Digital Commons Network^™

Metaverse Applications In Construction Research: Are We There Yet?, Mohamed Assaf, Sena Assaf, Mohamed Al-Hussein, Xinming Li

CIB Conferences

Despite the significant potential of extended reality (XR) technologies in construction research, achieving a collaborative virtual environment that allows real-time engagements among various geographically remote stakeholders is a challenge. Building upon XR technologies, metaverse technology was introduced recently in construction research as a possible solution to address this issue, as it allows multiple users to engage and communicate in virtual environments. Being introduced recently, the applications of the metaverse in construction research (ConVerse) remain immature, vague, and unexplored. Seasoned researchers interested in the ConVerse research still need a reference guide to better understand the potential of the metaverse and its …

Wearable Technologies In Construction: Age-Related Perceptions, Privacy Concerns, And Feedback Preferences, Wei Zhou, Sogand Hasanzadeh

CIB Conferences

With the increasingly aging workforce in the construction industry, understanding age-related differences in the adoption and use of wearable devices is crucial, particularly as privacy concerns pose significant barriers to implementation. While previous studies have addressed challenges older workers experience in construction, limited research has explored how wearable technologies specifically impact workers across different age groups. This study investigates older and younger construction workers' attitudes, perceptions, and interactions with employer-provided wearable devices. A comprehensive survey examined key factors such as privacy concerns, data ownership issues, mental-related data privacy, and the effects of different feedback methods on safety and performance. The …

Toward Thermal Comfort Assessment And Modelling: A Literature Review, Pretty John, Jorge Rojas, Sogand Hasanzadeh

CIB Conferences

Managing thermal comfort in built environments is a challenging task that requires addressing occupants' diverse preferences and adapting to changing external conditions. Indoor environment quality significantly influences human thermal comfort, health, and productivity, making it essential to create inclusive and comfortable spaces. This paper conducted a comprehensive literature review of thermal comfort assessment and modeling in indoor environments, offering an in-depth exploration of current advancements and existing knowledge gaps. This paper investigates influential factors of thermal comfort, their nature, their interactions, and their impact on overall occupant satisfaction. This paper provides insights into knowledge gaps and offers insights into future …

Perceptions Of 3d Printing Construction Adoption In Latin America: Opportunities, Barriers, And Strategies For Sustainable Infrastructure, Jorge Rojas, Andrea Braul, Sogand Hasanzadeh

CIB Conferences

Within Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC), 3D Printing Construction (3DPC) offers significant potential by facilitating design flexibility, reducing reliance on formwork, and enhancing sustainability. However, the broader adoption of 3DPC is hindered by critical challenges, including lack of standards, material properties, and extra costs associated with a high initial investment. While previous studies have already explored the opportunities and barriers regulating the adoption of this technology from the perspective of a developed country, there is a critical need to better understand its potential in developing nations. This research aims to identify the AEC community's perception of 3DPC across four key …

A Review Of Supply Chain Dynamics Of 3d Concrete Printing Construction Practice, Jiayue Ma, Don A.S. Samarasinghe, James O B Rotimi Prof, Kelvin Zuo

CIB Conferences

3D printing has gained increasing interest as a revolutionary digital technology in the construction industry. This technology has been supported as an effective tool for improving construction efficiency. Through a previous systematic review study, we comprehensively analysed the benefits and challenges of 3D printing technology implementation in the construction industry. This paper will follow the findings of the review study, investigating supply chain management strategies and challenges in 3D concrete printing projects in conjunction with a questionnaire pilot study.

This paper is part of an ongoing research programme focusing on the decision-making mechanism of construction supply chain management in 3D …

Preliminary Proposal For A Knowledge Management System In A Brazilian Construction Company, Based On Iso 30401 Requirements, Juan F De V Otoya, Silvio B. Melhado

CIB Conferences

Knowledge management (KM) has established itself into a discipline for the past decades, progressively being incorporated into international standards such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard 9001, in 2015 and well-established guides, such as the PMBOK, in 2017, becoming an International Standard in 2018, ISO 30401, which sets the requirements for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS). Although there is substantial literature on the use and application of KM tools and techniques in the construction industry, proposals for KMS are scarce, and, specifically aligned to the ISO 30401 requirements, inexistent. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to tackle this …

