Caroline M. Clevenger

Demonstrating the Impact of the Occupant on Building Performance

AbstractDesigners often cite uncertain occupant behavior as a potential obstacle to high performing buildings. However, little research has been done to characterize the nature and extent of the potential impact of the occupant on energy consumption. Energy models typically assume deterministic loads and schedules to represent occupancy and provide singular estimates of energy consumption. This paper investigates uncertainties introduced by occupant behavior by exploring the impacts of high and low comparisons on the energy performance of buildings through parametric simulation of commercial and residential buildings in two climates. The results suggest that variant occupant behavior can impact annual energy usage on the order of magnitude of 75% in residential buildings (peak load varying by 65%) and 150% for commercial buildings (peak load varying by 140%), with modest variations across climates. Although further and more sophisticated experiments are necessary, the contributions of this paper include a...

Design exploration assessment methodology: testing the guidance of design processes

This paper introduces the design exploration assessment methodology (DEAM) for comparing design process impact and outcome. Current practice fails to reliably generate high-performing alternatives in part because it lacks systematic means to compare existing or emerging design processes. Researchers lack empirical methods and data to evaluate design challenges and the strategies available to address them. In this paper, we document and then apply the DEAM to the professional implementation of six design strategies across two design challenges using the charrette test method. The results are used to compare the strategies according to the performance of the solution(s) generated. For the strategies and challenges investigated, more information during design does not always assist the designer to produce better performing alternatives. We discuss possible explanations and conclude with a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the DEAM as an evaluation method. Initial findings demonstrate that the DEAM is a method capable of providing a meaningful comparison of strategies in the domain of energy-efficient design challenges.

Bridge Information Modeling for Inspection and Evaluation

AbstractThis paper presents a method and prototype implementation for tracking and assessing the structural condition of bridges. The method uses building information modeling (BIM) software to link and analyze data related to the inspection, evaluation, and management of bridges. In the proposed method, an inspector uses a custom software add-in, developed by the authors, to capture information on damage type, amount, severity, and location gathered during bridge inspection. Next, a custom tool in Microsoft Excel evaluates the structural performance and provides load ratings of the inspected bridge. The proposed method was validated through field testing on a case study bridge. Findings from this study suggest that BIM can effectively facilitate the inspection and evaluation of bridges, which may, in the future, enable transportation agencies to more efficiently manage bridge inventories and lead to a more automated practice.

Interoperable Learning Leveraging Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Construction Education

The authors, faculty members in the Department of Construction Management at Colorado State University, collaborated with industry to develop three interactive, pilot Building Information Modeling (BIM)-enabled educational modules designed to support and enhance spatial understanding, interoperability, and communication within construction education and training. The first module highlights masonry construction sequencing, the second highlights the cross-disciplinary aspects of structural analysis, and the third provides bilingual safety-training by integrating voice-narration and site specific 3D visualization. The initial development, implementation, and assessment of the three modules indicate that their use is beneficial to students and professionals, and that more research is merited. The paper previews the modules and presents preliminary lessons learned from their development and pilot implementations.

Impact of BIM-Enabled Design-to-Fabrication on Building Delivery

AbstractDesign-to-fabrication is an innovative process where the structural engineer of record develops both structural and shop drawings for a project using building information modeling (BIM). This research studies two real-world projects where such a process was applied to the design and installation of concrete reinforcing for the buildings’ foundation and structure. Findings evaluate performance outcomes across two case studies, and compare outcomes to a theoretical baseline estimated by professionals if a standard, design-detail-fabricate process had been applied. Evaluation reveals benefits from design-to-fabrication for both projects. In the case of the federal project, the primary benefit was the ability to start construction a month early and avoid potential liquidated damages. The design-to-fabrication process created several challenges as the result of the out-of-phase delivery of structural and shop drawings to the general contractor. In the case of the medical pavilion, several tangible bene...

