Constraint-based adaptation for complex space configuration in building services

In this paper an object-based CAD programming is used to take advantage of standardization to handle the schematic design, sizing and layout planning for ceiling mounted fan coil system in a building ceiling void. In order to deal with more complex geometry and real building size, we have used a hybrid approach combining case-based reasoning and constraint programming techniques. Very often, building services engineers use previous solutions and adapt them to new problems. Case-based reasoning mirrors this practical approach and did help us deal effectively with increasingly complex geometry. Our approach combines automation and interactivity. From the specification of the building 3D BIM model, our software prototype proceeds through four steps. First, the user divides the building into zones, each zone being defined by a geometrical primitive (i.e. rectangle zone, triangle zone, curved zone, etc.). Next, for each zone a similar case is retrieved from the case library. The retrieval process will generate a first incomplete 3D solution containing some inconsistencies. Next, the incomplete solution is adapted, using constraint programming techniques, to provide a consistent solution. Finally, distribution routes (i.e. ducts and pipes) are generated using constraint programming techniques. The 3D fan coil solution can be modified or improved by the designer, while providing further contribution by concentrating on interactivity. The project has been funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in the UK

A Global Review of the Emerging concepts of Sustainability Assessment and Sustainability Indicators in Urban Neighbourhood

Urban neighbourhoods are coherent socio-spatial units which reflect the ever-changing nature of society in physical form and alongside the basic unit of urban form which is a key element of urban planning. Neighbourhoods are perceived as the key to achieving sustainability and social justice (Castrignano and Landi, 2013). Also neighbourhoods has the potential to be seen as the future of urban spaces tackling problems linked with the modern world which includes climate change, globalisation, population increase, rapid urbanisation and social ills linked with increased population diversity and mobility and pressure on the natural environment (McGuire, 2013). As towns transform into urban environment it becomes very vital that this urban area develops in relation to sustainability principles which can be measured through the use of sustainability indicators and assessment concepts. Sustainability assessment and its indicators are tools that help make, suggest, support and implement decision-making in order to achieve sustainable development which can be used in urban planning within various socioenvironmental contexts. Existing sustainability assessment tools have focused more on building’s assessment rather than developing neighbourhood sustainability assessment methods. Sustainability assessment in general has emerged as a vital decision and support process in the development of assessment methods. The emergence of these methods is in response to a growing environmental crisis including a vast socio-economic inequality in global development

Communication framework to support more effective onsite construction monitoring

The UK construction industry has recently witnessed an increasing demand for cost-reduction strategies due to the strict government regulations on BIM implementation. This adoption will certainly lead to a continuous work improvement, better project delivery and communication. Although the UK government has set a target of 15–20% saving on the costs of capital projects by the full implementation of BIM level 2 in 2016, this figure is unlikely to be met since the majority of construction companies are still spending approximately £20 billion per year on rebuilding and repairing the construction defects caused by miscommunication. This research addresses the problem of communication using traditional methods (i.e. communication through paper-based documents and drawings) and its impact during the construction phase in relation to clash detection. Next, we will present a communication framework using advanced visualisation technique such as augmen ted reality (AR) combined with a BIM model with an easy access to the IFC f ile on site for a compliance checking between the BIM model and the actual co nstruction site. Subsequently, site inspection can be performed more efficiently, and with more reliability. Furthermore, early warning on future occu rring clashes can be given. To reach our objectives, the research has been designed using real case scenario, following two phases of implementation. The first phase include the communication study and consists of determining users requiring a ssistance with regard to site monitoring and inspection, whereas the second, built on the results of the first phase to specify and implement the mobile AR syste

Parametric-based distribution duct routing generation using constraint-based design approach

In this paper, we present a generative design approach using constraint-based programming to handle the duct routing for ceiling mounted fan coil systems in buildings. This work utilises and builds on the result from previous approach using case-based reasoning and constraint satisfaction problem to deal with the space configuration of complex design problems for ceiling mounted fan coil systems in buildings. In this work, our approach automates the distribution routing using constraint-based approach. Comparatively to previous work, the system we have developed generates parametric-based models where further interactive modification and interaction is made possible for the end user. This approach has been tested in real case scenario working with our industrial partners

Impact of household transitions on domestic energy consumption and its applicability to urban energy planning

The household sector consumes roughly 30% of Earth’s energy resources and emits approximately 17% of its carbon dioxide. As such, developing appropriate policies to reduce the CO2 emissions, which are associated with the world’s rapidly growing urban population, is a high priority. This, in turn, will enable the creation of cities that respect the natural environment and the well-being of future generations. However, most of the existing expertise focuses on enhancing the thermal quality of buildings through building physics while few studies address the social and behavioral aspects. In fact, focusing on these aspects should be more prominent, as they cause between 4% and 30% of variation in domestic energy consumption. Premised on that, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect in the context of the UK of household transitions on household energy consumption patterns. To achieve this, we applied statistical procedures (e.g., logistic regression) to official panel survey data comprising more than 5500 households in the UK tracked annually over the course of 18 years. This helped in predicting future transition patterns for different household types for the next 10 to 15 years. Furthermore, it enabled us to study the relationship between the predicted patterns and the household energy usage for both gas and electricity. The findings indicate that the life cycle transitions of a household significantly influence its domestic energy usage. However, this effect is mostly positive in direction and weak in magnitude. Finally, we present our developed urban energy model “EvoEnergy” to demonstrate the importance of incorporating such a concept in energy forecasting for effective sustainable energy decision-making

