Verification and validation of a framework for collaborative BIM implementation, measurement and management (CIMM)

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to develop through a two-stage verification and validation process a novel implementation framework for collaborative BIM, utilising experts from academia and industry as well as a real-world case study project.Design/methodology/approachThe aim of this research was to build upon previous research findings by the authors in order to develop an implementation framework that stems from ousting the inefficiencies of current collaborative BIM practices. This is achieved by a more objectified and quantified approach towards seeking heightened transparency and objectivism of what is required through the implementation of BIM. The mixed research methods technique of both qualitative and quantitative data collection was utilised, with the structure consisting of a two-stage approach utilising the Delphi model for verification and validation. This was developed to test the novelty and beneficial structure hypothesis involving 15 core BIM experts from academia, construction and design with c. 22 years average experience. Validation was undertaken on a complex, high value real world building structures project in central London, inclusive of 8 core project BIM experts. The research utilised a developed solution that mirrored and provided a more holistic representation guiding the practitioners as a project team step by step through the determination of underpinning elements, which support the goal of enhanced information requirements as well as executing the prioritisation measurement tools as part of the framework. Data ascertained at the workshop case study prioritised areas of importance that are core in supporting the delivering of these enhanced information requirements at a project delivery level, which were in order of prioritisation determined by the project team (1) constraints (39.17%), (2) stakeholder requirements (35.78%), (3) coordination (existing asset) (15.86%), (4) exchange requirements (5.38%) and (5) level of information need (3.81%). Furthermore, risk mitigations for the top three priorities were focussed on early stakeholder engagement, appropriation of survey data collection, focus on quality of outputs and applying toolsets and processes with meaning and emphasis on the defined high-level requirements.FindingsFindings show that the framework and the developed solution translate the process methodology of the framework schema into a useable and beneficial tool that provides both qualitative and quantitative inputs and outputs. Furthermore, a collective agreement on the objectives, risk mitigations and assignment of tasks in order to achieve outcomes is presented, with evidence on numerical weightings and goal achievement.Research limitations/implicationsDue to the impacts of COVID-19 on physical engagements both the verification (electronic survey questionnaire) and validation (case study project) were undertaken remotely, using available technologies and web interfaces.Practical implicationsThe case study workshop was limited to one building structures project in central London of a value of c. £70 m design and build cost that the project team (participants) were actively engaged with.Social implicationsThe social impacts of this research has resulted in the review of existing systems, methods and approaches from a wider perspective of theoretical and applied environments, which led to the development of a novel approach and framework guided by an interactive and useable solution.Originality/valueAs shown within the core findings, experts across academia and industry (design and construction) confirmed that the framework methodology and application were 100% novel, and added a benefit to the existing collaborative BIM approach. Value added is that through objectifying, weighting/prioritizing and creating a discussion supported by qualitative and quantitative reasoning the focus on what collaborative BIM is to achieve is increased, and thus the likelihood of successful implementation.

Accelerating Project Delivery with a Lean Alternative to DBB

[...]of this historic effort, COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers around the world are now collectively producing 1.5 billion doses per month (1), with capacity growing all the time. [...]decision-making is faster, smarter, and more balanced against the needs of the project as a whole. * Last planner system/pull planning: Today's emerging experiential technologies, like augmented reality, are extending the role of BIM software in facilitating lean delivery by instantly 'transporting' a team member in Basel (Switzerland), for example, right to a job site in Ditzingen (Germany), where that team member can collaborate seamlessly with on-the-ground trade partners. * Target value delivery (TVD): Under the premise of TVD, cost drives design, not the other way around. [...]every team member shares ownership of the budget (and bthe business case driving that budget).

