Research

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12 pages, 772 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Finnish Professional Housing Market Operators’ Attitudes towards Smartness—Bridging the Gap between Practitioners and Smart Building Experts

by Eerika Borgentorp, Sami Kaartinen and Seppo Junnila

Buildings 2023, 13(12), 2971; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13122971 - 28 Nov 2023

Viewed by 649

Abstract

The real estate sector is undergoing a significant transformation. The global energy transition has greatly impacted the entire energy infrastructure, forcing the energy-consuming property sector to increase its operational efficiency. Today, the European Union (EU) enhances building smartness in real estate through regulation. [...] Read more.

The real estate sector is undergoing a significant transformation. The global energy transition has greatly impacted the entire energy infrastructure, forcing the energy-consuming property sector to increase its operational efficiency. Today, the European Union (EU) enhances building smartness in real estate through regulation. However, the attitudes towards smartness in the financially significant housing market remain unclear. This study observed the attitudes and readiness of Finnish housing market operators toward smartness at the end of 2022. In total, 13 semi-structured interviews were held with housing market professionals. The analysis was further supported by categorizing the interviewees into novice practitioners and smart building experts. The research results implied that the attitudes towards smartness among novice practitioners, including real estate investors and owners, are still rather reserved compared to the control group (consisting of smart building experts). However, enhancing the attitude of real estate investors and owners is crucial to ensure a successful smart transition towards carbon neutrality in the built environment. The results of this study highlight the need for a standardized metric for building smartness. However, engaging market practitioners in developing such metrics is essential to ensure that the future standard for smartness answers the market’s needs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Information Technologies in Construction: Present Status and Future Trends)

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21 pages, 4582 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developing an Inspector-Centric Blockchain-Enabled Conceptual Framework for BIM Management in Mars Buildings

by Amirhossein Javaherikhah, Mercedes Valiente Lopez and Saeed Reza Mohandes

Buildings 2023, 13(11), 2858; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13112858 - 15 Nov 2023

Viewed by 731

Abstract

Due to the unique atmospheric conditions on Mars, the management of essential information in Mars buildings is of great importance. Even the smallest error or manipulation of data can create irreparable risks for residents. Martian buildings require a strong security shield to ensure [...] Read more.

Due to the unique atmospheric conditions on Mars, the management of essential information in Mars buildings is of great importance. Even the smallest error or manipulation of data can create irreparable risks for residents. Martian buildings require a strong security shield to ensure accurate and unaltered data processing. In this article, the factors affecting the buildings of Mars and the lives of the inhabitants of Mars were identified and analyzed, and seven key factors were identified. These factors were then integrated into Mars building information systems using blockchain technology, defining four distinct alert levels for specific building conditions. This research is based on the simulation of Martian buildings, and there has been no laboratory case to test the proposed method until now. The findings showed that the proposed framework for Martian buildings was better than similar studies based on Earth, and there was no similar case to compare the results in Martian buildings. The ground-breaking integration of blockchain and building information modeling (BIM) on Mars opens up new opportunities for extraterrestrial building control methods and marks the beginning of the evolution of this field, but given that there is still no construction in the field of buildings on Mars, organizations and bodies that work in this field can use the results of this research to check the compatibility of the proposed method with Martian buildings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Information Technologies in Construction: Present Status and Future Trends)

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22 pages, 3818 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Constructability Assessment Model Based on BIM in Urban Renewal Projects in Limited Lands

by Amir Faraji, Shima Homayoon Arya, Elnaz Ghasemi, Hossein Soleimani and Payam Rahnamayiezekavat

Buildings 2023, 13(10), 2599; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13102599 - 15 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1546

Abstract

One of the most significant concerns in urban development today is the organization of areas of cities that have become run-down over time. In order to complete previous constructability studies in other fields of construction, the current study evaluates constructability based on BIM, [...] Read more.

