Mapping the knowledge domains of emerging advanced technologies in the management of prefabricated construction

Emerging advanced technologies (EAT) have been regarded as significant technological innovations which can greatly improve the transforming construction industry. Given that research on EAT related to the management of prefabricated construction (MPC) has not yet been conducted, various researchers require a state-of-the-art summary of EAT research and implementation in the MPC field. The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic literature review by analysing the selected 526 related publications in peer-reviewed leading journals during 2009–2020. Through a thorough review of selected papers from the state-of-the-art academic journals in the construction industry, EAT is recognised as the key area affecting the development of the MPC discipline. This study has value in offering original insights to summarise the advanced status quo of this field, helping subsequent researchers gain an in-depth understanding of the underlying structure of this field and allowing them to continue future research directions

Digital technologies in architecture, engineering, and construction

Digitalization in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector is slow due to significant challenges in technology adoption. The study aims to promote technology adoption by advancing the understanding of digital technologies in the AEC sector. This article presents the findings from a quantitative scoping review, encompassing 3950 technology-related abstracts retrieved from the Scopus database, providing a preliminary assessment of literature size, geographic innovation hotspots, research gaps, and key concepts in the AEC field. The results show that Building Information Modelling (1852 studies) dominates the literature, while topics like 3D Printing (311) and Internet of Things (227) are gaining traction. China (687 publications) and the United States (566) produce most research articles. Despite the increasing interest in emerging technologies, their implementation often necessitates acquiring specific skill sets. Academia needs to put a stronger focus on these technologies in education and tighter collaboration with the industry is needed.publishedVersio

Systematic literature review: Integration of additive manufacturing and industry 4.0

The research trend in additive manufacturing (AM) has evolved over the past 30 years, from patents, advances in the design, and layer-by-layer materials, to technologies. However, this evolution is faced with some barriers, such as the implementation of additive manufacturing (AM) in operations, its productivity limitations, and economic and social sustainability. These barriers need to be overcome in order to realize the full potential of AM. The objective of this study is to analyze the bibliometric data on these barriers through a systematic review in two study areas: business model innovation and sustainability in AM from Industry 4.0 perspective. Using the most common keywords in these two study areas, we performed a search on the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases and filtered the results using some inclusion and exclusion criteria. A bibliometric analysis was performed for authorship productivity, journals, the most common keywords, and the identified research clusters in the study areas. For the bibliometric analysis, the BIBEXCEL software was used to extract the relevant information, and Bibliometrix was used to determine the research trend over the past few years. Finally, a literature review was performed to identify future trends in the study areas. The analysis showed evidence of the relationship between the study areas from a bibliometric perspective and areas related to AM as an enabler for Industry 4.0

Integrating Human-Centred Design Approach into Sustainable-Oriented 3D Printing Systems

Modern 3D printing systems have become pervasive and widely used both in professional and in informal contexts, including sustainable-oriented ones. However, the risk to create very effective but non-sustainable solutions is very high since 3D printing systems could potentially increase the environmental emergencies and the unsustainable growth. In the transition process toward sustainable ways of production and consumption, the so-called human factor still plays an important role in the achievement of sustainable-oriented actions; it drives the adoption of proper lifestyles that directly and indirectly influence the ways through which such technologies are used. Therefore, future Sustainable 3D Printing Systems should integrate the humans in the systems’ development. This study presents two important results: (a) it presents a set of interdisciplinary ‘Sustainable 3D Printing Systems’, which compose a promising sustainable-oriented scenario useful to support the transition processes toward sustainable designs and productions, and (b) it proposes a new strategy for the integration of human-centred aspects into Sustainable 3D Printing Systems, by combining insights from human-centred design approach

Survey on Additive Manufacturing, Cloud 3D Printing and Services

Cloud Manufacturing (CM) is the concept of using manufacturing resources in a service oriented way over the Internet. Recent developments in Additive Manufacturing (AM) are making it possible to utilise resources ad-hoc as replacement for traditional manufacturing resources in case of spontaneous problems in the established manufacturing processes. In order to be of use in these scenarios the AM resources must adhere to a strict principle of transparency and service composition in adherence to the Cloud Computing (CC) paradigm. With this review we provide an overview over CM, AM and relevant domains as well as present the historical development of scientific research in these fields, starting from 2002. Part of this work is also a meta-review on the domain to further detail its development and structure

Toward future 'mixed reality' learning spaces for STEAM education

Digital technology is becoming more integrated and part of modern society. As this begins to happen, technologies including augmented reality, virtual reality, 3d printing and user supplied mobile devices (collectively referred to as mixed reality) are often being touted as likely to become more a part of the classroom and learning environment. In the discipline areas of STEAM education, experts are expected to be at the forefront of technology and how it might fit into their classroom. This is especially important because increasingly, educators are finding themselves surrounded by new learners that expect to be engaged with participatory, interactive, sensory-rich, experimental activities with greater opportunities for student input and creativity. This paper will explore learner and academic perspectives on mixed reality case studies in 3d spatial design (multimedia and architecture), paramedic science and information technology, through the use of existing data as well as additional one-on-one interviews around the use of mixed reality in the classroom. Results show that mixed reality can provide engagement, critical thinking and problem solving benefits for students in line with this new generation of learners, but also demonstrates that more work needs to be done to refine mixed reality solutions for the classroom

