Abiola Akanmu

Towards a Cyber-Physical Systems Approach to Construction

There have been several isolated attempts to automate aspects of the construction project delivery process. These have only been marginally successful and it is increasingly being recognized that significant improvements can only be made through an integrated approach that involves the synergistic integration of information technologies into the project delivery process. A cyber-physical systems approach is expected to reduce the tremendous losses that are directly attributable to the inefficiencies associated with the lack of effective integration. This paper describes a specific effort that seeks to facilitate real-time consistency checking between virtual models and the physical construction. It argues for the effective integration of computational resources (such as wireless sensors, virtual prototyping, real-time tracking and data fusion) with the design and construction process, and outlines how bi-directional consistency can be maintained between the virtual models (which are often ignored once the physical construction commences) and the physical facility. The opportunity offered by the adoption of a cyber-physical systems approach to make the construction process more intelligent and sustainable is discussed and the key benefits highlighted.

Cyber-physical systems integration of building information models and the physical construction

Purpose – In spite of the benefits of virtual models in the building and construction industry, the full potential of these models, especially in the construction and operation phases, remains largely unrealized. With the increasing developments in information and communication technology, a number of attempts have been made to extend the use of these models, through the development of integration approaches and technologies. However, the issue of integrating the virtual model and the physical construction such as to enable bi-directional coordination, has not been adequately addressed. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of a cyber-physical systems (CPS) approach in enhancing bi-directional coordination between virtual models and the physical construction. Design/methodology/approach – This research employs scenario development rapid prototyping to illustrate CPS integration in the construction industry, with a particular focus on facilitating bi-directional coordination. Th...

Critical review of approaches to integrating virtual models and the physical construction

Virtual models have proven to be highly beneficial and of great significance to the building and construction industry. However, the full potential of virtual models, especially at the construction and operation phases, remains largely unrealized. With the developments in information and communication technology, a number of attempts have been made to extend the use of these models, through the development of integration approaches and technologies. An important aspect of integration not adequately addressed so far relates to that between the virtual model and physical construction such as to enable bi-directional coordination. Bi-directional coordination between virtual models and the physical construction has the potential to improve consistency maintenance, real-time progress monitoring and control of construction process/constructed facility, tracking of changes and model updates, information exchange between the design office and the real-time, documentation of as-built status, and sustainable practices. This paper presents a comprehensive and critical review of literature on the various integration approaches and technologies in AEC/FM. This paper provides value by identifying the key facets of an effective integration between virtual models and the physical construction. The paper outlines the limitations of existing systems in addressing these key facets, and discusses the opportunities for improvement by introducing the role of cyber-physical systems approach.

Auto-generated site layout: an integrated approach to real-time sensing of temporary facilities in infrastructure projects

Abstract The use of computational algorithms is popular in method studies, especially in the aspects of knowledge that relates to construction site layout modelling. However, extant approaches in these seldom support automated tracking of construction resources and available spaces. As a result, it is often time-consuming and subjective to autogenerate site layouts. This paper describes the development and implementation of a component-level system that is capable of generating site layouts automatically. The system involves the integration of building information models, genetic algorithm and a radio frequency identification system that has the capability to report object locations in real time. System and software architectures are presented to illustrate the enabling technologies, subsystems and software that are required to facilitate the developed system. A case study is also presented to demonstrate the functionality of the developed system. The practical implication of this research is such that the reported findings builds on gaps in previous scholarly work to develop a system that models site layouts and the associated costs automatically. Findings from the study also facilitate both early signalling of pending delays and their immediate recovery protocols.

BIM-FM and consequential loss: how consequential can design models be?

Purpose – Building information modelling (BIM) offers a new direction of project implementation. It promotes integration of multiple lifecycle stages as well as multidisciplinary integration; whereas conventional approaches are primed on fragmentation. The purpose of this paper is to add to existing debates on the relationship between the rationality of the legal structures underlying fragmented project delivery and BIM’s ability to successfully foster integration across different lifecycle stages. A step further from extant arguments on whether BIM could be sufficiently serviced by the same legal provisions that had serviced fragmented relationships, the study opens up some new fronts regarding the consequences of shared trusts and reciprocity in an integrated project platform. Design/methodology/approach – In addition to a deep analysis of traditional literature on BIM and project management, the study draws its strength from two recent court cases on the limitations of disclaimers against breaches. It ...

