Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Indoor Thermal Comfort In Educational Settings Through Adaptive Hvac Control And Seating Recommendations, Qinghao Zeng, Marwan Shagar, Kamyar Fatemifar, Pardis Pishdad, Eunhwa Yang

CIB Conferences

Traditional HVAC systems in educational buildings often fail to meet the diverse thermal comfort needs of students due to their reliance on generalized standards such as ASHRAE guidelines. This lack of adaptability could lead to reduced comfort and productivity of students , as well as limited options for them to adjust to their environments. Changing clothing insulation levels seems to be the most practical solution for them. Consequently, the goal of this research is to enhance thermal comfort in the educational indoor environment, specifically focusing on classrooms, by developing a method to create individual thermal profiles for students and apply …

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. …

Factors Affecting The Capacity And Capability Of The Commercial Building Sector In New Zealand, Chinthaka Atapattu, Niluka Domingo Dr

CIB Conferences

The construction sector also appears to have suffered a significant impact from the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three years. Therefore, properly identifying the capacity and capability of the NZ construction industry and improving construction resilience is crucial. Hence, this study focuses on the commercial building sector by conducting an in-depth case study on recently completed commercial buildings in NZ. The study was carried out through 13 semi-structured interviews with the stakeholders of the selected case who had sound knowledge and experience on the case. According to the study, 90% of the participants pointed out that proper communication and team …

Indigenous Engagement Role In Sustainable Pipeline Construction: Canadian Insights, Haroun Elyasir, Iyad Al Hasan, Ahmed Hammad

CIB Conferences

This paper examines the pivotal role of Indigenous engagement (IE) in fostering sustainable pipeline construction in Canada. It delves into how meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities contributes to social acceptance and project success. it examines how IE impacts the ESG score for pipeline projects, which in turn, affects the cost of capital for proceeding with projects. Using a case study, the paper finds that Indigenous engagement plays a crucial role in determining the weight and score of the social component in ESG evaluations. It concludes that improvements in Indigenous engagement can lead to a lower cost of capital, ultimately enhancing …

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 …

Framework For Building Energy Management: Seasonal Benchmarks For Optimizing Thermal Comfort, Jeongyoon Oh, Abdurrahman Baru, Eunhwa Yang, Baabak Ashuri

CIB Conferences

Given the critical role of indoor thermal comfort in occupants’ well-being and productivity, this study conducted preliminary research to develop a framework for energy management strategies that emphasize thermal comfort and seasonal variations in energy consumption from heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Using a kindergarten facility in South Korea as a case study, the research collected real-time data on indoor thermal conditions and energy usage over one year through an IoT-based sensor network. K-Means clustering was employed to identify distinct energy consumption patterns. The main findings are as follows: First, the cluster analysis identified three significant patterns corresponding …

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 …

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 …

Construction Industry's Dysfunctionality - A Case Of Stakeholder Behaviour In South Africa, Patricia N. Mazibuko Chalwa, Musonda Innocent Professor, Trynos Gumbo Professor

CIB Conferences

Abstract

The construction industry in South Africa is a critical driver of economic growth and infrastructure development. However, it faces significant challenges due to stakeholder behaviours including conflicting interests, poor communication, lack of trust and thus hindering its efficiency & effectiveness resulting in project delays, budget overruns, elements of criminality as well as compromised quality, characterizing the industry’s dysfunctionality. This study examines the key stakeholders’ behavior, viz. clients, regulators, consultants & contractors and its contribution to inefficiencies, project delays, and cost overruns impacting the industry.

Through a mixed-methods approach comprising surveys, interviews and case studies, the research identifies the root …

Towards The Achievement Of Sustainable Built Environment: The Role Of Community-Based Facilities Management Of Urban Public Spaces In Cape Town, Uche Ordor Mr, Kathy Michell Professor

CIB Conferences

Rapid and often unsustainable urban growth is a challenge that cities of the world face. Challenges faced include rapid population growth, urbanisation, which leaves municipalities playing catchup with the provision of infrastructure and services, as well as accessible public spaces. These challenges tend to foster the development of slums, selective access to economic opportunities, social exclusion, and urban poverty. Arguably, the development of informal socio-economic systems occurs at various levels in response to the lack of access to formal socio-economic activities and jobs and ultimately threaten the sustainability of the built environment (BE). The City of Cape Town, South Africa, …

Integration Gaps And Dilemmas In Mobility Platforms: An Empirical Study In Norway, Aashish Adhikari, Alenka Temeljotov-Salaj, Mahgol Afshari, Agnar Johansen