Innovative design of an educational physical simulation tool for investigating energy consumption in buildings for enhancing public engagement

Reducing carbon emission and energy consumption in buildings is becoming an important priority on global level. Buildings consume significant amount of energy for heating or air-conditioning in most countries. The drive to enhance the understanding of building insulation and its effect on energy use, is critical for improving public engagement to achieve reduce carbon emission towards more sustainable future. This paper presents the design and the development an educational and research simulation tool to study and understand the thermal performance and energy efficiency of buildings. The novel design includes small-scale multi-layered model of buildings where insulation layers can be added to or removed from the building model in a modular and interchangeable manner to allow changes to the thermal performance. The results show that this novel model will provide a new educational tool to enhance the understanding of energy consumption and insulation in buildings. The design can be used to engage the young generation regarding building insulation and energy efficiency. It also could provide an advanced research and teaching tool for energy in buildings, instrumentation and infrared thermography

Big Data to support sustainable urban energy planning: the EvoEnergy project

Energy sustainability is a complex problem that needs to be tackled holistically by equally addressing other aspects such as socioeconomic to meet the strict CO2 emission targets. This paper builds upon our previous work on the effect of household transition on residential energy consumption where we developed a 3D urban energy prediction system (EvoEnergy) using the old UK panel data survey namely the British household panel data survey (BHPS). In particular, the aim of the present study is to examine the validity and reliability of EvoEnergy under the new UK household longitudinal study (UKHLS) launched in 2009. To achieve this aim, the household transition and energy prediction modules of EvoEnergy have been tested under both datasets using various statistical techniques such as Chow test. The analysis of the results advised that EvoEnergy remains a reliable prediction system and had a good prediction accuracy (MAPE ≃ 5%) when compared to actual EPC data. From this premise, we recommend researchers, who are working on data-driven energy consumption forecasting to consider merging the BHPS and UKHLS datasets. This will, in turn, enable them to capture the bigger picture of different energy phenomena such as fuel poverty; consequently, anticipate problems with policy prior to their occurrence. Finally, the paper concludes by discussing two scenarios of EvoEnergy development in relation to energy policy and decision-making

Construction site communication study using the RAM management system for BIM adaptation

The UK’s construction industry is witnessing an annual increase in costs due to a lack of communication between the different organizational operators on the construction site that often leads to construction defects. Meanwhile, a cost-reduction strategy plan using BIM has become a fundamental requirement for the government, aiming to keep costs under control. To facilitate BIM adoption in the industry, the BIM strategy was introduced in four phases, with each stage entailing a number of criteria. The industry has seen a global reaction to the Level 2 BIM program and a significant cost saving of 840M in 2013/14 in Europe. However, the industry is unable to match the level 3 BIM, where a collaborative model file server is required as a common sharable platform to achieve efficient communication. This study contributes toward formulating a communication framework in the UK industry to understand communication issues and manage defects. A survey was targeted at construction industry practitioners and academics, with a total number of 328 participants

Urban development and housing demolition in Abuja city: the benefits of adopting the principles of sustainability

In the last thirty years, Abuja the Federal Capital of Nigeria has experienced rapid urbanisation in a formerly agrarian community. The city has been developing prior to the emergence of the master plan, which is influenced by the rapid rate of construction. The critical need of vital infrastructure for the ever-increasing population in Nigeria’s capital has led to an increase in informal settlement and demand for more housing and other associated services. The present city differs from its initial master plan so far, as there is a real spatial segregation between low and high-income groups. And it’s relegates the low income earners to informal settlements which do not meet people’s basic needs. This journal paper critically analyses the impact of different planning policies and the schemes under which the city has been expanding, which includes housing demolitions to maintain the master plan. This result shows a clear demonstration that the policies regarding the demolition of informal settlements are not the best solution to the Abuja master plan and it is socially/economically unsustainable but rather there are potential benefits in the adaptation of sustainability principles in the urban development of Abuja city

Formulating project-level building information modeling evaluation framework from the perspectives of organizations: a review

This study identifies Building Information Modeling (BIM) benefits in the presentations of previous project participants and specialties. Based on recent data, a framework for evaluating the project-level BIM benefits from the perspectives of different stakeholders involved in the project is proposed. In order to maximize the benefits for each user or stakeholder, the functions and methods for implementing BIM on construction projects are explained. The results show that the advantages of implementing BIM in construction projects can be effectively evaluated by the proposed framework. Results presented herein provide documentation to improve the understanding of BIM benefits to all construction industry stakeholders