM, panelized/off-site construction is gaining momentum within the home building industry. However, BIM has not yet been leveraged to its full capability with regard to construction prefabrication, due in part to the fact that BIM models are only roughly designed by architects and engineers. Furthermore, some construction-centric information, such as drywall and sheathing layouts, which require substantial manual modelling efforts, is not presented explicitly in the BIM model. In this regard, this research exploits a BIMbased automatic approach for designing and modelling drywall and sheathing layouts in order to facilitate building panel production in the prefabrication plant. The prototype system is built on the basis of Autodesk Revit through the use of Application Programming Interface (API). This system, taking architectural BIM information as the input, generates a detailed constructioncentric BIM model in accordance with construction specifications, and further enables users to obtain shop drawings and a thorough quantity take-off and cut list in order to manage the plant production. In addition, the prototype system is capable of optimizing drywall and sheathing layout design with the objective of minimizing material waste and joint length. A case study of a wood-framed residential building is adopted to demonstrate the developed prototype system
Innovative and Energy Efficient Smart Window Based on Nanomaterial Technologies
Get PDFStrategies for incorporating energy-efficiency requirements into building standards have been implemented by governments in developed countries in order to introduce the concept of green nanotechnology. Substituting regular glass windows in residential/commercial buildings with smart windows is the objective. This paper describes the development of innovative nanomaterial based membranes/coatings for smart windows that would work as electric dimming glass. Currently, curtains and blinds function to block sun light; eliminating such elements is of importance due to its limited functionality (e.g. blocking UV prevents sun light illumination), health (e.g. dust and germ collection especially in hospitals), disposal/recycling issues, cost, and maintenance. The proposed smart window is expected to block harmful UV light and provide a controlled privacy. Electrochromic smart windows are already in use and are able to vary their throughput of visible light and solar energy by application of electrical voltage and are able to provide energy efficiency and indoor comfort in buildings. These smart windows comprises of electrochromic materials such as LixWO2.89 and HxNiO2 as cathodic and anodic oxide films, respectively, and other complex polymers, which are complicated to create, expensive and some are hazardous in nature. Nanocellulose (achieved from wood/pulp product) is already being used in flexible electronics, so nanomaterial membrane for smart window is a probable alternative. This paper presents an innovative technology for smart-windows, utilizing nanocellulose fiber (abundantly available) doped with conductive nanoparticles (work as dimming glass on voltage application), mixed with minute amount of electrochromic material form thin film membranes
Toward a Simulation-based Approach for Emergency Evacuation Route Planning in Metro Stations
Get PDFThis paper presents a systematic simulation-based approach with detailed step-by-step procedures for route planning in emergency evacuation in metro stations. In accordance with emergency evacuation mechanism analysis, the length of evacuation route (L), the time of evacuation (T) and the density of pedestrian flow (D) are identified as critical factors that affect the performance of emergency evacuation. With all the critical factors, such as L, T and D, taken into account, a comprehensive multi-attribute decision algorithm is developed in order to optimize the selection of evacuation route under emergency. Taking the Hongshan Station in Wuhan metro systems as an example, the Anylogic tool is used to simulate the scenario of evacuation route planning in case of a fire. The simulation results regarding the evacuation performance indicators are analyzed and compared between the traditional and proposed approaches. Results indicate that the proposed approach can reduce the evacuation time without increasing the route length, and improve greatly the crowded conditions of pedestrian flow. The developed approach can provide guidelines and support for the optimization of evacuation route planning under emergency conditions
BIM-Integrated Simulation of Construction Operations for Lean Production Management
Get PDFAs construction projects become larger and more complex, traditional construction planning and control practice which relies on historical data and heuristic adjustment can no longer produce a plan that incorporates all the managerial details such as productivity dynamics. In addition, the plan, more often than not, does not synchronize with the procurement schedule; as a result, the whole supply chain has failed to accomplish expected level of efficiency. In these regards, this paper presents a simulation framework that can not only predict productivity dynamics by considering factors affecting on productivity at the operational level, but also automatically generate a procurement plan harmonizing with the simulation results for reliable production management. We developed APIs for the framework 1) enabling a BIM model to produce input data for the construction operation simulation; 2) composing construction simulation in operational level; 3) facilitating the productivity prediction by providing BIMintegrated construction simulation models. The simulation framework had tested with structural steel erection cases. The results show that we can expect significant improvement of efficiency along supply chain including optimized resource allocation, schedule reliability increase, storage cost saving, and material loss reduction