Performance Of Natural Pozzolans (Nps) In Field Concrete Mixtures, Bibigul Zhaksybay, Alberto Castillo, Raikhan Tokpatayeva, Jan Olek

CIB Conferences

Cement, the binding component of concrete, the most widely used construction material in the world, accounts for 8% of global CO₂ emissions. Its significant contribution to global warming has motivated researchers to aim for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, in alignment with the 1.5°C global warming temperature limit stipulated by the Paris Agreement. A successful strategy to reduce CO₂ emissions in concrete production is through the use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) as a partial replacement for cement. However, it is estimated that by 2030, the demand for the most common SCM, fly ash, will exceed its supply. …

Impacts Of Natural Disasters On The Construction Industry: Contractors’ Perspectives, Elrasheid Elkhidir Dr, Suzanne Wilkinson, Regan Potangaroa

CIB Conferences

Contractors are at the core of the construction industry and the forefront of disaster response and reconstruction programs. The resilience capacity and the wellbeing of the contracting industry are crucial. This study investigates the impacts of natural hazard disasters on construction contractors. Semi-structured interviews with twelve senior executives from leading construction firms were conducted, and the data was thematically analysed. The research revealed four prominent themes: opportunities arising from disaster events, workforce and materials challenges, incurred damages and losses, and weather-related disruptions. The increased project demands resulting from damages by disasters constitute growth opportunities for the contractors, and the urgent …

Innovative Approaches To Qa/Qc In Construction: Current State, James O. Toyin, Anoop Sattineni

CIB Conferences

The construction industry has long faced inefficiencies in Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC), often relying on manual inspections. As construction demands increase and projects become more technologically advanced, there is an urgent need for innovative QA/QC methods that enhance precision and efficiency. While attempts have been made to integrate technology into QA/QC practices, gaps remain in comprehending precision and efficiency, documenting and synthesizing these advancements. This paper addresses this gap by conducting a critical review of emerging digital technologies in QA/QC and identifying future research directions with construction 6.0 speculations for 2050. A structured critical review methodology was …

Understanding Potential Challenges In Demolition Robot Teleoperation To Inform Interface Design: Insights From Industry Professionals, Zihao Wang, Patrick Borges Rodrigues, Yiyang Fang, Lucio Soibelman, Burcin Becerik-Gerber, Shawn C. Roll, Gale M. Lucas

CIB Conferences

Teleoperation is receiving intense attention due to its potential to address health and safety concerns for construction workers caused by on-site hazards. It allows operators to control robots from a distance outside their field of view using wireless communication technologies. Currently one of the most frequently deployed robotic technologies in construction is the remotely operated demolition robot within the field of view. While distance teleoperation offers great potential for enhancing worker safety and addressing labor shortages, the complex and dynamic demolition sites present unique challenges. This paper introduces the preliminary results of a study that explored potential challenges in demolition …

Improving Supply Chain Efficiency Through Traceability Technology Adoption In Residential Construction: A Waste Process Approach, Tim Rose, Tendai Makasi, Stephen Kajewski, Sara Rashidian

CIB Conferences

The construction industry has been increasingly adopting traceability technology to capitalize on various delivery benefits and improve production efficiency. Such benefits include enhanced supply chain management, improved project efficiency, improved sustainability and blockchain integration. Further, construction companies are investing in building product traceability to address growing consumer interest in transparency relating to material provenance and quality and to ensure materials are sourced sustainably and comply with regulations. Despite these benefits, analysis of how traceability technology can improve supply chain efficiency has been limited, particularly in the residential construction sector. Utilizing a case study, this research pilots a new approach in …

Is Construction Material Science Lagging Other Industries?, Matt Stevens, Alan Todhunter, Laura Almeida, Anthony Butera

CIB Conferences

For over a decade, construction material researchers have largely ignored the world’s largest publicly accessible molecular database, The Materials Project. Today, Artificial Intelligence (AI) coupled with material databases is the new starting point for innovating products in the construction industry. More well-documented advancements in material performance have occurred in this century thus far than the last one. Coupled with Machine Learning, the possibility of rapid construction product improvement is realistic, given several verified breakthroughs in other fields. This is an efficacious way to approach advancement. Highly accurate data provides AI with the needed information to connect molecular dynamics with decision-making …