Barriers to integrating lean construction and integrated project delivery (IPD) on construction megaprojects towards the global integrated delivery (GID) in multinational organisations: lean IPD&GID transformative initiatives

PurposeThe architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry encounter substantial risks and challenges in its evolution towards sustainable development. International businesses, multinational AEC organisations, technical professionals, project and portfolio management organisations face global connectivity challenges between business units, especially during the outbreak of novel coronavirus pandemic, to manage construction megaprojects (CMPs). That raises the need to manage global connectivity as a main strategic goal of global organisations. This paper aims to investigate barriers to integrating lean construction (LC) practices and integrated project delivery (IPD) on CMPs towards the global integrated delivery (GID) transformative initiatives and develop future of work (FOW) global initiatives in contemporary multinational AEC organisations.Design/methodology/approachA two-stage quantitative and qualitative research approach is adopted. The qualitative research methodology consists of a literature review to appraise barriers to integrating LeanIPD&GID on CMPs. Barriers are arranged into six-factor clusters (FCs), with a conceptualisation of LeanIPD&GID, GID strategy placements and FOW global initiatives with multiple validations. This analysis also involved semi-structured interviews and focus group techniques. Stage two consisted of an empirical questionnaire survey that shaped the foundation of analysis and findings of 230 respondents from 23 countries with extensive cosmopolitan experience in the construction of megaprojects. The survey examined a set of 28 barriers to integrating LeanIPD&GID on CMPs resulting from a detailed analysis of extant literature after validation. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were exploited for data analysis, percentage scoring analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and eigenvalues were used to elaborate on clustered factors.FindingsThe research conceptualised LeanIPD&GID principles and proposed GID strategy placements for LeanIPD&GID transformative initiatives and FOW global initiatives. It concluded that the most significant barriers to integration of LeanIPD&GID on CMPs are "lack of mandatory building information modelling (BIM) and LC industry standards and regulations by governments”, "lack of involvement and support of governments”, "high costs of BIM software licenses”, "resistance of industry to change from traditional working practices” and "high initial investment in staff training costs of BIM”. PCA revealed the most significant FCs are "education and knowledge-related barriers”, "project objectives-related barriers” and "attitude-related barriers”. Awareness of BIM in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is higher than LC and LC awareness is higher than IPD knowledge. Whilst BIM adoption in the MENA region is higher than LC;the second is still taking its first steps, whilst IPD has little implementation. LeanBIM is slightly integrated, whilst LeanIPD integration is almost not present.Originality/valueThe research findings, conclusion and recommendation and proposed GID strategy placements for LeanIPD&GID transformative initiatives to integrating LeanIPD&GID on CMPs. This will allow project key stakeholders to place emphasis on tackling LeanIPD&GID barriers identified in this research and commence GID strategies. The study has provided effective practical strategies for enhancing the integration of LeanIPD&GID transformative initiatives on CMPs.

Efficiency and Sustainability: The Role of Digitization in Re-Inhabiting the Existing Building Stock

Cities are complex and constantly evolving systems where changing social needs have always reshaped the built environment. Considering recent evolutionary trends in housing emergencies, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, and environmental sustainability goals, a rethinking of the building heritage is fundamental. This article aims to promote the conversion of buildings designed initially for nonresidential uses as a process and project strategy based on energy efficiency and a holistic and integrated vision of the circular economy. The methodological approach is based on two main phases: definition of evaluative parameters for the potential reuse of a building, and integration of the evaluation system in a BIM and GIS environment. The result is a tool for rapid automatic pre-evaluation of the potential conversion of a building into a residential space. Applying the developed methodology allows for a practical approach to the significant issue of sustainable construction, with particular attention to energy improvement and the reduction of environmental impact related to the construction of new buildings. The originality of the contribution lies in the systematization of various digital technologies to provide fundamental support for managing and transforming the varied and widespread unused real estate assets in a state of abandonment and degradation. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Energies (19961073) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Resilient Hospital Design: From Crimean War to COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: Serious COVID-19 nosocomial infection has demonstrated a need to design our health services in a different manner. Triggered by the current crisis and the interest in rapid deployable hospital, this article discusses how hospital building layouts can be improved to streamline the patient pathways and thus to reduce the risk of hospital-related infections. Another objective of this work is to explore the possibility to develop flexible and scalable hospital building layouts through modular construction. This enables hospitals to better cope with different future demands and thereby enhance the resilience of the healthcare facilities. BACKGROUND: During the first wave of COVID-19, approximate one-seventh to one-fifth COVID-19 patients and majority of infected healthcare workers acquired the disease in NHS hospitals. Similar issues emerged during the Crimean War (1853-1856) when more soldiers died from infectious diseases rather than of battlefield casualties in Scutari Hospital. This led to an important collaborative work between Florence Nightingale, who looked into this problem statistically, and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who designed the rapid deployment Renkioi Hospital which yielded a death rate 90% lower than that in Scutari Hospital. While contemporary medical research and practice have moved beyond Nightingale's concept of contagion, challenges of optimizing hospital building layouts to support healing and effectively combat nosocomial infections still pose elusive problems that require further investigation. METHODS: Through case study investigations, this article evaluates the risk of nosocomial infections of airborne transmissions under different building layouts, and this provides essential data for infection control in the new-build or refurbished healthcare projects. RESULTS: Improved hospital layout can be achieved through reconfiguration of rooms and concourse. Design interventions through evidence-based infection risk analysis can reduce congestion and provide extra separation and compartmentalization which will contribute the reduced nosocomial infection rate. CONCLUSIONS: A resilient hospital shall be able to cope with unexpected circumstances and be flexible to change when new challenges arise, without compromising the safety and well-being of frontline medical staff and other patients. Such an organizational resilience depends on not only flexible clinical protocols but also flexible hospital building layouts. The latter allows hospitals to get better prepared for rapidly changing patient expectations, medical advances, and extreme weather events. The reconfigurability of an existing healthcare facility can be further enhanced through modular construction, standardization of building components, and additional space considered.

