Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

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 …

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 …

The Use Of 4ir By Architects In Prevention Of Pre-Construction Project Delays In South Africa, Linda Akoth Miss, Saidi Finzi Dr, Rebecca Alowo Dr, Musonda Innocent Prof

CIB Conferences

The purpose of this poster, based on a master's degree research is to examine how 4IR affects architects' abilities in South African pre-construction project development planning. The study will examine the competencies needed by architects in the early phases of project development, with an emphasis on their capacity to conceptualize, design, and schedule projects in a way that satisfies client needs, complies with legal requirements, and advances sustainability objectives. In addition to a thorough literature review to determine the body of knowledge already in existence on this subject, the research will include an overview of the potential application of 4IR …

Barriers To Financing Climate Change Actions In Infrastructure Projects In Ghana, Isaac Akomea-Frimpong, Amma Kyewaa Agyekum, Taden John, Alexander Baah Amoakwa, Comfort Owusu Kedjah

CIB Conferences

Climate change alters how often damaging events such as floods and fires occur, and how severe they are. This is likely to increase damage and disruption to ongoing and completed public infrastructure projects in Ghana such as Keta Port Project, District and regional hospital projects, West Africa Petroleum Hub, Takoradi Gas Tank Farms, and expansion of second cycle educational institutions under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy. Damages to these infrastructure projects in Ghana as result of climate change affect people, communities, and the economy, through direct damages and flow-on (indirect) impacts such as disruptions to businesses, productivity, …

Assessing Ai Techniques For Precision In Property Valuation: A Systematic Review Of The Four Valuation Methods, Wajhat Ali, Don A.S. Samarasinghe, Zhenan Feng, James O B Rotimi Prof

CIB Conferences

Property valuation is a critical component of real estate management, influencing decisions on investments, sales, and financing. Traditional methods, such as Linear Regression and Multiple Regression Analysis, often struggle to address the complexities of modern property markets. In response, Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers innovative solutions by utilising advanced models for more accurate predictions of property value. This paper presents a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) using Scopus database, focusing on 37 selected papers. It evaluates the effectiveness of key AI models in property valuation, assessing their predictive power, interpretability, robustness, and flexibility, and examines how well these models generate reliable valuations …

Ai In Construction Project Management Education: Insights From The 'Ai For Construction Project Management' Summer School, Ania Khodabakhshian, Fulvio Re Cecconi

CIB Conferences

This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the outcomes of 'AI for Construction Project Management' summer school, a pioneering program that received the 2024 CIB Vistas Funding for its role in advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in construction project management. The summer school comprised six sessions that introduced a range of AI techniques—including Machine Learning (ML), Probabilistic Graphical Models, Computer Vision, And Digital Twins—each designed to automate and optimize key construction tasks. The program engaged 162 participants from industry and academia, representing diverse educational and professional backgrounds. During the introductory sessions and hand-on exercises, the participants explored real-world challenges such …

Assessment Of Interdependency For Building Components In Facility Management, Ashish Kumar Pampana, Soojin Yoon, Theodore J. Weidner

CIB Conferences

This research presents a systematic approach for assessing component interdependencies within building subsystems in relation to unplanned maintenance (UPM). Utilizing a three-step methodology—quantitative content analysis, component causal relationships, and interdependency analysis—the study leverages work order description data to identify key components and their interactions. By applying social network analysis to top keyword and term frequency data, the study examines component centrality, revealing critical interdependencies that impact maintenance needs. Findings show that specific components, such as the steel damper and supply fan, play prominent roles within the subsystem network, with significant ripple effects in case of failure. This methodology not only …

Metaverse And Gamification In Civil Engineering Teaching: Case Studies, Synergies And Practical Applications, Niels Bartels, Carla Pütz

CIB Conferences

The integration of gamification and metaverse-based teaching presents a transformative approach to civil engineering education, addressing the demand for digital, innovative and collaborative skills. By leveraging gamification’s ability to enhance motivation, engagement and comprehension, alongside the immersive, accessible, and practical nature of metaverse environments, these methods can significantly improve learning outcomes. Two case studies from German universities highlight the distinct and complementary benefits of these approaches. Gamification fosters intrinsic motivation, deepens understanding of technical concepts, and enhances collaboration through game-based elements. Meanwhile, the metaverse facilitates realistic simulations, time- and location-independent learning, and the practical application of theoretical knowledge. Combined, these …

