Use of collaborative platform to facilitate informal design communication: a case study

Construction projects are becoming increasingly complex and multidisciplinary; they involve a constant exchange and coordination of information between different specialists and stakeholders. There is a lack of tools to support the informal collaborative activity in situ and remotely [1]. This research aims to introduce a new remote synchronous e-platform to the architectural design team to bridge the gap of work between office and construction site. The paper presents two experimentations conducted in offices and on-site. Notwithstanding technical issues resulting from an unstable Internet connection during the experiments, results show the tool’s potential to improve communication between teams, especially for teams on construction sites. The implementation of the tool requires a clear work protocol and efforts to convince other stakeholders

Vers un outil de réalité virtuelle pour l'analyse et la communication des ambiances lumineuses dans le projet urbain

Les ambiances urbaines naissent à la convergence des caractéristiques spatiales et physiques et à travers l interprétation humaine. La compréhension de l espace urbain nécessite donc une approche immersive dynamique qui s appuie sur le vécu de l usager. Cette recherche propose d y répondre par les techniques de la réalité virtuelle (RV) en analysant les ambiances lumineuses urbaines à travers les effets solaires. L étude suggère une méthode d analyse immersive spatio-temporelle de la perception visuelle comportant deux étapes : Premièrement, une approche théorique qui fait référence : - aux méthodes d analyse de l espace urbain en montrant les interactions du complexe (perception visuelle -lumière naturelle -espace urbain). - A l outil de RV et à sa place dans les champs de l architecture et de l urbanisme. Ces deux axes ont permis d identifier et de corréler nos éléments méthodologiques. Deuxièmement, grâce à des enquêtes sensorielles, trois études expérimentales ont été menées sur un parcours urbain en comparant entre les phénomènes lumineux observés in situ et leurs représentations in vitro. L évaluation de ces expériences a été effectuée sur trois niveaux dépendant du degré d immersion et d interaction. Le but est de déterminer les conditions nécessaires à la restitution des effets solaires, ainsi que de valider les apports de la RV dans l analyse des ambiances lumineuses. Les résultats obtenus montrent que la perception visuelle est conditionnée par le contexte urbain et expérimental : malgré ses limites fonctionnelles et techniques, la RV possède d importantes potentialités de rendu lumineux exploitables pour l évaluation des ambiances lumineuses urbaines.The urban environment is defined by the interaction between the morphological and physical characteristics of the city as interpreted by the human senses. To fully comprehend the urban space, we chose a dynamic immersive approach in our research that bases itself on the user s real-life experience. Our research methodology applies virtual reality (VR) techniques to evaluate urban daylighting ambiences through the use of solar effects. Our study suggests immersive experimental methods to analyze visual perception. The study is carried on two stages:The First stage is a theoretical approach which looks into two axes:The methods used in urban space analysis by showing the complex interactions between the visual perception - daylight- urban space elements.The use of VR as a design tool in the fields of architecture and urban design.two axes allow to identify and correlate the main elements of our methodology. The second stage will use sensorial inquiries to conduct three experimental studies on an existing urban path. These studies compared between users observation of the daylight phenomena in situ and its representations in vitro. These experiments were evaluated on three levels according to the degree of immersion and interaction. The goal is to determine the necessary conditions for the solar effects restitution, as well as validating the contributions of VR in daylighting ambiences analysis.The results obtained show that visual perception is influenced by the urban qualities and the experiment context. The results also showed the potentials for VR in rendering urban daylighting ambiences despite of the technical and financial limitations.NANTES-BU Sciences (441092104) / SudocNANTES-Ecole Centrale (441092306) / SudocNANTES-BU Technologie (441092105) / SudocSudocFranceF

Upbrella and BIM: Rethinking the construction process in residential construction

peer reviewedThe problems of productivity, predictability and quality in design and delivery of the building product are well documented. Prefabrication, process reengineering and digitalization are proposed as potential solutions to address these issues. One issue that is rarely addressed, however, is the management of the changes required to move from existing to a new paradigm of practices. Organization of work in construction, as opposed to other industries, has barely evolved in the last centuries. The research project studies the impact of the introduction of a new high-rise building construction system and BIM related technologies on the organization of work within a multi- residential project. The aim is to develop a concept of operation on how to reorganize work process within and between practices and trades. Ethnographic methods were used to identify issues regarding the management of information, the organization of work and the perceptions regarding BIM associated technologies and tools such as electronic tablets. Benchmarking and lean production tools such as value stream mapping were also utilized to identify problems of productivity and waste. Waste related to poor management of workflows and information flow was a major issue and had a strong impact on productivity. Contractual context in which there are no incentives for professionals and trades to improve their overall performance (no share responsibilities and fragmented obligations) was identified as the principal obstacle to changes in existing practices. Traditional project management practices proved to be inefficient to compensate the lack of coordination and collaboration between the project stakeholders. However, even if the use of BIM proved to be impractical in this context, tablets were well received as a way to improve collaboration and coordination of the work. A concept of operation was derived from the lessons learned that will be validated in the next pilot project