Digital twin for healthy indoor environment: A vision for the post-pandemic era

Indoor environment has significant impacts on human health as people spend 90% of their time indoors. The COVID-19 pandemic and the increased public health awareness have further elevated the urgency for cultivating and maintaining a healthy indoor environment. The advancement in emerging digital twin technologies including building information modeling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, and smart control have led to new opportunities for building design and operation. Despite the numerous studies on developing methods for creating digital twins and enabling new functionalities and services in smart building management, very few have focused on the health of indoor environment. There is a critical need for understanding and envisaging how digital twin paradigms can be geared towards healthy indoor environment. Therefore, this study reviews the techniques for developing digital twins and discusses how the techniques can be customized to contribute to public health. Specifically, the current applications of BIM, IoT sensing, data analytics, and smart building control technologies for building digital twins are reviewed, and the knowledge gaps and limitations are discussed to guide future research for improving environmental and occupant health. Moreover, this paper elaborates a vision for future research on integrated digital twins for a healthy indoor environment with special considerations of the above four emerging techniques and issues. This review contributes to the body of knowledge by advocating for the consideration of health in digital twin modeling and smart building services and presenting the research roadmap for digital twin-enabled healthy indoor environment.

The Influence of Building Information Modelling Adoption in the Viability of Medium, Small and Micro Scale Construction Firms (MSMSCFs)

Identifying factors influencing the viability of medium, small, and micro scale construction firms (MSMSCFs) is a crucial precursor in positioning such firms to aid economic and infrastructural development, especially in developing countries. This article assesses viability factors that are influenced by building information modeling (BIM) in MSMSCFs amidst construction firms' viability factors. Out of a total of 177 workers surveyed from 59 MSMSCFs that were awarded construction project contracts in sampled institutions in Nigeria, 65 staff members from 31 MSMSCFs were accessed. The factors were ranked and reduced to significant ones through principal component analysis. Ten significant factors influence the viability of MSMSCFs and six of them are enhanced by BIM implementations. All eight component factors and 18 of the 27 variables with high factor loadings can be influenced by BIM implementation. BIM can potentially curb corruption in construction projects and enhance MSMSCFs' quality of service, clients' satisfaction, construction management and technology, professional performance, procurement practices, and prompt payment of work certificates. All stakeholders need to pay prompt attention to factors that can be influenced by BIM to improve the viability of MSMSCFs, thereby hastening BIM adoption and utilization, especially in developing countries.

