Digital Commons Network^™

Brain Activity Patterns While Viewing Construction Signs: An Eeg Study Of Attention And Memory Encoding, Minghao Dong, Chiu Yu-Chin, Behzad Esmaeili

CIB Conferences

To support efforts to improve safety communication within a construction setting, this study investigated the neural correlates of attention and memory encoding from subjects viewing construction signs to observe whether neural oscillations during viewing relate to participants’ subsequent recall of the safety information. The study recruited seventeen participants with construction-related backgrounds and collected electroencephalography (EEG) data as participants viewed construction signs. A subsequent memory test using hit rates categorized participants into groups with excellent versus poor memory of the signs. Event-related time-frequency analyses examined frontal gamma (associated with attention) and prefrontal theta (associated with memory encoding) oscillations as a function …

Impact Of Climate Change On Cities: Analyzing Building Energy Use In Future Climate Scenarios Through A Hybrid Computational Approach, Heng Quan, Semiha Ergan

CIB Conferences

Under global warming, cities need accurate predictions of building energy use to ensure energy supply and guide urban planning and policy decisions. Traditional data-driven methods struggle to project future scenarios due to the lack of training data reflecting anticipated climate conditions. This study presents a novel approach by integrating the Degree Day Model (DDM) with a Knowledge-Based Neural Network (KBNN). The DDM quantifies heating and cooling demands based on temperature deviations, providing domain-specific insights that enhance the KBNN's ability to extrapolate. We trained our KBNN using monthly energy consumption data from over a thousand New York City buildings, along with …

Automaticity And Mindfulness In Construction, Oluwaseun Samuel Olabode, Ikechukwu Sylvester Onuchukwu, Sebastien Helie, Behzad Esmaeili

CIB Conferences

Mindfulness is critical in enhancing workers’ safety and productivity by improving attention regulation. Attention is a key factor in task performance, influencing the balance between safety and efficiency in repetitive work environments. One factor that significantly impacts attention is skill automaticity, which is associated with reduced attentional requirements following repetition or practice. Despite the known relationship between mindfulness and attention, the interaction between mindfulness dimensions and automaticity remains unknown. This study addresses this gap by investigating how mindfulness influences attention during the transition from novice to expert in a repetitive construction task, providing insights into the interplay between mindfulness, attention, …

Advancing Ergonomic Solutions: Lessons From Lower-Body Exoskeleton Trials In Construction, Prosper Gbiengu, Muhammad Khan, Cole Woods, Nnaji Chukwuma, Vishesh Vikas

CIB Conferences

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) present significant challenges in the construction industry, where workers are at high risk of lower back and other injuries. Exoskeletons (EXOs) offer a promising ergonomic solution, but their adoption in construction remains underexplored, particularly regarding user perceptions, usability, and real-time feedback. This study evaluated the experiences of 16 construction workers who used a prototype passive lower-body EXO during a three-hour trial on active worksites. Feedback was analyzed thematically, revealing critical factors influencing EXO usability, including comfort, fit, tool compatibility, performance, and durability. Participants reported benefits such as reduced lower-back strain and improved posture, but discomfort from …

Integrating Flood-Resistant Design And Construction Strategies In Sustainable Homes In The Central Valley: Effective Approaches For New And Existing Structures, Matthew Gomes, Vivien Luo, Manideep Tummalapudi

CIB Conferences

As climate change intensifies, California’s Central Valley faces unprecedented weather events, including increased flood risks, leaving homeowners vulnerable, especially those in disadvantaged communities. This paper, based on a master’s thesis, examines effective strategies for integrating flood-resistant design and construction practices into new homes and retrofit solutions for existing homes by assessing local flood vulnerabilities. Employing a mixed-methods approach grounded in an extensive literature review, this study combines a homeowner survey with qualitative interviews with local design, construction, and development professionals in the residential sector. Insights from the survey informed the interview design, enabling a deeper exploration of challenges specific to …

Strategic Solutions To Align Contractor Capacities With Water Infrastructure Demands: A Case Study, Hamidreza Peivastehgar, Monty Sutrisna, Mostafa Jelodar, An Le

CIB Conferences

This research investigates solutions for bridging the gap between future water infrastructure demands and the contractor capacities in Watercare’s service zone. Using forecast models to evaluate urban infrastructure requirements and contractor capabilities, this study identifies significant discrepancies and explores three strategic approaches: capacity enhancement, project rescheduling, and external contractor attraction. The methodology includes data-driven forecasting, scenario analysis, and stakeholder consultation. Findings highlight the importance of proactive planning to ensure alignment, with implications for policy development and infrastructure management.