The Evolving Landscape Of Procurement Methods In The Construction Industry: A Literature Review, Iresha D. Jayasinghe, Niluka Domingo Dr, An Le

CIB Conferences

The construction industry has acknowledged that novel procurement methods could improve project deliverables quality, reduce costs, and speed up construction. It is vital to examine the available procurement methods for decision-making regarding the correct procurement method to deliver projects effectively. This study explores the evolving landscape of procurement methods and how these new methods address current challenges and meet industry requirements. For this, a critical review was conducted on the Scopus database. Based on the analysis of 48 pieces of literature out of 1795 articles, trends in procurement and influential factors were identified. The four main procurement methods are traditional, …

Bim And Safety Integration For Steel Erection Using Intermeshed Steel Connections, Tolulope Oyeyipo, Jose Avila, Ibukun Awolusi, Arturo Schultz, Debra Laefer, Salam Al-Sabah

CIB Conferences

The construction industry faces persistent challenges in the aspect of worker safety and health, particularly with the frequently occurring injuries, illnesses, and fatalities caused by falls, struck-by, and ergonomic hazards, among others. The use of steel as a construction material has increased the scale and complexity of projects by introducing more intricate design, production, fabrication, and especially the erection processes which impact the safety and health performance of steelworkers. Studies have shown that steel connection systems, specifically innovative systems such as the intermeshed steel connection (ISC) can play critical roles in moderating the types of hazards steelworkers are exposed to. …

Artificial Intelligence For Early Decision-Making Optimization In The Use Of Modern Methods Of Construction In Housing Projects In Chile, Leonardo Javier Caamaño, Andrés J. Prieto

CIB Conferences

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) represent a significant opportunity to address the stagnation of productivity in the construction sector, offering advantages such as reduced uncertainty in schedules and costs, minimized waste, and improved sustainability. However, in Chile, the adoption of MMC remains low due to limited information and the lack of early integration in project planning, leading to subjective decision-making. The OptimizIA project, developed by CDT, proposes an artificial intelligence (AI) model to predict and recommend the most suitable MMC solutions based on specific project conditions. This tool supports objective early decision-making in housing projects.

The research involved piloting the …

Predicting And Enhancing Indoor Environmental Quality In Educational Environments: Latest Trends In Ai And Machine Learning Applications, Abdurrahman Baru, Marwan Shagar, Anshi Vajpayee, Jin Lee, Graham J. Moore, Eunhwa Yang

CIB Conferences

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) affects students' health and academic performance who spend substantial time in school environments. This systematic literature review article explores how Artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine learning (ML) can predict and enhance IEQ within educational environments. A systematic review of 20 articles published between 2021 and 2024 was conducted using the PRISMA method, with all articles retrieved from the Scopus database. This article addresses three key research questions: 1) What IEQ factors are measured in university buildings, and why are they studied? 2) Which IoT sensors are employed in university buildings, and how are their data collected …

Into The Workers' Domain: Witnessing A Construction Site Accident, Richard Brett

CIB Conferences

Construction site safety campaigns, for example ‘zero accidents’, pursue a goal, either genuinely or fantastically, for the way construction sites should perform. Critics accuse the advocates of these lofty goals as being unrealistic to the everyday working nature of construction which will always have inherent and irremovable hazards. When construction site accidents do occur the moment of harm is invariably instantaneous. Witnessing these events first hand, especially as a researcher, is a rare occurrence. While undertaking a short-term ethnography on a building site the author observed a minor accident unfold and captured it with a video camera. The data collected …

A Conceptual Framework For Implementing Digital Twins In Infrastructure Upgrades And Retrofits, Kofi A.B. Asare, Rui Liu, Chimay J. Anumba, Dolly Na-Yemeh

CIB Conferences

The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 emphasizes the need for sustainable and resilient infrastructure. An important pathway to achieving this goal is to upgrade and retrofit existing infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions, which is a top priority of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in the United States. Existing research has recognized that Digital Twins (DTs) are valuable for retrofits. Yet, current efforts are fragmented, focusing on specific types of infrastructure, and do not provide an approach that can be applied to the aggregated infrastructure stock. The variety of infrastructure systems makes focusing on DT-based methods for infrastructure upgrades …

Nature-Based Solutions For Arctic Housing Through Intermediate Spaces, Tarlan Abazari Dr., Mojtaba Parsaee, Mohsen Goodarzi

