Digital twin for sustainability evaluation of railway station buildings

The railway station is a primary asset of public transport systems and plays a crucial role in urban modernization. Most existing railway stations in the UK is historic and have been operated for many years. Maintenance and reconstruction are common concerns in the public railway industry, and clusters of information pertaining to this maintenance must be managed appropriately for effective outcome. Digital twin or BIM (Building information modeling) is a term frequently employed in the construction industry nowadays, because of its ability to provide wider and faster access to comprehensible and integrated information. A digital twin or a BIM is not only a tool, but also a process that can help to make changes in construction industry, which has remained unchanged for hundreds of years. This paper discusses a specific BIM application within the context of railway station buildings using a Revit-based simulation of construction work for King's Cross station in London. The paper highlights the adoption and transformation of 3D model of the King's Cross station building into a 6D building information model. The 6D model contains a time and cost schedule with carbon emissions calculation, and renovation assumptions using Revit. The outcome of this study can provide construction participants with reasonable guidance of BIM adoption on railway station projects that can be used for planning, designing, and operating an economic and environmental efficient construction project

On systematic approaches for interpreted information transfer of inspection data from bridge models to structural analysis

In conjunction with the improved methods of monitoring damage and degradation processes, the interest in reliability assessment of reinforced concrete bridges is increasing in recent years. Automated imagebased inspections of the structural surface provide valuable data to extract quantitative information about deteriorations, such as crack patterns. However, the knowledge gain results from processing this information in a structural context, i.e. relating the damage artifacts to building components. This way, transformation to structural analysis is enabled. This approach sets two further requirements: availability of structural bridge information and a standardized storage for interoperability with subsequent analysis tools. Since the involved large datasets are only efficiently processed in an automated manner, the implementation of the complete workflow from damage and building data to structural analysis is targeted in this work. First, domain concepts are derived from the back-end tasks: structural analysis, damage modeling, and life-cycle assessment. The common interoperability format, the Industry Foundation Class (IFC), and processes in these domains are further assessed. The need for usercontrolled interpretation steps is identified and the developed prototype thus allows interaction at subsequent model stages. The latter has the advantage that interpretation steps can be individually separated into either a structural analysis or a damage information model or a combination of both. This approach to damage information processing from the perspective of structural analysis is then validated in different case studies

EG-ICE 2021 Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering

The 28th EG-ICE International Workshop 2021 brings together international experts working at the interface between advanced computing and modern engineering challenges. Many engineering tasks require open-world resolutions to support multi-actor collaboration, coping with approximate models, providing effective engineer-computer interaction, search in multi-dimensional solution spaces, accommodating uncertainty, including specialist domain knowledge, performing sensor-data interpretation and dealing with incomplete knowledge. While results from computer science provide much initial support for resolution, adaptation is unavoidable and most importantly, feedback from addressing engineering challenges drives fundamental computer-science research. Competence and knowledge transfer goes both ways

EG-ICE 2021 Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering

The 28th EG-ICE International Workshop 2021 brings together international experts working at the interface between advanced computing and modern engineering challenges. Many engineering tasks require open-world resolutions to support multi-actor collaboration, coping with approximate models, providing effective engineer-computer interaction, search in multi-dimensional solution spaces, accommodating uncertainty, including specialist domain knowledge, performing sensor-data interpretation and dealing with incomplete knowledge. While results from computer science provide much initial support for resolution, adaptation is unavoidable and most importantly, feedback from addressing engineering challenges drives fundamental computer-science research. Competence and knowledge transfer goes both ways

Digital workflows for the management of existing structures in the pre- and post-earthquake phases: BIM, CDE, drones, laser-scanning and AI

