Implementing 5D BIM on construction projects: Contractor perspectives from the UK construction sector

This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Emerald in Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology on 09/05/2020: https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-01-2020-0007 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on primary research findings that sought to investigate and analyse salient issues on the implementation of 5D building information modelling (BIM) from the UK contractors’ perspective. Previous research and efforts have predominantly focussed on the use of technologies for cost estimation and quantity takeoff within a more traditional-led procurement, with a paucity of research focussing on how 5D BIM could facilitate costing within contractor-led procurement. This study fills this current knowledge gap and enhances the understanding of the specific costing challenges faced by contractors in contractor-led projects, leading to the development of 5D framework for use in future projects. Design/methodology/approach To develop a fully detailed understanding of the challenges and issues being faced in this regard, a phenomenological, qualitative-based study was undertaken through interviews involving 21 participants from UK-wide construction organisations. A thematic data analytical process was applied to the data to derive key issues, and this was then used to inform the development of a 5D-BIM costing framework. Findings Multi-disciplinary findings reveal a range of issues faced by contractors when implementing 5D BIM. These exist at strategic, operational and technological levels which require addressing successful implementation of 5D BIM on contractor-led projects adhering to Level 2 BIM standards. These findings cut across the range of stakeholders on contractor-led projects. Ultimately, the findings suggest strong commitment and leadership from organisational management are required to facilitate cost savings and generate accurate cost information. Practical implications This study highlights key issues for any party seeking to effectively deploy 5D BIM on a contractor-led construction project. A considerable cultural shift towards automating and digitising cost functions virtually, stronger collaborative working relationship relative to costing in design development, construction practice, maintenance and operation is required. Originality/value By analysing findings from primary research data, the work concludes with the development of a 5D BIM costing framework to support contractor-led projects which can be implemented to ensure that 5D BIM is successfully implemented

A Smart City Concept for Improving Alteration and Refurbishment of Buildings

The need for local councils, housing associations, housing developers and others in the UK and other developed/emerging economies with a relatively large portfolio of buildings to review their maintenance, alteration and refurbishment procedure constantly cannot be over-emphasized. As housing stock continue to age, the need to make them more sustainable in use and performance continues to increase as well and as such the demand to alter and refurbish continues to increase. Traditionally, alteration and refurbishment of the buildings have be carried out on the basis of need or by using a fixed (preventive or reactive) maintenance programme. However, the advent of Building Information Modelling (BIM), the use of smart devices, the Internet of Things and other smart city elements are now offering the industry the opportunity to leverage the potential of the smart city concept to explore the opportunities being offered. Based on an on-going research work that seeks to improve the building alteration and refurbishment process, this work uses a case study to demonstrate a conceptual approach that can enhance the maintenance and refurbishment programmes of properties based on the smart city concept. The concept examines the potential of property maintenance and refurbishment at a micro and macro level and highlights the perceived benefits. The direction of future work is also stated as part of the work as a precursor to engendering wider debate and implementation

Strength and stiffness properties of the optimum mix composition of cement-less wastepaper-based lightweight block (CWLB)

The cement-less wastepaper-based lightweight block (CWLB) is a newly developed eco-friendly non-load bearing block manufactured from majorly cellulosic wastes without the use of cement. The main constituents of CWLB includes; wastepaper aggregate (WPA) produced from post-consumer wastepaper, waste additive and sand. This study was conducted to determine its optimum mix composition and the corresponding strength and stiffness properties. The experimentations carried out covered; the optimization of the mix composition of CWLB using the Taguchi statistical optimization technique (TSOT) and the determination of the compressive strength, density, elastic modulus and the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) of the optimal CWLB specimen. The findings from the TSOT ascertains that the optimum mix composition of CWLB comprises of processing parameters including; 2.5 WPA/sand ratio, 0.75 water/binder ratio, and 3.5 Metric ton (i.e. 13.7 MPa) compacting force. Also, it was found that the optimal CWLB exhibited; an average compressive strength of 2.71 MPa, an average density of 901.5 kg/m3, an average UPV of 989.9 m/s and an estimated elastic modulus of 883.4 MPa. The comparison of these properties with the applicable standard requirements indicates the suitability of CWLB for non-load bearing application. In addition, the presence of 75% waste content in the mix composition of CWLB indicates its eco-friendliness and its potential to contribute to the sustainability in the construction industry through reduction in natural resources consumption. The innovation presented in this study includes; the development of a suitable optimum mix composition of constituent materials for the novel CWLB, the identification of factors that affects it strength properties and the determination of its engineering properties. Future work will investigate other relevant properties of CWLB which include; capillary water absorption, thermal conductivity, and the reaction to fire

Optimization of mix composition of cement-less wastepaper-based lightweight block (CWLB)

