Use of Building Information Modelling in Responding to Low Carbon Construction Innovations: an Irish Perspective

At present the Irish construction industry is facing one of its most uncertain and challenging periods and will see major cuts in all areas of the economy in 2012. Despite this, Ireland pushes forward in sustainability initiatives with the Government ruling that environmentally-friendly policies are to get priority in competing for State contracts worth up to €16 billion a year. This and further initiatives are in place, so as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20% by the year 2020. By the end of 2018 the public sector must own or rent only buildings with high energy-saving standards and promote the conversion of existing buildings to nearly zero standards. Furthermore, the retro-fitting of Ireland\u27s existing building stock will challenge Ireland to meet carbon targets. This paper outlines how Building Information Modelling (BIM) can be utilised on future and present public works projects in Ireland to significantly assist the Irish Government in managing a low carbon energy future. The paper will focus on the application of a sophisticated BIM model in helping to predict the performance of buildings or assess retrofit/upgrade options in managing low carbon construction. The authors’ data collation methodology involved the testing and analysis of a BIM model for a public works project, used during a four day workshop in late 2011. The workshop proved a success and provided the platform for the Irish Government to see first-hand, how a collaborative BIM model used on a public works projects could provide a low carbon future for both future and existing building stock

Asymmetric recombination and electron spin relaxation in the semiclassical theory of radical pair reactions

We describe how the semiclassical theory of radical pair recombination reactions recently introduced by two of us [D. E. Manolopoulos and P. J. Hore, J. Chem. Phys. 139, 124106 (2013)] can be generalised to allow for different singlet and triplet recombination rates. This is a non-trivial generalisation because when the recombination rates are different the recombination process is dynamically coupled to the coherent electron spin dynamics of the radical pair. Furthermore, because the recombination operator is a two-electron operator, it is no longer sufficient simply to consider the two electrons as classical vectors: one has to consider the complete set of 16 two-electron spin operators as independent classical variables. The resulting semiclassical theory is first validated by comparison with exact quantum mechanical results for a model radical pair containing 12 nuclear spins. It is then used to shed light on the spin dynamics of a carotenoid-porphyrin-fullerene (CPF) triad containing considerably more nuclear spins which has recently been used to establish a 'proof of principle' for the operation of a chemical compass [K. Maeda et al., Nature 453, 387 (2008)]. We find in particular that the intriguing biphasic behaviour that has been observed in the effect of an Earth-strength magnetic field on the time-dependent survival probability of the photo-excited C+PF- radical pair arises from a delicate balance between its asymmetric recombination and the relaxation of the electron spin in the carotenoid radical

The Future Scenario of Creating a Digital SME Community in the Irish Construction Industry

The problems associated with the Construction Industry not being able to manage and com-municate electronically product and project data between collaborating firms and within individual companies is compounded by the large number of small companies that have not adopted advanced Information Com-munication Technology (ICT). The typical nature of the service provided in construction, being an on-site and often highly customised service are generally identified as the reason for the low ICT uptake. The majority of Irish companies in the construction sector are Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). As eBusiness opens up the Irish economy to international competition Irish SMEs should use ICT as a generator of compet-itive advantage to become more effective and efficient with eBusiness technologies. The Construction IT Al-liance in Ireland has identified a programme that can create a digital SME community that will promote ICT services in the Irish Construction Industry in order to compete in the global econom

Developing a Cloud Integrated Life Cycle Costing Analysis Model Through BIM

Advancing interoperability between design team applications has been a major challenge for advocates of open standards. The buildingSmart alliance and Open Geospatial Consortium Inc in the U.S. have developed and implemented an Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Owner Operator, Phase 1 Testbed that streamlines communications between parties at the conceptual design phase to establish an early understanding of the tradeoffs between construction cost and energy efficiency. The results of this Testbed combined with an on-going collaborative R&D project ‘Inpro’ co-funded by the European Commission to identify business and legal issues of Building Information Modeling in construction were used as theoretical propositions underlying a 2010 Delphi survey. This paper presents the results of one questionnaire of that overall study. It is anticipated that these results will contribute to (i) identifying the most appropriate applications for advancing interoperability at the early design stage, (ii) detecting the most severe barriers of BIM implementation from a business and legal viewpoint, (iii) examining the need for standards to address information exchange between design team, (iv) exploring the use of the most common interfaces for exchanging information, and (v) investigating the industry’s perception on whether the development of a Cloud based BIM Life Cycle Costing would be of significant use to the Irish and UK construction industry. The rationale for this research is to refine the results of the initial questionnaire, AECOO-1, and Inpro R&D projects in order to determine if a prototype based on developing a cloud integrated LCC model through BIM could be generated in the UK and, Ireland and if so, what would be the legalities of implementing such a project

Creating a Software Marketplace for the SME Community in the Irish Construction Industry

The Construction Industry is a sector where Information Communication Technology (ICT) and e-Business are used to a lesser extent than in most other sectors. The high concentration of Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the industry and the typical nature of the service provided, being an on-site and often highly customised service are generally identified as the reason for the low ICT uptake. The majority of Irish companies in the construction sector are SMEs. E-Business has provided the construction SME industry the opportunity to compete globally. The Construction IT Alliance (CITA) has identified a programme that can create a digital SME community that will promote ICT software. In creating this community CITA will be able to provide the construction industry in Ireland with an ICT software service deployed from a centralised data centre. This ICT concept commonly referred to as „Cloud Computing‟ will enhance CITA‟s services in providing ICT uptake to the wider Irish construction industr

A Proposal for Re-engineering the Procurement of Building Materials by Effective use of ICT

