A framework for Virtual Interactive Construction Education (VICE)

Training and process analysis in the construction industry has not taken full advantage of new technologies in simulation, modeling, and semantic web and software engineering. The purpose of this research is to develop a framework for a virtual interactive construction education system taking full advantage of these technologies. The modules will simulate the construction process for a facility from start to finish using information drawn from domain experts using real projects in the built environment. These modules can be used as training tools for new employees where they attempt to optimize time and cost in a virtual environment given a limited number of equipment, time and employee options. They can also be used as a process analysis tool before, during and after construction where a number of situational variables could be analyzed for exposure of potential risk. These modules would be particularly useful for repetitive construction where the initial project or task is analyzed for optimization and risk mitigation. This paper describes the framework using a residential construction example that is a 900 square foot (about 85 m²) wood frame single family house designed for the United States.     

Judgmental risk analysis process development in construction projects

Various risks and uncertainties exist in construction projects. These may not only prevent the projects to be completed within budget and time limit, but also threaten the quality, safety and operational needs. In this context, risk analysis processes are the systematic methods to analyze the potential project risks and develop risk response strategies in order to cope with risks and achieve the desired objectives. This study proposes a new schedule risk analysis method named as judgmental risk analysis process (JRAP) and offers a different project duration equation through JRAP. The process (JRAP) can be defined as a pessimistic risk analysis methodology or a hypothesis based on Monte Carlo simulation that is effective in uncertain conditions due to its capability of converting uncertainty to risk judgmentally in construction projects. A case study has also been developed to show how the proposed process is applied on a construction project and to prove its validity.     

Development of methodology and virtual system for optimised simulation of road design data

Current virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) tools do not lend themselves well to the simulation of non-repetitive activities that could be involved in road construction and heavy civil engineering projects. Therefore it is argued in this paper that specialised functions are required to support the use of VR and AR tools to visually design and simulate such projects. The prime objective of this study is to develop visual design and simulation analysis functions to support optimum road design by extending the applicability of current virtual reality (VR) systems to the design phase of road construction projects. The VR simulation functions developed in this research enable visual inspection of road alignment and earthwork status, simulation of alternative routes, and selection of optimum design route. This study implements a methodology for configuring VR simulation functions and develops a VR system for optimising the road design data. The research results include an improved road design process as a result of the application of the VR functions developed.     

Towards an integrated set of design tools based on a common data format for building and services design

The emerging technology in building product design using knowledge-based engineering (KBE), is currently exciting practitioners in the building construction industry. This paper investigates the use of KBE techniques and assesses the contribution this approach can make to the traditional design process. To do this, the investigation has developed an integrated set of design tools based on a common data format, for integrating 3D electronic prototypes with building services information for use in building design. This approach has been developed on the basis of an open framework and has been applied to the design of an airport terminal building and its plant room. Within the framework, the design process and the information needed, are divided into modules and represented in the form of 3D digital mock-up models (or electronic prototypes). Within the integrated system, an interface has been developed to facilitate the sharing of information with a thermal analysis software application, which contributes to the design process. In this paper, the methodology is discussed and its working system is illustrated and evaluated.     

Integrating building information modelling with sustainability to design building projects at the conceptual stage

Lately the construction industry has become more interested in designing and constructing environmentally friendly buildings (e.g. sustainable buildings) that can provide both high performance and monetary savings. In general, sustainability integrates the following three related components: (1) environmental, (2) economic, (3) social well-being. Incorporating these components at the conceptual stage is achieved by using sustainable design, through which designers must identify associated materials and systems based on any selected certification (rating) system. The use of building information modelling (BIM) concepts helps engineers design digital models that allow owners to visualize the building before the physical implementation takes place. To apply BIM concepts, designers use tools to create 3D models of buildings where the design materials and systems are selected from the built-in database of these tools. Designers will not be able to quantify the environmental impacts of these materials to support the decisions needed to design sustainable buildings due to the following reasons: (1) a lack of information about the sustainable materials that are stored in the database, (2) a lack of interoperability between the design and analysis tools that enable full life cycle assessments (LCAs) of buildings. This paper presents a methodology that integrates BIM and LCA tools with a database for designing sustainable building projects. The methodology describes the development and implementation of a model that incorporates a database in which information about sustainable materials is stored and linked to a BIM (3D) module along with an LCA module and a certification and cost module. The goal of this model is to simplify the process of creating sustainable designs and to evaluate the environmental impacts (EI) of newly designed buildings at the conceptual stage of their life. An actual building project is presented in order to illustrate the usefulness and capabilities of the developed model.     