A Holistic Approach To Managing Built Assets' Life Cycle Carbon Footprint, Jaehyun Park

CIB Conferences

As part of sustainable development, the architecture, engineering, and construction industry is under increasing pressure to minimize its environmental impact, specifically carbon emissions across the life cycle of built assets. Achieving carbon neutrality requires a robust and accurate approach to quantifying and managing emissions from both existing and new assets throughout their life cycle. This paper introduces a holistic approach to life cycle carbon footprint management. In alignment with EN 15978 and EN 15804+A2, the life cycle is divided into distinct stages: production, construction, use, end-of-life, and activities beyond the life cycle. The study explores the application of various tools …

Sustainable Solution For Renovation: Life Cycle Insights On Adding Floors To Swedish Multi-Family Houses, Seidpooyan Ghafoori, Holger Wallbaum, Farzad Javadian

CIB Conferences

This paper explores the feasibility of increasing floor area in Swedish multi-family houses during renovations, emphasizing the equilibrium between financial and environmental advantages. The study is framed within the context of the European Union's stringent energy and emissions regulations, employing life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCC) to evaluate the impact of various renovation strategies.

The study incorporates building energy simulations to investigate the results of different renovation scenarios, such as improving walls/roof and changing windows. Furthermore, thorough Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analyses are carried out to identify the most financially advantageous choices that optimize energy conservation. …

Lean Digital Management For Production Control, Kevin Mchugh Mr

CIB Conferences

The understanding of Lean Construction (LC) management philosophy is essential to making effective decisions in construction projects. LC's philosophy focuses on identifying and eliminating process waste while adding value to production. In construction management, timely decisions and instructions can positively impact projects. This paper will examine how lean and digital methodology can positively influence construction management. This research focuses on a digitised Last Planner System® (LPS) that provides a collaborative platform to make informed decisions promptly. Integrating numerous digital platforms, such as an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) with 4K camera technology and virtual field walks using 360° images. The synergy …

Design Of An Iot-Based Intelligent Construction Energy Monitoring And Management System, Zhao Yahan

CIB Conferences

To address issues such as low energy efficiency and delayed energy consumption data collection during construction processes, we have designed and implemented an IoT-based intelligent construction energy monitoring and management system. The system adopts a three-tier architecture of the IoT, deploying various types of sensors in the perception layer to collect data on electrical energy, water resources, and equipment operation. Data preprocessing and local storage are performed through an edge computing unit. The network layer establishes a data transmission and processing center based on a cloud platform, while the application layer develops a web management platform using a microservices architecture …

Perspective Of Professionals On The Periodic Review Of Contingency Levels In Construction Projects, Samuel Laryea, Lee Morton-Shepherd, Zamageda Zungu, Oscar Kwame Kwasafo

CIB Conferences

Client organisations sometimes prescribe contingency levels that should be applied to their infrastructure projects. However, some clients do not have specified periods to review the prescribed contingency levels. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the views of experienced professionals on the recommended periodic review of contingency levels. A survey involving 53 respondents from client organisations was used to obtain data on recommended intervals for periodic reviews of contingency levels in client organisations. The findings reveal a strong consensus on the need for periodic contingency re-assessment, with 98% of respondents recommending reviews every six months or more frequently, aligning …

Exploring Policy Influences On The Adoption Of 3d Concrete Printing Technology: A Hypothetical Model, Jimmy Zhou, Don A.S. Samarasinghe, James O B Rotimi Prof, Zhenan Feng

CIB Conferences

The global construction industry faces mounting pressure to innovate for sustainability and efficiency, with 3D concrete printing emerging as a transformative technology. Despite its potential, significant challenges such as technological immaturity and insufficient policy support hider widespread 3DCP adoption. Drawing on lessons from the adoption of Building Information Modeling in the United States and Hong Kong, this paper addresses these policy gaps by developing a conceptual framework that facilitates 3D concrete printing adoption.