One of the most significant concerns in urban development today is the organization of areas of cities that have become run-down over time. In order to complete previous constructability studies in other fields of construction, the current study evaluates constructability based on BIM, specifically in the context of the Tehran limited land renewal project. The motivation for this study is the current difficulties facing renewal designs for limited lands, and the lack of a quantitative constructability model for urban renewal projects in Iran. This paper aims (1) to discuss the design elements that should be considered in the design phase of urban renewal projects; (2) to identify the factors that may affect constructability; and (3) to propose a framework for assessing urban renewal designs by considering constructability factors using building information modeling (BIM). To meet these needs, this paper investigates constructability factors and their relative importance, considering the design elements that should be acknowledged in limited land renewal, using a multicriteria techniques. Some 28 constructability factors are identified through a literature review, and based on 52 responses received from a questionnaire survey, the factors are ranked using pairwise comparisons of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The final constructability factors that are identified through the technique for order preference using the similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method are standard dimensions, safety, simplification of structure, resource intelligence and alignment, and skilled labor availability. The contribution of this research to the body of knowledge is, firstly, the development of constructability factors for measuring the constructability of urban renewal designs, and secondly, the introduction of BIM as a most beneficial tool for assessing the constructability of the proposed designs. In using the constructability assessment framework and identifying the trade-offs between the constructability of renewal projects in the limited areas of urban spaces, design alternatives become more feasible. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Information Technologies in Construction: Present Status and Future Trends)

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17 pages, 904 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Barriers to Building Information Modeling from an Individual Perspective in the Chinese Construction Industry: An Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology

by Wenfan Zhang, Jintao Li and Zhengwei Liang

Buildings 2023, 13(7), 1881; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13071881 - 24 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1369

Abstract

Building information modeling (BIM) is a crucial information technology that promotes the transformation and upgrading of the construction industry. It has been widely used in various stages of construction projects, including design, construction, and operation. However, BIM technology still faces numerous obstacles in [...] Read more.

Building information modeling (BIM) is a crucial information technology that promotes the transformation and upgrading of the construction industry. It has been widely used in various stages of construction projects, including design, construction, and operation. However, BIM technology still faces numerous obstacles in practice. From the perspective of construction practitioners, this study constructs a structural equation model to explore the obstacles encountered by construction practitioners in the process of applying BIM technology. Task–technology fit, effort expectancy, performance expectancy, user trust, and facilitating conditions can significantly improve practitioners’ behavioral intention, with task–technology fit having the most significant impact on behavioral intention. Facilitating conditions and behavioral intention significantly affect usage behavior, while perceived cost does not significantly affect behavioral intention. The multiple-group analysis found that in the path of performance expectancy on behavioral intention, males have a significant effect while females do not; in the path of facilitating conditions on behavioral intention, higher education levels have a significant effect while lower education levels do not; in the path of facilitating conditions on behavioral behavior, lower usage time has a significant effect while higher usage time does not. Suggestions for promoting the application of BIM technology are proposed in this article to improve its utilization rate. This study provides more perspectives and ideas for future research on BIM diffusion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Information Technologies in Construction: Present Status and Future Trends)

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21 pages, 2337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Machine Learning for Leak Localization in Water Supply Networks

by Abdul-Mugis Yussif, Haleh Sadeghi and Tarek Zayed

Buildings 2023, 13(4), 849; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13040849 - 24 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2227

Abstract

Water distribution networks (WDNs) in urban areas are predominantly underground for seamless freshwater transmission. As a result, monitoring their health is often complicated, requiring expensive equipment and methodologies. This study proposes a low-cost approach to locating leakages in WDNs in an urban setting, [...] Read more.

Water distribution networks (WDNs) in urban areas are predominantly underground for seamless freshwater transmission. As a result, monitoring their health is often complicated, requiring expensive equipment and methodologies. This study proposes a low-cost approach to locating leakages in WDNs in an urban setting, leveraging acoustic signal behavior and machine learning. An inexpensive noise logger was used to collect acoustic signals from the water mains. The signals underwent empirical mode decomposition, feature extraction, and denoising to separate pure leak signals from background noises. Two regression machine learning algorithms, support vector machines (SVM) and ensemble k-nearest neighbors (k-NN), were then employed to predict the leak’s location using the features as input. The SVM achieved a validation accuracy of 82.50%, while the k-NN achieved 83.75%. Since the study proposes using single noise loggers, classification k-NN and decision trees (DTs) were used to predict the leak’s direction. The k-NN performed better than the DT, with a validation accuracy of 97.50%, while the latter achieved 78.75%. The models are able to predict leak locations in water mains in urban settings, as the study was conducted in a similar setting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Information Technologies in Construction: Present Status and Future Trends)

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22 pages, 1114 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Overcoming BIM Implementation Barriers on Sustainable Building Project Success: A PLS-SEM Approach

by Ahmed Farouk Kineber, Mostafa Mo. Massoud, Mohammed Magdy Hamed, Yasir Alhammadi and M. K. S. Al-Mhdawi

Buildings 2023, 13(1), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13010178 - 09 Jan 2023

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5491

Abstract

To maximize the benefits without sacrificing the functionality of projects, sustainability concepts should be used across all stages of the decision-making process when creating residential buildings. The primary sustainable aims may be improved with BIM activities. However, in the building sector of underdeveloped [...] Read more.