CIB Conferences

This research explores the potential of intermediate spaces as architectural solutions for incorporating nature-based approaches into public housing models designed for extreme cold climates. Intermediate spaces, situated between indoor and outdoor environments, foster positive connections to nature. Prior studies emphasize their potential to enhance occupant well-being through increased outdoor connectivity, while also serving as productive and affordable spaces. These spaces can feature transparent surfaces to maximize natural light, making them suitable for plant cultivation and greenery integration. The objective of this study is to optimize architectural parameters for intermediate spaces to support greenery production effectively. Specifically, the research aims to …

Connection Of 2022 World Build Congress Proceedings To The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Michael Behm, Nicholas Tymvios

CIB Conferences

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The built environment plays a significant role in achieving these goals. Recognizing this and embracing the role the UN played in establishing CIB, the theme of this World Building Congress is “sustainable built environment – the role of the construction community in meeting the UN SDGs”. This research evaluated the 2022 World Building Congress proceedings for their connection to the UN SDGs. A literature review, the UN SDG definations, …

Building Sustainable Cities And Communities: Contribution Of Digital Twins To A Sustainable Built Environment, Ahmad Al Ayoubi, Ashtarout Ammar, Hisham Abou Ibrahim

CIB Conferences

The widespread adoption of Digital Twins in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operation (AECO) industry is transforming project dynamics across multiple phases. Digital Twins promises to optimize workflows, enhance process control, and elevate overall project quality throughout the project lifecycle. Despite the immediate benefits observed, the enduring correlation between Digital Twins and fostering a sustainable built environment requires more in-depth exploration. This paper investigates the pivotal role of Digital Twins in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 11, which centers on sustainable cities and communities. Drawing on insights extracted from the existing research, a systematic literature review …

Enabling Rapid And Reusable Visualization Of Construction Operations Using Simulation And Game Engines, Samira Mirhasani, Joseph Louis

CIB Conferences

Meeting the UN's Sustainable Development Goals will require the fast, efficient, and economic development of physical infrastructure systems using innovative construction means and methods. However, the fragmented nature of the construction industry prevents the ready testing and analysis of the impact of such untried methods on the construction site, especially regarding their potential impact on the rest of the construction site system. This can discourage the adoption of innovative methods in the construction industry. This paper presents a solution that enables the rapid testing of novel construction methods in virtual environments by integrating discrete event simulation (DES) and visualization using …

The Roles Of Architects And Urban Designers In Facility Management, Bintang Noor Prabowo

CIB Conferences

This study explores the distinct roles of architects in building-level Facility Management (FM) and urban designers in Urban-Scale Facility Management (Urban FM) to bridge the gap between design and facility operations. By clarifying these roles, the research aims to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring that FM principles are integrated from the early design stages to improve long-term sustainability, efficiency, and resilience in both buildings and urban environments. A scoping literature review was conducted to examine existing research on FM, Urban FM, and the contributions of architects and urban designers. The study reviewed academic literature to identify best practices, challenges, and knowledge …

The Envisage Methodology Applied To Building Renovation: Its Adoption From A Facility Management Perspective, Beatrice Bartolucci, Francesca Frasca, Chiara Bertolin, Anna Maria Siani

CIB Conferences

In construction sector there is a growing interest in using Life Cycle Assessment to evaluate both embodied and operational carbon emissions during retrofitting interventions. Opting for durable interventions, even in restoration projects, with extended lifespans can result in reduced embodied carbon emissions throughout the building's lifecycle in the near and mid-term future. Preserving historic buildings during restoration poses a significant challenge, necessitating a meticulous selection of materials used for renovation. To this purpose, this paper introduces a novel methodology, named ENVISAGE, that combines Life Cycle Assessment with the concept of nearly Zero Emission Refurbishment. This dual approach aims to align …

Integrating Circularity In The Design Of Future-Proof Retail Spaces, Juan Pablo Garrido, Claudio Martani, Nazly Atta, Cinzia Talamo, Giancarlo Paganin

