Big data for smart operations and maintenance of buildings

The trend in industry to move towards smart buildings will in turn necessitate the move to smart operations and maintenance. As buildings lifecycle continues for a number of decades, various data about performance and operations need to be captured. There are various smart data collection tools available such as: mobile devices, social media, smart meters, sensors, satellites, camera footage, traffic flow reports, etc.. The analysis of the collected data can provide huge feedback for better buildings management. This research aims to adopt the concept of Big Data to capture the information and the knowledge of buildings operations; particularly for building maintenance and refurbishment. With the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) systems to store various structured data of buildings, the unstructured data for various buildings operations will be also captured. For this purpose, a new system is proposed that integrates cloud-based Spoken Dialogue System (SDS), case-based reasoning, and BIM system. The proposed smart system acts as an interactive expert agent that seeks answers from buildings managers/users about building maintenance problems and help searching for solutions from previously stored knowledge cases. Capturing multi-modes data into BIM systems using the cloud-based spoken dialogue systems can utilise the high volume of data generated over building lifecycle. This can help design and operation teams to manage buildings, spaces, and services more efficiently. The data capture tools (including SDS) provide granular real-time data about utilization patterns which can improve the maintenance of buildings services and operations

Payment Mechanisms for Integrated Teams in Construction

The overwhelming consensus for process andteam integration has emerged as an enabler tomanage construction projects. Theperformance of integrated teams is highlyaffected by the adopted payment mechanism.However, the payment mechanisms availablefor a project may need the team tocompromise in order to agree on a fairmechanism for as many members as possible.This paper introduces a methodology tosimulate the profiles of alternative paymentmechanisms. The methodology aims to helpproject teams define the most appropriatemechanism for each member. The proposedmethodology is therefore novel and superior toexisting cash flow models where the focus hasbeen limited to main contractors only. Topromote its use as a performance enablingmechanism, the methodology utilizes “theproject process map”, “the stakeholders &supply chain”, “the pricing method” and “thepayment mechanism”. This will act as an aid todesign or “fine-tune” payment mechanisms toindividual projects characteristics consideringpayment for off-site materials andcomponents, which always concerns projectfabricators and supply chain

Simulating the implementation of technological innovations in construction

Introducing new technologies or innovative processes can enhance construction efficiency and enable organisations to achieve objectives of lowering costs, continuous improvement and competitive advantage. New ideas have to show significant benefits before they are accepted. Despite of the differences between the construction and manufacturing industries, opportunities are still available to leam from manufacturing approaches to innovation. A fundamental challenge facing construction innovation is the way that construction organisations plan and control the implementation of innovation where many projects do not fulfil their time and cost objectives. Management should not only improve techniques for planning and scheduling but also allow managers to assess and simulate the anticipated performance resulting from innovation .. According to this assessment, managers would be more able and perhaps more ready to accept new processes/products or iterate the implementation process until a satisfactory level of performance has been achieved. Intangible benefits offered by advanced construction technologies are hard to quantify using traditional economic analysis techniques. This could result in the rejection of a potentially profitable idea. Benefits to be gained from improvements in operational efficiency are measured by cost and time-savings and increasing productivity. These benefits, in addition to intangible benefits, need to be measured and quantified. Simulating the implementation process of innovation has not been addressed, although many models have been developed to describe the innovation process in construction which considered implementation as a sequential process incorporating iterations. [Continues.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for inspection in construction and building industry

Digital data capture is a key component of Industry 4.0 practices. In the past few decades Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have entered the construction industry to capture site data and to cover topographic as well as different types of inspection matters. Photographs, live video, photogrammetric digital elevation models and 3D point clouds can be generated using different photogrammetry facilities, cameras and lasers attached to either a fixed wing or rotorcraft UAVs. UAVs have the ability to deliver information by monitoring, 3Dmaping, measuring, analysing, as well as recording on-site activities. This paper presents the state of art of UAVs usage in construction and building industry and evaluates their applications by experimental case studies. The challenges of using UAVs and their links to BIM will be also discussed. This study found that visual imaging is currently the most popular use of UAVs on construction sites to ensure integrity of structural inspection, however, 3D models derived from LiDAR and photogrammetry techniques are surpassing more traditional methods as they are still significantly cheaper and faster to use. UAVs is also used to monitor workers on site to identify what resources they need in order to carry out their tasks more efficiently and also for the purposes of their health and safety. Despite the approved efficiency of using UAVs on sites to provide better visualization of the working environment, there are still key issues to be tackled such as: the limited flight time of UAVs and its weight. Structural/site investigations have shown that there are some defects on the use of aerial vehicles, with the most important to be the cost along with the precision of the results which may vary depending on the technologies used. There is further study required into the combination of UAVs derived data and its inclusion into BIM, as barriers remain regarding translatable data platforms. There are also some ethical concerns of surveying workers on site and how to protect their privacy

A System Dynamics-Based Model For Demand Forecasting In PPP Infrastructure Projects – A Case Of Toll Roads

The success of Public Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects is highly dependent on the demand for the services provided by these projects. The demand forecasting process is complex because of the influence of various economic, social and technical factors and the interrelationships among them. In addition, this process is dynamic in nature as many of these factors are time dependent. Current models used for demand forecasting have failed to account for many of these aspects. Among various modeling techniques, System Dynamics (SD) is a promising method for modeling systems with complexity and dynamicity features. The modeling process using SD can be broadly divided into Qualitative System Dynamics and Quantitative System Dynamics. This paper describes the development stages of a conceptual Qualitative SD model for demand forecasting which include: factors identification, creating Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs), and the CLDs validation. As expert knowledge and perceptions are key requirements to develop a realistic SD model, the paper will emphasis on the knowledge elicitation involved in the development stages. The paper articulates different approaches used to collect and analyze perceptions solicited from experts in toll road projects and the demand forecasting discipline in order to build this qualitative model. In addition, it depicts how the information has been integrated into the different stages of the modeling process. The developed qualitative model will form the basis for the development of the quantitative SD model aiming at improving the practices of demand forecasting in PPP toll road projects