La metodologia BIM, sviluppata in America negli anni '70, ha rivoluzionato l'industria delle costruzioni introducendo i principi di innovazione e digitalizzazione per la gestione dei progetti, in un settore settore produttivo troppo legato a logiche tradizionali. I numerosi processi digitali che sono stati sviluppati da allora hanno riguardato in gran parte la progettazione di nuovi edifici, e sono principalmente legati alla disciplina del construction management. Alcune prime sperimentazioni condotte nel tempo hanno mostrato come l'estensione di questa metodologia agli edifici esistenti comporti molte difficoltà. In questo panorama, il lavoro di tesi si concentra sulla gestione delle strutture nella fase pre e post-sisma con l'obiettivo di sviluppare processi digitali basati sull'uso di tecnologie innovative applicate sia agli edifici ordinari che a quelli storici. Il primo workflow sviluppato, relativo alla fase pre-sisma, è stato denominato scan-to-FEM, ed è finalizzato a particolarizzare il classico processo scan-to-BIM nel campo dell'ingegneria strutturale, analizzando così tutti i passaggi dal rilievo dell'edificio con le tecniche digitali di fotogrammetria e laser-scanning fino all'analisi strutturale e alla valutazione della sicurezza nei confronti delle azioni sismiche. I processi di gestione delle strutture post-sisma sono invece incentrati sulla stima della sicurezza della struttura e sulla definizione delle strategie di intervento, e si basano sull'analisi delle caratteristiche intrinseche della struttura e dei danni indotti dagli eventi sismici. L'intero processo di valutazione del livello operativo di un edificio è stato quindi rivisto alla luce delle moderne tecnologie digitali. Nel dettaglio, sono state sviluppate Reti Neurali Convoluzionali (CNN) per la crack detection, e l'estrazione delle informazioni numeriche associate alle lesioni, gestite poi grazie ai modelli BIM. I quadri fessurativi sono stati digitalizzati grazie allìintroduzione un nuovo oggetto BIM "lesione" (attualmente non codificato nello standard IFC), al quale è stato aggiunto un set di parametri in parte valutati con le CNN ed in parte qualitativi. Durante lo sviluppo di questi processi, sono stati sviluppati nuovi strumenti adhoc per la gestione degli edifici esistenti. In particolare, sono state definite specifiche per lo sviluppo di schede tecniche digitali dei danni, e per la creazione del nuovo oggetto BIM "lesione". I processi di gestione degli edifici danneggiati, grazie agli sviluppi tecnologici realizzati, sono stati applicati per la digitalizzazione dell'edificio storico della chiesa di San Pietro in Vinculis danneggiato a seguito di eventi sismici, grazie ai quali sono stati sperimentati i massimi benefici in termini di riduzione di tempo e risparmio di risorse