Integrating 3D visualization and simulation for tower crane operations on construction sites

Most high-rise building construction projects rely on tower cranes to perform lifting and hoisting activities. In practice, tower cranes are managed based on demand, urgency, and prioritized work tasks that must be performed within a set period of time in the field. As a computer tool, simulation has proved to be effective in modeling complex construction operations and can be a substantial help in aiding practitioners in construction planning. However, the use of simulation has fallen far below its maximum potential due to a lack of appropriate support tools which would allow construction managers to use simulation tools for themselves. Special purpose simulation (SPS) and 3D visualization of simulated operations are two potential means that enable domain experts, who are knowledgeable in give domains, but not familiar with simulation, to easily model an operation within their domain and analyze the simulation results. This paper presents a practical methodology for integrating 3D visualization with SPS for tower crane operation. An integrated system was built in a 3D Studio MAX environment and tested in the construction of the new civil and environmental engineering building at the University of Alberta. This paper demonstrates that 3D visualization is helpful in the verification and validation of simulation results, and can effectively communicate the essence of a simulated operation, thus improving the accessibility of simulation as a decision making aid.     

BIM理念在工程建设领域的应用研究

随着工程建设领域的迅速发展,工程建设项目的数量也逐年增多,为了适应这种快速的建设节奏,必须采用新的思维理念和新的运作方法来提高建设工作的效率,能够实现建设项目高效、批量地设计、施工和运营管理,使工程建设工作变得更具有科学性,BIM理念就是所需要寻找的新的理念和方法。对于整个工程建设领域而言,BIM理念都能够通过BIM技术实现工具即各项专业的BIM技术应用软件,应用到每个参与方以及每个阶段乃至整个工程的全生命周期之中,为其提供更便捷更系统的服务。     

Integrating product and process design in construction

Product modularity namely the notion that products can be decomposed into parts (or modules) has been widely applied in manufacturing but not in construction, precluding this industry to also benefit from it. The narrow definition of a module, which is often simplistically equated to a sub-assembly produced off-site, and the lack of integration between product and process design, which is typical in construction, are argued to be two root causes of such problem. This paper starts by discussing the operational implications of misaligned decisions in these two domains in an empirical study addressing a high-rise apartments building project. Seven guidelines are then devised using a Design Science Research (DSR) approach for integrating product (product modularity and modules) and process (work structure and work packages) design. The results indicate that product modularity can be applied for improving operations regardless of the construction method(s) used. Yet, a revised understanding of modules (as a material, a component, a non-volumetric or a volumetric sub-assembly) is needed in addition to a coordinated product and process design, particularly for traditional construction.     

Determination of the ground vibration attenuation law from a single blast: A particular case of trench blasting

The general transmissivity law of ground vibrations was studied, and a user-friendly methodology for determining the behavior of vibrations generated in any rock mass is proposed. The study was based on a single blast in a trench excavation, analyzing the vibration components recorded from two fixed locations. The attenuation law and the main variables according to the legal requirements, frequency and peak particle velocity (PPV), are defined with this novel method, achieving a high confidence level in a simple manner. The proposed approach can also have an important impact in terms of reducing the potential consequences of vibrations for the surrounding construction and achieving the required definition of rock mass. Reducing the cost and time in many projects where blasting techniques are applied is particularly useful for the design of future blasts.     

Scheduling system for high rise building construction

A computerized system to schedule high-rise building construction has been developed using line-of-balance technology assisted by an expert system. A review of the recent literature on the techniques available for scheduling and controlling construction projects of a repetitive nature shows that Gantt charts are inadequate, and that there are serious problems with using network methods in such circumstances. There is evidence that the construction of high rise buildings has a decidedly repetitive nature but differs in some respects from other repetitive projects such as pipelines or pavement construction. Two new concepts have been introduced into line-of-balance methodology to accommodate the special conditions encountered in high rise building construction. These two concepts, namely ‘flexible’ unit networks and ‘multi-level’ LOB diagrams have been coded into a scheduling module (‘Lobplans’). A series of databases have been compiled regarding the productivity of resources. An expert system module (Lobex) has been developed to facilitate decision-making at network generation level. The scheduling module, the databases, and the expert system have been organized into an integrated system (Chriss) by means of communication and command routines that interface between the modules and the user input. A 16-storey building project has been used in testing Chriss' performance. The integrated system proved to be user friendly and reliable.     