Modeling the effect of occupants' behavior on household carbon emissions

Occupant behavior has proven significant impact on building performance. The research on carbon emissions has therefore recommended the integration of the technical and behavioral disciplines in order to accurately predict buildings' carbon emissions. Although various models have been developed that consider the actions of occupants based on quantitative data, few efforts link the impact of occupant behavior to selected energy strategies while also considering the economic, technological, and environmental impacts. This research developed a dynamic model to simulate the interaction of occupant behavior with various energy-efficiency scenarios to reduce carbon emissions. The model will help test the effectiveness of certain energy-efficiency scenarios before implementation. This paper illustrates the structure and the application of the proposed model. The model results show that behavioral change can contribute enormously to carbon emissions reduction even without the installation of more-energy-efficient improvements

Stakeholder Management: An Insightful Overview of Issues

This paper attempts to contribute towards investigating the existing literature base of stakeholder management (SM), provide a compilation, and define any gaps in this area. Besides, explore different groups of critical success factors (CSFs) and grouping these actors. This study is based on reviewing the literature. Therefore, more than a hundred research papers were searched by the key terms specified in a preceding literature review. Succeeding tours of abstract research surveys resulted in forty-two research papers being picked for the compilation. SM constructs were identified, and the following crucial analysis defined the literature base gaps. The most notable outcomes are the absence of research that has studied BIM-based stakeholder management, especially in mega projects. Additionally, further investigations are still required to study the SM influence throughout the different stages of the project life cycle and study the impact of project type and contract type in SM. However, there is still considerable debate about the SM nature and merits approach. This study presents a comprehensive gathering of all earlier identified SM processes through a structured approach. Additionally, a more realistic and practical methodology for the development and implementation of SM will emerge, and twenty-seven CSFs associated with SM in construction projects are identified. The study is expected to have a theoretical contribution to this subject, especially in the context of the Qatari construction industry

Assessment of Response Strategy in Mega Construction Projects

"Mega Construction Projects (MCPs) that are executed unavoidably face several of the organizational challenges and pressures. Due to the stakeholder pressures in the execution of MCPs, organizations may adopt various strategic responses. Purpose – The objective of this paper is to investigate the common response strategies (RSs) applied in MCPs in the State of Qatar, in addition to overcoming the construction problems and enhance performance during the construction stage. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey is carried out among the most important firms in construction industry in Qatar. Three steps are used to finalize and evaluate the questionnaire before proceeding with the full survey, validity, pre-testing and pilot study. Quantitative data analysis is carried through the Statistical Package for Social Science software (SPSS). Findings – Results define and demonstrate five different types of RSs. They are ranging from passive to active strategies determined by project organization. The RSs include: adaptation strategy, avoidance strategy, compromising strategy, dismissal strategy, and influence strategy. Originality/value – This paper identifies and evaluates the RSs in MCPs that could potentially improve project team more efficiently and effectively.

Integrating CMMS, expert systems and BIM for IBS building maintenance

Current methods of maintenance management have affected the efficiency of the relevant tasks when applied to the industrialised building system (IBS) for high-rises in Malaysia. Many issues, such as poor service delivery, limited budgets, incompetent staff and defect repetition, have emerged from the use of conventional methods of application (paper-based forms). A total of 73.5% of IBS building maintenance tasks in Malaysia feature the conventional method. Data have revealed that the practice of maintenance management for IBS high-rise buildings needs to be digitalised. Therefore, this paper reviews current practices in maintenance management and develops a Building Information Modelling (BIM) prototype system that addresses problems with to the conventional method to improve the processes of maintenance management. This qualitative research was carried out by conducting a literature review and semi-structured interviews. Eight major maintenance organisations were selected based on the conventional method of practice in managing maintenance for IBS high-rise buildings. The framework was represented in a computer-based prototype system in Autodesk Revit to allow multidisciplinary information to be superimposed onto a digital building model, Microsoft Visual Basic.Net was used as graphical-user interface while Microsoft Access was used for database design to deploy information on maintenance management processes. The computerised system was developed using data flow diagrams and coding. The prototype system was then tested, and the results show that it makes defect diagnosis and decision-making process easier, faster, and cost effective while facilitating the assessment of maintenance, defect diagnosis, and control in relation to components of IBS building structures. In conclusion, the prototype system can improve the effectiveness of maintenance management practices for components of the IBS building structure by reducing the risk of defects in design, such as the design calculation error, to provide high-quality components for the structure to ensure a safe and healthy environment

Implementing construction innovations

The need to gain a competitive advantage stimulates many construction organizations to exploit innovative products and processes. The high level of uncertainty associated with innovative construction leads many construction organizations to focus on the application of traditional construction processes and products. Implementing construction innovation often involves experimentation, iteration and refinement of activities that are reliant on volatile information. Although several decision support models have been developed to assess new technologies, innovation as an implementation process has received less attention. This paper presents several tools to assess the value of technological innovation. It also presents a conceptual model, which is currently being developed, that deals with the effectiveness of innovation implementation phase. The proposed model is a decision support tool that models different implementation scenarios. The model uses influence information, managerial and technological benefits to control the implementation phase