Research and evidence-based standards paving the way for a digital and sustainable transformation of the built environment

PurposeResearchers and standardisation bodies are key to accelerating societal transition and contributing to society's demands for sustainability, resilience and digitalisation. Standards are the agreed-upon best practices published by national or international bodies and are key enablers of transformation. Scholars have not yet identified a relationship between standards and facilities management (FM) research. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of formal standards in FM research.Design/methodology/approachA literature review was conducted to identify journal articles addressing standards and FM. A total of 198 journal articles published from 2010 to 2021 were identified. After screening these articles, 27 journal articles were considered the most relevant for data analysis.FindingsThe findings show that the role of standards in research can be analysed thematically, categorically, textually, methodologically and directionally. Standards are relevant to research by defining terms, creating backgrounds, guiding research, supporting the development of new standards and encouraging more collaboration between research and standardisation. Some studies have shown how standards influence research, but only a few have explored how research influences standards.Research limitations/implicationsThis research provides examples that inspire stronger collaboration between people and processes in research and standardisation.Originality/valueThe articles collected and analysed in this study comprise original research. A limited preliminary study of ten core articles was presented at the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction World Congress 2022. This presentation of this work provides an expanded framework for analysing the roles of standards in research. This framework includes (1) categorical analysis of research and standardisation streams;(2) thematic analysis of the topic of interest;(3) textual analysis of the use of the term "standard”;(4) methodological analysis of the influence of standards on the research method;and (5) directional analysis of the intended audience.

Sustainable digitalisation and implementation of ISO standards for facilities management

PurposeThis viewpoint paper aims to discuss sustainable digitalisation of facilities management (FM) through the implementation of the newly recognised International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards within the ISO 41000 series.Design/methodology/approachThis viewpoint paper provides a review of the literature of the recent ISO documents and academic study. The content is also dependent on the authors' opinions and interpretation.FindingsFM is currently shifting emphasis towards a strategic focus through the adoption of the new recognised international ISO standards that consider sustainable digitalisation in business decisions. However, the FM sector is encountering potential risks to the implementation of the new recognised international ISO standards. Digitalisation is one kind of force that has shaped the management of the built environment and FM recently and rapidly, especially in the Covid-19 period. This is impacting the FM industry. As standardisation aims at establishing a constantly evolving baseline of proven practices, standardisation can be considered a part of sustainable FM. It is believed that standardised and strategic level support is crucial for the smooth adoption of sustainable FM practices and processes. Standards such as the ISO standards, applied to the global FM industry, help in objectively quantifying the added value of FM to the core business. Advanced technology and digitalisation can contribute to the sustainability of any profession and industry, but it also requires a community to tackle the problems.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the FM industry by making recommendations for improvement in the use of digitalisation. In summary, the significant finding of this viewpoint paper is that digitalisation offers both possibilities and problems in the application of the new recognised international ISO standards within the FM industry.

Enhancing BIM security in emergency construction projects using lightweight blockchain-as-a-service.

Rapid design and construction of mobile cabin hospitals (MCHs) have become imperative in the COVID-19 response. However, due to unique design specifications (e.g., parallel design and model pre-revision), collaboration in emergency construction projects (ECPs) like MCHs presents data security vulnerabilities, including a lack of traceability and transparency. These hazards invariably reduce design effectiveness, leading to undesirable rework and project delay. Blockchain technology is a potential solution to address the aforementioned security issues in ECPs because it offers immutable and traceable data storage. Nevertheless, directly implementing blockchain in ECPs is impractical, for the blockchain has a complex deployment process and provides limited functions supporting BIM-based design. Therefore, this paper develops a lightweight blockchain-as-a-service (LBaaS) prototype to enhance the ECPs design efficiency by securing and automating information exchange while eliminating the difficulties of deploying and using blockchain. This paper contributes three elements: (1) Security vulnerabilities of design in ECP are identified. Taking an MCH in Hong Kong as an example, this paper investigates its design process and determines two design characteristics and associated security flaws. (2) Key technologies to support easy deployment and usage of blockchain in ECPs are developed. New technical elements, including a Multi-to-One mapping (MtOM) kit for easy blockchain registration, an integrated workflow retaining existing design practices, and smart contracts for secure interaction with blockchain, are developed to support LBaaS functionality. (3) An LBaaS prototype is validated and evaluated. The prototype is illustrated and evaluated using design examples based on actual MCH project data. Results show that the LBaaS is a feasible and secure approach for ECPs collaboration. This paper deepens the understanding of data security issues in ECPs and offers technical guidance in establishing blockchain solutions.