Learning from Previous BIM-Based Modular Construction Cases: Qualitative Comparative Analysis Approach
Get PDFSuccessful implementation of Building Information Model (BIM) -based modular construction projects is not always guaranteed in different regions and their associated contexts, because success depends heavily on combinations of multiple conditions, including technological, political, social and cultural, and economic ones. Such difference in conditions often hinders a successful modular construction company in a region from continuing its success in other regions; however, understanding the complex causality between the conditions and the success in implementation from previous BIM-based modular construction cases is very challenging because (1) each case omits some conditions and focuses too much on others, which makes the comparison difficult, and (2) cases are insufficient in number for dealing with various conditions, i.e., a small-N or intermediate-N situation. To address this problem, based on the review of previous case studies and modular construction theories, this paper classifies and defines nine condition variables that can be utilized in developing and analyzing BIM-based modular construction cases more comprehensively and systematically. This paper then discusses how the qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) approach can be used to find sufficient and necessary combinations of conditions for successful BIM-based modular construction projects. Upon successful completion, the QCA approach will contribute more structured and generalized explanations of success and failure in BIM-based modular construction to the industrialized construction theory
Defined Variables for Modular Construction Multi Project Scheduling
Get PDFThe modular construction has several advantages such as high quality of product, safe work condition and short construction duration. So, it is adopted and utilized widely to product the house buildings. Meanwhile, the modular construction is composed of manufacturing modular units in factories and erecting it on the site. In this circumstance, the scheduling of modular construction should consider timeframe of manufacturing, transport and erection process with limited resources (e.g., modular units, transporter and workers). Also, this has a characteristic generated from the environmental condition of modular construction, which share resource pool such as the productivity of factory, storage for modular units and workers. So, the concept of multi project scheduling for modular construction should be also considered. The multi project scheduling of modular construction would manage the modular construction’s characteristics and diversity of projects, as a type of modular unit, quantities, and date for delivery. In this circumstance, this research preferentially performs to define variables of required resources from numerous literature reviews and expert interviews for multi project scheduling of modular construction. The authors regard that proposed variables are used for building a scheduling of multi project modular construction and suggest a framework for schedule optimization considering factory, shipping and erection process
Cross-laminated Timber Tornado Safe Room as a Stand-alone Module
Get PDFA tornado safe room is typically a small interior room such as an office or a bathroom which is strengthened in order to provide occupants with near-absolute protection during extreme loading events such as tornadoes. The loads associated with extreme wind loading events are generally in the form of wind induced pressures or impact loading from windborne debris. These rooms are designed to be structurally independent so as to maintain their integrity given the destruction of the surrounding structure. Prefabrication of such rooms as a stand-alone module can be an important advantage since the proper installation of the connection system is particularly critical to its structural performance. Furthermore, the safe room may be fabricated with utility services such as plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Cross-laminated Timber (CLT) is an innovative engineered wood product that has been increasingly used in building construction over the past decade. It is a massive timber slab with excellent strength and stiffness properties as well as remarkable fabrication precision and dimensional stability. In this study, the feasibility and potential for a modular tornado safe room constructed out of CLT panels is discussed. Such structures may represent viable solutions for difficulties associated with residential safe room construction providing a safe, more sustainable, and potentially economic alternative to conventional systems
A National Multilevel Analytical Research Agenda to support Integrated Construction Supply Chains for Offsite Housing Systems
