David Heesom

Trends of 4D CAD Applications for Construction Planning

Since the early 1990s, there has been a growing interest in four‐dimensional computer aided design (4D CAD) for construction project planning. Commercial 4D CAD applications are becoming more accessible and the use of this technology allows the construction planner to produce more rigorous schedules. A review of the technical competencies of these packages highlights that most of the commercially available packages concentrate on the use of 4D CAD simulations for aesthetic visualization purposes. Very few packages offer the ability to carry out analytical tasks on the developed simulation and this is often left to the interpretation of the user. A thorough appraisal of emerging research developments in 4D planning highlights that this technology is employed for various applications; however, the amount of detail required in a 4D simulation is still ambiguous. A model is proposed to determine the attributes required for use with each of the various applications of 4D CAD simulations. Finally, various lines of future research are highlighted, including the need for improved use of data exchange standards and the automation of linking the construction tasks to the 3D CAD model.

A Dynamic VR System For Visualizing Construction Space Usage

Due to the dynamic nature of the construction site, the planning of workspaces required by construction tasks is difficult, with various research efforts focusing on this problem. 3D visualisation techniques are becoming increasingly used in the construction industry for various applications, and one such area is the support for construction space planning. This paper reports on the development of an interactive virtual reality system that allows the allocation and visualisation of construction workspace in a 4D (3D+Time) environment. Preliminary research highlighted that one of the most problematic areas for space planning involves specialist trade contractors. The development of the tools described in this paper was undertaken with input from various specialist contractors in the UK. The paper describes 3 developed tools. The first allows the construction planner to assign ‘strategies’ to tasks and building products to develop ‘dynamic’ construction plans that show progress of construction and in progress products during each week of the project. The second presents an interactive mark up tool that allows planners to add space objects to each weekly layout and the final tool allows the viewing of the construction (including work spaces required) in a 4D virtual reality interface.

Model-Based Groupware Solution for Distributed Real-Time Collaborative 4D Planning through Teamwork

AbstractConstruction planning plays a fundamental role in construction project management that requires teamwork among planners from a diverse range of disciplines and in geographically dispersed working situations. Model-based four-dimensional (4D) computer-aided design (CAD) groupware, though considered a possible approach to supporting collaborative planning, is still short of effective collaborative mechanisms for teamwork because of methodological, technological, and social challenges. Targeting this problem, this paper proposes a model-based groupware solution to enable a group of multidisciplinary planners to perform real-time collaborative 4D planning across the Internet. In light of the interactive definition method, and its computer-supported collaborative work (CSCW) design analysis, this paper discusses the realization of interactive collaborative mechanisms from software architecture, application mode, and data exchange protocol. These mechanisms have been integrated into a groupware solution...

Developing Practitioner Skills in Construction Health and Safety Management: An Integrated Teaching and Learning Approach

Abstract The Construction (Design and Management) - (CDM) Regulations of 1994 and their subsequent revisions have played an important role in improving construction health and safety management. However, the awareness of corresponding responsibilities and the intuitive management of relevant knowledge continue to pose the greatest challenges to the duty holders in terms of implementing the Regulations. Within the context of established learning styles and teaching techniques, an integrated problem-based and collaborative learning approach is being adopted in the delivery of a series of special construction health and safety short courses for construction professionals. The programmes are attended by an average of ten participants with varied construction related backgrounds on each of the iterations. Starting from the theoretical framework of the Regulation requirements, the approach evolves into contextualised problem solving in respect of each of the stages of the construction process. Well defined pre-selected problem solving tasks and background related problem solving tasks are collectively applied to facilitate efficient and effective knowledge transfer and acquisition. A collaborative learning approach was finally applied to elicit peer knowledge thereby enriching participants’ individual knowledge base of the generic issues. Participant feedback suggests that the programmes have been successful in achieving their main aim of enabling awareness and improving the health and safety knowledge and management skills of the practitioners. Further work is envisaged in extensively reviewing other learning approaches and developing the more reasonable integrated approach to reflect changes in relevant legislation and the diversified experience of the practitioners who attend the programme.

Fostering Deeper Engagement between Industry and Higher Education: Towards a Construction Knowledge Exchange Approach

Abstract Higher education institutions in the UK increasingly have to engage with industry, with government reports such as the Lambert Review (2003) and more recently the Leitch Review (2006) highlighting the necessity for academia and industry to collaborate to keep up to date with rapidly changing industry requirements. This is evident within the built environment sector with seminal UK government reports such as the Fairclough report (2002). Previously, some of this engagement has been seen as somewhat ‘shallow’ with few academics and/or institutions having a deep and continuing engagement with practitioners. The Construction Knowledge Exchange, is one of 22 national knowledge exchanges in the UK which aim to develop good practice in knowledge exchange between institutions and businesses within a specific sector through the establishment of innovative partnerships. Within the West Midlands region of the UK, a new model has been developed through the Construction Knowledge Exchange initiative centred around Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Action Learning, which provides a stage driven method towards deep and continuing engagement between industry and academia. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the model implemented and a comparison of the Accelerating Change in Built Environment Education and Construction Knowledge Exchange approaches to industry engagement through the use and analysis of case studies. The case studies presented highlight the considerable success achieved through providing CPD training to Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) thus providing an introduction to university capabilities. Action Learning is implemented as part of the CPD approach allowing SMEs to identify their specific requirements for business improvement. Based on the outcomes of action learning, practitioners are linked with undergraduate and postgraduate students and research staff which has presented cost effective solutions to business research and development needs and provided students with opportunities to experience real projects and, potentially, further employment opportunities.