CIB Conferences

Urban areas are major contributors to CO₂ emissions and waste, with redevelopment activities further intensifying their environmental impact. The current gradual shift from physical retail to e-commerce is expected to exacerbate this trend, potentially leading to significant conversions of vacant retail spaces and increased urban waste and energy use. Adopting a circular economy approach - emphasizing efficiency, waste reduction, and decarbonization - can support sustainable urban development, particularly in the event of such transformations. This requires designing retail spaces with flexibility and modularity, though such approaches may involve higher costs. This study proposes a method to evaluate the economic …

The Relationship Between Tenure Type And Domestic Retrofitting Uptake In The Uk, Nadeeshani Wanigarathna Dr, Ephraim Zulu Dr, Matthew Swingwood Mr, Fred Sherratt

CIB Conferences

The housing stock in the UK is a significant contributor to greenhouse gases. To achieve the UK's net-zero targets, a substantial upgrade to the thermal performance of existing dwellings (referred to as retrofitting) will be required. In addition to carbon emission, inefficient homes also present serious health and well-being issues for the occupants. The extent of retrofitting ahead requires significant monetary investment, and the responsibility for such investment ultimately lies with the housing stock owners. In the UK, housing stock can be owned by the occupiers, a private landlord, a local authority or a non-profit social housing association. Their capacity …

A Conceptual Framework For Intelligent Scaffolding Monitoring System, Xiaowei Wang, Chien-Ho Ko, John A Haug

CIB Conferences

Scaffolding safety is a significant concern in the construction industry. To address this, researchers have proposed various safety monitoring approaches. However, current intelligent monitoring systems fall short of fully integrating real-time data, and predictive capabilities, reducing their overall effectiveness in ensuring scaffolding safety. Therefore, this study aims to develop a conceptual framework to advance the intelligent scaffolding monitoring system based on cyber-physical systems (CPS) and digital twins (DT) integration. The framework focuses on developing a DT-enabled scaffolding risk assessment model (SRAM), a sensor-based real-time data collection system, and an intelligent cyber-physical scaffolding risk alert. This research provides essential insights for …

Idenitfying Barriers & Enablers To Improve Whs Outcomes In Australian Small Construction Businesses, Marcus Jefferies A/Prof., Tanvi Newaz Dr, Buddhini Ginigaddara Dr., Temitope Egbelakin Prof., Riza Yosia Sunindijo A/Prof., Liyaning Maggie Tang Dr.

CIB Conferences

Despite its important socio-economic contributions, the Australian construction industry has a poor WHS record. Efforts to improve WHS tend to focus on and be led by, large organisations due to the resources that they have and their ability to capitalise on the economies of scale in their operation. However, it is important to realise that 97% of construction organisations are small businesses, employing fewer than 20 people and their WHS outcomes are worse than the WHS outcomes in large organisations. They are also hard to reach through conventional communication strategies. This indicates that current WHS best practice initiatives are not …

A Data-As-An-Asset Facility Management Framework To Support Hybrid Workplaces And Advance Sustainable Development: Case Studies At Hospitals In China, S. Thomas Ng, Jun Frank Xu, Cheng Zhang, Guanying Huang, Jiajian Zhang

CIB Conferences

Hybrid working that combines home, remote, and in-office working has surged after the COVID-19 pandemic. This working model is disrupting existing facility management practices to (re)shape people-centered hybrid workplaces and advance sustainable development. Collecting, integrating, processing, sharing and analyzing volume and variety of facilities and workspaces data, behavioral and activity data of occupants, environmental data and operational analytics insights remains a major challenge for stakeholders to leverage emerging technologies and digital solutions including digital twin and artificial intelligence to enhance the productivity, operational intelligence, and sustainability of hybrid workplaces. This research proposed a data-as-an-asset facility management framework to support the …

Virtual Reality (Vr)-Based Training In Human-Robot Collaboration: Mediating Role Of Vr Learning Experience, Adetayo Olugbenga Onososen Dr, Musonda Innocent Prof

CIB Conferences

The use of virtual reality for training has been shown to be effective in fostering behaviour change among learners. The widespread evolution in adoption and interest in construction robots has raised the need to train humans to team with robots for safe collaboration on-site. The high cost of construction robots and the need for self-paced, accessible and repetitive learning methods to foster a positive disposition towards human-robot teaming poses a challenge. This study developed a virtual reality-based human-robot collaboration learning framework to promote human-robot teaming in construction applications. The impact of VR learning experience in mediating learners' state of mind, …