Leveraging Sensing As A Dynamic Capability: A Strategy-As-Practice Approach To Enhancing Organizational Resilience In Construction Firms, Zamageda Zungu, Samuel Laryea

CIB Conferences

This study examines how construction firms operationalize sensing as a dynamic capability to enhance resilience in the face of escalating environmental pressures, addressing critical gaps in research on organizational adaptation within the construction sector. Grounded in the strategy-as-practice perspective, the research employs a qualitative case study approach, gathering data through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis reveals the mechanisms by which sensing capabilities are developed and applied, emphasizing structured systems, iterative reviews, and strategic integration of technology. Findings highlight that tools like Entrepreneurial Operating Systems, AI, and drones play a pivotal role in enabling real-time risk identification and decision-making. Leadership-driven cultural practices, …

Evaluating The Role Of Offsite Construction In Achieving Net Zero Building In Nigeria's Construction Industry, Jesse Letsuwa, Emmanuel I. Daniel, Ezekiel Chinyio, Lovelin Obi, Louis Gyoh

CIB Conferences

This study explores the role of off-site construction in achieving net zero buildings in the Nigerian construction industry, which is a significant contributor to carbon emissions. Therefore, the research aims to evaluate Off-Site Construction's contribution to Nigeria's sustainability goals by evaluating the challenges of Off-site construction in achieving net zero. In addressing the aim of the study, a quantitative research approach was adopted; the questionnaire was distributed to Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) professionals across Nigeria's six geo-political zones, gathering data on the challenges and contribution of OSC in achieving net zero building in Nigeria construction industry. The key challenges …

The Viability Of Product-Service Systems In The Uk Built Environment: An Exploratory Appraisal, Sasha Swannell Mr, Alex Copping Dr

CIB Conferences

There is growing industrial consensus that the built environment must rapidly transition to a more circular economy to maximises resource lifespan, minimises waste, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While circularity often focuses on design and waste reduction, new business models are essential for enabling this transition. Product-service systems (PSSs), a circular business proposition centred on product or service usage rather than ownership, has been the subject of growing research. Comprehensive feasibility appraisals on PSSs in this sector, however, are lacking. As such, this study employs Stewart Brand's 'shearing layers' concept to analyse the viability of PSSs in the built environment …

Discussion Of Low-Carbon Development Pathways In Shanghai Urban-Rural Development Area, Weiqin Wu, Yan Jiang, Beihong Zhang, Zhuolin Wang

CIB Conferences

The urban-rural development area, as one of China's key sectors, plays a crucial role in achieving China's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. As a mega-city, Shanghai faces even more severe challenges in energy conservation and carbon reduction in the construction field. According to relevant statistical data, since the 13th Five-Year Plan, the scale of construction and carbon emissions during the operation phase of buildings in Shanghai have shown a continuous growth trend, with the total carbon emissions from residential buildings growing faster than those from public buildings, while the carbon emissions per unit area of public buildings are gradually …

Conversion Of Existing Buildings To Green In Developing Economies: A Preliminary Study For Sri Lanka Focusing On Challenges And Policies, U. G. D. Madushika, Weisheng Lu

CIB Conferences

Current society is interested in incorporating green technologies into existing buildings with aiming economic, social, and environmental sustainability. This is green retrofitting. However, limited attention has been given to green retrofitting adoption in particular regions, for example, Sri Lanka. Recently, several green retrofitting technologies have been adopted globally, contingent upon policy frameworks. In this light, the current paper intends to identify the obstacles hindering green retrofitting adoption in Sri Lanka and how policies might effectively address these challenges. The study's qualitative research methodology included semi-structured interviews with twelve professionals working in Sri Lanka's green construction industry. Accordingly, 25 possible obstacles …

An Exploration Of The Feasibility Of Using Plastic Waste For Sustainable Road Construction In Nigeria: A Qualitative Approach, Rosheedat A. Lawal, Emmanuel I. Daniel, Louis Gyoh, Ezekiel A. Chinyio, Nnedinma Umeokafor

