Improving Safety on Construction Sites Using BIM-Based Dynamic Virtual Fences and Ultra-Wideband Technology

The identification of potential accidents on construction sites has been a major concern in the construction industry and it needs a proactive safety plan to reduce the risk of accidents. There are no efficient methods for checking if safety measures are taken properly on construction sites. Consequently, workers on site are not given enough awareness about dangerous areas. In addition, construction sites are dynamic and on-site situations are changing in terms of permanent and temporary structures and facilities. This information can be represented using Building Information Modeling (BIM). The present research aims to investigate a new method for the automatic generation of Dynamic Virtual Fences (DVFs) as part of a BIM-based prevention program for construction safety following the Safety Code of Quebec Provence in Canada. First, the Safety Code is reviewed to identify the information that has spatial aspects and can be represented in BIM. Then, a method is proposed for automatic identification of falling and collision risks to generate DVFs for them. In this method, workspaces are generated in BIM based on Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) deliverables, the project schedule, the dimensions of equipment, and the geometry of the building. One set of DVFs for collision prevention is generated based on the defined workspaces. Another set of DVFs is generated where physical barriers are needed for fall prevention. The generated DVFs are used coupled with Real-time Location System (RTLS) tracking of workers and physical fences to check safety requirements and to provide safety warnings

Design for safety: theoretical framework of the safety aspect of BIM system to determine the safety index

Despite the safety improvement drive that has been implemented in the construction industry in Singapore for many years, the industry continues to report the highest number of workplace fatalities, compared to other industries. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the theoretical framework of the safety aspect of a proposed BIM System to determine a Safety Index. An online questionnaire survey was conducted to ascertain the current workplace safety and health situation in the construction industry and explore how BIM can be used to improve safety performance in the industry. A safety hazard library was developed based on the main contributors to fatal accidents in the construction industry, determined from the formal records and existing literature, and a series of discussions with representatives from the Workplace Safety and Health Institute (WSH Institute) in Singapore. The results from the survey suggested that the majority of the firms have implemented the necessary policies, programmes and procedures on Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) practices. However, BIM is still not widely applied or explored beyond the mandatory requirement that building plans should be submitted to the authorities for approval in BIM format. This paper presents a discussion of the safety aspect of the Intelligent Productivity and Safety System (IPASS) developed in the study. IPASS is an intelligent system incorporating the buildable design concept, theory on the detection, prevention and control of hazards, and the Construction Safety Audit Scoring System (ConSASS). The system is based on the premise that safety should be considered at the design stage, and BIM can be an effective tool to facilitate the efforts to enhance safety performance. IPASS allows users to analyse and monitor key aspects of the safety performance of the project before the project starts and as the project progresses

BIM for construction safety improvement in Gaza strip: awareness, applications and barriers

The objectives of this paper are to elicit the perception of contracting parties regarding building information modelling (BIM), the most important safety-related applications of BIM and the barriers to adopting BIM in the local construction industry. Data for this study were collected through a questionnaire survey. A total of 75 questionnaires were randomly distributed to contractors, owners and consultants, and 37 were returned, representing a 49% response rate. The findings indicated that 33% of the respondents had no knowledge of the concept of BIM, 28% of the respondents’ organizations are not using BIM and if used it was implemented to a limited extent. The results indicated that ‘hazard identification and minimization’ and ‘safety training and education’ are the most important safety-related applications provided by BIM tools to improve safety performance in construction. Lack of universal use in the construction

Enabling the Development and Implementation of Digital Twins : Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Construction Applications of Virtual Reality

Welcome to the 20th International Conference on Construction Applications of Virtual Reality (CONVR 2020). This year we are meeting on-line due to the current Coronavirus pandemic. The overarching theme for CONVR2020 is "Enabling the development and implementation of Digital Twins". CONVR is one of the world-leading conferences in the areas of virtual reality, augmented reality and building information modelling. Each year, more than 100 participants from all around the globe meet to discuss and exchange the latest developments and applications of virtual technologies in the architectural, engineering, construction and operation industry (AECO). The conference is also known for having a unique blend of participants from both academia and industry. This year, with all the difficulties of replicating a real face to face meetings, we are carefully planning the conference to ensure that all participants have a perfect experience. We have a group of leading keynote speakers from industry and academia who are covering up to date hot topics and are enthusiastic and keen to share their knowledge with you. CONVR participants are very loyal to the conference and have attended most of the editions over the last eighteen editions. This year we are welcoming numerous first timers and we aim to help them make the most of the conference by introducing them to other participants