Guest editorial: Resilience and responsiveness of the AEC sector

[...]following the restrictions occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, their study reviewed and examined these factors to understand their level of influence in the remote development of CMSC adopted by the industry within and post the disruptions induced by the pandemic. Organisational factors included leadership, engineering project networks and eLearning, measurement and review system, strategy and resources, organisational culture, tradition and structure, whereas individual factors included (in the order of influence) – willingness to learn, promotion and career development, obtaining certified qualification and obtaining respect of peers. [...]their paper sought to identify the key techniques, enablers and benefits of managing stakeholders within BIM-implemented projects. [...]previous studies had established that BIM application comes with its share of various barriers. [...]they carried out an on-site survey on barriers to the application of BIM on construction sites in the Nigerian construction industry.

Simulation modelling in a BIM environment: The case of school re-opening during Covid-19 pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic influenced the way that buildings are used and experienced. In particular, educational facilities were among the most affected by the pandemic in terms of use processes. This paper presents a methodology developed to reorganise spaces in a school building, a real case study, to allow safe reopening. Social distancing and availability of learning spaces were taken into account to simulate the use of the educational facility according to the emergency protocols. Based on a digital survey of the existing building, a building information model was generated and used as a basis for spatial analysis and crowd and agent-based simulations. Additionally, interactive games and training videos were developed as communication tools to inform end users about the new rules to be respected inside the building. The digital approach adopted for the analysis of use processes as well as for communicating the results to the end users allowed them to experience the school fruition processes within a virtual environment before the school reopening. Future works could deal with the application of the same methodology in other schools, as well as in different contexts, going beyond the specificity of the pandemic emergency, and for other types of buildings. © 2023 ICE Publishing: All rights reserved.

Research-informed teaching for assessing BIM courses during COVID-19 and beyond

PurposeIn the COVID-19 era, where blended learning is gaining popularity, research-informed teaching could be one of the alternatives or options to assess students' progress in Higher Education institutions. In the past, educators have assessed students' research skills gained from research-informed teaching through coursework components or assignments. However, whether the assignments can be converted into peer-reviewed output acceptable in a reputable journal or conference has hardly been investigated. This study explores how research-informed teaching has been rolled out in undergraduate/postgraduate BIM related modules/programmes in the School of the Built Environment, Oxford Brookes University and which has culminated in high quality published outputs.Design/methodology/approachThe method used is purely qualitative in-depth interviews, where students who have published were tracked and invited to share their experiences. In total, nine former students of the 12 invited, participated in the interviews. Inductive content analysis, a suitable qualitative data analysis technique was used in analysing the feedback from the interviews.FindingsThe main finding is that research-informed teaching can be done in a technical and complex BIM discipline and students' coursework components or assignments can further be converted into published outputs.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of this study was that the sample was small. That notwithstanding, it has provided valuable insights into the understanding of student's ability to undertake research while studying and experiences of how educators can deliver research-informed teaching to students in Higher Education institutions.Originality/valueThe study adds to the existing body of literature about undergraduate and postgraduate research-informed teaching and goes further to provide strong evidence through published outputs thereby confirming that students at both levels can indeed conduct and publish peer-reviewed research articles while undertaking their studies.

Envisioning a strategic framework to streamline building operation, sustainability and users' disease control

PurposeThis study aims to present a strategic framework aiming to streamline building operation and sustainability issues. To make available a further contribution to respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), an operational prevention guideline relying on the level of spread risk has also been developed, primarily intended for users when accessing and circulating within common spaces of buildings in general.Design/methodology/approachThe research approach involved the development of a whole theory, essentially based on a qualitative design, by means of tree schematic representations and explanatory frames. It presents part of a model already developed (called SIAPME), although, in general, besides integrating the underlying aspects of the individual experience of daily life, it is based on insights and impressions taken from the literature review.FindingsWith an identity of its own, this study offers an overview of an alternative set of well-founded and integrated strategies to improve working processes in a number of fields of the building operation function. A structured vision has thus, been provided with interest in certain key topics of the present time, such as energy management, comfort and sustainability. Still, in this context, based on a frame of knowledge gathered to date, a current, innovative and simple guidance has also been designed to help prevent the contagion of COVID-19.Research limitations/implicationsThe draft of procedures is part of an ambitious goal to serve as a well-founded strategic basis for the eventual development of an advanced software solution. As it is mainly limited to qualitative analysis, from which themes and generalisations have been arranged, this research may need more empirical evidence and additional work will be necessary to overcome any gaps that may be found.Practical implicationsAn overall assessment of this study seems to corroborate the idea that a significant impact on the developments in building operation can occur if stakeholders seek a more integrated way of management, based on cross-referencing of current issues. At a time when great uncertainties remain and knowledge advances are in full swing, the designed framework aims to be an added input towards already existing research. Furthermore, it can be seen as a valuable contribution to improving related software applications.Originality/valueThe originality lies in trying to better understand how and in which aspects the general day-to-day management of building operation can be handled more effectively, sustainable and framed, following a reasoned scientific line, in addition of trying to figure out greater capacity to deal with users' contagions, especially in the existing context of the pandemic.