Waste to 3D Printing: the development of additive symbiotic networks

Industry 4.0 technologies, such as additive manufacturing (AM) and blockchain technology, may drive the implementation of a new generation of circular economy strategies. However, the role of these new technologies in designing and implementing circular economy ecosystems is not a trivial issue. In this sense, this PhD research work intends to foster knowledge for developing industrial symbiosis networks within the AM industry - the so-called additive symbiotic networks. A systematic literature review reveals current circular economy relationships within the AM industry and highlights the potential of this industry to create and develop additive symbiotic networks in which plastic wastes from other industries may be used as material inputs for AM processes. However, given the digital nature of AM and considering challenges related to trust or implementing transactions, there is a need to find tools that enable additive symbiotic networks. Blockchain technology may be an enabler of such symbiotic networks, and its adoption within these settings may have implications for the supply chain of the additive symbiotic networks. Using an abductive research approach, two case studies are conducted concerning two additive symbiotic networks comprising companies that use AM processes to valorize plastic waste streams. Case study A proves there is space within the context of additive symbiotic networks to explore the adoption of blockchain technology and identifies a set of requirements that support the technology adoption in that specific network context. From this point, case study B is developed in order to understand the consequent implications of adopting such disruptive technology as blockchain in the supply chain structure of an additive symbiotic network. Results suggest that with the adoption of blockchain there is a reduction in the number of intermediary stakeholders involved in the network and an adaption of the value flows within the network. By offering a tool that helps to deal with the challenges associated with the additive symbiotic networks, exploring its adoption and some of its implications in the supply chain of those networks, this PhD thesis promotes the development of the additive symbiotic networks, contributing to the efficient use of natural resources, promoting the collaboration between industries and reducing waste streams to achieve more sustainable production.As tecnologias que compõem a Indústria 4.0, como a manufatura aditiva (MA) e tecnologia blockchain, podem impulsionar a implementação de estratégias de economia circular. No entanto, o papel dessas novas tecnologias na conceção e implementação de ecossistemas de economia circular não é uma questão trivial. Este trabalho de doutoramento pretende fomentar o conhecimento para desenvolver redes de simbiose industrial na indústria da MA - as designadas redes simbióticas aditivas. A realização de uma revisão sistemática da literatura revela as relações entre a economia circular e a indústria da MA, destacando o seu potencial para desenvolver redes simbióticas aditivas. Nestas redes, resíduos ou subprodutos de outras indústrias podem ser utilizados como matéria-prima secundária em processos de MA. No entanto, considerando a natureza digital associada à MA e desafios relacionados com as redes de simbiose industrial, como a confiança ou a implementação de transações na rede, existe necessidade de encontrar ferramentas que possibilitem a implementação das redes simbióticas aditivas. A tecnologia blockchain pode ser uma facilitadora e sua adoção pode ter implicações para cadeia de abastecimento das redes simbióticas aditivas. Utilizando uma abordagem de investigação abdutiva, dois estudos de caso são desenvolvidos, em relação a duas redes simbióticas aditivas compostas por empresas que usam processos de MA para valorizar fluxos de resíduos e subprodutos. O estudo de caso A comprova que há potencial no contexto das redes simbióticas aditivas para a adoção da tecnologia blockchain e identifica um conjunto de requisitos que suportam a adoção desta tecnologia no contexto específico da rede em estudo. O caso de estudo B é desenvolvido com o objetivo de compreender as implicações da adoção da blockchain na estrutura da cadeia de abastecimento de uma rede simbiótica aditiva. Os resultados sugerem que com a adoção da blockchain há uma redução no número de entidades intermediários envolvidas na rede e há uma adaptação dos fluxos de valor dentro dessa mesma rede. Ao oferecer uma ferramenta que ajuda a lidar com os desafios associados às redes simbióticas aditivas, explorando a sua adoção e algumas das suas implicações na cadeia de abastecimento dessas redes, esta tese de doutoramento promove o desenvolvimento das redes simbióticas aditivas, contribuindo para uma eficiente utilização de recursos naturais, promovendo a colaboração entre as indústrias e reduzindo os fluxos de resíduos para alcançar uma produção mais sustentável

The emergent role of digital technologies in the context of humanitarian supply chains: a systematic literature review

The role of digital technologies (DTs) in humanitarian supply chains (HSC) has become an increasingly researched topic in the operations literature. While numerous publications have dealt with this convergence, most studies have focused on examining the implementation of individual DTs within the HSC context, leaving relevant literature, to date, dispersed and fragmented. This study, through a systematic literature review of 110 articles on HSC published between 2015 and 2020, provides a unified overview of the current state-of-the-art DTs adopted in HSC operations. The literature review findings substantiate the growing significance of DTs within HSC, identifying their main objectives and application domains, as well as their deployment with respect to the different HSC phases (i.e., Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery). Furthermore, the findings also offer insight into how participant organizations might configure a technological portfolio aimed at overcoming operational difficulties in HSC endeavours. This work is novel as it differs from the existing traditional perspective on the role of individual technologies on HSC research by reviewing multiple DTs within the HSC domain

Data-driven review of additive manufacturing on supply chains: Regionalization, key research themes and future directions

Additive manufacturing (AM) has the potential to greatly impact supply chains in a number of positive ways, particularly in regional and remote locations. This study aimed to identify the impact and application of AM on regional supply chains (RSCs) and address the associated challenges while promoting the sustainable use of this technology. Therefore, this study implemented a streamlined evaluation text mining method that employed Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA)-based modeling for robust content analysis. Over the past 19 years (2004–2022), there has been a significant increase in the number of journal articles that center on AM in supply chains. Through an extensive analysis of 341 published papers, five main research themes were identified: manufacturing, environment, costs, logistics, and maintenance. The identification of a gap in research in regional locations is significant as they often face unique challenges in their supply chains, such as limited access to technology and required infrastructure and the availability of resources. These challenges may have a different impact on the implementation of AM. Further, the possible impact of using AM in the recovery of RSCs after the COVID-19 pandemic is substantial and can bring about several positive sustainable changes, including increased responsiveness to changing demands, shorter production lead times, lower material usage and waste, customizability, localized production, energy efficiency, and reduced carbon dioxide and gas emissions