建筑施工项目信息化管理系统框架

通过文献阅读和实地调研,建立了一个综合的施工项目信息化管理系统框架。该框架不仅包含信息技术的应用,而且考虑了现有的项目管理模式和施工项目管理的各个方面。框架可用于指导施工项目信息化管理系统的开发,或评估已有的信息化管理系统,以便于系统能广泛的应用于施工项目管理之中,适应施工项目管理方式的变化。     

Integrated structural stability analysis for preliminary open pit design

A design module has been developed for integrating slope stability analysis into the data management, ore reserve and pit optimisation processes of an open pit mine. The developed slope stability analysis tools were successfully implemented along the full projected pit model of a surface mine in Canada. Undertaken stability analyses included both kinematic and limit equilibrium stability analysis for bench and interramp design. The developed stability analysis modules employed geographical information systems (GIS) techniques to provide visualization tools and establish stability susceptibility zones along the pit. This approach facilitated the selection of acceptable slope design criteria for the pit. A case study was used to illustrate the developed methodology and tools. This approach led to an improved design for the optimised 3D pit configuration and can facilitate communication between the mine planning and geotechnical groups. This can contribute to a better understanding of the economic impact of the different slope and pit design scenarios. Given that open pit design is an iterative process, the opportunity of having design tools that can readily accommodate the use of updated data and explore different options provide tangible economic benefits.     

Concurrent engineering: a strategy for procuring construction projects

The construction procurement process has been heavily criticised for its fragmented approach toward the delivery of construction projects. This has affected project effectiveness inasmuch as current procurement practices do not effectively encourage the integration, coordination and communication between participants. In addition, there is an ephemeral shifting coalition of participants from which divergent goals and objectives often emanate. This inhibits the scope for creativity and innovation throughout the procurement process. To overcome the difficulties often associated with procuring projects, industry practitioners and researchers have turned to the manufacturing industry as a point of reference and a potential source of innovation. Accordingly, a concept known as Concurrent Engineering (CE) has become a focal point for research. Concurrent engineering is a holistic approach to the design, development and production of a product. A multi-disciplinary team approach is required, whereby participants are brought together during the design to determine how downstream issues may be affected by design decisions. This paper suggests that a CE approach in construction may significantly improve the way in which projects are procured. A simple model demonstrating how CE can contribute to project effectiveness is proposed.     

A process approach in measuring quality costs of construction projects: model development

One of the most effective tools for evaluating the success of a quality management programme is the measurement of quality costs (prevention, appraisal and failure costs). The application of the concept of quality costs originated in the manufacturing industry in the early 1950s. As increasing attention has been given to improving the overall quality in the construction process since the early 1980s, the application of total quality management (TQM) practices in the construction industry has gained much popularity. A systematic approach is needed for measuring quality costs, especially in the construction industry, due to the great number and complexity of activities involved in a typical project. This paper describes how a simple methodology can be used to capture quality costs in construction projects. Pre-existing models for capturing construction quality costs, by Davis, by Abdul-Rahman, by Low and Yeo and by others, recognize quality cost components but do not address the causes or sources of unwanted deviations. This paper proposes an alternative approach, based on the process cost model and in conformance with BS6143 (1992), which is thought to better facilitate the fundamental goal of TQM, i.e. continual process improvement. A number of professionals involved in construction quality management were interviewed and responded favourably to the practicality of the proposed framework in the construction context.     

A knowledge-aid approach for designing high-performance buildings

Today, global warming and the sustained increase in energy prices have led to a quest for energy-efficient buildings among designers and users alike. This has been accompanied by increasingly strict thermal and energy regulations for buildings. In addition to such changes on the energy front, building regulations have also been created or reinforced in other areas, including accessibility, fire safety and seismic risk, alongside the demands of users. The combined effects of these two factors have made building design much more complex. Thus, designers are constantly in search of tools and information that can provide them with ways of designing high-performance buildings for their projects. In response to these needs, we propose an optimization-based, knowledge-aid approach for designing high-performance buildings. This approach is aimed at providing architects and design offices with clear knowledge of their project’s potential (exploration of various options) that will allow them to design the best possible high-performance buildings (in this version of the approach only energy needs and construction cost are assessed). This potential is evaluated by means of the external and internal geometric parameters as well as the energy characteristics of buildings. In this paper, the approach will be applied to an office building in Lyon, France.     