To maximize the benefits without sacrificing the functionality of projects, sustainability concepts should be used across all stages of the decision-making process when creating residential buildings. The primary sustainable aims may be improved with BIM activities. However, in the building sector of underdeveloped nations, BIM activities use informal methods. By examining the connection between overcoming BIM implementation challenges and the overall sustainable success (OSS) in building projects, this research seeks to establish a model for BIM implementation. Following the BIM hurdles identified in earlier research, 86 building stakeholders in the Egyptian building sector were given questionnaires. The structure of the obstacles was established and confirmed using partial least-squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), and the connections between the OSS and overcoming BIM deployment were investigated. The adoption of BIM contributed 40.7% to the project’s long-term sustainability, according to the data, which demonstrated a strong link. The findings of this research will serve as a roadmap for decision-makers who want to use BIM in developing nations’ building sectors to save costs and increase sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Information Technologies in Construction: Present Status and Future Trends)

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21 pages, 3117 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Integrated Approach of Simulation and Regression Analysis for Assessing Productivity in Modular Integrated Construction Projects

by Ridwan Taiwo, Mohamed Hussein and Tarek Zayed

Buildings 2022, 12(11), 2018; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12112018 - 18 Nov 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2083

Abstract

Many nations across the globe face the challenge of housing deficit. Modular integrated construction (MiC), which has the highest level of prefabrication among off-site construction manufacturing (OSM), has been adopted as a fast and reliable construction method to address the housing deficit. Previous [...] Read more.

Many nations across the globe face the challenge of housing deficit. Modular integrated construction (MiC), which has the highest level of prefabrication among off-site construction manufacturing (OSM), has been adopted as a fast and reliable construction method to address the housing deficit. Previous studies have assessed the productivity of the prefabrication stage of MiC, while investigations into the productivity of the MiC installation process with the consideration of pragmatic factors, especially for high-rise buildings, are lacking in the literature. Therefore, this study contributes by (1) developing a discrete-event simulation (DES) model to assess the productivity of MiC installation while considering pragmatic factors (e.g., weather conditions, topography, work dimension, etc.) and management conditions (e.g., workers’ motivation, training, equipment maintenance, etc.); (2) developing a mathematical model to understand the relationship between productivity and various resources utilized in MiC installation. After verifying and validating the DES model, it was applied to a case study in Hong Kong. A sensitivity analysis using a full factorial experiment design was conducted to identify the parameters (e.g., number of trucks, tower cranes, different crews) that significantly affect a number of performance measures, such as the project duration, productivity, and total costs. Furthermore, the mathematical model shows high prediction accuracy, as the mean absolute percentage error is 8.93%. This study would help construction practitioners in their decision-making process, while planning a project by providing them with a model that can predict the productivity of the MiC installation process before and during the project implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Information Technologies in Construction: Present Status and Future Trends)

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23 pages, 2023 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Visualization Analysis of Cross Research between Big Data and Construction Industry Based on Knowledge Graph

by Guixiang Chen, Jia Hou, Chaosai Liu, Kui Hu and Jun Wang

Buildings 2022, 12(11), 1812; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12111812 - 28 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2520

Abstract

Big data technology has triggered a boom in research and applications around the world. The construction industry has ushered in a new technological change in this context. Researchers have conducted in-depth research on the intersection of big data and architecture, but lack quantitative [...] Read more.

Big data technology has triggered a boom in research and applications around the world. The construction industry has ushered in a new technological change in this context. Researchers have conducted in-depth research on the intersection of big data and architecture, but lack quantitative analysis and comprehensive evaluation of the research results. This article draws a series of knowledge maps with the help of the CiteSpace software using the relevant literature in the Web of Science database between 2007 and 2022 as data samples to comprehensively grasp the research development at the intersection of big data and the construction industry. The knowledge base, research hotspots, and domain evolution trends in the intersection of big data and the construction industry are analyzed quantitatively and aided by qualitative analysis through visualization, respectively. The results show that Chinese and American scholars have published more relevant papers in international journals, and some well-known universities in both countries constitute the main group of research institutions. The research hotspots are BIM, data mining, building energy saving, smart cities, and disaster prevention and damage prevention. In the future, the research on the integration and application of the construction industry with emerging technologies, such as big data, BIM, and cloud computing will be connected more closely. This study provides a preliminary overall picture of the research of big data in the field of construction by sorting out and analyzing the existing results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Information Technologies in Construction: Present Status and Future Trends)