Through a systematic review of 30 publications and a qualitative content analysis, this study identifies and synthesizes 17 key policy factors across six policy dimensions into a …

Point Cloud Completion For Mep Components Using Deep Learning Techniques, Hongzhe Yue, Qian Wang, Yangzhi Yan, Zhouzhou Yang, Mingyu Zhang

CIB Conferences

Point clouds are increasingly leveraged for as-built model reconstruction of facilities, and these reconstructed models play a key role in applications for digital twins and sustainable building. However, point clouds of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems often experience extensive occlusions, which heavily affect the performance of model reconstruction. To tackle this problem, this study adopts deep learning (DL)-based point cloud completion algorithms to complete occluded MEP point clouds. To overcome the scarcity of datasets, this study utilizes parametric BIM modeling and occlusion simulations to generate point cloud datasets for MEP components. Based on generated datasets, the effectiveness of PoinTr …

Embodied Carbon Reduction Through Material Reuse: A Case Study, Carolina Christovan, Cristiane Bueno

CIB Conferences

Among the existing methods to analyze the environmental performance of buildings, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is presented with the purpose of evaluating the environmental impacts resulting from civil construction, from the extraction of raw material to the disposal of its waste. This sector is largely responsible for the emission of greenhouse gases, consequently, the future of construction is inclined towards making choices that prioritize environmental factors. This research conducts a case study to quantify the embodied carbon emissions avoided through the reuse of materials from the "Arena do Futuro," originally constructed for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de …

A Bim-Enhanced Approach To Evacuation Planning In University Environments For Optimizing Safety, Mohamed Elrifaee, Tarek Zayed, Ali Hassan Ali, Eslam Saleh Dr., Sulemana Fatoama Abdulai, Lee Max Jwo Lem

CIB Conferences

In an era of dynamic challenges, ensuring safety in large public spaces is crucial. The spatial layout and arrangement of obstacles in the built environment significantly impact evacuation performance. This research explores crafting evacuation plans and egress strategies, focusing on how spatial layouts and obstacles impact performance, with an emphasis on the complex environment of university campuses. This goal can be achieved by utilizing BIM, which serves as a persuasive resolution to the aforementioned challenges, thereby improving the evacuation planning procedure and significantly enhancing pedestrian safety. The BIM model focuses on providing comprehensive information about all possible evacuation routes accessible …

Examining Key Factors Influencing Safety Behaviors Of Young Workers In The Construction Sector, Qinjun Liu, Hayden Ward

CIB Conferences

Young workers form a significant portion of Australia’s construction workforce but face heightened risks due to inexperience and insufficient safety measures. The construction industry accounts for 20% of fatalities in this age group, exacerbated by factors such as inadequate training, peer influence, and poor workplace safety culture. Despite these risks, there is limited research on the safety behaviors of young construction workers. This study addresses this gap by investigating key factors influencing the safety practices of workers aged 18-24 in the Australian construction sector. Through a comprehensive literature review and correlation analysis, this research examines how individual characteristics and safety …

Conceptual Circular Economy Maturity Model For Construction Organisations, Shashini Jayakodi Ms, Sepani Senaratne, Srinath Perera, Keivan Bamdad Dr

CIB Conferences

In the construction industry, the main contractor organisations play a significant role in implementing Circular Economy (CE) as they involve one or several phases of a construction project while handling multiple supply chain processes and collaborating with various stakeholders. Hence, implementing CE within main contractor organisations positively impacts CE transformation in the construction industry. Assessment of CE has become a prominent approach at any level that will lead to implementing, improving, and monitoring circularity. However, the existing CE assessment frameworks for construction organisations are associated with several issues. They do not take a holistic approach when developing these frameworks and …

Evaluating Key Performance Resilience Indicators For A Public-Private Partnership In Critical Infrastructure, Godslove Ampratwum, Robert Osei-Kyei, Vivian Wy Tam

CIB Conferences

Many studies have advocated for public-private partnership (PPP) as a medium to build critical infrastructure resilience. Considering how PPP is greatly advocated for in critical infrastructure resilience, the performance measurement of public-private partnership has yet to be explored. As such this study aims to evaluate key performance resilience indicators (KPRIs) that can be used to assess the performance of PPPs formed to build critical infrastructure resilience. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted with experts in PPP and critical infrastructure resilience in Ghana. Mann-Whitney U test and Mean score ranking was used for data analysis. The results indicate respondents from public …

