Willy Sher

Measuring BIM performance: Five metrics

The term Building Information Modelling (BIM) refers to an expansive knowledge domain within the design, construction and operation (DCO) industry. The voluminous possibilities attributed to BIM represent an array of challenges that can be met through a systematic research and delivery framework spawning a set of performance assessment and improvement metrics. This article identifies five complementary components specifically developed to enable such assessment: (i) BIM capability stages representing transformational milestones along the implementation continuum; (ii) BIM maturity levels representing the quality, predictability and variability within BIM stages; (iii) BIM competencies representing incremental progressions towards and improvements within BIM stages; (iv) Organizational Scales representing the diversity of markets, disciplines and company sizes; and (v) Granularity Levels enabling highly targeted yet flexible performance analyses ranging from informal self-assessment to high-detail, formal organizational audits. This article explores these complementary components and positions them as a systematic method to understand BIM performance and to enable its assessment and improvement. A flowchart of the contents of this article is provided.

Emulation-Based Virtual Laboratories: A Low-Cost Alternative to Physical Experiments in Control Engineering Education

This paper argues the case for emulation-based virtual laboratories in control engineering education. It demonstrates that such emulation experiments can give students an industrially relevant educational experience at relatively low cost. The paper also describes a particular emulation-based system that has been developed with the aim of giving students an introduction to real-world control engineering design.

Artificial neural network for the selection of buildable structural systems

In this study, artificial neural networks have been developed to acquire construction knowledge from past projects to integrate buildability considerations into the preliminary structural design process. Four artificial neural network models are presented. These allow the generation of an expeditious solution for given sets of design and buildability constraints. Once information is entered into the models, a recommendation of which structural scheme to choose is generated instantaneously. Thus, valuable design time is released, allowing designers the opportunity to invest in other equally important design tasks. The information entered into the models consists of site‐related information including site access; availability of working space; and speed of erection, and conceptual design information including type of building; number of storeys and gross floor area. The results show that artificial neural networks can be successfully used for the implementation of buildability at the preliminary stage of design.

Computer Imagery and Visualization in Built Environment Education: The CAL-Visual Approach

UK higher education institutions have invested significantly in the implementation of communication and information technology (CIT) in teaching, learning and assessment - with mixed results. This work investigated the use of multimedia technologies in the form of digital imagery and visualization material to improve student knowledge and understanding. In this context, this paper reports on a major UK initiative (CAL-Visual) funded by the Higher Education Funding Council as part of the Teaching and Learning Technology Programme looking at improving the use of images for teaching and learning in built environment education. It first describes ways in which computer-aided learning (CAL) is being used in civil and building engineering curricula, it then presents the main aims and objectives of the project and describes the design and implementation of the CAL-Visual system. It concludes by reporting on the results of an evaluation conducted using case studies relating to different applications.

Innovative protocols and technologies as a means of complying with the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payments Act 1999 (NSW) Australia

The Building and Construction Industry Security of Payments Act 1999—updated 27 November 2003, New South Wales, Australia provides a statutory framework which governs compulsory progress payments for those who undertake works or provide goods or services as part of a construction contract. Respondents to the process are being disadvantaged as a result of complying with the Act. Claimants are purported to be taking months to prepare detailed and comprehensive payment claims, prior to serving them on the respondents, who, under the Act, have limited time to compile a detailed payment schedule in response. This research investigates the use of two recent innovations that could assist in the administration of the process. The first is the Society of Construction Laws Delay and Disruption Protocols model clauses, and the second is the use of web‐based technology as a project administrative tool. A literature search was carried out, together with semi‐structured qualitative interviews, to determine opinions of their use and effectiveness. Results indicate a recognition and appreciation of the likely benefits of transparency, efficiency and improved cost effectiveness of the project administrative processes, possibly resulting in potential savings and improved cost recovery opportunities, with the potential to reduce and/or avoid disputes.

Pentexonomy: A Multi-Dimensional Taxonomy of Educational Online Technologies

Educational online technologies EOTs have revolutionised the delivery of online education, making a large contribution towards the global increase in demand for higher learning. Educationalists have striven to adapt through knowledge development and application of online tools, but making educationally sound choices about technology has proved challenging, amidst the extensive and largely unclassified range of tools. The absence of a taxonomy comprehensive enough to guide EOT choice is a concern, given the current extent of online activity. This paper addresses this issue by proposing a new taxonomic framework of EOTs called the Pentexonomy. Developed by augmenting five existing taxonomies, the Pentexonomy synergises a range of perspectives to produce a robust and multi-dimensional classification which facilitates effective decision-making on EOT activity.

Exploring AEC education through collaborative learning

Purpose – There is concern that traditional teaching methods (including lectures and tutorials) do not prepare graduates with the generic employability skills required by the construction industry. This has motivated architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) academics to consider the use of student-centred approaches like collaborative learning. However, the effectiveness of collaborative learning approaches has not been widely examined in AEC education. The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical results on the benefits and barriers of collaborative learning from AEC students’ perspective. Design/methodology/approach – From a questionnaire survey conducted with Associate Degree students who studied in four AEC programmes at a university in Hong Kong, 621 valid responses were received. Descriptive statistics were used to test these data for any significant agreement or disagreement between respondents. Findings – All AEC students agreed that collaborative learning benefited them in building t...

Development of Building Information Modelling Enabled Code Checking Systems for Australia

Building projects in Australia need to be checked manually against the Building Code of Australia (BCA) before the commencement of construction. This process is error-prone and time-consuming for building industries. Technical developments in Building Information Modelling (BIM) provide potential for a new generation of software in automated code checking (ACC) to assist with these activities. In addition to enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of checking processes, ACC using BIM offers opportunities to identify non-BCA compliant aspects of buildings during the design phase. This paper reviews previous studies to identify the main factors informing ACC development and highlights the existing limitations and assignments that need to be resolved, thereby providing support for future studies in establishing ACC systems for Australia.

Changing Skills in Changing Environments: Skills Needed in Virtual Construction Teams

This book focuses on virtual reality. In the context of design, virtual reality is an emerging technology that not only allows designers and other stakeholders to gain a threedimensional appreciation of the artifact being designed, it also has the potential to significantly alter the manner in which design occurs. Internet-based technologies have made it possible for designers in different locations to collaborate in developing and refining their designs. Virtual reality has contributed to this environment (Maher, 2005) by allowing designers in geographically-dispersed locations to interact with each other. Software applications have been developed to assist and facilitate these collaborative activities (including Shyamsundar and Gadh (2001) and Lau, Mak and Lu (2003)) but comparatively speaking, little research has been conducted into the people-related issues of collaboration via the Internet. Some of these are the issues addressed in this chapter.

The role of design in control engineering education

Abstract In this paper we discuss the role of design in tertiary education linked to professional practice. We give particular emphasis to control engineering. We argue that such education is made more interesting and relevant if it is linked to real world experiences. We point to one mechanism for giving students exposure to real world designs via the use of Virtual Laboratories.