A Study of Technology Innovations and Applications in Transforming Safety and Security in Healthcare Facility Management

The increasing complexity of construction projects has transformed the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry through technology adoption over the last decade. But, Facility Management (FM) as an industry has been slow in technology adoption. Growing market competition, corporate demands and new ways of attracting clients for owners are compelling FM professionals to be more efficient. This requirement is driving technology adoption by FM professionals. This study identifies technologies adopted by Healthcare Facility Management (HFM) professionals for improving safety and security of users that have capabilities and conceived and/or developed applications that can or in some cases are at present used in HFM. Simultaneously, it also looks into potentials and capabilities of a handful of other technologies in further improving safety and security. Using Literature-Based Discovery (LBD), the technology applications and innovations aimed towards safety and security are discovered from the literature that falls within the purview of HFM to form a picture of how these technologies enhance the practice of FM. The study aims at detecting how technologies have contributed towards transforming user experience. Also, this study identifies existing technologies and innovation demands (knowledge and gaps in knowledge), a general understanding of technology, its use and capabilities, and its recognition by users and industry professionals (adoption/rejection). They serve to illustrate how and to what degree the technologies will come to be used in facility management. Technologies, as they mature, will come to be used by facility managers in similar functions and hypothetically, entirely new ones. One should create a better user experience tailored to the functionality demanded. It is important for facility managers to partner with technology companies presenting innovative solutions to create a platform that is tailored to user-specific needs. Acceptance of a unified process, together with input from users, facility managers, and an assessment of current technologies and new advances in practice are productive ways to develop technologies that drive user satisfaction. This paper works to illustrate a future vision of HFM based on these technologies. Healthcare facility managers will have a reference that assembles multiple technological proficiencies that can function in their practice going forward

Guidelines for BIM implementation in work safety

Orientador: Eloisa Dezen-KempterDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de TecnologiaResumo: O BIM (Building Information Modeling) aplicado à segurança do trabalhador começou a assumir um papel importante, na medida em que se desenvolveram várias aplicações específicas para a segurança laboral. No entanto, a construção civil continua a lidar com uma alta taxa de acidentes em comparação com outras indústrias. Isso revela a necessidade de vincular o gerenciamento de segurança tradicional às ferramentas BIM no estágio inicial de planejamento do processo de construção. Nesse cenário, a pesquisa visa criar diretrizes para integrar o gerenciamento de segurança laboral na fase do planejamento e controle do projeto, utilizando ferramentas BIM. A abordagem metodológica é através do estudo de caso, e está baseado na observação empírica, permitindo fazer uma descrição das barreiras para implementação do BIM-4D, do cuidado da segurança laboral e da produtividade. Após comparar o que foi observado no estudo empírico com o identificado na literatura, propõem-se um passo de atividades usando a visualização 4D e o VANT para o planejamento e controle da segurança. Como resultado obtivemos diretrizes destinadas a auxiliar médias e pequenas empresas na implementação de BIM para a segurança laboralAbstract: BIM (Building Information Modeling) applied to worker safety has begun to play an important role as a number of specific occupational safety applications have developed. However, construction continues to deal with a high rate of accidents compared to other industries. This reveals the need to link traditional security management to BIM tools in the early stages of building process planning. In this scenery, the research aims to create guidelines with practices to integrate occupational safety management into the planning and control phase of the project using BIM tools. The methodological approach shown through a Case Study and based on empirical observation, describe the barriers and limitations in tree aspects; the implementation of BIM-4D, occupational safety, and productivity care. Was compared points observed at the case study with the empirical study identified at the literature. Our proposal is include the activity to use 4D visualization and UAV for security planning and control. As a result, we design a guideline to help, media and small businesses implement BIM for job securityMestradoCiência dos MateriaisMestra em TecnologiaCAPE

Building Information Modeling (BIM) for existing buildings - literature review and future needs

Abstract not availableRebekka Volk, Julian Stengel, Frank Schultman