Technology supported learning (TSL) for formative assessment

Abstract Online environments offer educators a new medium to deliver teaching and learning material — one which can bring new and exciting ways of learning and an alternative to traditional teaching techniques. These new techniques can provide solutions to the demands of a changing environment, allowing flexibility for learning from home or work and the ability to cope with a widening variety of backgrounds and qualifications. The difficulty comes in finding ways to apply the new technologies to a learning process with proven educational benefit. This paper presents a case study involving an undergraduate module on distributed simulations in design within the Architecture and Product Design Department at the University of Wolverhampton. It discusses the planning, implementation, delivery and evaluation of online tasks for teaching Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML). This is supported by background research on the impact of using e-learning strategies for formative assessment. The evaluation of this experience is based on the analysis of students’ reflections and feedback, in particular how beneficial that experience was towards improving their understanding of the subject and achievement in their work. It concludes with future actions and ideas for improvement based on the analysis and synthesis of the implemented online tasks.

Enhancing user-centered design by adopting the Taguchi philosophy

Since the 1980s User-Centered Design (UCD) has been becoming popular in the ICT industry. It helps seek usable designs through a set of work-flows, evaluation methods, and design approaches, which construct a comprehensive UCD framework. Along with its extensive utilizations, its pitfalls are also exposed in cost-benefit, robustness, and optimization respects. However, applying the Taguchi Method can remedy these pitfalls to gain robust optimal designs. This approach is feasible but less emphasized in the Human-Computer Interaction field. From a theoretical perspective, this paper depicts a practical approach to enhance UCD framework by adopting the Taguchi philosophy. Based on the analysis of the UCD framework and the Taguchi Method, it discusses key adaptation points for the Taguchi philosophy adoption in the UCD framework. As a result, the Taguchi-Compliant User-Centered Design (TCUCD) framework is proposed in this paper.

User-centred design for collaborative 4D modelling

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to clarify the CSCW in collaborative 4D modelling and its user interface (UI)/interaction designs for prototyping. Four-dimensional (4D) modelling technology has potentials to integrate geographically dispersed planners to achieve collaborative construction planning. However, applying this technology in teamwork remains a challenge in computer-supported collaborative work (CSCW). Design/methodology/approach – The research adopted user-centred design (UCD) methodology to investigate a usable 4D collaboration prototype through analysis, design and usability testing. By applying CSCW theories, it first clarified the meaning of 4D CSCW to formulate design propositions as design target. By leveraging UCD theories, subsequently, the first-stage research sought an optimal standalone 4D modelling prototype following a parallel design approach. At the second stage, it further investigated into a collaborative 4D modelling prototype using an iterative design. It adopted collab...

BIM Education Framework for Clients and Professionals of the Construction Industry

LackofqualifiedBIMprofessionalsisakeyBIMchallengethataffectsspecificorganisationsand onamoremacroscale,individualcountries.Asalientsolutiontothisproblemistheprovisionof betterBIMeducation.ThisarticlerepresentstheinitialworkintotheimplementationofBIMinthe DominicanRepublic,acountryaffectedbydifferentchallengesinregardtoBIMimplementation, withakeyissuesurroundingthelackofBIMeducation.Theaimofthearticleisthedevelopmentof aconceptualBIMeducationframeworkwhichsuggestsstrategiestobeimplementedinAcademia and the industry for the delivery of BIM education to all the construction parties involved in a project,includingtheclient.AliteraturereviewaboutBIMeducationandtrainingandtherevision ofBIMeducationframeworksworldwidehelpedinitsdevelopment.Theframeworkisbeneficial tothiscountryasitisintendedtobepartofatoolkit,thefinaloutcomeofaPhDresearchonthis country.However,itcanbeconsultedbyanycountryororganisationinterestedindevelopingBIM educationstrategies. KEywoRDS Academia, AEC Professionals, AEC Students, BIM Education Framework, BIM Education, Clients, Industry BIM Training

The Development of Appropriate Measurements for the International Comparison of Contractor Performance

With a view to undertaking a comparison of contractor performance in Japan, the UK and the US, the development of a new methodology for comparing performance internationally is briefly presented. A hypothetical construction project forms the platform of the methodology thereby allowing comparable and representative data to be collected. A critical review of performance measures is then presented. Client satisfaction is considered to be the principal measure of contractor performance, and for this the traditional dimensions of cost, time and quality are still considered appropriate. However, in the interests of a sustainable construction industry, the goal of client satisfaction should not be at the expense of contractors. As such, sustainability is presented as the fourth dimension of contractor performance. Early indications from on-going research suggest these dimensions to be appropriate for the comparison of contractor performance. Results suggest some significant differences in performance levels against each of these performance measures across the three countries.