BIM as a strategic tool for supply chain in main projects in the United Kingdom

The need to achieve more efficiency and quality, reduce costs, cut carbon dioxide emissions and faster delivery were demanding for a vast change in the construction industry in the United Kingdom. To helping achieve these aims, as well be and remains in the vanguard of smart construction and digital design, UK made the decision to embrace Building Information Modelling (BIM), underpinned with the Government’s mandate launched in 2011, for Level 2 BIM compliance as minimum for all their centrally-procured projects by 2016. That decision resulted in a Government push to upskill the construction industry with the intention of reducing the capital and revenue costs associated with the procurement and use of buildings and infrastructure. For the public sector, BIM is offering the Government the opportunity to industrialise and reform its built environment through a digitally enabled procurement. Indeed, this Level 2 BIM programme already helping significant savings of circa £2.2bn between 2013 and 2015, making it a significant tool to meet the Government’s target of 15-20% savings on public construction costs (Cabinet Office, 2015). To support the industry to comply with Level 2 maturity, BIM Task Group and British Standard Institute, have developed several standards, documents and guides to explain clearly how BIM should be applied. The Level 2 programme is a key enabling strategy for the UK developing processes for data deliveries, classification and open data definitions. Certainly, the UK BIM standards and processes are working as a world-wide acknowledged benchmark for industry digitisation. By 2020, economists estimated that the UK market for BIM-related services will be an annual £30bn; in a global context, UK-based firms already export £7bn of architectural and engineering services; develop BIM capabilities and have a leadership position regarded to BIM, will provide UK further export growing and enable the industry to deliver higher quality and a more sustainability built environment for the future generations. This dissertation aim to encourage everyone to learn more about building information modelling and to explore the success example of the UK strategy Government related to BIM level 2 mandate. For that purpose, this document first explains the fundamental concepts of BIM and then explores the context in the UK: BIM maturity levels, the existing codes and standards, addresses the named “8 pillars of Level 2 BIM” and explains the information delivery cycle process. It also becomes relevant discuss in this paper, the current situation of the BIM adoption by the AEC industry and address some of the benefits and limitations of BIM adoption in the country. Furthermore, we look beyond and investigate the BIM level 3. The research has been conducted by an extensive review on the literature related to the topic of interest, collecting and analysis of surveys that have been conducted related to BIM in the UK and experienced working in a UK based contractor. A case of study is showed to recognise the importance of use BIM for a large project such as the High Speed 2, and additionally it is suggested a process map for BIM execution planning.A necessidade em obter mais eficiência e qualidade, reduzir custos, diminuir as emissões de carbono e de prazos de execução, exigiam uma enorme mudança na indústria da construção no Reino Unido. De forma a alcançar estes objetivos, bem como a pertencer e permanecer na vanguarda da construção inteligente e projeto digital, o Reino Unido tomou a decisão de adotar o BIM (Building Information Modelling), impulsionado pelo mandato do Governo para cumprimento do Nível 2 de maturidade como mínimo, lançado em 2011 para todos os projetos lançados centralmente, a partir de 2016. Essa decisão resultou num impulso do Governo para melhorar a indústria da construção, com a intenção de reduzir os custos de capital e receita associados à aquisição e uso de edifícios e infra-estruturas. No setor público o BIM está a proporcionar ao Governo, a oportunidade de industrializar e reformar o seu sector da construção através do procurement digital. De fato, este programa de BIM Nível 2 já ajudou a atingir poupanças significativas de cerca de £2.2 bilhões entre 2013 e 2015, tornando-o numa ferramenta significativa para atingir a meta de redução de custos com a construção pública entre os 15-20% (Cabinet Office, 2015). De forma a apoiar a indústria a cumprir com o Nível 2 de maturidade de BIM, o BIM Task Group e o British Standard Institute, desenvolveram várias standards, documentos e guias para explicar claramente como o BIM deveria ser aplicado. O programa Nível 2 é uma estratégia chave potenciadora para o Reino Unido desenvolver processos para a entrega de dados, classificação e definições de dados abertos. De fato, as BIM standards e os processos do Reino Unido estão a ser reconhecidos mundialmente como uma referência para a digitalização da indústria. Por volta de 2020, os economistas estimam que o mercado para serviços relacionados com BIM sejam £30 bilhões; num contexto global, as firmas baseadas no Reino Unido já exportam £7 bilhões de serviços de arquitetura e engenharia; desenvolver as capacidades e ter uma posição de liderança em relação ao BIM, fará com que esta exportação cresça e permitirá que a indústria entregue com mais qualidade e sustentabilidade as construções às gerações futuras. Esta dissertação pretende encorajar todos os interessados a aprender mais sobre o BIM e explorar o caso de sucesso da estratégia tomada pelo Governo do Reino Unido no que diz respeito ao mandato do BIM Nível 2. Para isso, este documento explica primeiro os conceitos essenciais do BIM e depois explora o contexto no Reino Unido: os níveis de maturidade de BIM, os códigos e standards existentes, aborda os chamados “8 pilares do BIM Nível 2” e explica o ciclo de entrega de informação. Torna-se também relevante discutir neste trabalho, a situação atual da adoção do BIM por parte da indústria AEC e abordar os benefícios e limitações na adoção do BIM no país. Adicionalmente, olha-se para o futuro e explora-se o BIM Nível 3. A pesquisa foi levada a cabo através de extensa revisão da literatura relacionada com o tópico, de recolha e análise de inquéritos realizados no Reino Unido relacionados com BIM e a experiência trabalhando numa construtora baseada no Reino Unido. É apresentado um caso de estudo para demonstrar a importância do uso do BIM num grande projeto como High Speed 2, e adicionalmente é sugerido um mapa de processo para o planejamento de execução BIM

