Enhancing information quality through building information modelling implementation within UK structural engineering organisations

Information management has been identified as an essential requirement for the structural engineering sector in a highly competitive AEC marketplace. In the field of structural engineering, information management represents a challenging discipline due to several factors such as a lack of clarity in the adoption of novel technologies, the multitude of different and ambiguous standards available, and the lack of human resources readiness. This research demonstrates that information quality plays a very important role in structural engineering information management as poor quality of structural engineering design information leads to reworks and failures in tendering and construction of projects. 80% to 90% of failures in buildings, bridges and other structures result from errors in design. Novel technologies and workflows have to be adopted by structural engineering organisations, which also need to improve the readiness of their human resources to enhance information management during conceptual, detailed and technical design phases. It is but natural for project teams in structural engineering organisations to expect proper quality of information during the bidding procedure, while providing documents for constructors and also while reporting to clients to make assured accurate decisions. A review of relevant literature revealed that Building Information Modelling has a contributory role in addressing the challenges of information management in various disciplines of the AEC industry. However, to ensure effective contribution of BIM on structural engineering information management, a clear determination is needed to improve information quality. Therefore, the aim of this research is to develop a conceptual framework for the adoption of BIM to enhance the quality of information in structural engineering organisations of the UK. In this research, an interpretivism philosophical position has been adopted that understands the real world and solves related problems over interpretations provided by participants. This research triangulated case study and survey approaches to the investigation of the research objectives in order to enrich confidence in presenting findings. A qualitative and quantitative approaches (or mixed-method approach) were used to thoroughly explore factors that have a key role in developing a framework for improving information within the AEC industry. Data collection involved the use of semi-structured interviews followed by scale questionnaires that were given to design experts in the UK. The qualitative data comprised of 12 interviews with experts performing the role of structural engineers, BIM managers and design managers in two structural engineering departments of two different large multidisciplinary organisations in the UK. In the context of quantitative data collection, 125 respondents replied to the researcher within two months. Finally, both qualitative and quantitative data were analysed and conceptual framework was developed and validated. This research points out that at present the UK structural industry is dissatisfied with the quality of structural engineering information and holds the opinion that catastrophic failure in the construction process may result from inadequacies in the information management system. From this research, it is evident that the key dimensions for structural engineering information quality can be explained by information accuracy, information accessibility, and information interoperability and information security. This research examined the key criteria that need to be considered while adopting BIM technological tools, workflows and human resources in the context of structural engineering sector. An initial conceptual framework developed by reviewing the existing literature illustrated the potential power of BIM to contribute to the level of information quality management in structural information management. Primary data collected in this research explored the role of crucial factors of BIM implementation in promoting the key dimensions of information quality management. This research contributes to knowledge by developing a conceptual framework which can be implemented in the ACE industry to improve upon information quality by assisting decision makers associated with structural engineering information management to adopt appropriate technological and workflow protocols, and also to ensure organisational human resource readiness in the contest of BIM. Avenues for further research in this area of information quality management in the structural engineering sector were also recommended by this study

Effect of Sn doping in optical properties of Se-Ge glass and glass-ceramics

In this study, Se60Ge40 glass systems were synthesized with different amounts of tin at 850 °C and quenched in salt bath. In order to improve hardness of the glasses, those were annealed at a temperature of 20 °C higher than the Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) for 4 h. Crystalized GeSe and SnSe phases were determined via X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. Fermi energy, over-batch energy, and direct and indirect band gap energies were calculated using Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV spectra). Physical properties including hardness, coordination number, and density were investigated, with the influence of different amounts of Sn on these properties further studied. In order to undertake structural studies on the glasses, the samples were subjected to Raman spectroscopy. Size and distribution of the nanocrystals nucleated in the ceramic glass were observed and measured utilizing FESEM and TEM analyses. Chemical resistance of the samples in sulfuric and fluoric acids and its impact on IR transmittance were also evaluated. Keywords: IR-transmittance, Glass-ceramic, Chalcogenide, Raman, Chemical durabilit

Optimised strategy by utilising BIM and set-based design : reinforced concrete slabs

Considering the significant amount of material wasted in the construction industry there should be a business case for companies to pay more attention to reducing waste, which would also have a major impact on the environmental issues of the projects. Although structural engineers and architects have different roles in the design process in selecting construction systems and materials, they provide building information together. Building Information Modeling (BIM) could provide an opportunity for all relevant stakeholders to share their knowledge and experiences in the early stages of design and a platform for structural engineers to utilize Set-based Design in considering different alternatives for the optimal design of systems. This research suggests a conceptual strategy for enhancing an decision support model in parallel with stakeholders’ participation to achieve the optimal final solution in terms of material waste, by narrowing down the structural alternatives. The example used in the paper is reinforced concrete slabs, but the same principles are applicable to all structures. This research will focus on describing the BIM features, which could help the structural engineers to rank their criteria and select optimized design solutions