This paper seeks to establish the case for re-engineering the procurement of materials in the Irish construction industry. The authors make their observations from witnessing, first-hand, the operation of a purchasing function in a large contracting organisation in the Republic of Ireland. The authors identify the core problems that exist in the current mainly paper-based process and present a strong case for the re-engineering of the process by the adoption of a fully integrated Information Communications Technology (ICT) solutio

The Benefits of Deploying IT in the Material Procurement in Ready Mix Concrete in the Irish Construction Industry

The current methods of processing orders, deliveries and invoices of concrete products in the construction industry is enormously inefficient, with vast quantities of paperwork, duplication of effort, scanning, re-keying and resolving mismatches between purchase orders, delivery dockets and invoices. This paper sets out results of a survey which reveals attitudes to Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in supporting the purchasing process in construction. The drivers and barriers to ICT use in construction purchasing is discussed from both the contractor‟s and supplier‟s perspective. The paper goes on to describe the outcome of a pilot study in which the efficiencies are investigated arising from using available technology to provide proof of delivery. The response of site personnel in using this technology is discussed, together with lessons learned in the pilot study. Arising from the survey and pilot study results, a proposal is made to re-engineer the procurement process, taking into account the available technologies. The re-engineered solution seeks to achieve an integrated three-way electronic match of the purchase order, delivery note and supplier invoice. Suggestions are made as to the benefits of introducing such an integrated system in the Irish construction industr

Adopting of PAS 1192-2 by Irish AEC companies – A Formula for Winning International Work

Forfás Ireland policy advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation have recently recommended that the Irish Architecture Engineering Construction (AEC) industry should engage in more international work and in doing so have advised the industry to work within a Building Information Management (BIM) environment, so as to avoid the possibility of a competitive disadvantage in overseas markets. According to Forfás BIM can help develop the appropriate technical skills amongst Irish construction firms so that they can successfully compete in markets where BIM is widely adopted or a requirement. More importantly they have encouraged the industry to strive to achieve and exceed international industry standards. Such a standard is the Public Accessible Standard (PAS) 1192-2, which is now becoming the preferred choice of industry standard regarding BIM collaboration within the United Kingdom (UK). The purpose of this standard is to offer guidelines to the UK in order to ensure they achieve their 2016 mandate. This standard would seem to be a natural fit for the Irish AEC sector, due to the fact that the Irish Government have previously followed closely behind the UK regarding regulations, as well as been strongly linked through a high number of construction companies exporting their services to the UK. PAS 1192- 2 will potentially become even more relevant in the future as it influences the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in adopting accredited BIM standards. This may therefore not only limit Irish companies in trading to the important UK market but in also trading the rest of the world if they are not versed with its requirements. This paper will investigate the potential of adopting PAS 1192-2 within the Irish AEC sector as the preferred industry standard for BIM and how this could help construction companies win international work. The data collation methodology included a number of interviews and an in-depth questionnaire. The interviewees will consist of industry leaders from Ireland, the UK and Australia. This will be complimented by an international questionnaire that was distributed to assess what current standards are been used both within Ireland and abroad. The research findings have indicated that in order to ensure that the Irish AEC sector is ready to compete in overseas markets, that they should adopt PAS 1192-2 in accordance with any future BIM governed projects

The Application of Industry Standards as an Alternative to in-House Proprietary Standards Within the AEC iIndustry

The move from traditional 2D Computer Aided Design (CAD) practices towards Building Information Modelling (BIM) has witnessed some practices trying to adopt and update their own in-house CAD standards. These standards are wholly inadequate for working in a collaborative BIM environment and mean that they repetitively create and recreate local, non-reusable, non-interoperable solutions to the same problems, which leads to the employees potentially having to learn a new collaborative process every time they have to work with a new project team. Collaborative standards help teams produce information through a standardised process, so as to ensure the same form and quality to enable information to be used and reused without change or interpretation. These standards permit common ways of creating, storing, and accessing, exchanging and communicating built asset information. This allows the supply chain to organise itself around defined roles and further permits diverse project teams to have a mutual understanding and trust with each other. This can therefore result in improvement across the board that include better teamwork, better scheduling, better risk management and better costs control. This paper will present the case for companies to move from existing in-house CAD Standards towards more rewarding collaborative Industry standards. The data collation methodology included an in-depth questionnaire that investigated the practice of using inhouse standards. The results have indicated that a more robust direction is to adopt an industry standard in order to ensure a more rewarding BIM proces

Developing Key Performance Indicators to Measure the Effectiveness of Early Facilities Management Performance on BIM Governed Public Sector Projects

Governments across the globe are now recognising the need to take steps to better manage their property portfolios due to the escalating costs of operating these buildings over their lifetime. This has seen them turn towards innovative work practices and technologies offered by Building Information Modelling (BIM). It is now becoming increasingly evident that BIM can bring significant added value to the design, construction and most importantly to the operational life of a public sector development project. This experience has resulted in a number of governments moving towards implementing BIM for all public works projects. BIM allows the building to be designed collaboratively within a unique integrated environment which aims to produce a more rewarding and cost efficient building for the end-user. Despite enhanced Facilities Management (FM) being the goal of this collaborative BIM approach, there is still a reluctance and a lack of perceived benefits of having the Facility Manager involved earlier in the design phase. Some of the reasons for this is a clear lack of metrics to quantify the contribution that the Facility Manager can provide at the early design phase. This paper will detail a new process, in which the Facilities Manager will operate as a key professional at an early stage and further suggest a unique set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of their contribution. The data collation methodology includes the use of data from a number of public sector pilot projects and extensive surveys that have been scientifically analysed through thematic analysis to establish common themes and trends. These common themes represent some of the key areas where the Facilities Manager can have the greatest effect when introduced into the construction team. It is hoped that the research findings will support the business case for the adoption of a more robust FM process for the public sector, facilitated by the use of a suite of unique KPIs