CIB Conferences

Digital Platforms, including web-based and smartphone applications, are essential drivers of digital transition and sustainability for smart city development. The mobility sector is a critical sector where sustainability can be achieved through digital transformation. This study explores the role of digital mobility platforms in driving sustainable transport in smart cities. The study utilized a qualitative approach through an empirical investigation of 27 mobility platforms in Norway. A thematic analysis was done where information from the platform usage and ownerships were extracted from the identified platforms' smartphone applications and web counterparts. Many platforms featured CO2 emission savings, ride-sharing information, integration of …

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 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 …

A User-Centric Approach In Bim Environments For Energy Efficiency, Indoor Comfort Assessment And Renovation Planning, Andrea Giovanni Mainini, Martina Signorini, Sonia Lupica Spagnolo, Markku Kiviniemi, Kostas Tsatsakis, Bruno Daniotti

CIB Conferences

The Chapter 7 of Agenda 21 calls, among others, for promoting sustainable construction industry activities, human resource development and capacity-building for human settlements development. Tremendous efforts for achieving this target in the construction sector still need to be made and the challenge of European climate-neutrality by 2050 seems like a utopia. The development of new technologies, materials and processes for low environmental impacts interventions are usually addressed to new buildings and infrastructures, but sustainable cities need proper and effective strategies of LCA-based renovations to reduce considerably their carbon footprint. New human-centric approaches can help maximizing awareness and benefits on sustainability …

Examining The Risk-Responsiveness Levels Of The Us Building Codes For Healthier And Safer Future Building Practices, Novi Triadi Iman Bramono, Lingzi Wu, Hyun Woo Lee

CIB Conferences

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly influenced the design and operation of office buildings, prompting a heightened awareness of the need for adaptive building practices to mitigate transmission risks of airborne diseases. Recent studies suggest that improved building codes can promote safer and healthier practices, enhancing occupants' well-being and productivity. However, the current understanding of the status and adaptability of building codes to address such risks remains largely limited. In response, this study aims to comprehensively examine the US building codes concerning factors crucial for mitigating airborne transmission risks, specifically focusing on COVID-19. Utilizing the Delphi method, this …

Project Cancellations In New Zealand's Construction Industry: Assessing The Impact Of Unpredictable Events, Maryam Tagharobi Ms, Mostafa Jelodar, Teo Susnjak

CIB Conferences

Unpredictable disasters such as climate change, natural hazards, and pandemics disrupt the construction industry, a vital driver of economic stability. Despite preventive measures, the industry faces setbacks, including project cancellations, postponements, and suspensions. These issues are particularly pronounced in large-scale projects, exacerbated by shifting regulations and economic crises, causing broader economic repercussions. In response, government priorities and disaster strategies often reallocate resources among residential, commercial, and civil projects, inadvertently exacerbating postponements and cancellations in some cases. This research addresses these challenges by analysing the impacts of external and unpredictable disruptions on project value and volume in New Zealand's construction industry …

Volumetric Criteria And An Automated Assessment Tool Development For Optimizing Building Permeability Design In High-Density Urban Environments, M.K. Leung, Dicken Poon, Yuxiu Zu, Yueyang He, Kai Gao, Tim Huang, Clement Pang, Kenneth Leung, Jenny Zhao, K. S. Wong, Edward Ng, Chak Sang Yue, Yuk-Ching Cheung

CIB Conferences

Better urban ventilation can significantly contribute to achieving UN SDGs through better liveability for sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), better air quality for health and well-being (SDG 3), and more climate-responsive building design for climate action (SDG 13). Aligning with the said goals, a set of guidelines comprising 2-dimensional prescriptive building separation requirements was promulgated by HKSAR's Buildings Department (BD) in 2011 to promote better urban ventilation. However, some practitioners have concerns about applying the guidelines for projects with complex geometries. Projects may adopt alternative assessment methods using wind tunnel or CFD simulations to demonstrate compliance, but the required …

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 …

Exploring The Roles And Responsibilities Of Stakeholders In Ebe Education 5.0 Through The Quintuple Helix Model Of Innovation, Karen Le Jeune Ms, Krystle Ontong Dr, Alireza Moghayedi

CIB Conferences

The Quintuple Helix Model of Innovation (5HIM) offers an analytical framework with which to interrogate the reciprocal, complex inter-relationships between the eco-systems of the government, civil society, industry, academia and the environment. In the context of the Built Environment (BE), all of these subsystems are represented by the traditional stakeholders and role players. Education 5.0 requires the integration of digital technology into a modernised engineering and the BE curriculum, while prioritising human-centricity, resilience and sustainable development. Future BE Professionals (BEPs) will be required to serve a data-driven society – Society 5.0 – that strives to deliver prosperity of all, through …

Population Mobility Network Characteristics And Its Influencing Factors Under The Influence Of Typhoon Bebinca—— A Case Study Of The Yangtze River Delta Region, Yicheng Huang, Ying Lu, Hongzhe Yue

