Digital Commons Network^™

Sustainability In Valuation: Emerging Ai-Driven Real Estate Approaches, Mihaela Meslec, Isabelle Wrase, Matthias Haase

CIB Conferences

In response to evolving sustainability regulations, this study addresses the need to quantify sustainability within real estate valuations. Traditional Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) models face limitations in capturing the full impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, resulting in undervaluation of sustainable assets. The proposed solution shows the evolution of the DCF model into a meta-instrument for the real estate life cycle integrating sustainability and digitalization. The future proof DCF framework introduces seven key new tech approaches driven by emerging AI and established Building Information Modeling: dynamic cash flow and discount rate adjustments, predictive sustainability analytics, scenario modeling, advanced …

Assessing The Sustainability Skills Gap Between Industry Needs And Academic Training In Construction Management, Minsoo Baek, Hayoung Kim, Ryan Manuel, Soowon Chang

CIB Conferences

According to the Building Science Education Guidelines, construction managers must evaluate the integration of whole building systems and analyze building science principles, particularly regarding energy efficiency and building enclosure, to promote sustainable construction. However, current construction management (CM) programs often lack comprehensive training in these areas through design and construction integration. While curricula include some building science and systems training, available resources remain scattered or limited to specific topics, potentially misaligning with industry needs. In this respect, this research examines the sustainability skills gap between industry practice and academic curricula. Using a task inventory analysis approach, this research identifies key …

From Energy To Health: Role Of The Ventilation Systems In Energy-Retrofitted Buildings, Elham Maghsoudi Nia, Atze Boerstra Prof

CIB Conferences

The transition towards zero-energy buildings by 2050 has driven retrofitting initiatives across Europe, focusing on renovating existing buildings through improving insulation, solar panel installations, window replacements, and implementation of heat pump systems. While these retrofitting strategies contribute to energy efficiency, they also introduce new challenges related to indoor air quality and occupant health, particularly in highly insulated, and airtight buildings. This paper aims to investigate the intersection of energy retrofitting of buildings and occupants' health, with a specific focus on mechanical ventilation systems. By reviewing relevant literature on health issues and energy retrofitting in buildings, building-related illness is explored. The …

A Review Of Research On Enhancing The Post-Disaster Recovery Of Interdependent Critical Infrastructure Systems, Jiaxu Huang, Nan Li

CIB Conferences

Due to the increasing frequency of disasters, the ability to quickly recover from disaster-induced damage is crucial for critical infrastructure systems (CISs). The interdependencies among CISs pose a challenge that must be effectively addressed to ensure more efficient recovery measures. To enhance the resilience of interdependent CISs, an increasing number of studies have utilized simulations or real-world data to understand the mechanisms of these interdependencies and proposed possible solutions in the post-disaster phase. This paper examines this area of research and categorizes existing studies into simulation-based and data-driven approaches, summarizing existing strategies for improving interdependent CIS resilience through expedited recovery …

The Impact Of Hygrothermal Aging On Stability And Water Pressure Resistance Of Building Envelope Membranes, Mohammad Hossein Yari, Elnaz Esmizadeh, Marzieh Riahinezhad, Itzel Lopez-Carreon, Esrat Jahan, Peter Collins, Maurice Defo, Lin Wang, Elena Dragomirescu

CIB Conferences

Building membranes, specifically those designed as water-resistive barriers (WRBs), play a pivotal role in construction, serving as protective barriers against moisture infiltration from environmental stresses like wind-driven rain, thereby influencing the durability of buildings. As these materials age, changes in their structure can significantly affect their performance in resisting water ingress, with potential implications for the durability of building structures. Therefore, this research investigates the transformative effects of hygrothermal aging on the water-resistance performance, hydrophobicity, chemical integrity, and thermal resistance of the WRBs with a specific focus on non-woven polyethylene, self-adhesive polyethylene, and asphalt-saturated kraft paper, which represent a diverse …

Dwelling Overheating In Cool Climates: Evidence From Monitoring, Mark Mulville, Seamus Harrington, Ciara Ahern, Omprakash Ramalingam Rethnam

CIB Conferences

To date, much of the research on overheating risk in dwellings has been focused on warmer climates, there is however increasing ­concern regarding overheating risk in dwellings including in cool climates, exacerbated by both large scales retrofit and the potential impacts of climate change. Dwelling overheating has been linked to impacts on sleep, health and wellbeing, including increased rates of mortality and morbidity. This paper explores overheating risk in dwellings in cool climates using Ireland as use case. Ten representative vernacular Irish dwellings were identified and monitored over the summer months of 2024 (June-August inclusive). To understand the role and …