Smart data management with BIM for Architectural Heritage

In the last years smart buildings topic has received much attention as well as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and interoperability as independent fields. Linking these topics is an essential research target to help designers and stakeholders to run processes more efficiently. Working on a smart building requires the use of Innovation and Communication Technology (ICT) to optimize design, construction and management. In these terms, several technologies such as sensors for remote monitoring and control, building equipment, management software, etc. are available in the market. As BIM provides an enormous amount of information in its database and theoretically it is able to work with all kind of data sources using interoperability, it is essential to define standards for both data contents and format exchange. In this way, a possibility to align research activity with Horizon 2020 is the investigation of energy saving using ICT. Unfortunately, comparing the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) Industry with other sectors it is clear how in the building field advanced information technology applications have not been adopted yet. However in the last years, the adoption of new methods for the data management has been investigated by many researchers. So, basing on the above considerations, the main purpose of this thesis is investigate the use of BIM methodology relating to existing buildings concerning on three main topics: • Smart data management for architectural heritage preservation; • District data management for energy reduction; • The maintenance of highrises. For these reasons, data management acquires a very important value relating to the optimization of the building process and it is considered the most important goal for this research. Taking into account different kinds of architectural heritage, the attention is focused on the existing and historical buildings that usually have characterized by several constraints. Starting from data collection, a BIM model was developed and customized in function of its objectives, and providing information for different simulation tests. Finally, data visualization was investigated through the Virtual Reality(VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). Certainly, the creation of a 3D parametric model implies that data is organized according to the use of individual users that are involved in the building process. This means that each 3D model can be developed with different Levels of Detail/Development (LODs) basing on the goal of the data source. Along this thesis the importance of LODs is taken into account related to the kind of information filled in a BIM model. In fact, basing on the objectives of each project a BIM model can be developed in a different way to facilitate the querying data for the simulations tests.\ud The three topics were compared considering each step of the building process workflow, highlighting the main differences, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of BIM methodology. In these terms, the importance to set a BIM template before the modelling step was pointed out, because it provides the possibility to manage information in order to be collected and extracted for different purposes and by specific users. Moreover, basing on the results obtained in terms of the 3D parametric model and in terms of process, a proper BIM maturity level was determined for each topic. Finally, the value of interoperability was arisen from these tests considering that it provided the opportunity to develop a framework for collaboration, involving all parties of the building industry

Improving Tolerance Control On Modular Construction Project With 3D Laser Scanning and Bim: A Case Study of Removable Floodwall Project

Quality control is essential to a successful modular construction project and should be enhanced throughout the project from design to construction and installation. The current methods for analyzing the assembly quality of a removable floodwall heavily rely on manual inspection and contact-type measurements, which are time-consuming and costly. This study presents a systematic and practical approach to improve quality control of the prefabricated modular construction projects by integrating building information modeling (BIM) with three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning technology. The study starts with a thorough literature review of current quality control methods in modular construction. Firstly, the critical quality control procedure for the modular construction structure and components should be identified. Secondly, the dimensions of the structure and components in a BIM model is considered as quality tolerance control benchmarking. Thirdly, the point cloud data is captured with 3D laser scanning, which is used to create the as-built model for the constructed structure. Fourthly, data analysis and field validation are carried out by matching the point cloud data with the as-built model and the BIM model. Finally, the study employs the data of a removable floodwall project to validate the level of technical feasibility and accuracy of the presented methods. This method improved the efficiency and accuracy of modular construction quality control. It established a preliminary foundation for using BIM and laser scanning to conduct quality control in removable floodwall installation. The results indicated that the proposed integration of BIM and 3D laser scanning has great potential to improve the quality control of a modular construction project