Danijel Rebolj

Automated construction activity monitoring system

Building activities are inadequately monitored during construction projects when attempting to satisfy the need for information, especially in those cases of unforeseen events and conditions on-site. Many IT-supported methods have been introduced, but so far none has been able to deliver satisfactory and reliable information. This paper presents a combined method, consisting of three components: an automated activity tracking subsystem based on image recognition, an automated material tracking subsystem, and a mobile computing supported communication environment. All subsystems are based on the same 4D model of a building.

A GIS based component-oriented integrated system for estimation, visualization and analysis of road traffic air pollution

Abstract Road traffic is a dominant source of air pollution. Therefore it is necessary to provide decision-makers with up-to-date emission information in an easily understandable form. To achieve this goal we have integrated existing emission calculation software with a graphical user interface, which includes a GIS (geographical information system) component. The paper first gives a summary of the basic road traffic emission model and then focuses on the design and implementation of the computer application with the emphasis on the used component and GIS technology. The integrated emission evaluation system offers entirely new ways of using the emission model and gives additional visualization and analysis possibilities.

Can we grow buildings? Concepts and requirements for automated nano- to meter-scale building

Abstract The construction industry will have to find new ways of building to accomplish radical reductions of pollution and waste. Nano and biotechnology along with information technology have the potential to constitute a new building paradigm. The paper describes the concept of nano- to meter-scale building, which is based on this potential. The concept is not focused on the application of nanomaterials like nanosilica or carbon nanotubes, but on a new way of building, which unfolds from the nano into the meter range. It is based on bionanorobots, producing building materials using carbon extracted from CO2 in the air. Criteria and requirements regarding relevant technologies are defined and compared to the current research in the fields of bioengineering, nanorobotics, and characteristics and production of carbon nanotubes. The paper also presents a concept of a new building technology that would enable control and monitoring of construction at the nano level, as well as requirements regarding design methods and tools including the building information model that will become the only human input to the automated nano- to meter-scale building process. The paper concludes with suggestions for further research and development.

Interoperability requirements for automated manufacturing systems in construction

Multi-disciplinary software interoperability in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations industry is becoming a new and widely adopted business culture. Technical advances in interoperability architectures, frameworks, methods and standards during the last decade resulted in higher maturity of product and process models. Mature models, in effect, enable data exchange by an increasing number of software applications in the industry. This establishes trust in data exchange and results in the lower cost impact of inefficient interoperability. The negative cost impact increases with advancing life-cycle phase, from planning and design phase to construction phase and to operation and maintenance phase. Interoperability in the planning and design phase is most mature and well published, while interoperability in the construction phase and for automated manufacturing is less researched. This paper reviews state-of-the art automated manufacturing systems in construction and researches interoperability requirements for automated construction in context of the entire building lifecycle. Our research is based on experimental free-form clay building, designed with embedded simple HVAC components, and manufactured with additive layer technology. Conclusions provide valuable results for interoperability research and practice in construction projects with automated manufacturing systems in place.

Supply-chain transparency within industrialized construction projects

This paper addresses those issues relating to the integration of information flows in relation to material management throughout the construction industry supply-chain. Based on a case study, it shows how to bridge any gaps between those information systems used within the design, prefabrication, and on-site construction processes. The information requirements of the aforementioned three key processes are analysed regarding an industrialized construction project, and any gaps identified between their three sets of requirements. A theoretical model for information mapping is proposed using these requirements. The solution is then verified through a case study, performed within the operational environment of a construction company. This case study represents one approach for applying the proposed information mapping model, and possible benefits for the industry. The information analysis highlights significant distinctions among particular views on the information required for supporting the tasks during the three above-mentioned processes. The main difference lies in the levels of data granularity important for particular tasks. Building Information Modelling based construction (BIM-based construction) proved itself to be an adequate context for bridging the information gaps. BIM-based construction can accommodate the proposed model for information mapping across the processes. Within this context it is possible to separate the identities of physical building elements from those of designed building elements, which is required when mapping. This study shows that it is feasible to automate the proposed information mapping in the form of a computer algorithm. It explains the value and necessity of building information model (BIM) usage, in order to provide the context for information mapping. The integration of design, manufacturing, and construction processes, and a transparency of information about material resources across these processes, would bring significant benefits for all stakeholders within the supply-chain. In the case study, the architecture and a prototype of the software system were developed in order to implement the proposed idea. Specifically, the case study showed that the proposed information mapping improved the projects progress monitoring, detailed planning, and management of material flows, across the construction supply-chain.

