Mohamad Syazli Fathi

Context-Aware Cloud Computing for Construction Collaboration

The construction industry has been characterised by fragmentation, lack of integration and complexities in processes and activities. These characteristics could threaten the delivery of project objectives which could ultimately have a negative impact on construction project success. The construction industry is associated with numerous activities, processes, organisations and individuals. Improving the collaboration between the parties within the construction industry will enhance productivity whilst maximising efficiency and effectiveness. Providing the construction industry parties with access to accurate and up-to-date information along with efficient communications via a reliable, competent and appropriate network is frequently a challenge. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the construction collaboration tools along with the concepts of cloud computing and context-awareness. The findings in this research are based on a thorough review of the comprehensive literature on IT, computing and construction. Accordingly, this study presents and develops the concepts and potential of innovative collaborative tools, such as Context-Aware Cloud Computing Information Systems (CACCIS). Implementing CACCIS in the construction industry will facilitate the construction supply chain processes, relations and networks along with increasing the opportunities for enhancing competitive advantages. Firstly, it is hoped that this study will contribute to improvements in construction industry collaboration which could ultimately improve and enhance its competitive advantages. Secondly, it proposes a fresh vision of construction industry integration and, most significantly, collaboration in an efficient way that will eventually maximize productivity and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the construction industry.

Cloud Computing for Green Construction Management

Integrated information, innovation and collaboration are the key factors for the sustainable development of construction organizations nowadays. The advancement of cloud computing technology offers construction organizations great potential for developing a collaborative and integrated environment for construction management. This paper presents an in-depth literature review of cloud computing in construction management. Findings from this review have shown that the benefit of using cloud computing technology for construction collaboration will reduce both energy consumption and CO2 emissions, indeed, it is more towards a green mission as it also provides both a financial return and a tangible environmental benefit. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to investigate the most valuable construction collaboration tools as the cloud computing technology along with the main concepts of sustainable project management. The findings in this research illustrate that with implementing the cloud computing in construction industry, it will facilitate the construction processes, collaborations, communications, relations and networks through the construction industry. Firstly, it is hoped that this study will contribute on improvements in construction industry collaboration which could ultimately improve and enhance the competitive advantages within the construction industry. Secondly, it introduces the new visions of construction industry integration and most significantly collaboration in an efficient way that will eventually maximise the productivity, enhance the efficiency and improve the effectiveness towards a green construction industry.

Mobile Information System for Sustainable Project Management

The construction industry is an information-based industry, the progression of which requires the most effective and efficient tools in management, more specifically in managing the information flow between project team members. These tools become essential to a project management team dealing with the complexity and changing needs in the construction industries. Advances in information and communication technologies (ICT), especially mobile phones, offer an alternative way to overcome the limitation on effective collaboration in construction projects. A review of previous research, case studies and also technology reports shows how mobile information technology has the potential to provide improvements in construction communication and information collaboration. This paper discusses the implications of mobile information systems in sustainable project management. The findings show that there is a high potential for improving sustainability projects, the effects on construction resources and the potential impact of improving sustainable project management in construction industries.

The Potential of Cloud Computing Technology for Construction Collaboration

A major barrier to successful construction project delivery has been the fragmentation and poor relationships existing between players in the construction industry. This significant issue has exerted a negative influence on project objectives, especially those which are predetermined, such as time, specified budget and standard quality. Construction projects require intensive efforts and processes, which it is often a challenge to provide to parties within the construction industry, to access accurate information and efficient communications. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the construction collaboration tools along with concepts of context-aware computing and cloud computing. The findings in this research are based on a thorough review of the comprehensive literature on IT, computing and construction. Consequently, this study sets out to introduce and develop the concepts of potential innovative collaborative tools, such as Context-Aware Cloud Computing Information Systems (CACCIS), for facilitating the construction supply chain processes and networks by enhancing the opportunities for achieving better competitive advantages. Firstly, it is hoped that this study will lead to improved construction collaboration to enhance the competitive advantages and opportunities for the internationalisation and globalisation of the construction industry. Secondly, it presents an effective method to provide new insights into the process of integration and, most significantly, to improve the productivity, efficiency and effectiveness of the construction industry.