An RTLS-Based Approach to Cyber-Physical Systems Integration in Design and Construction

There have been several approaches to integrating physical construction components and their virtual models using RFID tags. These enable the movement of components to be tracked on the construction site. However, there is inadequate support for bidirectional coordination between these components and their virtual representations. Also, these approaches often involve manual input of status information into the tags and do not support tracking the permanent installed position of tagged components for consistency maintenance between the as-built and the as-planned models. As such, there are difficulties with ensuring accurate and timely updating of building information models and tag information during the construction process. A major bottleneck in achieving this integration is the choice of appropriate mechanisms for binding physical components with their virtual representations. This paper presents an approach to facilitating bidirectional coordination between physical construction components and their virtual models. Specialized real-time location sensing (RTLS) tags were used for tracking the position and status of physical construction components. This approach showed significant opportunities for enhancing real-time construction consistency checking, which will aid proactive decision making and control. The paper also discusses experiments undertaken to demonstrate the proposed RTLS-based system and highlights the merits and demerits of adopting the proposed approach on a full-scale project.

Active Monitoring and Control of Light Fixtures during Building Construction and Operation: Cyber-Physical Systems Approach

AbstractDigitally addressable lighting systems offer tremendous opportunities for performance monitoring and control of individual light fixtures. However, the locations of individual light fixtures within a building are not easily differentiable; as such, facility managers cannot distinguish and control each fixture. Virtual models contain semantic representations of objects that enable users to visually identify, distinguish, and interactively monitor building components, thus providing opportunities for controlling components. To monitor and control light fixtures from these models, each physical fixture needs to be tightly integrated with its virtual representation in order to enable bidirectional coordination. Bidirectional coordination between virtual models and physical light fixtures offers tremendous opportunities for enhancing progress monitoring during construction and performance monitoring and control during the operations and maintenance phase of a building’s life cycle. This paper presents ...

Kalman filters for reducing error in RFID real-time localization systems

The use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has become widespread in industry as a means to quickly and wirelessly identify and track packages and equipment. Now there is a commercial interest in using RFID to provide real-time localization. Efforts to use RFID technology for this purpose experience localization errors due to noise and non-line-of-sight effects inherent to these environments. This paper presents the use of both linear and non-linear Kalman filters to reduce error effects inherent to real-time RFID localization systems and provide more accurate localization results in indoor environments. A commercial RFID localization system designed for use by the construction industry is used in this work, and a mathematical model and approach are developed. The model is tested with real-world data and shown to provide an increase in localization accuracy when applied to both raw distance difference of arrival measurements as well as final trilateration results.

Latent Variables in Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration

Collaboration within multidisciplinary teams makes or mars project success. Empirical research findings have reinforced the need for project team partners to collaborate, particularly BIM projects. Without collaboration, it is impossible to foster project deliverables. This study explores the descriptors of collaboration through five frameworks: governance, administration, autonomy, mutuality and, trust norms and reciprocity. The descriptors of these variables are discussed, with lesson drawn on how to reinforce collaboration in multidisciplinary project environments.

Comparative analysis of back-to-back subcontracts in the construction and telecommunications industries

Purpose – “Back-to-back” contracts are widely used in the engineering and construction industry and are recently spreading into the telecommunication industry. In back-to-back contracts, the principals require the main contractors to assume majority of the liability in delivering a project and in turn, the main contractors try to allocate most of that liability to their subcontractors. The successful delivery of the projects hinges on how the contracts are drafted and risks are allocated between the parties involved. The purpose of this paper is to undertake a comparative analysis of “back-to-back” subcontracts in the telecommunication and construction industries. Design/methodology/approach – By examining contracting practices and texts from contract documents for the telecommunication and construction industries, this paper reveals how certain aspects of “back-to-back” contracts lose their meaning when seen out of context. Using comparative research method, this paper discusses reasons why the adoption ...