Sdg 12 Sustainable Consumption Through Reduction Of Cost Overrun By Identification Of Major Construction Waste Components Using The Pareto Rule, Gabriel Nani, Priscilla Dufie Darko, Blessing Mawunyo, Emmanuel Owusu

CIB Conferences

The United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDGs 11 and 12, emphasizes sustainable cities and responsible consumption. The construction industry, with its high material consumption and waste generation, is a key player in achieving these goals. Waste not only escalates environmental concerns but also contributes significantly to cost overruns- a critical issue in construction projects worldwide. This study aims to identify the major construction waste components driving cost overruns and propose effective management strategies. The quantitative research method was employed, involving a questionnaire survey of 101 construction professionals. Purposive sampling and Cochran’s formula were used to determine a …

Critical Review Of Biodiversity Criteria In Sustainable Real Estate Finance, Maria Holopainen, Inari Virkkala, Antti Kinnunen, Seppo Junnila Professor

CIB Conferences

The speed of global biodiversity loss has highlighted the urgency of directing more capital into nature-positive investments. Subsequently, green real estate finance has an important role to play in filling this finance gap. Against this backdrop, the paper employs a case study methodology to critically review the harmonies and disparities between two alternative approaches to incorporate biodiversity in the building sector: the EU Taxonomy, representing a regulatory “top-down” push for minimum standards, and the “Biodiversity Building” concept which portrays an industry-driven “bottom-up” approach aimed at ecological regenerativity. The analysis reveals some fundamental differences between the scope, content, and applicability of …

Digital Twin Insights From A Green Star-Rated Learning Environment, Ashvin Manga Mr., Theo C. Haupt, Chris James Allen Mr.

CIB Conferences

This study investigates the application of digital twin technology to enhance energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in a Green Star-rated learning environment. Focusing on Nelson Mandela University’s Business School, the research employed a mono-method quantitative approach, gathering real-time data through IoT sensors. The sensors were integrated into a digital twin platform using AWS IoT TwinMaker, enabling multi-sensor collaborative visualisation of building performance data. Findings reveal that CO₂ levels frequently exceeded recommended limits, even at moderate occupancy, indicating ventilation inadequacies. Additionally, the performance gap between design expectations and operational outcomes was highlighted, especially regarding energy efficiency and IEQ, suggesting …

Examining The Prevalence Of Job Stressors Among The South African Construction Workforce, Mohlomi T. Raliile

CIB Conferences

This study examined the prevalence of job stressors among the construction workforce in South Africa. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of organisational, extra-organisational, and personal stressors among the workforce. This exploratory study was conducted on a conveniently sampled population of construction personnel under three categories: construction professionals, construction artisans/tradesmen and construction labourers. A questionnaire survey was distributed to collect quantitative data via Google Forms and email, and some were distributed manually on construction sites to capture the labourers. In this cross-sectional study, and the respondents were individuals employed by civil and building construction companies. Face validity was used, …

Exploring Potential Bim Application Across The Project Life Cycle Of Public Sector Construction Projects: The Case Of Tanzania, Abdullatif Said Abdallah, Hemanta Doloi, Dominik Holzer

CIB Conferences

Despite its proven benefits, Building Information Modeling (BIM) has witnessed limited adoption in developing countries. In response, recently, there has been a significant increase in research works investigating BIM in developing countries. These studies have investigated various aspects of BIM adoption and implementation, including barriers/challenges, drivers/enablers, benefits, implementation strategies, BIM awareness, and adoption rates, among others. However, there has been an absence of studies that have attempted to explore the potential application of various BIM functions across the construction lifecycle of public sector construction projects in the context of a developing country, such as Tanzania. Accordingly, the present study seeks …

A Theoretical Exploration Of Digital Technologies For Transitioning Towards A Circular Built Environment., Idris Soliu, Giovanni C. Migliaccio

CIB Conferences

Circular Economy and Digital Technologies are emerging models recently identified as potential fields for achieving sustainable practice in various industries, including the built environment. Circular Economy has emerged as an alternative to the conventional linear "take-make-use-dispose" system of production and consumption to design out waste, reduce CO₂ emission, and regenerate nature through principles of circularity. While digital technologies have been identified as critical enablers of the circular economy across sectors, their implementation in the built environment remains fragmented. This paper presents a theoretical exploration of how digital technologies, such as Building Information Modeling, Digital Twins, the Internet of Things, …