An Experimental Investigation of Magnetorheological (MR) Fluids under Quasi-Static Loadings

In our earlier work, test equipment has been designed, simulated and fabricated to perform experiment on MR fluids in squeeze mode. Preliminary results were gathered and presented for the purpose of validating the test equipment. Therefore, in this paper, a further systematic investigation of MR fluids in squeeze mode has been carried out. As a result, MR fluids experienced rheological changes in three stages during compression and tension. Fluid-particles separation phenomenon was the main caused for the unique behaviour of MR fluids. Particle chains depended on the structure transformation in which the carrier fluid movement can be controlled by changing the magnetic field strength.

Building Information Modeling (BIM): Exploring Level of Development (LOD) in Construction Projects

Level of Development (LOD) is a protocol exhibit to address the basic guidelines of Building Information Modeling (BIM). The basic guidelines were created to identify specific content requirements, authorize use and purpose. LOD identifies how much information is known about a model at a given time. The use of LOD is to reduce the problems due to inadequate information needed in projects. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the implementation of LOD in projects using BIM in the Malaysian construction industry. In order to do so, a literature review was carried out to identify basic guidelines of the LOD specification. In addition to this, semi-structured interviews were conducted with BIM consultants from the public and private sector. The findings revealed that the implementation of LOD in Malaysia is varied with its own purpose. From the use of LOD, it helps construction players to get the information that they can be used.

The Development of Building Information Modeling (BIM) Definition

Conventional practice on managing information in construction has sometimes created a miscommunication and errors among construction players. Therefore, Information Communication Technology (ICT) has introduced Building Information Modeling (BIM) for managing construction projects effectively and efficiently. Different terms on definition of BIM have been used and expanded widely with different perspectives. The aim of this paper is to explore the notion of BIM development from the year of 1975 to 2013. The methodology of this paper is based on literature review on BIM definitions. The findings reveal that there are six perspectives in BIM development which are design, estimation, construction process, building life cycle, performance and technology. From the development of BIM, it can be concluded that BIM is a new methodology that involves the use of technologies in order to improve collaboration and communication of construction players as well as the management of documentation.

Integration of cyber-physical systems technology with augmented reality in the pre-construction stage

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) is a computerized networking system that integrates with physical processes. The lack of theoretical foundation in CPS has resulted with this study, which aims to provide a holistic view of Cyber-Physical Systems and its integration with Augmented Reality (AR) as a decision support tool in the pre-construction stage. It will then discuss the problems that arise and propose the use of location aware mobile augmented reality handheld system as a support tool to provide users with an intuitive information visualization of local network infrastructures.

The Potential of Context-Aware Computing for Building Maintenance Management Systems

The increasing awareness of the importance of a proper building maintenance management system becomes the main contributing factor for the development of facilities management worldwide. Various building maintenance management system tools become necessary to remain competitive. The widespread use of mobile devices envisions a growing market for new applications in building maintenance. It is well-understood that the use of mobile technologies is critical in building maintenance as the right information needs to be delivered to the right person, at the right time, and at the right place. However, existing building maintenance applications only support the delivery of static modes of information (such as building data and checklists); the information is pre-programmed and is thus not able to take into account the users varying contexts. Building maintenance applications could be made easy and responsive to users wishes if they were context-aware. This paper discusses the key issues in building maintenance management systems and their potential for the use of context-aware computing. Findings show that many building maintenance management systems are complicated and only slowly being adopted in Malaysia. In conclusion, it was found that context-aware building maintenance systems have the potential to simplify the process and increase the usage of computerized maintenance management systems.

The potential of augmented reality technology for pre-construction

Construction project management covering various aspects such as planning, coordinating, directing, scheduling, monitoring and control. Pre-construction services are used in planning a construction project before the actual construction begins. However, various problems happened at the pre-construction planning stage. This paper present an overview of the major problems in pre-construction stage and look at the potential of using augmented reality technology to overcome those problems. It was found that, at the pre-construction stage, good planning can not be done by the project teams especially to engineers and contractors due to the lack of supporting data, particularly when it involves information relating to underground utilities such as telecommunications, gas, electricity, water and sewerage. There are several approaches that can been undertaken in pre-construction services, especially in making an informed decision. The potential technology is using Augmented Reality (AR)-based approach in pre-construction service. Augmented reality is the integration of digital information with the users environment in real-time. It was one of the tool that support the concept of cyber-physical systems (CPS). CPS is the integration systems between computational network and physical processes. Currently, there are many fields utilised the application of AR such as medical, militiry, vehicles, gaming and navigation. This paper presents the applications of an AR-based approach to medical and gaming industry and explore the potential of using AR in pre-construction. The finding shows that the AR is a potential decision support tool that will speed up the planning process of the project team in the pre-construction phase in real-time.