Parametric Modeling and Heritage: A Design Process Sustainable for Restoration

Parametric design, algorithmic modeling, generative design, and associative design are only some of the keywords of a work paradigm that is becoming more and more popular, designed to respond to the complexities of contemporary architecture. Most commonly, such an approach is used for new buildings, but when algorithmic design meets heritage building information modeling (HBIM), the process can take on an even greater centrality-flexibility and control go hand-in-hand, ensuring precious tools for the planning of restoration interventions and management projects. This contribution, oriented to expand the use of these strategies to heritage, deals with the theme of parametric modeling of masonry vaults, a structural-architectural feature that in many forms and combinations characterizes most historic buildings. In particular, the connection of BIM software with algorithmic modeling software can allow the 'translation' of complex geometric shapes into elements with full Level of Detail elements (LOD 500) while preserving, at the same time, the algorithmic editing functions. In this paper, it is illustrated as this approach permits the finetuning of the vaults' details, from time to time, based on different survey strategies (e.g., direct measurements, experimental tests, laser scanners, etc.). In other words, using this new connection in real time, architects can design restoration interventions tied to shapes, geometries, and masonry peculiarities that would otherwise be impossible to manage. An updatable virtualization of the actual state of a heritage building thus becomes affordable for the wider public (LOD G). There is also a valuable benefit for the heritage stakeholders in terms of protection of the architectural value and conscious planning in the restoration practice, especially in the museum field.

Parametric Modeling and Heritage: A Design Process Sustainable for Restoration

Parametric design, algorithmic modeling, generative design, and associative design are only some of the keywords of a work paradigm that is becoming more and more popular, designed to respond to the complexities of contemporary architecture. Most commonly, such an approach is used for new buildings, but when algorithmic design meets heritage building information modeling (HBIM), the process can take on an even greater centrality—flexibility and control go hand-in-hand, ensuring precious tools for the planning of restoration interventions and management projects. This contribution, oriented to expand the use of these strategies to heritage, deals with the theme of parametric modeling of masonry vaults, a structural–architectural feature that in many forms and combinations characterizes most historic buildings. In particular, the connection of BIM software with algorithmic modeling software can allow the ‘translation' of complex geometric shapes into elements with full Level of Detail elements (LOD 500) while preserving, at the same time, the algorithmic editing functions. In this paper, it is illustrated as this approach permits the finetuning of the vaults' details, from time to time, based on different survey strategies (e.g., direct measurements, experimental tests, laser scanners, etc.). In other words, using this new connection in real time, architects can design restoration interventions tied to shapes, geometries, and masonry peculiarities that would otherwise be impossible to manage. An updatable virtualization of the actual state of a heritage building thus becomes affordable for the wider public (LOD G). There is also a valuable benefit for the heritage stakeholders in terms of protection of the architectural value and conscious planning in the restoration practice, especially in the museum field.