Using Case Studies To Determine Automatable Activities In Construction Bid Preparation, Oscar Kwame Kwasafo, Samuel Laryea, Neil Govender

CIB Conferences

The purpose of this study is to determine the automation potential of the key activities in the construction bid proposal preparation process. The activities were analyzed for their capability of being fully or partially automated based on a predetermined approach towards developing a bid automation model while aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to industry innovation and infrastructure. Case studies were conducted with two major engineering consulting firms in South Africa to identify and understand the key activities in the bid proposal preparation process. The research reveals that key activities like content review and requirements summary preparation, method …

Unlocking The Possibilities Of Blockchain In Procurement And Management Of Building Services Systems, Sachindra Hewavitharana, Srinath Perera, Xiaohua Jin, Krisanthi Seneviratne, Keivan Bamdad Dr

CIB Conferences

Building Services Systems (BSS) are fundamental to ensure a comfortable and safe living environment in buildings. These systems involve significant stakeholder engagement, lengthy lifecycles, and substantial financial investments, necessitating a systematic Procurement and Management (PM) approach to handle their inherent complexity. While Blockchain Technology (BT) has been proposed for various construction applications, its potential in BSS remains unexplored. This paper addresses this gap by identifying issues in the PM of BSS, categorizing them according to the RIBA Plan of Work 2020, and proposing a BT-based framework to resolve these issues. A scoping review method was conducted using Scopus and Web …

Impact Of Explainable Artificial Intelligence For Sustainable Built Environment, Prasad Perera Mr., Srinath Perera Prof., Xiaohua Jin A/Prof., Maria Rashidi A/Prof., Samudaya Nanayakkara Dr., Gina Yazbek Ms., Andrew Yazbek Mr.

CIB Conferences

Innovative and complex applications driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) embedded systems have enhanced the efficiency, accuracy and sustainability of the built environment. Such solutions often face barriers to adoption due to the lack of trust, transparency, understanding, and inherent complexity. Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) encompasses techniques and methodologies to make the decision-making processes of AI models transparent, interpretable, and comprehensible. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the potential of incorporating XAI techniques to provide solutions for the challenges and to enhance interpretability. The impact of XAI on promoting sustainable practices in the built environment is systematically analysed. Further, …

A Review Of Bim And Rfid Integration For Circular Economy In Construction, Igor T. Lopes, Yelda Turkan

CIB Conferences

The construction industry (CI) is at a pivotal point as sustainability becomes increasingly critical across all sectors. Digital technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) are emerging as powerful tools to drive efficiency and sustainability in construction processes. However, integrating these technologies within a circular economy (CE) framework presents significant challenges and opportunities. This systematic literature review (SLR) delves into the current state of using BIM and RFID tags to support circularity in the CI while investigating the potential of using digital technologies to develop strategies for resource management, waste reduction, and materials reuse. This SLR …

Impacts Of Circular Economy Practices On The Economy, Society And Environment: A Review In Construction Context, Iresha Gamage, Sepani Senaratne, Srinath Perera, Xiaohua Jin

CIB Conferences

The adoption of a circular economy (CE) model in the construction industry has been instrumental in increasing sustainability, particularly in contrast to the linear economy model. The economic, social and environmental (ESE) dimensions would be vastly impacted by converting traditional construction practices into CE practices. Understanding the relationships between the aforesaid CE practices in construction projects and their respective impacts on ESE is fundamental to successfully shifting towards a circular construction industry. Studies that shed light on this area are limited. Thus, this study aims to identify the relationship between CE practices and their respective ESE impacts to facilitate the …

Corporate Social Responsibility Assumed By Chinese International Construction Companies: Heterogeneities, Causes, And Evaluation, Hui Guo, Weisheng Lu

CIB Conferences

Chinese international construction companies (CICCs) are appearing as a major competitive force in the international market. However, there are limited studies exploring their corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices, which is, in fact, essential for informing CSR strategies. This research thus aims to explore CSR assumed by CICCs. Based on the coding instrument applied from CASS-CSR 4.0 (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences-Guidelines on CSR Reporting), a content analysis of 174 CSR reports of 22 CICCs from 2010 to 2019 was employed to undertake a candid evaluation of CICCs’ CSR practices. It found an enriching trend of CSR assumed by CICCs in …

