Conrad Boton

Method to Design Coordinated Multiple Views Adapted to User's Business Requirements in 4D Collaborative Tools in AEC

The issue of multiple views coordination became more and more challenging in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) field since the apparition and the increasing success of 4D/nD CAD. In order to adapt visualization to users business requirements in 4D-supported collaborative tools, this paper propose a method to design coordinated multiple views based on Model-Driven Engineering (MDE). The method enables users visualization needs description, visualization modes comparison. The aim is to choose appropriate visualization modes business needs, to associate interaction principles and coordination mechanisms in order to compose coordinated multiple views adapted to actors business needs. The paper presents a case study based on literature review and interviews with construction sector practitioners.

Comparing PLM and BIM from the product structure standpoint

The increasing use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) across the construction industry highlights the potential for a common endpoint with manufacturing industries. Previous research work has shown that it is possible to improve BIM with the features and the best practices from Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) approach. This article provides a comparison between the PLM and BIM approaches from the standpoint of the Product Structure (PS) and the Bill of Material (BOM). It discusses the need to explicit a structuring concept in the BIM approach in order be able to switch to an information-centric management approach in construction projects instead of the current activity-based approach.

Characterizing Collaborative 4D Use Contexts to Improve Interaction Mechanisms Design

This article proposes a metamodel to describe the use context of collaborative 4D modeling in Architecture, Engineering and Construction. While interaction with three-dimensional models has been extensively discussed in the literature, the interaction principles with the fourth dimension are much less treated. It is indeed a challenging issue according to the characteristics of the construction industry. The proposed metamodel is a preliminary step toward the proposal of adapted and/or innovative visualization and interaction mechanisms in collaborative 4D tools. It allows a good understanding of the collaborative 4D simulation activity and the identification of the main variables to consider from a high level point of view.

Collaborative 4D/nD Construction Simulation: What Is It?

Planning is crucial in the success of construction projects and 4D/nD simulation is an innovative approach to improve it. Because construction planning is mainly a collaborative activity, the collaborative use of 4D/nD simulation is growing in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction AEC, following the implementation of Building Information Modeling BIM workprocesses. Multiple scientific research works have been devoted to collaborative 4D/nD simulation. Major software editors in the industry are also proposing solutions to develop it. But many challenges remain such as adapting visualization or optimizing collaboration processes. To be able to address these challenges, it is important firstly to conceptualize the notion of collaborative 4D/nD construction simulation. This article is based on an understanding of collective activity in the AEC industry, and theoretical elements from Simulation and CSCW scientific fields. It provides a generic definition and identifies the key components to consider in the improvement of collaborative 4D/nD simulation tools.

A Metamodel to Describe nD CAD Visualization as Coordinated Multiple Views

4D/nD simulations are increasing the quality of project management in the construction industry and many attempts are made to enable their collaborative use. However, many limitations still exist, in particular the lack of adaptation of the proposed visualization to the requirements of business users. As collaboration in construction projects requires a special attention, it is important to fit visualization to real business needs of practitioners. The work in the present paper is part of a larger one that aims to propose a method to adapt visualizations to business requirements for the construction industry, using Model-Driven Engineering approach. It introduces a metamodel of coordinated multiple views (CMV) that enable to describe 4D/nD visualizations as CMV systems.

Challenges of big data in the age of building information modeling: a high-level conceptual pipeline

N-dimensional BIM models integrate many aspects of Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) projects information. These models are well structured and allow users to practically query them, however they are more and more combined with other data sources, provided e.g. by Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Building Automation Systems (BAS) or Facility Management (FM) systems. Construction project managers are facing an important challenge related to making meaningful deduction from these heterogeneous data sets. In this context the current data mining approaches are showing their limitations. Big Data is then gradually getting a reality in the construction industry. This paper characterizes AEC project management data following the conceptual definition of Big Data and proposes a high-level conceptual pipeline aiming at bridging the gap between BIM-based related visualization works and information visualization domain.

IT Barometer Survey in Luxembourg: First Results to Understand IT Innovation in Construction Sector

The construction sector of Luxembourg is a particular trans-national market where companies, methods, regulations and equipment are largely influenced by France, Germany and Belgium practices. As in other countries, IT seems to play a major role in sectorial innovation as a means for improving competitiveness of companies and efficiency of projects delivery. There is a need for understanding the maturity of the sector regarding IT for several reasons. First, the sectorial push towards innovation from public incentives and private bodies targets the areas of project management and competitiveness of companies relying on IT. Second, a nationally standardized, web-based project platform (CRTI-weB) is emerging and used in several projects. However, resistance is observed and is possibly caused by heterogeneous IT competencies of users. Third, BIM is gaining interest in the sector although the adoption rate remains very low. BIM seems not understood by construction practitioners as enabling new collaborative practices. On the basis of these considerations, the paper describes the setup of the IT Barometer survey for Luxembourg. The aim of the survey conducted is to provide a robust analysis of the as-is situation of the sector regarding IT. Although the survey is still in progress, the authors provide first evidences enabling to understand the conditions in which the nationally established CRTI-weB is being adopted as well as developing requirements for the development of a BIM implementation roadmap for Luxembourg.

Integrating Construction Specifications and Building Information Modeling.

This paper explores how to effectively integrate building specifications into a BIM process. This research found that all the software that claims to include specifications in a BIM process are actually specification drafting software and are not very useful for contractors and subcontractor who needs to use specifications in mobile contexts such as production or construction sites. A new approach to integrating specifications into a BIM-based collaboration process has been proposed. A collaborative process has been formalized, with three levels of integration. One of these levels is prototyped and shows how it is possible to give access to construction specification from mobile devices on a construction site. Both the process and the prototype are evaluated with practitioners.

Practices and Processes in BIM Projects: An Exploratory Case Study

The results of an exploratory case study dedicated to a BIM project are presented and the perception that professionals have of their practices and the BIM collaboration processes is discussed in this study. It suggests that the roles of BIM specialists are not the same from one discipline to another and that they are not just technical roles. In addition, the information subprocess seems to crystallize around BIM managers, which tends to create two sources of leadership in a project: BIM managers and project managers. Finally, the study shows a gap between the planned processes and those actually used in the project. The use of a big room, to bring together the owner and the other disciplines, seems to be particularly useful. It serves as an integrator, and information is better shared.

Digital Synchronous Collaboration Workspace and 3D Interactions for an AEC Project. Decision-Making Scenario Evaluation

The success of a digitally developed architecture project requires a new vision of collaboration and design practices and the adaptation of the current ones. The recent innovative tools and media extend the design capabilities, and foster the proposal of complex architectural solutions.