An infrastructure 3D-lab based on virtual visits at Call of Duty Warzone to Develop Student's Competencies During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The didactic methods in the teaching of Engineering, Architecture, and Construction (EAC) are changing. The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Virtual Reality (VR), and if we add to this a video game such as Call of Duty: Warzone (CoD: WZ) for educational purposes, the benefits of this could be explored. Until now, the advantages of BIM, VR, and video games have been studied separately, however, there is no evidence of an approach that implements all three technologies. The research in this study consists of the development of a methodology for the implementation of a user-friendly application of the Infra-3D-Lab software with specific pedagogical objectives for EAC education. This study based on the development of high-tech educational tools aims to: 1) make more effective use of learning hours through playful interaction with BIM, VR, and CoD: WZ models;2) improve skills and concepts that are difficult to explain theoretically and 3) evaluate the functionality of the learning environment. The implementation of this technological tool is developed in the context of EAC's national higher education programs at a university in Mexico. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of using a remote collaborative tool Infra-3D-Lab as a teaching method for EAC. Additionally, this study shows that the learning experience can be enhanced using other technology tools such as Unreal Engine and Revit. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2022.

Use of KROQI as a Level-2 Common Data Environment in the French Construction Industry

The implementation of a common data environment (CDE) in the construction industry appears to be crucial for organizing and managing the flow of important information within construction projects effectively. However, it is observed that the investments and the costs associated with setting up such environments are often dissuasive, particularly for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By launching the Plan BIM 2022 in 2017, the French government aimed to combat the emerging digital divide between large and small construction companies. At the heart of this state-funded plan was the development of a CDE-like collaborative platform called KROQI. The work presented in this article proposes a three-level matrix to characterize common data environments based on computer-supported collaboration work theories. The paper demonstrates how KROQI can be characterized as a level-2 CDE solution. Based on a preliminary study, it explores the perception and satisfaction of practitioners with respect to the features proposed by KROQI. The results show that, among the large variety of features proposed, some are hardly ever used. Therefore, while KROQI appears to be an excellent industry-wide solution aimed at federating initiatives towards digital collaboration centered around BIM models, there is definitely room for improvement.

A Conceptual Framework for Blockchain Enhanced Information Modeling for Healing and Therapeutic Design.

In the face of the health challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, healing and therapeutic design (HTD) as interventions can help with improving people's health. It is considered to have great potential to promote health in the forms of art, architecture, landscape, space, and environment. However, there are insufficient design approaches to address the challenges during the HTD process. An increased number of studies have shown that emerging information modeling (IM) such as building information modeling (BIM), landscape information modeling (LIM), and city information modeling (CIM) coupled with blockchain (BC) functionalities have the potential to enhance designers' HTD by considering important design elements, namely design variables, design knowledge, and design decision. It can also address challenges during the design process, such as design changes, conflicts in design requirements, the lack of design evaluation tools and frameworks, and incomplete design information. Therefore, this paper aims to develop a conceptual BC enhanced IM for HTD (BC-HTD) framework that addresses the challenges in the HTD and promotes health and well-being. The structure of BC-HTD framework is twofold: (1) a conceptual high-level framework comprising three levels: user; system; and information, (2) a conceptual low-level framework of detailed content at the system level, which has been constructed using a mixed quantitative and qualitative method of literature analysis, and validated via a pre-interview questionnaire survey and follow-up interviews with industry experts and academics. This paper analyzes the process of BC enhanced HTD and the knowledge management of HTD to aid design decisions in managing design information. This paper is the first attempt to apply the advantages of BC enabled IM to enhance the HTD process. The results of this study can foster and propel new research pathways and knowledge on the value of design in the form of non-fungible token (NFT) based on the extended advantages of BC in the field of design, which can fully mobilize the healing and therapeutic behaviors of designers and the advantage potential of HTD to promote health, and realize the vision of Health Metaverse in the context of sustainable development.

Developing an Integrated Data Model based on IFC and SensorML for Post-COVID Facility Management

This paper presents an integrated data model based on IFC and SensorML to facilitate the post-COVID facilities management to ensure indoor thermal comfort and human health. This paper identifies the information with the reference to different industry guidelines, including WELL building Standard and Singapore BCA post-COVID regulations, and extracts necessary information for sensor description and identification. New parameters in the BIM environment are recommended in this paper to support model-based data exchange in the future. The information required is clarified with a process map depicting the information flow, and IFC MVD to provide a structured overview of the sensor requirement. Data mapping between IFC and SensorML is performed, the result indicates that missing entities and attributes can be proposed to enrich the sensor description in the IFC schema. The integration of SensorML and IFC provides better data interoperability between both schemas, improving information standardization and openness of data exchange in sensor description. © 2021 IEEE.