An Experimental Investigation For The Influence Of Glass Type On Indoor Thermal Comfort And Cooling Energy Consumption, Pei-Lun Fang, Wei-An Chen, Ruey-Lung Hwang

CIB Conferences

Aligned with the sustainable development goals of affordable energy, health, and well-being, there is a growing focus on building energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Solar radiation increases indoor mean radiant temperature, causing thermal discomfort for occupants near windows. To mitigate discomfort, it is inevitable to lower the indoor temperature, which may lead to increased electricity consumption. We set up test units with glass types having SHGC from 0.28 to 0.85 and also installed sensors near windows to measure the impacts of solar radiation on PMV and cooling consumption. Environmental Quality Index (EQI) serves as an indicator for assessing …

Foundations Of Resilience: Integrating Māori Cultural Values Into New Zealand's Sustainable Construction Paradigm, Regan Potangaroa, Marama Tepania, Elrasheid Elkhidir Dr

CIB Conferences

The integration of Māori cultural values into the construction sector, as pursued by CanConstructNZ, relates to managing shocks and stresses by promoting resilience and sustainability. Shocks and stresses in the construction industry, such as economic downturns, natural disasters, or labour shortages, challenge the sector's ability to deliver projects effectively. This paper looks at the fusion of cultural values with sustainable development highlighting the role of construction in bridging ‘’traditional’’ values with modern sustainability goals.

Factors Affecting Residential Property Values: The Case Study Of Kimberly, South Africa, Nomzamo Mdunyelwa Miss, Christopher Amoah Dr

CIB Conferences

Kimberley is a mining town in South Africa that has witnessed increased property values over the years. This study aimed to establish the factors contributing to the increase in residential property value in Kimberley. A quantitative research approach was used to attain the research objectives. Data were collected from 200 participants: landlords, tenants, estate agents, and property investors. Data was analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The study found that people in the case study area generally perceive property values as high. The main factors affecting the hike in residential property …

Sustainable Workforce Health: Exoskeleton Effects On Posture And Performance In Repetitive Lifting For Labor-Intensive Industries And Construction, Mohamad Iyad Al-Khiami, Søren Munch Lindhard Dr, Søren Wandahl Prof.

CIB Conferences

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are among the most frequently reported injuries among industrial workers, primarily due to prolonged exposure to awkward postures. While ergonomists emphasize process and equipment redesign, exoskeletons offer a promising supplementary solution for improving workplace ergonomics. However, the effectiveness of different exoskeleton designs remains understudied. This study employs an experimental approach to evaluate the impact of two passive exoskeletons—(A) HAPO SD and (B) BISKO—on posture and task performance during repetitive lifting activities. Postural assessment was conducted using an AI-driven software that analyzes posture based on the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method. The findings indicate that both …

Machine Learning For The Prediction Of Rework In Green Buildings, Abdullateef Olanrewaju

CIB Conferences

Green buildings were developed to reduce the negative impact of construction on occupants, communities, and the environment, while also improving contractor productivity and profit margins. However, construction companies have documented instances of rework in green buildigs, despite the advantages and potential of sustainable building designs. This paper reports research that identified the prediction of rework green buildings; Eight machine learning models were trained to predict the occurrence of reworks in green buildings. The dataset consisted of 65 responses and 16 features. Feature scaling and normalisation to standardise the features were performed across the dataset. The research finds variation in the …

The Influence Of 4ir On Human Factors In Construction Health And Safety In South Africa, Isabella Chandi Miss, Musonda Innocent Prof, Rebecca Alowo Dr

CIB Conferences

This article seeks to evaluate the influence of 4IR and human factors on the construction health and safety in South Africa to provide an effective framework for improving construction health and safety in South Africa. The construction industry has been identified as one of the most hazardous industries in many parts of the world, as measured by work-related mortality, workers’ compensation, injury, and fatality rates. The researchers adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to comprehensively address the research questions and employed SPSS analysis to examine safety factors related to work pressure and their effects on compliance with …