Unveiling The Untapped: Extracting Tacit Knowledge From Experienced Construction Workers Through Visual Attention Interfaces, Patrick S.W. Fong

CIB Conferences

This research explores novel methods for extracting tacit knowledge, which is the expertise often unarticulated and difficult to explain. Due to its implicit nature, effectively transferring this knowledge traditionally requires close interaction with experienced construction workers. This paper proposes utilizing visual attention-based human-computer interfaces (HCIs) to understand and potentially capture this valuable knowledge. Building on the link between eye gaze and unconscious thought, the research focuses on developing interfaces that track the visual attention of experts during tasks where their expertise shines. This paper presents two novel HCIs that enhance the capabilities of traditional gaze tracking:

Hybrid Eye Tracking with …

Review On Strength Properties Of Graphene Incorporated Sustainable Concrete By Reducing Cement Quantity, Balkis A, Shashank B. S, Rajesh Goyal, Anil Kashyap

CIB Conferences

Abstract

Graphene, an allotrope of carbon with outstanding mechanical, physical, and thermal properties, is increasingly gaining recognition in scientific research. Its unique nanostructure has revolutionized cement composites by enhancing their mechanical strength, durability, and overall performance. The construction industry is actively exploring new, sustainable materials that improve the mechanical properties of concrete. Graphene-based nanomaterials like Graphene oxide (GO), Graphene Nanoplates, and Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) have gained significant attention due to their superior reinforcement capabilities. This study examines the impact of GO in cement composites incorporating supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash, silica fume, rice husk ash, and geopolymer …

Air Quality In Smart Cities: Beyond Technology, Katerina Prevelianaki, Fred Sherratt, Christian Henjewele, Nezhapi-Delle Odeleye

CIB Conferences

Being ‘smart’ remains a prominent goal that many cities wish to achieve, not only for the excitement the awarding of ‘smart city status’ can generate, but also because smart cities are seen as the way to overcome current and future urban challenges. The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is globally recognised for their standards, and in 2019 they released their Smart City Indicators standard (ISO 37122) which has since become a leading standardised methodology adopted by city leaders to guide their city smartness efforts. The ISO 37122 also links its smart city indicators to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development …

Reimagining Community Engagement: A Social Network Driven Approach To Flood Resilience, Olutayo Ekundayo, David Proverbs, Subashini Suresh Dr, Chaminda Pathirage, Ezekiel Olatunji

CIB Conferences

Community Engagement (CE) is crucial for building flood resilience and empowering communities to participate actively in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. However, many existing CE approaches neglect key social dimensions, such as inclusivity, social vulnerabilities, and community-driven strategies. This oversight often limits community ownership and reduces effectiveness. This research critically examines the social drivers of community engagement in flood resilience, emphasising the need for a Social Network approach to strengthen social connections, enhance participation, and foster sustained resilience. A review and synthesis of existing literature, spanning disaster risk management, flood resilience, social networks, behavioural science, and community engagement, identifies key …

International Comparison Of Training Goals In Wooden Construction Education - Focusing On Contents Of Wooden Building Systems -, Rio Shibata, Shin Murakami, Miho Akita, Norie Kawano, Satoka Takahashi

CIB Conferences

To contribute to realizing a decarbonized society, the use of wood in buildings is being promoted worldwide. In recent years, new structures, construction methods, and materials for large wooden buildings have been developed. Support for the acquisition of design techniques, construction techniques, and techniques for understanding the performance of wooden buildings has become indispensable for introducing wooden construction. Japan and Finland have abundant forest resources and a long history of wooden construction. In recent years, the relaxation of regulations and the development of new materials have accelerated the movement toward the realization of large wooden buildings. The purpose of this …

Circular Renovation Of Urban Infrastructures: A Multi-Project Perspective, Shahab Ashrafi, Hans Wamelink, Ruben Vrijhoef

CIB Conferences

The construction sector is a significant contributor to global waste. With growing concerns about sustainability, adopting circularity in construction projects has become increasingly important. The urban infrastructure sector has characteristics that present valuable opportunities for circularity. This research explores these opportunities by focusing on the renovation of urban infrastructure components through a multi-project perspective. This innovative approach in the field of circular economy reveals new possibilities for material reuse by integrating material flows across multiple projects. By identifying the supply and demand of secondary materials, designers can incorporate them during the redesign phase. Additionally, the synchronization of project phases can …

