Predicting fuel energy consumption during earthworks

This research contributes to the assessment of on-site fuel consumption and the resulting carbon dioxide emissions due to earthworks-related processes in residential building projects, prior to the start of the construction phase. Several studies have been carried out on this subject, and have demonstrated the considerable environmental impact of earthworks activities in terms of fuel consumption. However, no methods have been proposed to estimate on-site fuel consumption during the planning stage. This paper presents a quantitative method to predict fuel consumption before the construction phase. The calculations were based on information contained in construction project documents and the definition of equipment load factors. Load factors were characterized for the typical equipment that is used in earthworks in residential building projects (excavators, loaders and compactors), taking into considering the type of soil, the type of surface and the duration of use. We also analyzed transport fuel consumption, because of its high impact in terms of pollution. The proposed method was then applied to a case study that illustrated its practical use and benefits. The predictive method can be used as an assessment tool for residential construction projects, to measure the environmental impact in terms of on-site fuel consumption. Consequently, it provides a significant basis for future methods to compare construction projects.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

BIM Level of Detail for Construction Site Design

AbstractConstruction site design needs to be developed in different phases of a construction process. An early report of the research highlighted, in fact, a precise structure of contents both for pre-design (until tender) and for execution-phase design based on a systematic approach. The research is now going on applying Building Information Modeling technique to that structure, assuming the strategic role of site design in the whole design process in order to meet the safety goal as well as the time-cost requirements of a project. The actual stage issue is to identify and develop a standard design BIM-based method in order to create a proper “Construction site information model” (CoSIM). The final aim is therefore to help site designers to reach primarily the required health and safety employees’ standards. CoSIM method needs to be supported by an inventory of BIM elements, made on 3d-models, supplied with their ergo-technique information. That inventory has been therefore developed upon a precise classification made on different elements type (equipment, facilities, plants) according to their function on construction site. The research methodology for translating ergo-technique contents in a BIM has followed therefore these steps: (i) definition of elements to be contained in a CoSIM; (ii) definition of graphical level of detail of the model and its elements; (iii) definition of ergo-technique information level of development; (iv) translation of the model into proper deliverables.Some results of the first three steps of the research here presented show the development of construction site design from the pre-design to the execution-design phase in a case study through which it has been possible to asses and refine some guidelines for the creation of the postulated Construction Site Information Model

Construction Site Design. A Systematic Approach

The paper presents a proposal coming from an applied research on the site dealing with the construction site designs that lasted several years. Having assessed some recurring lacks during the execution phase of a construction or of a recovery process, as pointed out also by several investigation reports and studies, a disciplinary reorganization has been taken into account, also considering the recent Italian regulations about the design, the execution and the management of the contracts – both public and private – and, last but not least, those concerning the health and the safety in the workplaces. Despite the legislation statements, the progressive growth of the attention in the construction sector for site design and for the health and safety planning has been in most cases approximate and, above all, it has been addressed as an “appendix” of the of the other design disciplines (architectural, structural, etc.). On the contrary is spelt out that design, organization and management of a construction site, if they are correctly set and applied, not only they cut down the injury risk, but also they improve significantly the qualitative and the economic performance of an intervention. For this reason the research has been carried out on the reorganization of the design discipline related to the construction site and states a clear identification of its structure and aims, describing its different phases, levels, systems and subject areas

BIM and QR-code. A synergic application in construction site management

Construction phase still presents many difficulties and contingencies related to the project documents information management between the actors involved. Different studies investigated methods and models to optimize the operational management of the construction phase. Concerning workers??? health and safety protection most of them focused on the development of on-site and in real-time control systems. Therefore, the authors identified the exigency of a prevention information system based on workers??? involvement. To reach the aim three objectives have been identified: (1) the check of workers??? training, (2) the definition of works operational procedures and (3) the schematization of the assembly/disassembly/use of site equipment and temporary structures. The developed system is characterized by a synergic application of BIM model and QR-code and it has been applied on a case study. At the same time a questionnaire has been developed and proposed to different subjects of the construction sector in order to evaluate the potential use of BIM model and QR-code. The field test has allowed to demonstrate the practical use of the tool, enhancing communication between the Client technical structure, the General contractor and sub-contractors, improving workers??? integration and participation and allowing a better availability of on-site health and safety information and documents