BIM objects evolution for future heritage asset management

This keynote will address the opportunities and challenges of defining BIM objects specifically related to existing and Heritage assets in context of maintenance, renovation and refurbishment. A comparison with BIM objects for new builds will be drawn on and the impact of that on BIM workflows

Framework for restoration of heritage using building information modelling

This presentation will analyse the issue of digital asset management of heritage structures. Digital technologies such as recording, documentation and Building Information Modelling (BIM) can all contribute important information on the fabric, components and spaces that make up a heritage structure as well as acting as a crisis management tool to support urgent interventions or reconstructions of such iconic monuments

Closing the chasm between virtual and physical delivery for innovative learning spaces using learning analytics

Purpose – One of the misconceptions of teaching and learning for practical-based programmes, such as engineering, sciences, architecture, design and arts, is the necessity to deliver via face-to-face physical modality. This paper refutes this claim by providing case studies of best practices in delivering such courses and their hands-on skillsets using completely online virtual delivery that utilises different formats of 2D and 3D media and tools, supported by evidence of efficiency using learning analytics. Design/methodology/approach – The case studies were designed using pedagogical principles of constructivism and deep learning, conducted within a mixture of 2D and 3D virtual learning environments with flexible interface and tools capabilities. State-of-the-art coding and scripting techniques were also used to automate different student tasks and increase engagement. Regression and descriptive analysis methods were used for Learning Analytics. Findings – Learning analytics of all case studies demonstrated the capability to achieve course/project learning outcomes, with high engagement from students amongst peers and with tutors. Furthermore, the diverse virtual learning tools used, allowed students to display creativity and innovation efficiently analogous to physical learning. Originality/value – The synthesis of utilised media and tools within this study displays innovation and originality in combining different technology techniques to achieve an effectual learning experience. That would usually necessitate face-to-face, hands-on physical contact to perform practical tasks and receive feedback on them. Furthermore, this paper provides suggestions for future research using more advanced technologies

Adsorption and electrokinetic studies of carbon blacks

Imperial Users onl

A conceptual model for e-government adoption in Egypt

Electronic government (e-government) was created as an efficient method for government adeptness and proficiency as a vital facilitator for citizen-oriented services. Since their establishment over a decade ago, E-government services are recognised as a vehicle for accessing online public services. Both governments and academic researchers comprehend the difficulty of low-level adoption of e-government services among citizens; a shared issue between both developing and developed countries. This paper investigates determinants and factors necessary to enhance adoption of citizens for e- government services in developing countries, with particular focus on Egypt, by extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) using a set of political, social, and design constructs that were developed from different sources of research literatur

Improving productivity by the automation of checking of 3D parametric modelling

The development of object-based 3D modelling based on Industry Foundation Class (IFC) has given rise to the possibility of computer-based interpretable models and the automation of checking based on rules. Past studies suggest that professionals within the industry have low confidence in the quality of design data, and consequently, there is an over-reliance on manual checking. This study aims to examine the application of automatic checking in industry and opportunities to improve productivity by automation. It identifies a means to improve the quality of data and available checking software, albeit with poor interoperability. The study indicates a quality system that can be applied to the generation of checking rules and a method to improve productivity of automatic checking by using the principles of Dataflow

On the thermodynamic framework of generalized coupled thermoelastic-viscoplastic-damage modeling

A complete potential based framework using internal state variables is put forth for the derivation of reversible and irreversible constitutive equations. In this framework, the existence of the total (integrated) form of either the (Helmholtz) free energy or the (Gibbs) complementary free energy are assumed a priori. Two options for describing the flow and evolutionary equations are described, wherein option one (the fully coupled form) is shown to be over restrictive while the second option (the decoupled form) provides significant flexibility. As a consequence of the decoupled form, a new operator, i.e., the Compliance operator, is defined which provides a link between the assumed Gibb's and complementary dissipation potential and ensures a number of desirable numerical features, for example the symmetry of the resulting consistent tangent stiffness matrix. An important conclusion reached, is that although many theories in the literature do not conform to the general potential framework outlined, it is still possible in some cases, by slight modifications of the used forms, to restore the complete potential structure

Examining the quality and management of non-geometric building information modelling data at project hand-over

Through the exponential global increase of Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption across the Construction industry, and the emergence of inter-connected, strategic and data-rich solutions; such as Big Data, the Internet of Things and Smart Cities, the importance associated with activities and decisions reliant on exact data input, transaction, analysis, and resulting actions becomes exponentially magnified. The supply of inaccurate BIM data may negatively impact on systems and processes that require fully assured data of appropriate quality/veracity, to support informed decision making, deliver functionality, facilitate services, or direct strategic actions within the built environment. This preliminary research intends to provide a catalyst for discussion, analysis and information retrieval relating to Building Information Modelling (BIM) processes where non-geometric data errors may; or are predicted to occur within a project environment. This may result in the delivery of data that cannot be described as representing truth or of good quality, and therefore of little value or use to the data user. The wider aspects of this research investigates specifically non-geometric data veracity & associated dimensions of data quality; in order to discover and explore future solutions to resolve current industry data quality assessment challenges. This paper provides feedback from the research focusing on the current state, presenting existing industry challenges and proposes further research areas based on initial findings

Explicit robust schemes for implementation of a class of principal value-based constitutive models: Theoretical development

The issue of developing effective and robust schemes to implement a class of the Ogden-type hyperelastic constitutive models is addressed. To this end, explicit forms for the corresponding material tangent stiffness tensors are developed, and these are valid for the entire deformation range; i.e., with both distinct as well as repeated principal-stretch values. Throughout the analysis the various implications of the underlying property of separability of the strain-energy functions are exploited, thus leading to compact final forms of the tensor expressions. In particular, this facilitated the treatment of complex cases of uncoupled volumetric/deviatoric formulations for incompressible materials. The forms derived are also amenable for use with symbolic-manipulation packages for systematic code generation

Pedagogical immigration to 3D virtual worlds: a critical review of underlying themes and their concepts

A contentious issue has been in debate for the past decade, over the extent of dependency of current generations of students on information and communication technology (ICT) for education. Despite this controversy, there is a generalisation amongst researchers that fundamental shifting of educational methods towards e-learning is deemed inevitable and beneficial to cater for emerging students’ skills and preferences. One of these newly emergent e-learning platforms is 3D Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) like Second Life. To the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to derive and critically analyse, using grounded theory, advantageous and disadvantageous themes and their sub concepts of providing e-learning through 3DVLEs