Exploring The Evolution Of Digital Transformation For Construction Enterprises: An Entropy-Nk Approach, Ruiyang Ma, Geoffrey Qiping Shen, Chao Mao, Jin Xue

CIB Conferences

Digital transformation (DT) has become a key driving force in the development of various industries. The construction industry has also begun to explore and practice DT, with the aim of achieving industry development through technological innovation. However, the existing application of digital technology in the construction industry is mainly limited to certain aspects and functions of project production and enterprise management. This fragmented use is insufficient to meet the construction industry’s needs for holistic business process collaboration and systemic transformation. The lack of an effective method to assess the DT status of construction enterprises from a systemic perspective — helping …

Exploring The Definition Of Capacity In Sustainable Construction: A Knowledge Mapping Approach, Simeng Li, Elrasheid Elkhidir Dr, Suzanne Wilkinson, Monty Sutrisna

CIB Conferences

The global environmental crisis is becoming increasingly severe, and sustainable construction is widely regarded as a key solution for mitigating climate change. Improving sustainable construction capacity is significant and challenging for advancing the development of the sustainable construction industry. Defining "capacity" is the first step in addressing this challenge. However, capacity possesses multidimensional attributes, and current research does not clearly identify its meaning within the sustainable construction domain. This paper aims to provide insights into the definition of capacity in sustainable construction. Specifically, this research aims to identify the core concept, sub-areas, and emerging trends related to capacity within the …

A Transformer-Based Semi-Supervised Learning For Occupant Feedback Evaluation, Min Jae Lee, Ruichuan Zhang

CIB Conferences

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) focuses on ensuring that occupants experience comfortable and healthy indoor settings, covering factors such as temperature, humidity, air quality, acoustics, and lighting. Assessing IEQ from occupants’ perspectives is challenging due to the subjective natures of comfort and health perceptions. Existing methods for collecting direct occupant feedback, including surveys, questionnaires, observations, and interviews, frequently result in insufficient data, limiting the comprehensive and holistic understanding of occupant satisfaction in indoor environments. In response to these challenges, this paper proposes a semi-supervised learning-based framework aimed at deriving a metric of comfort and health satisfaction from sparse occupant feedback. Semi-supervised …

Bim Implementation Challenges In Nzeb Projects: Perspectives From Constructors, Muzibur Rahman, Tamera L. Mccuen

CIB Conferences

The construction industry consumes vast natural resources, which can be mitigated through sustainability initiatives like Net-Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs). However, Building Information Modeling (BIM) implementation in NZEB projects faces challenges that hinder its widespread adoption. This study examines these challenges, and the knowledge and skills required to address them. Surveys and interviews with NZEB constructors reveal key barriers such as resistance to change, lack of expertise, and high training costs. Correlation analysis shows that reluctance to adopt BIM is strongly linked to knowledge gaps and financial constraints, highlighting the need for targeted training investments. Additionally, software incompatibility is a major …

Partnership Formation In Ppp Networks: The Impact Of Social Network Factors Across Sectors And Jurisdictions, Jose Guevara, Luis Herrera, Gabriel Castelblanco

CIB Conferences

Partnership formation among equity investors in Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects presents a key challenge, especially in multi-sector, multi-jurisdiction contexts. This research investigates the factors influencing these partnerships across six European countries, focusing on road and social infrastructure sectors. Using Social Network Analysis (SNA) and the Multiple Regression Quadratic Assignment Procedure (MRQAP), data from 988 PPP projects were analyzed. The findings show that strong previous collaborations and the closeness of equity partners within the network are critical in forming partnerships. Sponsors that have a history of working together or are connected through shared partners are …

Decision-Making In Green Vs. Traditional Construction: Identifying Critical Factors For The Application Of Choosing By Advantages, Handan Kunkcu, Deniz Besiktepe, Kerim Koc, Asli Pelin Gurgun

CIB Conferences

Project selection is of great importance for effective project management, aligning organizational goals that drive opportunities in the construction industry. Green building projects have gained significant momentum over the years as the construction industry seeks sustainable solutions to address environmental challenges. The choice between green and traditional projects impacts not only contractors’ financial performance and market competitiveness but also their environmental footprint, regulatory compliance, and alignment with broader societal goals. This decision requires careful consideration of both short and long-term benefits to support sustainable development. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to identify critical factors influencing the selection of …