被动式低能耗建筑国护结构设计与施工

随着建筑节能标准的逐步升级,被动式低能耗建筑（房屋）越来越受到业内的青睐。近几年来,国家住建部建设科技促进中心与德国能源署合作,按其建造标准,在国内打造该类建设科技示范项目。如秦皇岛市“在水一方”高层居住建筑项目和哈尔滨市“溪树庭院”高层居住建筑项目。这两个示范项目的外保温技术均分别采用了EPS模块外保温粘贴系统和EPS模块外保温现浇混凝土系统,取得了良好的社会和经济效益,在业内产生了重大影响。本文对这两种系统的设计与施工做一较详细的阐述。     

Motion planning for efficient and safe module transportation in modular integrated construction

Modular integrated construction (MiC) is the most advanced construction method that involves off-site manufacturing, factory-to-site transportation, and on-site assembly of free-standing integrated modules. Despite the growing interest in the manufacturability of MiC, little research is available on the passing ability issues where efficient and safe transportation of modules is critical to the project's success. This paper proposes (1) a novel computational method for formulating and solving the module's horizontal passing ability with road constraints as a motion planning problem and (2) a new index to assess the path performance in critical scenarios. The newly developed Truck-Parallelized Hybrid A Star (TP-Hybrid A*) has novelties in collision checking, cost function formulation, and parallel computing on different vehicle dimensions. The effectiveness of the developed algorithm was experimentally verified to be superior to the rapid random tree in computation time and path performance and further demonstrated by applying it to a real-life MiC project. The new index can serve as a useful tool for decision-making in module dimension design and transportation planning of MiC projects when tackling the module's horizontal passing ability issues.     

Automated Crane Planning and Optimization for modular construction

The majority of industrial projects in Alberta's oil sands are constructed using modular construction. Modules are preassembled components built off-site and transported to the site to be lifted into place with mobile cranes. Heavy lifts include modules as well as major equipment that utilize expensive mobile cranes. Selecting the proper mobile cranes and configurations and finding the best crane position for each lift saves a significant amount of time and cost, while also improving safety. A heavy lift plan facilitates overall site management by reducing extra crane relocations and avoiding dangerous crane clashes. Performing such intensive analysis manually for several hundred lifts and various crane options is a tedious, prolonged exercise. However, no application that carries out such intensive analysis for a number of lifts in modular construction has yet been developed. This paper presents a system, called Automated Crane Planning and Optimization, to automate the above-mentioned analysis for a large-scale project. This system is validated on actual modular projects.     

A decision support system for super tall building development

Super tall building projects commonly inherit a slow and lengthy decision making process due to financial uncertainties, in spite of large investments. However, current decision‐making practices depend upon detailed cost estimating and scheduling during the design development phase and not rough cost estimating and scheduling during the schematic design phase. Discrepancies between a project budget and program with estimated construction cost and construction period often result in architect and consultants having to perform costly re‐design work. To mitigate these issues, this study proposes a decision support system (DSS) model. An interim design development phase is introduced between the schematic design phase and the design development phase. Design alternative generation, database, cost and schedule estimation modules are developed. The design alternative generation module provides design alternatives that change proportionately in response to increases or decreases in the number of building stories. The database module is established for cost and schedule estimation modules. The cost and schedule estimation modules produce construction costs and construction period for design alternatives. Finally, the proposed DSS is validated through the case study of an ongoing real super tall building. Ultimately, the new DSS can assist project control groups in performing efficient and financially beneficial decision making in terms of construction cost and construction period. This research provides a fundamental step towards the development of the DSS for super tall building projects. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synergising R&D initiatives for e-enhancing management support systems

Many R&D projects aim at developing Information and Knowledge Management (IKM) systems for enhancing productivity and performance levels in certain operations within specific segments of construction supply chains e.g. for improved collaborative design management, enhanced material control systems, and streamlined communications management. It is proposed that related R&D outputs now need to be brought together, and efforts made to align future inputs towards a consolidated cluster of systems and tools that could be applied to management support systems across the entire construction supply chain in general. In this context, two ongoing exercises to develop IKM based management support systems for large clients and small and medium contractors respectively are described, and a suggestion made for eventually linking and synergizing the two systems on specific projects through an e-platform for project-based collaborative IKM. This provides an example of the potential synergies in aiming for a convergence of some of the many hitherto parallel (or even divergent) R&D endeavors in construction academia and industry. This should help to overcome some of the obstacles impeding progress towards e-enhanced transactions across the entire supply chain, aiming at efficient e-procurement and e-delivery of construction projects.