CIB Conferences

With the increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as typhoons, the stability and resilience of the inter-city population mobility network is facing serious challenges. However, existing studies have failed to comprehensively reveal the dynamics of the overall regional network, especially the changes in network structure and drivers under disaster situations. Therefore, based on the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) framework and the complex network model, this paper constructs an assessment model for the characteristics of the population mobility network in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region under the influence of Typhoon Bebinca, in order to analyze the impact of the typhoon on …

Optimizing Responsive Hospital Operations: A New Process For Simulating Uncertain Treatment Demand, Jiaqi Suo, Claudio Martani, Hazar Dib

CIB Conferences

Hospitals face growing challenges in optimizing resource allocation to meet diverse stakeholder demands under conditions of uncertainty and variability. A pioneering approach to address this issue was recently introduced by Suo et al. (2024b), which, despite its contributions, relied on a limited and predefined set of demand scenarios due to the difficulty of realistically generating a demand model that accurately reflects the highly dynamic nature of real hospital demand. To overcome this challenge, this study presents a novel process that utilizes the Monte Carlo method to model and forecast hospital treatment demand. The process is demonstrated through the simulation of …

A Comprehensive Review Of Plastic Recycling In The Construction Industry: Challenges And Opportunities In The U.S., Sugam Panthi, Fan Zhang

CIB Conferences

Plastic, owing to its strength and versatility, has become one of the most widely used synthetic materials globally. In the construction industry, plastics are essential for applications like pipes, insulation, membranes, and structural components. However, their extensive use poses significant environmental challenges, exacerbated by material contamination, mixed waste streams, economic disincentives, and insufficient regulatory frameworks. This study examines the recyclability of plastics used in the construction industry based on the Resin Identification Code classification system and identifies key barriers and opportunities for plastic recycling. Findings highlight technological advancements such as chemical and biological recycling, which offer potential solutions but remain …

Are Construction Pipeline Information Reliable: The Primacy Of Internally Generated Data In Strategic Decision Making, Taofeeq Durojaye Moshood, Wajiha Shahzad, James O B Rotimi Prof

CIB Conferences

The construction industry in New Zealand is a vital contributor to the nation's economic growth, employment, and business expansion. However, to align with the government's objectives of affordable, secure, and sustainable housing and infrastructure, the industry must adeptly navigate the uncertainties in infrastructure pipelines. Infrastructure pipeline information is crucial in guiding construction stakeholders and government in making strategic decisions about when, where, and how to invest in projects across New Zealand. This study investigates the reliability of construction pipeline information and its impact on strategic decision-making within construction organisations, with a particular focus on the primacy of internally generated data. …

Theoretical Framework For Risk Identification And Assessment In Infrastructure Projects Through Ai-Knowledge Retrieval, Fredrick Ahenkora Boamah, Xiaohua Jin, Sepani Senaratne, Srinath Perera

CIB Conferences

Robust risk identification and assessment strategies are required to reduce the likelihood of failures, delays, and cost overruns in today's complex infrastructure projects. The inability to respond to changing risks and the delay in identifying and assessing risks are both caused by the reliance on static methods commonly used in traditional methods of knowledge retrieval and risk identification and assessment. This study lays out a theoretical framework for better risk identification and assessment through the use of an AI-powered knowledge retrieval. A variety of unstructured data sources, such as contract documents, risk logs, site inspection reports, and emails, are automatically …

Digital Data Storytelling For Sustainability Education Of A Green Building Project, Laura Almeida Dr, Sepani Senaratne, Srinath Perera

CIB Conferences

Education for Sustainability has been facing an increasing demand not only due to the priorities established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) but also by being one of the main targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this paper, digital data storytelling and project/problem-based learning approaches were investigated as effective tools for teaching sustainability to university students. Two groups of students, postgraduate and undergraduate, were selected to be exposed to a video showcasing sustainable principles and strategies implemented during the certification of a green building. With collaboration from industry partners, the video is intended to …

Implementing Green Construction To Increase Competitiveness: A Case Of The Indonesian Local Construction Industry, Debby Willar, Bambang Trigunarsyah, Steve Supit, Novatus Senduk

CIB Conferences

A large amount of solid concrete waste construction results in enormous waste for construction projects and is a severe source of landfill pollution. Indonesian contractors have made several efforts to overcome this problem; however, they have yet to represent local contractors. Research in construction waste management has been conducted, which provides a breakthrough for local construction companies to implement green construction and increase their business performance and social responsibility. First, this paper reviews the weaknesses, needs, and possible improvements for the local construction companies to manage construction waste by implementing green construction. Second, it introduces a digital concrete crusher (DCC). …