Management’S Perspective Of Safety Culture In The Construction Industry: Cross-Cultural Insights From Australia And China, Yiqin Yu, Shang Gao, Yao Wang, Wenqi Li, Yuecheng Huang, Dongping Fang

CIB Conferences

The construction industry’s high accident rates underscore the importance of a strong safety culture as a critical strategy for improving safety performance. Developed countries like Australia have successfully embedded safety culture into their practices, achieving significant safety advancements. In contrast, developing economies such as China face persistent challenges in fostering mature safety culture, despite notable efforts by academia and industry practitioners. Recognizing the pivotal role of management in driving a positive safety culture, this study explores how construction management teams in Australia and China perceive, adapt, and implement safety culture within their respective socio-cultural and regulatory contexts. Using a qualitative …

Stakeholder Orientation Dimensions For Enhancing Safety Performance, Eunice Achina Agyemang, Musonda Innocent, Sam Zulu

CIB Conferences

In the high-risk construction industry, it is essential to optimize safety performance to improve project outcomes, establish a strong organizational reputation, and ensure the safety of workers. Despite ongoing safety efforts, accidents persist, highlighting the need for improved safety strategies. Thus, this study examines how stakeholder orientation (a principle of stakeholder theory that emphasizes the importance of addressing diverse stakeholder interests) impacts safety performance in construction projects. Using the PRISMA framework, this study conducted a systematic literature review of 744 articles from Scopus database. A total of 20 relevant papers were discovered and thoroughly analysed. Six dimensions of stakeholder orientation …

A Systematic Review On Sustainable 3d Concrete Printing: Opportunities And Challenges., Anjalee Wijethunge, Don A.S. Samarasinghe, An Le, Akvan Gajanayake, Chinthaka Atapattu

CIB Conferences

This paper presents a systematic literature review of the opportunities and challenges of implementing 3D concrete printing (3DCP) in the construction industry. While 3DCP holds significant potential to improve construction processes by enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and design flexibility, its widespread adoption is hindered by several challenges. A structured review methodology was employed, analysing 58 peer-reviewed articles sourced from SCOPUS and Discovery databases, using the PRISMA guidelines for comprehensive screening and analysis. The findings are categorised using the PESTEL framework (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal), offering a detailed perspective on the factors influencing 3DCP implementation. Key opportunities include improved …

Rainwater Harvesting In Residential Building Located In Brazilian Unesco World Heritage City, Alberto C. Lordsleem Jr., Everton G M Silva, Micaella R F Moura

CIB Conferences

Ensure access to water and sanitation is one of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to promote human health and well-being. Improving water-use efficiency is one key to reducing water stress due to rapid population growth, urbanization and increasing water needs from agriculture, industry, and energy sectors. This phenomenon is observed in less affluent regions and also in major urban centers, such as Olinda, a coastal city located in the northeast region of Brazil, where water supply issues are frequent, even in a city designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This paper present an alternative for better …

Efficient Accessibility Analysis In Floor Plans Using Semantic Segmentation, Haolan Zhang, Ruichuan Zhang

CIB Conferences

Accessibility features are critical for creating inclusive spaces and supporting diverse mobility needs in architectural design. Extracting these features from raster floor plans supports compliance checking, emergency evacuation planning, and renovation, which makes it a vital process in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. However, existing research on analysis of raster floor plans remains limited because raster plans pose challenges due to their lack of semantics and high variability. Furthermore, existing machine learning-based approaches rely heavily on large-scale datasets, which are scarce in the AEC industry.This paper proposes a novel approach to extract accessibility features from raster floor plans …

Opportunities And Challenges For Early Involvement Of Trade Partners During The Design Phase Of Construction Projects, Lorine A. Ouma, Robert M. Leicht Phd

CIB Conferences

Outcomes during the execution of construction processes and methods are dependent on the details generated during the design process. A holistic analysis and selection of design alternatives by all key participants early in the design can enhance construction efficiency and outcomes. However, trade partners responsible for implementing more than 80% of building construction scopes are underutilized in developing the detials associated with the system designs. This limitation lowers the ability to optimize the design while the potential to influence cost and other client value items is still high. It also remains unclear how trade partners can be effectively engaged early …