Implementing 5D BIM on construction projects: Contractor perspectives from the UK construction sector

This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Emerald in Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology on 09/05/2020: https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-01-2020-0007 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on primary research findings that sought to investigate and analyse salient issues on the implementation of 5D building information modelling (BIM) from the UK contractors’ perspective. Previous research and efforts have predominantly focussed on the use of technologies for cost estimation and quantity takeoff within a more traditional-led procurement, with a paucity of research focussing on how 5D BIM could facilitate costing within contractor-led procurement. This study fills this current knowledge gap and enhances the understanding of the specific costing challenges faced by contractors in contractor-led projects, leading to the development of 5D framework for use in future projects. Design/methodology/approach To develop a fully detailed understanding of the challenges and issues being faced in this regard, a phenomenological, qualitative-based study was undertaken through interviews involving 21 participants from UK-wide construction organisations. A thematic data analytical process was applied to the data to derive key issues, and this was then used to inform the development of a 5D-BIM costing framework. Findings Multi-disciplinary findings reveal a range of issues faced by contractors when implementing 5D BIM. These exist at strategic, operational and technological levels which require addressing successful implementation of 5D BIM on contractor-led projects adhering to Level 2 BIM standards. These findings cut across the range of stakeholders on contractor-led projects. Ultimately, the findings suggest strong commitment and leadership from organisational management are required to facilitate cost savings and generate accurate cost information. Practical implications This study highlights key issues for any party seeking to effectively deploy 5D BIM on a contractor-led construction project. A considerable cultural shift towards automating and digitising cost functions virtually, stronger collaborative working relationship relative to costing in design development, construction practice, maintenance and operation is required. Originality/value By analysing findings from primary research data, the work concludes with the development of a 5D BIM costing framework to support contractor-led projects which can be implemented to ensure that 5D BIM is successfully implemented

Inter-filament Attractions Narrow the Length Distribution of Actin Filaments

We show that the exponential length distribution that is typical of actin filaments under physiological conditions dramatically narrows in the presence of (i) crosslinker proteins (ii) polyvalent counterions or (iii) depletion mediated attractions. A simple theoretical model shows that in equilibrium, short-range attractions enhance the tendency of filaments to align parallel to each other, eventually leading to an increase in the average filament length and a decrease in the relative width of the distribution of filament lengths.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Experiences by orphaned children as learners at a Secondary School in the Maluti District of Education in the Eastern Cape

The aim of this study was to investigate the schooling experiences of four orphaned learners at Mandini Secondary School in the Maluti District of Education in the Eastern Cape. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology and a phenomenological research design. Purposive sampling was adopted and the tape recorded narrative responses of all four respondents, were obtained from the use of in-depth phenomenological unstructured interviews. The respondents were four orphaned children (two males and two females) between the ages of fifteen and twenty years. The study used the Social Rupture Theory as lenses of analysis of the findings. This was considered a very sensitive topic because the respondents had to relate issues which could result in them reliving traumatic experiences. As a result more attention was paid on ethical issues and making the respondents feel comfortable. The respondents were capable of distinguishing between their quality of life while their parents were still alive and well; when they (the parent[s]) became sick and when they eventually died. Furthermore, the respondents highlighted the negative effects of parental absence in their education. In addition, these orphaned children formed relationships with the school community after their parents’ death which, to some extent, had a positive effect on their schooling. Based on these findings the study suggests that educators need to be trained in diagnosing psycho-social problems and given skills to deal with them. Similarly, short courses should be organized for guardians and community development workers in identifying and counseling of problems

Estimation of abrasion on flint shingle beaches in East Sussex, UK.

In situ abrasion of shingle beach material is a neglected area of study in coastal geomorphology, with reduction in beach volumes normally attributed to longshore and offshore drift. Results from field abrasion experiments conducted on flint shingle beaches on the East Sussex coast, southern England, show that in situ reductions in volume of beach material may be more significant than has been thought. Two beaches composed almost entirely of flint shingle were seeded with hard quartzite from a Devon beach and less resistant limestone from a South Wales beach that are readily distinguishable from the flint. The seeding commenced in January 2001. The pebbles, similar in size and shape to the natural flint shingle, were left in the surf zone at two sites. Prior to exposure the pebbles were engraved with a code number and weighed. At regular intervals those that could be re-found were re-weighed and returned to the beach. Abrasion rates were calculated for each pebble as percentage weight loss per tide. By the end of October 2001, more than 700 measurements of abrasion rates had been made from a total of 431 pebbles. Average limestone abrasion rates (0.0266% loss of weight per tide) were three times greater than those of quartzite (0.0082% per tide). Measurable abrasion rates were recorded over just a few tidal cycles, not only in severe wave conditions but also in much calmer weather. The maximum abrasion rates recorded exceeded 1% per tide for limeston

Spontaneous Expulsion of Giant Lipid Vesicles Induced by Laser Tweezers

Irradiation of a giant unilamellar lipid bilayer vesicle with a focused laser spot leads to a tense pressurized state which persists indefinitely after laser shutoff. If the vesicle contains another object it can then be gently and continuously expelled from the tense outer vesicle. Remarkably, the inner object can be almost as large as the parent vesicle; its volume is replaced during the exit process. We offer a qualitative theoretical model to explain these and related phenomena. The main hypothesis is that the laser trap pulls in lipid and ejects it in the form of submicron objects, whose osmotic activity then drives the expulsion.Comment: Plain TeX file; uses harvmac and epsf; .ps available at http://dept.physics.upenn.edu/~nelson/expulsion.p

Mode I fracture and durability of the CFRP -concrete interface bond

The continual degradation of civil infrastructures worldwide has prompted the need for effective solutions, posing major challenges to those involved with reinforced concrete structures. Externally bonded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have proven to be an efficient means of rehabilitation and enhancement to both existing and new structures alike. An important issue regarding this technology that needs further exploration, however, is the strength and integrity of the interface bond---the inadequacy of which can result in premature failure of the reinforced member.;Until now, there were no available methods to rigorously evaluate the interface bond strength and integrity for concrete structures externally reinforced with FRP materials. Existing large-scale tests of structural components used for stiffness and strength evaluations, on the one hand, are ill suited for detecting delamination effects. On the other, small-scale tests only provide average interface strength properties that neither describe failure mechanisms nor provide fracture toughness data.;In an effort to resolve this dilemma, a new test methodology, referred to as the Single Contoured-Cantilever Beam (SCCB) specimen, conceived and fashioned after the established double cantilever beam (DCB), is implemented. Using this newly developed experimental fracture approach, insights have been gained into the elusive fracture toughness of the CFRP-concrete interface. This methodology is then extended to evaluate the fracture toughness of the same interface as subjected to one of three commonly encountered field exposure-conditions: (1) wet-dry cycling under sodium-sulfate (Na2SO4), (2) wet-dry cycling under sodium-hydroxide (NaOH), and (3) freeze-thaw cycling under calcium chloride (CaCl2) attack. Considerable degradation of the interface bond integrity is found to have resulted in each case, when compared with companion specimens of the same age. This new test method can therefore serve both to qualify existing products as well as in developing new formulations of adhesives and FRP systems