Integrated Information System Supporting Road Design, Evaluation, and Construction

Road design, evaluation (analysis), and construction are closely connected processes in which design and analysis are iterated to converge on the optimal solution. Many errors and delays frequently appear when data are exchanged between particular tasks; intertask connections are therefore of great importance for the quality of the final product. This article describes an integrated information system that is intended to support all important stages of the road life cycle: design, evaluation (through different analysis procedures), and construction. The concept of the system is object oriented. However, existing program packages are included to solve some common tasks. The system includes a conventional relational database as well as a spatial database with all relevant geographic information system (GIS) functionality. Since particular tasks often are executed at different places and by different companies, the interconnections are supported by a special metafile that contains all specific data about the project as it progresses toward the construction phase.

MC as a Means for Supporting Information Flow in Construction Processes

This paper initially presents the potential use of mobile computing in the construction industry. However, it is further assumed that the use of mobile computing can significantly improve the flow of relevant information among the project participants only if the present organisational culture is subject to changes. That is further supported with the results from the experimental study of the potential use of various mobile computing devices in the project information exchange. In this respect only cost effective, commonly available and standardised solutions would prove a project-wide applicability. The final objective of the paper is to show why there should be further research in mobile computing focused on identifying weaknesses in project-related information exchange and how to apply existing optimised IT procedures to alleviate these weaknesses.

A standardised approach for sustainable interoperability between public transport passenger information systems

A significant number of passenger information systems for public passenger transport exist throughout Europe at national levels but, regrettably, their trans-national interoperability is very limited. Any passenger information system depends on several underlying heterogeneous information systems; ranging from the management of transport infrastructure networks, public transport infrastructure objects, public passenger transport services, and public transport processes and regulations. Public transport service providers have their own local information systems that should be vertically interoperable with their national passenger information system. In the future, a trans-national interoperability system is anticipated for national passenger information systems when journey-planning across Europe. This paper explores the interoperability of passenger information systems and any appropriate ITS standards. An existing information system for the management of public passenger transport is described, and a proposal put forward for implementing sustainable interoperability requirements. Finally, a European Passenger Information System - EPIS is proposed as a new solution for the possible sustainable trans-national interoperability of passenger information systems across Europe.

Fast 3D visualization of road product models

Due to its monolithic nature, 3D visualization software integrated with legacy engineering applications contain every possible feature you might use-whether or not a user really wants them. With the advent of distributed objects and interpreted platform-independent languages such as Java and VRML it is possible to develop cross-platform portable 3D visualization software as components that work in an easy-to-use manner. Adopting these advances, fast 3D visualization can considerably simplify the job of maintaining the life cycle of a road integrated within an agreed road product model. The paper aims to introduce new levels of support to engineers throughout the integrated product life cycle by dealing with issues such as fast platform-independent 3D visualization and product modelling using roads as an example.

Enhancement of decision support process in road administration domain with the use of GIS technology

In recent years, geographic information systems and spatial database technology are fast spreading across the tight circles of experts, working in the fields of geography and geodesy. In the first wave, GIS functions have been built into engineering applications, which were not just GIS centered (as for example road design, emission calculation, building site-plan etc.). The use has been accelerated through the component technology, which simplifies the insertion of GIS components into a variety of applications-including administration. We describe the upgrading of the business information system of the Slovenian road administration: basic application user interfaces were enriched with a specialized GIS component, which enables a fast and clear (geo)graphical view of the data about the selected part of the road network. The simplicity of using this intelligent digital map (as we named this specialized component) makes it possible to effectively and clearly display the relevant information, which is so necessary in the process of decision making. Besides, there is no need to leave the application the user is familiar with.