Get PDFIt is often speculated that offsite manufacturing can be an important part of creating a built environment sector that is ‘smarter’, safer, more efficient and innovative and environmentally ‘friendly’. The construction industry often faces various challenges and offsite manufacturing is not the only panacea for the industry ills. However offsite manufacturing can achieve various economic, social and environmental aspirations. The sector is composed of numerous diverse players and this is one of the greatest challenges when initiating transformative changes. This inertia exists with offsite manufacturing. The paper shall discuss the current emergence of a research agenda in Australia. The potential for offsite manufacturing to be an anchor to bring industry and academia together has merit and the 2014 Strategic Roadmap for Integrated Construction Supply Chains for Offsite Housing systems Research Capability in underpinned by this focus and articulates the priority areas for national and collaborative research over the next five years. The Roadmap was developed with the support of the Australian China Science Research Foundation. The Priority Areas are an important element in strengthening the integration potential and collaborative capacity in the Australian built environment supply chain industrial systems. This Roadmap is concerned with national research projects at a small to medium scale, likely to have a strategic impact on research and industry practice in Australia. It has been developed through an analysis of research that is conducted in other countries that have a maturity in this area, followed by a comparison with Australian research that is missing in our programs currently. This was then aligned with a reflection on the barriers and enablers in current and emerging practice. It is also informed through interviews with leaders in our sector who are grappling with entering the OSM market or who have been engaged in the market for some time. The Department of Industry funded a mission which included a visit to China to analyse a more mature off site manufacturing industry. Nine site visits and interviews with three research institutions and six industry organisations provided date for an international comparative analysis and the Roadmap
Assessment of User Comfort Aspects of Industrialized Building Systems using PROMETHEE and Delphi
Get PDFModern construction methods and systems offer many advantages to project stakeholders. However, the process of decision making of selecting an appropriate system is complicated to clients of large and complex projects. The paper presents the result of the study in selecting a structural system out of five intensively used alternatives based on user comfort performance criteria. The alternatives were evaluated using a Delphi-type technique, because the result will be based on a consensus, and the discussion made during the interviews will provide profounder understanding of alternatives’ priorities. A total of six participants from both academic and the construction industry were invited to carefully examine each alternative from both designer and construction performance point of views. They were asked to illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of each structural system considering all related factors such as material specifications, system requirements and limitations, and construction performance. The discussion is structured by using a framework consists of four main criteria: exploitation quality and hygiene, thermal and acoustic insulation, psychological issues, and architectural flexibility summarized by a consensus point. The participants also were asked to weight the criteria based on pairwise comparison technique. The alternative priorities and the weighted list of criteria then used as input of PROMETHEE to rank construction methods based on four ‘user comfort’ performance criteria. The result of the study reveals that Light Steel Frame (LSF) was the superior construction method in terms of user comfort performance criteria. The main reasons are that LSF has a higher performance in thermal and acoustic insulation and can be very flexible to various architectural plans. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by utilising a procedure of decision making method to select to an appropriate industrialized building system by examining key factors of user comfort attributes
An Evaluation Method of Assessing the Low Back Muscle Fatigue in Manual Material Handling
Get PDFWorkers in certain industries are exposed to high labor-intensive tasks. Low back pain (LBP) is widespread among construction workers (Hildebrandt, 1995) and is extremely prevalent, with every adult having up to an 85% chance of experiencing LBP at least once during his or her lifetime. Back-related complaints are more costly than those from any other body part for Alberta work-related claims. Ergonomic principles in addition to the engineering considerations should be included in the design of work stations to minimize the risk of injury for employees. In this study, we assessed the low back muscle fatigue due to lifting tasks. The objective was to investigate the changes in muscle activity and kinematics of the human body caused by fatigue due to repetitive lifting tasks. Three healthy male volunteers with no recent back complications were asked to complete 3 cycles of lifting task at the Syncrude Centre of the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. Each cycle involved lifting a 15lb window frame for 20 times. Self? adhesive reflective markers were attached on the hands, trunk, and legs to measure displacements and rotation of the body parts while performing the task. Electromyography (EMG) sensors were placed on lower back muscles to record their activity. The muscle fatigue was investigated by studying change in EMG spectral parameters such as RMS, mean frequency (MNF), and median frequency (MDF) as well as physical condition of subjects due to repetitive lifting. The power frequency curve shifted to the low frequency when muscle fatigue occurred. As a result, the slope of the RMS, and MNF indicators were successful to describe the fatigue behavior expected