The development of cement-less wastepaper-based lightweight block (CWLB) is another important step towards the production of eco-friendly building materials from wastepaper. This block which was designed to be used for non-load bearing/non-structural application was developed without the use of hydraulic cement. This study was conducted to optimize the mix composition of CWLB for the purpose of maximizing its compressive strength. This aim was achieved by employing the Taguchi statistical optimization technique in conjunction with laboratory experimentation. The result indicated that water/binder ratio had the most significant effect on the compressive strength of CWLB. The analysis of result establishes the CWLB specimen with optimal parameter to be that which was made from; 2.5 WPA/Sand ratio, 0.75 Water/binder ratio, and 3.5 Metric ton (i.e. 13.7MPa) compacting force. Also, the optimal CWLB displayed; an average compressive strength of 2.71MPa which indicated an increase of 402% compared to the 0.50MPa displayed by the worst parameter combination and an average density of 901.5kg/m3. The compressive strength and the density of the optimal CWLB was found to maximally satisfy the requirements for non-load bearing lightweight blocks. Considering the high amount (typically, 75%) of waste content in the composition of CWLB, it was reckoned as a viable eco-friendly lightweight block suitable for non-load bearing application. Future work will investigate other relevant properties of CWLB which include; Elastic modulus, water absorption, thermal conductivity, and reaction to fire. Key-Words: - Taguchi method, compressiv

Problems of drought and its management in Yobe State, Nigeria

Drought poses an enormous global threat to sustainable development and is expected to increase with global climate change. Drought and desertification are major problems in Yobe State (north-east Nigeria). This study investigates the main problems associated with drought in Yobe State. Qualitative methods were employed to investigate socio-economic impacts of drought via Focus Group Discussions (FDG). Farmers and officials from the State Ministry of the Environment were the discussants. Both groups confirmed the frequency and severity of drought in Yobe. However, farmers have practises that cause environmental degradation. Developing a viable and holistic approach to drought mitigation is crucial, to arresting and hopefully reversing environmental degradation. Understanding the causes and consequences of drought will help develop drought mitigation and management strategies. Currently, there is no proper drought mitigation and management framework in Yobe State. This paper introduces the socio-economic and environmental effects of drought and makes recommendations for mitigation and management strategies in Yobe State

The need for multi-LOD 4D simulations in construction projects

The increasing application of BIM processes and technologies has facilitated an increase in the use of 4D (3D+Time) simulations of construction projects. Previous research has acknowledged the benefit of 4D models in the project planning and construction phases enhancing communication between construction teams and avoiding unforeseen conflicts during the build process. The development of BIM has spurred a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding Level of Development, Level of Information (LOI) and Level of Detail (LOD) pertaining to the graphical detail and non-graphical information of the static geometric design model. However, to date there is limited research thoroughly investigating the issue of LOD within 4D applications. This work presents an ongoing study to derive a framework for the development of more dynamic 4D simulations incorporating discrete forms of LOD. Level of graphical detail (LODg) corresponds to the graphical detail of the model geometry and also the ‘granularity’ of the geometry required for dynamic 4D production, whilst the temporal level of detail (LODti) relates to time period required between state changes in the model during the simulation. In order to support the development of the framework, an industry-based survey was conducted to assess the application of 4D, subsequent issues and use cases around levels of graphical and temporal details to improve dynamic 4D simulations. The work concludes with the development of a framework and schematic to support the specification of the LOD of a 4D simulation (LOD4d) throughout the various phases of a construction project

CRITICAL REVIEW OF POTENTIAL FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF LEAN IN THE NIGERIAN BUILDING INDUSTRY

ABSTRACT The concept of Lean Construction has been observed to improve workflow reliability, planning and control, particularly in developed and emerging countries like USA, UK, Korea and Brazil. It has been a useful means of achieving project duration reduction and improved cost and quality performance. Predominantly, the Last Planner System, process mapping and other collaborative planning tools of lean construction were utilised in these projects and they accounted for the successes of these projects. However, within under developed and a few developing countries the situation is slightly more at variance. Using Nigeria as a case study for example, the general perception at the moment is that the building industry is mainly characterised by poor project definitions, incomplete project designs and waste generation resulting in uncompleted building projects or poorly completed ones. This paper commences with a review of how lean was applied and why it was successful in the countries identified by previous studies. It then progresses to further review what is currently obtainable in the Nigerian building industry. This then led to a process of addressing the applicability of lean tools within the Nigerian building industry. The results from the review reveal the potential for the application of lean tools within the industry. Sequel to this, the author proposes that Last Planner System of lean be implemented via action research within building industry of Nigeria. It is on the basis of this that further research is being proposed to address this concern

Barriers for Implementing solar energy initiatives in Nigeria: an empirical study