Improving communication process on construction sites using mobile technologies and cloud computing

L'industrie de la construction est un secteur dans lequel la circulation de l'information, entre les diverses disciplines de projet impliquées, est intense. Paradoxalement, on constate que le secteur de la construction repose sur un processus de communication s'appuyant sur un format papier ainsi que sur des moyens obsolètes, tels que le téléphone, le télécopieur ou le courriel, afin de partager et d’accéder aux données de projet. Pourtant, malgré le fait que les problématiques de circulation de l'information se répercutent sur l'ensemble des phases de construction, on observe que la phase de réalisation est de loin celle qui dépend le plus de l’information et qui, malheureusement, est la moins informatisée. En considérant le rythme avec lequel évoluent les tablettes et les téléphones intelligents, les technologies mobiles (TM) offrent désormais des moyens efficaces afin de remplacer la communication papier sur le chantier par des solutions numériques et infonuagiques. Cet article traite des résultats d’une recherche visant à comprendre comment le déploiement des TM et des technologies infonuagiques peut améliorer l'accès à l'information et faciliter la communication entre les intervenants, lors de la phase de réalisation. L'objectif principal de ce papier est de démontrer les bénéfices à employer ces technologies sur les chantiers lorsqu'orienté vers un contexte d'administration et de gestion de projet. Les résultats de cette recherche s’appuient sur la réalisation de trois études de cas dans lesquelles un total de 58 intervenants ont participé aux diverses étapes de cette étude, échelonnée sur une période de quinze mois. L’ensemble des données est issu de la réalisation d’observations in situ, d’entrevues et de l’envoi de questionnaires.Non UBCUnreviewedFacultyOthe

Structuring the adoption and implementation of BIM and integrated approaches to project delivery across the Canadian AECO industry : key drivers from abroad

The architecture, engineering, construction and owners (AECO) industry plays a vital role in a country’s economy, and has a great impact on its society and on the local and global environment. Focussing on the performance and the impact of their respective AECO industries, government bodies around the world are increasingly pushing to transform current practices to maximise the value generated by this industry. Recent innovative approaches, notably building information modeling (BIM), integrated approaches (either integrated project delivery (IPD) or integrated design processes (IDP)) and Lean construction, show promise in providing many improvements. However, many challenges and obstacles are hindering the deployment of these approaches; a lack of strong client demand chiefly among them. In response to this, many countries have developed strategies to encourage and accelerate the pace of adoption of these innovative approaches. This often is prompted by requirements for suppliers to implement one or more of these innovations on all their publicly procured projects. The various levels of governments in Canada however have yet to follow suit in this regard. As a consequence, the Canadian AECO industry is seen to be lagging in its adoption of BIM and integrated approaches to project delivery. While certain projects have emerged as beacons of enlightened practice in the Canadian context, it remains that the vast majority of projects are still being delivered in a traditional fashion, with the well-known limitations this entails. This paper investigates the contextual challenges in adoption and implementation of BIM and integrated approaches in the Canadian AECO industry. The objective is to identify challenges and opportunities to create favourable context that ensures that the Canadian AECO industry remain competitive in the face of increasing global competition by leveraging the potential significant benefits of these innovative approaches. This paper is based on a review of the literature of various initiatives around the world. The paper lays out six key factors, which are seen as drivers for the adoption and implementation of BIM and integrated approaches in other countries, and discusses their implication in the Canadian context. Notably, the need for a national policy that structures the adoption and implementation BIM and integrated approaches; the need for leadership from the public sector; the importance of constituent organizations acting as a voice for industry; and the need for investments in research and development.Non UBCUnreviewedFacultyOthe

Towards a concept of operation using BIM technologies to improve productivity in construction projects.

peer reviewedThe main objective of this paper is to evaluate the potential role of approaches that integrates the BIM and productivity measurement tools to increase the productivity in construction. A concept of operation will be proposed in the context of a pilot project that is designed to be used in future projects that use a new constructive system which is developed by industrial partners; this system offers a controlled and protected building environment. The research methodology is structured into four steps. 1) Benchmarking the firm's current situation through direct observations, surveys and interviews to identify issues and challenges related to the use of technologies, the current process, and the organizational structure of the project. 2) Defining the desired situation based on the project’s stakeholders’ expectations. 3) Using Focus Groups to determine and sort the requirements for an instrumentation of the new Construction Process. 4) Determining the instrumentation to be installed to support the new operation modes that are to be used by industrial partners. This instrumentation is supported by BIM, Productivity and ICT tools, and will be validated through site tests and interviews with project’s stakeholders. Preliminary results showed a problem of coordination and communication in the project, and identified resistance factors to technology adoption, specifically BIM implementation. The paper also highlights several wastes that have been found during pilot project analysis, and that have been correlated to the wastes found from literature