CIB Conferences

Every country, both developed and developing, has problems with waste management, specifically plastic waste. Plastic wastes are non-biodegradable and can decompose between 100 to 500 years. The negative impact of plastic waste is felt by the environment and all forms of living things, either on the land, in the air, or underwater, because of the chemical composition of plastic and its poor management. Nigeria, as a developing country, is faced with a poor and inadequate road network with about 200,000km road network and only 50,000km paved; therefore, there is a need to make more roads that are environmentally friendly, socially …

Investigating Student Perceptions Of Biophilic, Visual And Acoustic Design On High-Performing Learning Spaces, Rana Asad Javid Khan, Jason D. Lucas

CIB Conferences

High-performing educational buildings are designed to foster optimal learning, teaching, and research environments. However, many higher education spaces still lack a fully integrated approach that combines biophilic design principles with effective acoustic solutions. This gap between envisioned performance and current reality highlights the need to understand students' perceptions of indoor conditions within high-performance buildings. This study investigates students’ perceptions of environmental quality, specifically focusing on biophilic, visual and acoustic design features in two contrasting classrooms at the Research University’s Lee Hall. Using a mixed-methods approach, objective measurements of lighting and acoustic conditions were combined with subjective survey responses to evaluate …

The Role Of The University In Making The Built Environment More Accessible And Inclusive For People With Disability: A Case Study From New Zealand, Claire L. Flemmer, Rory C. Flemmer, Alison J. Mcintosh, Andries Van Heerden, Mikael Boulic, Chinthaka Atapattu, James O B Rotimi Prof

CIB Conferences

The need to reduce inequality for people with disabilities is a strong theme in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Cities and communities should be inclusive, but the Built Environment has many buildings and spaces with problematic access features that make full participation impossible for this demographic. Universities can play an important role in addressing the issues underlying barriers to access and in providing clear steps for improvement and inclusion. The role involves interacting with all the key stakeholders including people with disabilities, disability advocacy organisations, construction professionals, legislators, students and the general public. This research demonstrates the role in …

Best Practices In Applying Public-Private Partnership (P3) To Us Transit Facility Electrification, Hyun Woo Lee, Laura Osburn, Bart Treece, Huoi K. Trieu, Yohan Min

CIB Conferences

The growing number of state, county, and city regulations aimed at achieving zero-emission goals is a significant driver pushing many agencies to transition to electric fleets within the next 10 to 20 years. Despite the accelerated timeline and increasing social/political demands, many transit agencies do not have internal capability required for developing, managing, and operating transit electrification infrastructure, or the required capital. To meet these challenges, some transit agencies have explored the potential for using a Public-Private Partnership (P3) delivery method, yet their practices and lessons-learned are neither documented nor reported broadly. In response, this study aims (1) review the …

Integrated Project Delivery And Its Use In Construction, Steven P. Iwankovitsch, Raed Jarrah

CIB Conferences

Integrated project delivery (IPD) is a unique delivery method that involves a collaborative approach among the primary stakeholders. Unlike traditional methods, where parties tend to prioritize their individual interests, IPD aligns everyone's goals for the collective benefit of the project. This approach encourages open communication, shared risk and a collective commitment to success. This study will provide a comprehensive review of the literature, an overview of the IPD delivery structure and a review of case studies comparing and contrasting IPD with traditional methods. Key findings indicate that IPD is still a relatively niche project delivery method but has had great …

Transition From A Linear Information Model To A Circular Information Model - A Deep Dive Into The "State Of The Art" For Circular Data Models In Public Parts Of The Construction Industry In Norway, Håkon K. Gissinger Mr, Nora Johanne Klungseth

CIB Conferences

Transforming from linear society to circular society is fundamental to solve the climat chrisis. To make construction sector circulare, we first need to develop circular data models for built asset. Circular asset data will need to be updated through the life cycle to become a digital twin. Replacement of physical components serves as “triggers” for updating digital twins. But who are the actors in the updating process, and how do they cooperate? The paper present two Norwegian cases of “level 3 digital twin” (Elyasi et al, 2023), and the roles and actors that contribute to update the twinned data. Research …

Public Space Is More Than Architecture: A Critique To An Urban Renewal Project In Shenzhen, China, Cheng Li, Zhidi Cheng, Jilin Li