This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Emerald in Smart and Sustainable Built Environment on 26/01/2021. The published version can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-06-2020-0094 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.Purpose Despite the abundant renewable energy potential in the Nigeria, power sector stakeholders have not paid attention to the prospect of natural resources that can be utilised when it is properly harnessed. Although, a very negligible fraction of the population has invested in solar photovoltaic (PVs) for home solution, the initiative was only made public commercialised under the public private partnership (PPP) and the objectives of the Power Sector Reform Act. 2005. It is, therefore, aimed to investigate the causes and insight of the barriers that are responsible for the slow implementation of the solar energy initiative in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach An empirical study was performed in Nigeria. The study was conducted qualitatively, through semi-structured face-to face interviews of 25 participants. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, interpreted, coded, categorised into themes, and analysed by content analysis. Findings The study reveals technological, financial, political, and social barriers have been the reason for slowing down solar energy development in Nigeria. While the technical barrier is a challenge to the solar energy implementation, socio-cultural issues have also been an obstacle to the implementation process. It is suggested that the stakeholders of the initiatives, to proffer sustainable policies to enable public and private promoters to be able to generate, and distribute electricity through solar PV, to complement the inadequate conventional electricity sources from the grids. Originality/value The paper provides a richer insight into the understanding and awareness of barriers for implementing solar energy strategies in Nigeria

A knowledge based system for construction health and safety competence assessment

Organisational and individual Health and Safety (H&S) competence is an essential element to the successful completion of a construction project in a safe way and without hazards to the health of all workforce. Under the Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) Regulations 2007, the client should take reasonable steps to ensure that the appointed duty-holders and engaged people are H&S competent to design, build or co-ordinate the project. Although the CDM Regulations 2007 and its Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) have established ‘Core Criteria’ to guide the client to assess duty-holders’ H&S competence in the outset of a project, it is still difficult for most inexperienced clients to discharge the duty of making the key decisions in H&S competence assessment. In order to help the client implement H&S competence assessment, it is important to develop a tool that can effectively and efficiently support the client to make reasonable decisions in the selection of H&S competent duty-holders. According to the findings of the case study of existing formal H&S competence assessment schemes undertaken as part of this work, H&S competence assessment was characterised as a subjective, qualitative and non-linear regulation-compliance checking process. In addition, the case study helped identify the latent shortcomings in the ‘Core Critiera’ and the operational drawbacks in current practice of implementing H&S competence assessment. Based on a review of Information Technology (I.T.) and Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) applications in construction, Knowledge-Based System (KBS) is identified as being a suitable tool to support decision-making in H&S competence assessment, mainly due to its appropriateness to solve regulation-compliance checking problems and support subjective and qualitative decision-making process. Following a decision-making framework for H&S competence assessment, a KBS decision-support model was developed, applying three mechanisms to support the reasonable decision-making for H&S competence assessment. In order to develop an appropriate and practical KBS for H&S competence assessment, a textual knowledge base was developed, specifying the minimum satisfaction standards and a rating indicator system for ‘Core Criteria’. As a result, an online KBS was developed using Java Server Pages (JSP) technology and MySQL. The online KBS applied the textual knowledge base to support the screen, rating, ranking and reporting decision-supporting mechanisms. Simultaneously, the case inquiry and expert inquiry facilities were also included in the KBS for effective decision-making. Finally, construction experts and practitioners in H&S management evaluated the validity and usability of the KBS through a questionnaire survey. The prototype KBS was borne out to be an effective and efficient decision-support tool for H&S competence assessment and have the potential to be applied in practice.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Investigation into the applicability of brewery sludge residue-ash as a base material for geopolymer concrete

The environmental challenges such as high energy demand, large CO2 emission, and exorbitant raw material consumption among others associated with ordinary Portland cement led researchers to the search for alternatives and thus the advent of geopolymer concrete. Fly ash, a waste product of the thermal generating power station, has been the base material commonly used in geopolymer production. However, Nigeria depends majorly on hydro-power and hence, fly ash is unavailable and this has contributed to the restricted application of geopolymer technology. Therefore, the suitability of brewery sludge residue (a waste byproduct generated in high quantity from brewing process) as an alternative base material in geopolymer concrete was investigated in this study. The physical and chemical properties of brewery sludge residue ash (BSA) were investigated to assess its suitability for use as a base material for geopolymer binder. Brewery sludge residue ash-based geopolymer concrete (BSAGC) specimens were produced by activating BSA with selected alkaline liquids (NaOH and Na2SiO2) used as activator. The BSAGC specimens were subjected to compressive strength to assess the strength development and consequently the effectiveness of the polymerization reaction that occurred. It was found that, amongst other factors, the BSA exhibits less satisfactory oxide characteristics at 425 micron particle size utilised and consequently the compressive strength development was low at 28 days curing duration at the 1:2:4 mix proportioning threshold adopted for the BSAGC mix. Given the marginal strength development of BSAGC, BSA could be reckon as having potentials for application as base material for geopolymer binder, however, more investigation is required to determine the optimum processing parameters for its usage as a base material for geopolymer binder and geopolymer concrete