Service-Learning Assessment: Sustainability Competencies in Construction Education

AbstractUnder the umbrella of a departmental initiative termed CM Cares, faculty from Colorado State University have developed a service-learning course to teach and implement concepts related to sustainability in construction education. The course has met with significant success and received recognition from community partners, elementary to graduate students, faculty members, and department and university administration. Beyond the positive response to experiential learning and community action, this paper uses data from the second course offering to assess the course’s effectiveness for teaching sustainability competencies. The writers implemented multiple techniques to collect data and assess perceived learning with regard to sustainability competencies. Techniques included surveys, reflection essays, and concept maps. Overall findings were mixed but suggest that significant learning about sustainability can occur using service-learning as a teaching technique in construction education despite (and p...

Implementing BIM on Infrastructure: Comparison of Two Bridge Construction Projects

AbstractThis research provides comparative analysis of the impacts and benefits associated with using building information modeling (BIM) on accelerated bridge construction in the Denver metropolitan area. To date, BIM remains a relatively underutilized tool in horizontal construction. BIM has the potential, however, to significantly increase efficiencies, minimize waste, and increase sustainability across infrastructure projects throughout their life cycles. This research studies the impacts of the first implementation of BIM processes on one of two structurally similar concurrent bridge construction projects by comparing metrics related to substructure costs, requests for information, change orders, rework, and schedule. Findings suggest that negative cost impacts of approximately 70% may be associated with the first implementation of BIM during construction. However, additional findings suggest that the use of BIM may facilitate otherwise infeasible complex projects and reduce requests for information ...

The value of design strategies applied to energy efficiency

Purpose – Advanced design strategies supported by iterative engineering performance calculations expand the number of alternatives designers can analyze by orders of magnitude. Yet, in the face of vast, under‐constrained design challenges with wide ranging and sometimes ill‐defined implications related to sustainability, it is not possible to replace building design with automated search. The purpose of this paper is to assist designers in their selection of strategies that have been shown to be effective in promoting sustainability.Design/methodology/approach – This paper applies and extends the design exploration assessment methodology (DEAM) to compare the value of distinct design strategies. The authors use DEAM to demonstrate that designers face non‐trivially distinct challenges, even in the well‐defined arena of design for energy efficiency. They next evaluate and compare the effectiveness of strategies such as point‐analysis, screening, trend analysis, and optimization. They identify associated pro...

BIM Energy Modeling: Case Study of a Teaching Module for Sustainable Design and Construction Courses

AbstractEnergy modeling (EM) facilitates analysis and comparison of energy use across design configurations. EM software can serve as a decision-making tool for professionals throughout various stages of building delivery. This case study describes methods to expose students, who are enrolled in a sustainable design and construction course, to building information modeling (BIM)–based EM capabilities and limitations. The case study focuses on documenting the implementation of a teaching module focused on energy modeling in which students modify location, insulation, and window glazing of a single family home preprogramed into BIM software. After instructor demonstration, students perform an EM analysis for additional locations as homework and answer a question set based on their EM results. The results indicate that students had minor issues interpreting the EM results because they did not fully examine the outputs produced from the energy model to inform their answers on the teaching module homework assi...

Case Study of Work-based Learning Involving BIM for Infrastructure in Support of Graduate Construction Research

Internships are a critical and valuable element in construction education. They provide work-based learning through real-world project experience. Yet, the United States lags behind Europe and other countries in the exploration of research opportunities during work-based learning experiences. Within construction education in the United States, goals and focus of graduate and undergraduate internships differ, and little research exists documenting best practices for graduate internships. This article presents a case study of a successful three-way partnership between industry, faculty, and students that highlights the benefits and opportunities of Masters level graduate internships to generate valuable, applied research. While undergraduate construction internships focus primarily on professional training, graduate construction internships present a unique multi-faceted opportunity to deliver meaningful industry-supported research, increasing the value of the graduate-level educational experience for multiple stakeholders. Industry benefits from cost effective, high quality and objective analysis and feedback. Faculty benefit from timely research questions, access to data, and financial partnering. Finally, graduate students benefit from greater professional exposure and mentorship, unique work-based research, and higher confidence that their research will be relevant and applicable. The documented case study generates a framework where graduate-internships enhance master level construction education in the United States and beyond.