CIB Conferences

Urban regeneration is a multifaceted process that encompasses both the physical change of locations and the social and cultural reimagining of communities. This study analyzes an industrial heritage renewal project in Shenzhen, China, utilizing urban planning theories including Jacobs' Great Streets and Lydon’s Tactical Urbanism. The study emphasizes the disparity between architecture design implementation and the problems and the way of improvement in urban regeneration initiatives. It underscores the significance of public space design and management for sustained success, providing insights into how urban design may enhance community engagement and elevate quality of life. This study seeks to offer pragmatic …

Life Cycle Assessment Of The Decarbonisation Opportunities Of A Brick Manufacturing Facility In Australia, Benjamin Gazeau, Liliane Klemann, Atiq U. Zaman Dr, Alessandro Sanches Pereira

CIB Conferences

This research tackles the urgent challenge of reducing carbon emissions within the construction industry, where building materials—especially bricks—play a significant role in global greenhouse gas emissions. Brick manufacturing, in particular, significantly contributes to the industry’s carbon footprint, underscoring the need for decarbonisation strategies. This study examines potential pathways to achieve this by exploring alternative fuel options and assessing their environmental impact using life cycle assessment (LCA). Focusing on a brick manufacturing plant in Australia, identified as Plant A, the study uses a cradle-to-gate LCA approach to establish baseline emissions and evaluate the benefits of various fuel-switch scenarios. Key results show …

Uav-Dl-Based Computer Vision Framework For Construction Worker Pose Estimation, Roy Lan, Ibukun Awolusi

CIB Conferences

Traditional ergonomic assessments in construction are limited by subjectivity, intermittent monitoring, and scalability challenges. To address these issues, this study presents a framework integrating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and deep learning-based computer vision for automated ergonomic risk assessment of construction workers. The framework utilizes UAVs to capture aerial footage of workers, enabling continuous monitoring across large and complex sites. Leveraging MediaPipe for pose estimation, the framework detects key body landmarks and calculates joint angles, providing an objective representation of worker postures. These joint angles are then mapped to the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) scoring system through custom algorithms, which …

A Case-Study-Based Investigation On The Planning And Development Of Tiny Home Communities In North Carolina, Lin Whipkey, Jianxin Hu

CIB Conferences

Tiny homes have gained popularity over the past two decades. However, tiny homes have encountered obstacles to being considered as primary dwellings because most local zoning ordinances do not fully adopt them as a permanent dwelling type. Only a few counties (5%) and municipalities (6%) in North Carolina adopted tiny homes in their ordinance. A multiple-case study is employed to investigate eight communities in North Carolina. The developers, property owners, municipality officials, and county planners are interviewed. Other methods include studying the communities' general layout and amenities and reviewing zoning ordinances, property records, and site plans. The data are analyzed …

Exploring The Performance Trends In Leed-Certified Schools In Massachusetts: Analyzing Scorecards For Sustainability Insights, Jung Hyun Lee, Bilge Gokhan Celik, Shaghayegh Kurzinski, Amine Ghanem

CIB Conferences

Schools are essential environments for student development, with the quality of these buildings playing a significant role in shaping students’ learning experiences. Several factors, including indoor air quality, thermal comfort, acoustics, and daylight access, can impact both student well-being and academic performance. Therefore, evolving government regulations and updates to sustainable building standards, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications, have prioritized enhancing the quality of school buildings. This study aims to identify the trends within LEED for school certifications between 2019 and 2024 by examining each rating system category to determine whether these trends vary across categories …

Ai Tools In Project Practice (Design Process, Platforms, Open Building), Sergey Rybakov, Aleksandra Shibaeva

CIB Conferences

The article provides an overview the application of AI-practices in the architectural and design practice (narrow AI/ANI’s). Various directions of introducing these tools into the process (from generative design to reinforced collaborative systems & AI-actors) are considered. The main emphasis is on two aspects: application of AI to ensure the Open Building Implementation concept (within the framework of open construction). How to open buildings ideas react on these practices. How open systems can be complemented with these tools. How the OB-principles (modularity, “openness” itself, users-inhabitants design decisions making & designing process with multiple participants ets.) may change when applying AI-ideas. …

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 …

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 …