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29 pages, 2159 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Phase-Based Roadmap for Proliferating BIM within the Construction Sector Using DEMATEL Technique: Perspectives from Egyptian Practitioners

by Ahmed Yousry Akal, Ahmed Farouk Kineber and Saeed Reza Mohandes

Buildings 2022, 12(11), 1805; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12111805 - 27 Oct 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2168

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has not been sufficiently proliferated in the developing construction communities. This is owing to the lack of incorporating the key success factors (KSFs) of BIM implementation in a phase-based roadmap to support implementing BIM in practice on a step-by-step [...] Read more.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has not been sufficiently proliferated in the developing construction communities. This is owing to the lack of incorporating the key success factors (KSFs) of BIM implementation in a phase-based roadmap to support implementing BIM in practice on a step-by-step approach. With this in mind, this work aims at (1) defining the KSFs for implementing BIM within the developing economies’ socio-economic environment, (2) investigating the interrelationships among the KSFs, and (3) establishing the KSFs in a phased approach to devise a roadmap for their implementation on a step-by-step basis. First, 18 KSFs for implementing BIM have been specified by systematically investigating the pertinent literature and interviewing six well-qualified practitioners in BIM from Egypt, as a developing country. Second, from ten Egyptian BIM experts, data on the influences of the KSFs on each other have been gathered, employing a matrix format-based questionnaire. Third, the experts’ evaluations have been processed, utilizing the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique. Proficiently, DEMATEL through its causal diagram portrayed the cause-and-effect relations map of the KSFs. Besides, it divided the KSFs into four clusters, each of which signifies a phase in the BIM implementation journey along with its corresponding priority as well as the priorities of the KSFs that it encompasses. The causal diagram indicated that phase one related KSFs of the BIM implementation journey: research and development investments, senior management support, and firm’s fiscal support contribute to the whole success of the developed BIM implementation roadmap. This study equips construction practitioners in the developing economies with a four-phased roadmap for applying the KSFs of BIM implementation journey in practice on a step-by-step basis. This contribution helps in better prioritizing their decisions and optimizing the allocation of their resources when applying BIM in their business. Hence, at a fast pace, BIM can be proliferated in those countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Information Technologies in Construction: Present Status and Future Trends)

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20 pages, 2848 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

BIM-Based Resource Tradeoff in Project Scheduling Using Fire Hawk Optimizer (FHO)

by Milad Baghalzadeh Shishehgarkhaneh, Mahdi Azizi, Mahla Basiri and Robert C. Moehler

Buildings 2022, 12(9), 1472; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12091472 - 16 Sep 2022

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 2442

Abstract

Project managers should balance a variety of resource elements in building projects while taking into account many major concerns, including time, cost, quality, risk, and the environment. This study presents a framework for resource trade-offs in project scheduling based on the Building Information [...] Read more.

Project managers should balance a variety of resource elements in building projects while taking into account many major concerns, including time, cost, quality, risk, and the environment. This study presents a framework for resource trade-offs in project scheduling based on the Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology and metaheuristic algorithms. First, a new metaheuristic algorithm called Fire Hawk Optimizer (FHO) is used. Using project management software and the BIM process, a 3D model of the construction is created. In order to maximize quality while minimizing time, cost, risk, and CO₂ in the project under consideration, an optimization problem is created, and the FHO’s capability for solving it is assessed. The results show that the FHO algorithm is capable of producing competitive and exceptional outcomes when it comes to the trade-off of various resource options in projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Information Technologies in Construction: Present Status and Future Trends)

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Review

Jump to: Research

29 pages, 5938 KiB

Open AccessReview

Building Information Modeling (BIM), Blockchain, and LiDAR Applications in Construction Lifecycle: Bibliometric, and Network Analysis

by Amir Faraji, Shima Homayoon Arya, Elnaz Ghasemi, Payam Rahnamayiezekavat and Srinath Perera

Buildings 2024, 14(4), 919; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14040919 - 27 Mar 2024

Viewed by 557

Abstract

Investigating Industry 4.0 technologies and studying their impacts on various aspects of the construction industry, including stakeholders and the lifecycle, is vital to enhance novel applications of such technologies in an industry that is known as Construction 4.0. The main objective of the [...] Read more.

