BIM-based surface-specific solar simulation of buildings

Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy is rapidly growing as an attractive alternative to fossil fuels. PV panels can harvest the solar power and turn it into a clean source of electricity. Traditionally, PV panels are only used on the rooftops of buildings. However, with the emergence of building-integrated solar panels in recent years, other surfaces on the building façade can be considered for the installation of PV panels. Given that different panels have different cost and performance profiles, it is of a cardinal importance to properly design the PV panels on the building facades to ensure a maximum benefit-cost ratio. Existing simulation and optimization methods do not discriminate between different types of surfaces of the building and treat the building envelope as a set of polygons. This can result in under- or over- design since there is a strong relationship between the type of the surfaces and the type of PV panels that can be attached to them or integrated with them. The advent of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in recent years has provided a rich platform for object-based evaluation and analysis of buildings. Nonetheless, currently, BIM is not used for a detailed and surface-specific simulation of building surfaces. In this research, a BIM-based method is developed for a detailed simulation of a building envelope using its surface properties. A prototype is developed using Dynamo visual programming platform to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method, and a case study is presented for a building in Montreal, Canada. In the light of the result of the case study, it can be concluded that the proposed method is promising in terms of providing the input for a comprehensive planning of the solar panel layout

Proceedings of the 29th EG-ICE International Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering

This publication is the Proceedings of the 29th EG-ICE International Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering from July 6-8, 2022. The EG-ICE International Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering brings together international experts working on the interface between advanced computing and modern engineering challenges. Many engineering tasks require open-world resolution of challenges such as supporting multi-actor collaboration, coping with approximate models, providing effective engineer-computer interaction, search in multi-dimensional solution spaces, accommodating uncertainty, including specialist domain knowledge, performing sensor-data interpretation and dealing with incomplete knowledge. While results from computer science provide much initial support for resolution, adaptation is unavoidable and most importantly, feedback from addressing engineering challenges drives fundamental computer-science research. Competence and knowledge transfer goes both ways. &nbsp

Proceedings of the 29th EG-ICE International Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering

This publication is the Proceedings of the 29th EG-ICE International Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering from July 6-8, 2022. The EG-ICE International Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering brings together international experts working on the interface between advanced computing and modern engineering challenges. Many engineering tasks require open-world resolution of challenges such as supporting multi-actor collaboration, coping with approximate models, providing effective engineer-computer interaction, search in multi-dimensional solution spaces, accommodating uncertainty, including specialist domain knowledge, performing sensor-data interpretation and dealing with incomplete knowledge. While results from computer science provide much initial support for resolution, adaptation is unavoidable and most importantly, feedback from addressing engineering challenges drives fundamental computer-science research. Competence and knowledge transfer goes both ways. &nbsp

Loosely-coupled user-friendly interface: A window toward a better application of knowledge-based system in architecture, engineering and construction

This thesis explores the potentials of adopting loose-coupling concept in interface design of knowledge management systems for construction industry. For this purpose a prototype was developed which enables users to access relevant information to their work without getting engaged in any extra activity to translate their needs into systems’ languages. The need to maintain, capture and reuse this knowledge within the organization in order to make its effective use in the long term and in order to avoid costly and time-consuming relearning; has led to a profound branch of specialty in the management disciplines referred to as knowledge management. Since the introduction of IT to knowledge management the term knowledge management system (KMS) in a broader use refers to ICT systems particularly devoted to the creating, retrieving, storing and distributing knowledge in an organization.Construction Management and EngineeringBouwCivil Engineering and Geoscience

Integrating earthwork ontology and safety regulations to enhance operations safety

Safety in the construction industry remains a major challenge despite the technological advancements made in recent years. In recent years, ontologies are applied to give a formal structure to the knowledge in different domains. Ontologies also facilitate the integration of various domain knowledge and thus allow for better cross-functional developments (e.g., operator support systems that consider safety and productivity at the same time). The authors have previously developed a comprehensive Earthwork Ontology (EW-Onto). However, there has been no linkage between safety regulations and EW-Onto. Therefore, this research aims to: (1) develop a formal representation of earthwork safety regulations knowledge, and (2) integrate this knowledge with EW-Onto. A case study is developed to validate the integrated ontology. It is shown that the integrated ontology can be used to bridge the gap between high-level safety regulations and task-level instructions

A Methodology for Real-Time 3D Visualization of Asphalt Thermal Behaviour During Road Construction

Asphalt mixture temperature plays an essential role in the road construction process. For high-quality asphalt, it is crucial that the compaction is performed within a certain range of the temperature, known as the compaction window. The compaction of the asphalt at a temperature outside this range would compromise the quality of the final product considerably. The compaction window is predicated on a myriad of parameters such as the type of the asphalt mix, the ambient temperature, etc. However, the operators of the road construction equipment (e.g., rollers and pavers) currently rely on their professional intuitions and experiences to develop their operational strategies. This practice can be significantly improved if the operators can be provided with the real-time information about the temperature of the asphalt mat during the construction. The available solutions for the real-time monitoring of the asphalt are limited to capturing and presenting only the surface temperature or only core temperature of the asphalt mat. Given the complex behaviour of the asphalt with relation to the mixture type and the ambient conditions, this approach cannot best represent the asphalt behaviour during the construction. This paper presents an approach for capturing the real-time asphalt behaviour using multiple sensing technologies. In this approach, the core and surface temperatures of the asphalt are captured using thermologger and linescanner, respectively. These data are then translated into 3D temperature contour plots that represent the asphalt behaviour under the construction site settings in real time. Finally, the data is presented to the equipment operator via a user interface. A prototype is developed and tested to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach. The case study indicates that the presented method can improve the asphalt operation by enabling the operators to better develop their operational strategies