Investigating Industry 4.0 technologies and studying their impacts on various aspects of the construction industry, including stakeholders and the lifecycle, is vital to enhance novel applications of such technologies in an industry that is known as Construction 4.0. The main objective of the current state-of-the-art review is to provide a comprehensive literature review on three widely used Industry 4.0 technologies, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Blockchain, and LiDAR, which have strong potential to promote and optimize different activities of the project, and also, the integration of them can greatly impact the construction industry in the whole project lifecycle. A bibliometric analysis of keyword co-occurrence and citations revealed a significant number of publications from 2014 to 2023 investigating the selected technologies. Recent trends indicate that the majority of papers have considered the selected technologies in the integration with each other. However, a specific gap exists in the literature regarding the interactions and potential synergies among these technologies. This gap limits the understanding of how these integrations can address challenges unique to the construction industry and hinders the development of comprehensive solutions. The review has been analyzed and discussed in reference to the type of article, single or multi technologies, the lifecycle, and their applications. The study showed that the integration of BIM, Blockchain, and LiDAR, as a recent trend and as a beneficial solution to automate the whole construction process, has considerable capacities to improve the productivity of the construction industry. Finally, some application areas for the integration of these three technologies are concluded and are suggested, and therefore, an advantageous reference has been provided for scholars to plan their future research in this sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Information Technologies in Construction: Present Status and Future Trends)

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20 pages, 6897 KiB

Open AccessReview

Roles of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Enhancing Construction Processes and Sustainable Communities

by Kayode O. Kazeem, Timothy O. Olawumi and Temidayo Osunsanmi

Buildings 2023, 13(8), 2061; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13082061 - 13 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4274

Abstract

Machine Learning (ML), a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI), is gaining popularity in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector. This systematic study aims to investigate the roles of AI and ML in improving construction processes and developing more sustainable communities. This study [...] Read more.

Machine Learning (ML), a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI), is gaining popularity in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector. This systematic study aims to investigate the roles of AI and ML in improving construction processes and developing more sustainable communities. This study intends to determine the various roles played by AI and ML in the development of sustainable communities and construction practices via an in-depth assessment of the current literature. Furthermore, it intends to predict future research trends and practical applications of AI and ML in the built environment. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines, this study highlights the roles that AI and ML technologies play in building sustainable communities, both indoors and out. In the interior environment, they contribute to energy management by optimizing energy usage, finding inefficiencies, and recommending modifications to minimize consumption. This contributes to reducing the environmental effect of energy generation. Similarly, AI and ML technologies aid in addressing environmental challenges. They can monitor air quality, noise levels, and waste management systems to quickly discover and minimize pollution sources. Likewise, AI and ML applications in construction processes enhance planning, scheduling, and facility management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Information Technologies in Construction: Present Status and Future Trends)

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32 pages, 6131 KiB

Open AccessReview

Internet of Things (IoT), Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Digital Twin (DT) in Construction Industry: A Review, Bibliometric, and Network Analysis

by Milad Baghalzadeh Shishehgarkhaneh, Afram Keivani, Robert C. Moehler, Nasim Jelodari and Sevda Roshdi Laleh

Buildings 2022, 12(10), 1503; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12101503 - 22 Sep 2022

Cited by 66 | Viewed by 10213

Abstract

The present study uses a bibliometric and systematic literature review (SLR) to examine the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Digital Twins (DT) in the construction industry. The network visualization and other approaches based on the Web [...] Read more.

The present study uses a bibliometric and systematic literature review (SLR) to examine the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Digital Twins (DT) in the construction industry. The network visualization and other approaches based on the Web of Science (WOS) database and the patterns of research interactions were explored in 1879 academic publications using co-occurrence and co-citation investigations. Significant publications, conferences, influential authors, countries, organizations, and funding agencies have been recognized. Our study demonstrates that BIM, IoT, and DT in construction, Heritage BIM (HBIM), Smart Contracts, BIM, and Ontology, and VR and AR in BIM and DT are the main study themes. Finally, several prospective areas for future study are identified, including BIM and Metaverse technology, BIM and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Metaheuristic algorithms for optimization purposes in BIM, and the Circular Economy with BIM and IoT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Information Technologies in Construction: Present Status and Future Trends)

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